“Where are Dakota and Oliver?” Stone asked.
“Upstairs, playing trains,” Autumn said. “They’re thick as thieves up there.”
“You guys aren’t working, are you?” Stone asked, gesturing toward the laptop.
“Not work, exactly.” Nico glanced slyly at Trey.
Autumn giggled. “It’s a chore, but not work.”
“We’re finding a man for Autumn.” Nico grabbed the laptop from the table and sat back down on the couch.
“We’re perusing three dating sites,” Trey said. “It’s proving difficult to find a man worthy of Autumn.”
“Nico came up with a rating system,” Autumn said. “Based on appearance, education, employment, and similar interests.”
“We haven’t found the right combination yet,” Nico said. “But he’s out there.”
Stone would have liked to suggest that perhaps one of the two of them might date his sister. However, he kept his mouth shut. His sister would kill him if he dared say anything even remotely close. They were her friends, she’d told him when he’d suggested it before. And, she’d added, friends were more important than guys who would eventually break her heart when they saw what she looked like without clothes. He’d flinched when she’d said that, sick to his stomach. He imagined his fighting days were past him until he thought of someone hurting his sister. Nothing made his fists clench faster.
“What happens if you find one with potential?” Stone asked.
“I’m going to help Autumn write to them,” Trey said. “We decided a guy would know more what a guy wants to hear.”
“It’s kind of a twisted Cyrano type of thing,” Nico said. “Only Autumn doesn’t have a big nose.”
“She has a particularly adorable nose,” Trey said. “Sprinkled in freckles, which are the best kind.”
Stone studied Trey, but there didn’t appear to be anything at play, other than a good buddy trying to build up his friend.
“I’m fine in the nose department, but what about my leg?” Autumn asked.
The guys were quiet. No one, other than Stone, had ever seen her bare legs. Tonight, she wore blousy slacks and a green cotton sweater that matched her eyes.
“They don’t think I should mention my lame leg in the profile,” Autumn said. “But that seems like false advertising.”
“Any guy worth his salt isn’t going to care about your leg,” Nico said. “Anyway, you’re beautiful, smart, kind, and funny.”
Again, if she was so great, why wasn’t one of them snatching her up? Were they deterred by her leg?
Stone looked over at Dack, who appeared to be listening with interest and compassion.
They were interrupted when Dr. Jackson Waller came in from the patio. More introductions ensued, ending with Jackson and Dack breaking apart from the group to talk about practicing medicine in small towns. The other three went back to looking at male profiles. Stone decided it was time to say hello to his brother and David. He grabbed another beer and joined them.
They were sitting on the outdoor lounge chairs, drinking scotch and talking about…not sports or politics or business but about their kids. Stone hoped someday he might be able to join in the discussion. The fryer was silver and on legs, looking remarkably like a larger version of Dakota’s toy spaceship upstairs in the playroom.
“Hey, little brother,” Kyle said. “Have a seat. Tell us about the in-laws.”
Stone grabbed a chair and joined them. David looked relaxed for once. The fatigue around his eyes had smoothed, and his jaw appeared less tight. Being out here with Kyle was doing him good.
He told them about his day with Dack and Lila, how gracious they were and welcoming, as well as his apology about his lack of decorum regarding the proposal.
“How’re you doing?” Stone asked David. This was his first Thanksgiving without his wife.
David lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I’m good. Better than I thought I’d be. My sister was right to suggest I move out here. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure. Except for college, I’d never lived anywhere other than the town I grew up in. It’s been good for me to be someplace new, and I couldn’t ask to have met a better group of people. You guys and Lisa’s friends—I feel supported and damn grateful. Being close to Lisa is great for the kids, too. She’s so good with them, and they adore her. Honestly, I never realized how lacking my wife was as a mother until I saw Lisa with them. Violet’s been a lifesaver, too. She hooked me up with a part-time nanny and is always inviting the kids over to play. So, all in all, I’m pretty good.”
That was the most Stone had ever heard David say at one time.
“And your brother’s been plying me with good scotch for the last hour, so I’m feeling no pain.”
Kyle laughed. “I’m happy to have the company.”
“Still, can’t help but dread December, man.” David clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Christmas and my sister’s wedding mean time with my mother. She’s still super ticked at me for moving out here and taking the kids from her.”
They talked for a few minutes about the wedding and David and Lisa’s family. Although his parents were together, it sounded as if they weren’t exactly the perfect family. Welcome to the club.
After that, the conversation drifted to work when Kyle asked about the status of Sara’s house. Since they’d broken ground at the beginning of the month, they’d made great strides. If all continued to go well, she’d be able to move in at the beginning of the summer. To Stone’s surprise, she’d been an easy client. Not that she’d ever been anything other than sweet to him, but he wasn’t oblivious to the fact that she was rich and therefore might have been used to being demanding.
“I may have your next few jobs,” Kyle said. “Jackson just told me he’s moving his medical practice from their current building.”
“Why’s that?” Stone asked.
“They need more space. Something about the number of babies upping the population. With Kara scaling back her hours, he’s going to hire another nurse practitioner and expand the practice. He can’t keep up with the volume, especially since his dad wants to golf and spend time with his wife, not get called into work every other day. Anyway, he and Maggie bought the building in back of the post office for his new practice. They’re gutting it and basically starting from scratch. Doc wants to sell the old building for the cash. Coincidentally, the dance studio next door is also in flux. Miss Rita’s tried to retire, but the woman who wanted to buy her out couldn’t make it work. She can’t find anyone who wants to take over the studio or buy the building. She came to me the other day to ask if I was interested. So, long story short, I’m buying them both. Since they’re next door to each other, it gives me the option to tear them both down and build something bigger.”
“Do you know what you want to do?” David asked.
“Nothing concrete. All I know is that it’s prime real estate for a business that appeals to tourists.” Kyle sipped from his scotch. “The problem is my wife. She wants it to be used for something that benefits the town culturally or artistically. And she’s totally against tearing the existing structures down unless we build something pretty. The architecture has to enhance the beauty of the town, not take away from it. You know how she is.”
Stone nodded, smiling. Violet had grown up in Cliffside Bay and was practically militant about preserving the quaint aesthetic as well as the history. She and Kyle had fallen in love as they went head-to-head over the building of the resort on the edge of town. Stone hadn’t yet moved to town, but apparently Violet was a lone picketer in front of the construction site.
“What’s she want? Like an art gallery?” David asked. “Because that would be cool.”
Kyle groaned. “Yeah, because I love to invest in a business that bleeds cash. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the kind of thing she has in mind. I’m totally screwed. I’m serious. I cannot cross her on this. I promised. But it goes against everything in me to invest in a venture that doe
sn’t make money.”
“That’s a bummer about the dance studio closing,” David said. “Every time we go by there, Laine points at the tutus on display and says, ‘Me want.’”
“Mollie Blue’s the same way. Violet says they always have to stop and watch the little dancers if the curtains are up when there’s a class going on.”
Stone had a sudden thought. An idea that might please everyone, including Violet, Pepper, and Kyle. This line of thinking was interrupted by the appearance of Valerie Hickman. She’d shown up after all. The men stood to greet her. Kyle hugged her, which surprised Stone. Remembering his vow of forgiveness, he did the same. Valerie trembled. His arms seemed big and oafish. She was no sturdier than a toothpick. A sharp sting pierced his chest. She was an old lady—fragile and vulnerable, probably scared to come to this enormous, perfectly polished house. Maybe she’d sat in her car, willing herself to go, but too afraid to start the engine. This house full of successful people, happy families, must feel foreign to her. She wasn’t like Pepper’s mother and father, at ease with rich people because they were too.
“I’m glad you came,” Stone said quietly.
She looked at her feet. “I almost didn’t. All these people I don’t know. I didn’t have anything nice to wear.” She crossed her arms over her chest, as if to steady herself. “But I promised your brother, and I didn’t want to let him down.”
He took in her clothes then. She wore a pair of black pants and a thick sweater. The yarn had balled, and there was a small hole at the collar. Her black shoes were scuffed. “Our friends are really nice. And you know Pepper already.”
Last time she’d come to visit, they’d all had lunch together at The Oar. Pepper had made it easier. She’d asked Valerie questions and gotten her talking about television shows she enjoyed. At the end of the meal, Kyle had asked her again if he could move her to an apartment or house closer to them. She’d refused. Again. “I can’t let you do that. I’m fine. Really.”
Kyle had told him later that he’d tried to slip her some money, but she’d declined that too. However, she was here tonight. Progress. He had a feeling if anything changed her mind about taking Kyle’s offer, it would be the grandchildren.
Now, Kyle leaned over the fryer and let out a shout. “Our bird’s done. Boom. I’m the king of the turkeys.”
Valerie laughed, high-pitched and quick, as if she were out of practice. He’d never heard her laugh before. Not since her return, anyway. A sudden memory exploded in his mind. They’d been outside on a warm day. Her hair had glistened in the sun and looked almost red. Like Autumn’s hair now. She’d knelt over to pick Autumn up from the grass and when she rose, his sister had taken a chunk of the silky strands in her pudgy toddler fist and said, “Mama pretty.”
His mother had hugged Autumn close and laughed, faint and sad. “I used to be, little girl. Until this world used me all up.”
Had she ever had much to laugh about? Stone’s throat ached at the thought of her hard life. Darned if he was going to cry in front of his brother and David, but sadness rocked him like waves against a doomed ship in a storm.
Kyle and David lifted the turkey out of the pot and onto a waiting platter using heat-resistant gloves. The scent of oil and crispy skin filled the air.
He turned back to look at Valerie. She was watching Kyle’s every move. Although her mouth was set in a smile, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her hand was at her throat, playing with the cross that hung in the hollow of her neck.
“You all right?” Stone asked her.
She jumped, as if she’d forgotten he was there. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
She spoke quietly in her dry voice. “Yes. So many Thanksgivings went by. One after the other until there were no more. I always thought, maybe next year. Next year, I’ll go get them. But I was too afraid, too passive, too guilty. Then, finally, it was too late.”
“You’re here. It’s not too late. We have another chance.”
“How is it you boys can forgive me?” Tears spilled down her wrinkled cheeks. “I never forgave my parents. Not after all the ways they hurt me. You boys should hate me.”
Kyle had turned to them by now. He approached, still wearing his gloves. David discreetly took the platter with the turkey inside the house.
“We can’t hate you,” Kyle said. “You’re our mother. What would be the point of holding on to anger when we have this second chance? In the history of man, no good has ever come from clinging to a grudge or refusing to let go of the past. We’re here. Our babies are the present and future, a chance for redemption—the ultimate second chance.” Kyle looked up at the sky for a moment before returning his gaze to Valerie. “Stone and Pepper are getting married. Think of the wedding. Stone all dressed up waiting for his stunning bride to walk down the aisle. Think of the children’s school concerts and the births of Pepper’s and Autumn’s babies, graduations and Thanksgiving dinners. Oh heck, think of Christmas morning. And all the beautiful days in our future. You don’t have to miss anything else. We made it through the hard times to all of this.” He waved a gloved hand toward the house. “Right now, that kitchen is filled with people who love us. We made it to the other side, and we want you here for the rest of the ride.”
At this point, Stone realized he was crying. Just then, Dakota came running out to them. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of all of them crying. It was only a second’s hesitation, though. He recovered his wits and hurled himself at their legs. “Don’t cry, guys. It’s a happy day.”
Kyle yanked his gloves from his hands and tossed them onto the table. He lifted Dakota in his arms, holding him tightly around his legs. “You’re right, my little man. You make it a happy day.” Dakota wrapped his arms around his father’s neck as Kyle held him close to his chest with one strong arm. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too,” Kyle said, smiling over the top of his head. “This is the future, right here.”
Dakota lifted his head. “I love you, Uncle Stone.”
Stone wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Oh, buddy, I love you too. So much.”
Dakota turned to his grandmother. “I love you too, Granny.”
A sob rose out of her. A cry of pain and joy and gratefulness. “You do?”
“You’re my granny. Mama says a heart has room to love gobs and gobs of people. Did you know that, Granny?”
“I did, actually.”
Dakota slid down his father’s tall body. “Mama says it’s time to carve the turkey. May I help?”
“You may,” Kyle said.
“Mama makes us say ‘may,’ Granny. Sometimes we forget, right, Dad?”
“Sometimes. But we’re slowly getting there. One day at a time.” Kyle smiled at his mother. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go stuff ourselves.”
Dakota placed his hand in his grandmother’s. “May I escort you to dinner, Granny?”
“You may,” she said.
And she laughed, a little less out of practice than the last time. If anyone could teach a person how to laugh, it was Dakota.
Chapter 25
Pepper
A light mist fell from the sky as Pepper walked her parents to the entrance of the lodge. Stone had waited in the truck while she said good night to them.
Before they reached the doors to the lobby, Pepper clasped her mother’s hands in hers. “Thank you for spending time with my friends. I love having you here.” Behind them, the valets ushered guests in and out of the lobby.
“It was a great way to spend Thanksgiving,” Mom said. “Seeing all you girls happy is something to be thankful for.” Her mother’s voice cracked with emotion. “Stone’s family, your friends, this beautiful town—well, we couldn’t ask for anything better for our little girl. We’re so proud and happy.”
“And you like my Stone, right? You approve?” Pepper asked.
“Of Stone?” Dack asked. “How could we not?”
“He’s a wonderful youn
g man who obviously adores you,” Mom said. “We approve.”
“Can you believe I finally found someone?” Pepper asked.
Her mother captured Pepper’s face in her hands. “I never doubted for a moment that you’d find the right man.” She glanced at Dack. “Sometimes it takes a time or two before you find the exact right match.”
“I never thought I’d think anyone was good enough for you,” Dack said to Pepper. “I was prepared to spend the next few months worried and unable to sleep because I’d be sure you were making the wrong decision. But the minute I met him and saw his earnestness and how he looked at you, I knew. This man is good enough for my Pepper girl. Frankly, I didn’t know there were young men like him or Kyle, or their friends. I thought men of integrity and grit and manners were a dying breed. Three years ago, when you and Maggie and Lisa came up to visit, I thought after you all left—what is wrong with the men of New York? How could they let any of you go? I told your mom, we may as well give up on grandchildren from any of you girls. Thank God Maggie found her way back to Cliffside Bay.”
“Dack, I had no idea you were so worried about us.” Pepper laughed through her tears. She threw her arms around his neck before backing away slightly to look at him. “Thank you for being my dad. For all three of us, you were the only man we knew who taught us what we should expect, what we deserved.”
“You three girls deserve the world,” Dack said. “Don’t forget that.”
They said good night and she watched as they disappeared into the lobby. She ran through the damp air to Stone’s truck and slipped in beside him.
“Well? Did I pass the test?” he asked.
“I’d say so, yes. They love you. I knew they would.”
He let out a long breath. “Thank God.”
She kissed his cheek. “This is such a good day. Not a canned pea in sight.”
“It’s all rainbows and unicorns with you, baby.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “You came back to me, Pepper Shaker. I’ll never take that for granted. I’m a blessed man.”
Healed: Stone and Pepper (Cliffside Bay Book 7) Page 27
