“So,” my mom began as I brushed her hair. “Looks like things are getting serious between you and Mitch, huh?”
I smiled at her in the mirror and said, “Yeah, they are. It’s funny … I never imagined we’d get back together, yet, now that we are, it seems like it was pretty inevitable.”
“I always did like him for you,” she said, her brow furrowing before adding, “Much more than that Jed.”
My mom had only met Jed once, when she’d come to Chicago for a surprise visit without my father. She’d tried to schedule trips out prior to then, but I’d always held her off, which was why she decided to show up without notice. She was suspicious that things weren’t as great as I always said they were.
It had been right in the midst of the worst part of our relationship, only a few weeks before I’d ended up leaving him, and he’d been atrocious to my mother. Rude and condescending … bordering on aggressive.
She’d tried to get us to leave with her then, but I hadn’t been ready.
When I’d called and told her I’d taken Hope and filed for divorce, my mother had cried so hard my dad had to take the phone from her.
“Mitch was a good boy in high school,” she continued. “And he’s grown into a great man. You couldn’t do much better.”
“Well, I’m not looking for anyone else, so don’t worry,” I assured her.
“And have you two rekindled the … intimate part of your relationship as well?” she asked slyly.
I turned on the blow dryer and ignored the question.
I let my mind wander as I went through the motions of doing my mother’s hair. She was one of my standing weekly appointments and always got the same thing done. I could have styled her with my eyes closed.
I thought back to the night before, when I’d walked into Hope’s bedroom to see her kneeling by her bed, saying her prayers.
“Please give Prince Alice good dreams, where he can chase mice and be surrounded by balls of string. He likes those the most … Keep Grandma and Grandpa happy and let my mommy laugh some more. She never used to laugh and now she laughs all the time. Thank you for giving her Mitch and letting him care for us. And make sure he builds a slide in his new house. Amen.”
My eyes had welled with tears at her addition of Mitch in her prayers. I didn’t think she’d ever prayed for her father, which was a reflection on him, not her, so to hear her talk about Mitch meant she was falling for him just as hard as I was.
It scared me as much as it thrilled me, and I’d felt doubts start to creep into my thoughts.
By the time I went to bed I’d talked myself out of that niggling worry, and when I woke up I was once again excited at the prospect of deepening my relationship with Mitch during, and after, the barn dance.
But as I finished drying my mother’s hair, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was taking things with Mitch too far.
A serious relationship with anyone one was risky with Hope in the picture, but given my history with Mitch and the way the entire town seemed to be focused on our happy ending, I couldn’t help but wonder if we were building up for a great fall.
28
Mitch
Classic Bruce Springsteen played through my air pods as I lifted folding chairs off a rack and walked them into the barn to position them where Mrs. Faulkner had told me to.
I’d finished a job yesterday and didn’t start a new one until Monday, so I’d offered to help the Faulkners set up for the dance. They were nice people who were always willing to help out in the community, so helping them was a no-brainer.
I sang along with The Boss as I worked, enjoying the feel of being outside and doing manual labor. It made me feel content and happy, which was why I owned the business that I did.
I’d tried working inside at a desk once. That lasted about a week before I ran screaming for the exit.
Some men were made to wear a suit every day, like the mayor, Malcolm Wright, who was currently placing his jacket on the back of a chair and rolling up his sleeves, while others were meant to live in well-worn jeans and need only answer to themselves.
Obviously, I fell into the latter category.
Once the tables and chairs were set up, Mrs. Faulkner pointed me toward one of the many ladders being used to hang up lights, so I climbed up and got to work on making the barn look romantic and twinkly.
Her words, not mine.
While Malcom and I worked on the lights, Mrs. F had a team of people decorating in what I guess would be called a rustic theme, which pretty much meant dress up the barn to me. There was lots of twine and white … white flowers, white table and chairs, and a lacy white backdrop behind the stage.
I chuckled as I thought of Tucker singing with a bunch of lace behind him.
There were long tables along the side walls for the potluck and different drink stations and a huge chalk board at the front that said, Let’s Kick Off Summer.
All in all it looked like it would be a great event, just as it was every year. This year, however, I was looking forward to it much more than I had in years past. Because this time, not only would I have two beautiful girls arriving on my arms, but one going home with me as well.
I’d given the cabin a good cleaning, bought candles and placed them in the bedroom, and had a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge.
I wasn’t going into the night expecting anything to happen between Faith and me. I was hoping … but I was excited simply to have her all to myself for the night. To have her sleep next to me in my bed, which would be a first for us.
I hung my last string of lights and climbed back down the ladder.
“Hey, Mrs. F., what do you need done next?” I asked once she was done talking with one of the ladies who was laying out tablecloths.
She tapped her pointer finger on her lips as she looked around the space.
“Hmmm … Oh! Outside we’re doing a kid’s area. I’ve got some water play tables, a large cutout of a farmer and some farm animals that they can stick their faces in and take pictures, and some bales of hay they can sit on. I think there are a few other things … it’s all outside and to the left. Would you mind setting it up for me?”
“Happy to help with whatever you need,” I assured her, giving her a nod before turning to go do as instructed.
I was sitting on one of the bales of hay putting together the second of six water play tables, when I heard the crunch of gravel under tires.
I looked up to see Aiden Faulkner getting out and rounding his truck to pull a keg out of the back.
“Need some help?” I called out to Aiden, our chief deputy sheriff and the Faulkners’ only son.
“I don’t know. You look like you’re having fun there,” he joked, lifting the keg to his shoulder.
I wiped the sweat out of my eyes and laid down what I was working on so I could go grab a keg.
“I’d enjoy it more if there was actually water in it,” I replied as we crossed paths. “It’s hot as hell today.”
“That it is,” he called over his shoulder. “Thanks, man.”
I grabbed a keg and hoisted it over my shoulder just like Aiden had, then followed his footsteps back inside the barn. He was in the corner putting it down, so I joined him and did the same.
We repeated this with four more kegs, then Aiden tapped the first one and poured us each a red solo cup.
I took a deep gulp and sighed.
“Thanks, man. This really hits the spot.”
“I bet. I know how my mom can get during these things. How long have you been setting up?” he asked.
I shrugged and said, “A few hours. It’s no big deal. I like helping out.”
“Well, I know she appreciates ya. We all do. Thanks for helping out.”
“You got it,” I said, then lifted my glass as added, “Thanks again for this. I’d better finish up so I can go home and get ready.”
“Got a hot date?” he asked with a grin. “A certain blonde beauty?”
“Two actually,” I r
eplied with an answering smile. “I’ll be escorting both Faith and Hope to the dance. Will you and Emma be there?”
“You know it.”
“Great. See you then,” I said, finishing the beer and throwing the cup in the trashcan at the exit on my way back to the kids area.
It took me another hour to get everything set up and once Mrs. F gave me her okay and said she didn’t need anything else, I headed home to shower and get myself ready. I was supposed to pick up Faith and Hope at six and I didn’t want to be late.
29
Faith
I’d styled my hair in a nineteen-fifties bombshell style, with soft waves framing my face. I thought it went well with the pretty white eyelet dress I was wearing to the dance. The dress was a little young for me, but I couldn’t resist the butterfly sleeves, V-neck with tiny buttons running down to the waist, and eyelet embroidery.
Plus, it twirled when I danced. Who didn’t love a twirly dress?
I felt pretty and confident, with just enough sexy to have me stuffing the lavender lingerie I’d gotten from Queen’s in my overnight bag.
I gave myself one last onceover, touched up my cotton-candy-pink lipstick, and turned to go check on Hope.
As I was walking down the hall, I heard a knock on the door and called, “Hope, Mitch is here,” then redirected my feet toward the front door.
I opened the door and my mouth gaped.
He looked good enough to eat in his jeans, cowboy boots, and button-up shirt. His hair was still wet from a shower and was curling up over the collar of his shirt.
“Wow,” Mitch said, looking at me the way I’d been looking at him. “You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“Thanks, so are you,” I managed.
“What about me?” Hope’s tiny voice said from my right.
We both looked down to see her grinning up at us. She had on a long, rainbow-colored dress and had attempted to put her hair up in pigtails, which were woefully lopsided. On her feet were jelly shoes. One red and one blue.
“Stunning,” Mitch told her, causing her to jump up and down.
“You are going to be the belle of the ball,” I told her.
“You mean like on Beauty and the Beast?” she asked, not quite getting my reference.
I chuckled and said, “Yes, just like Belle in Beauty and the Beast.”
She thought about it for a minute, her head tilted to the side, before saying, “I like Belle, but I don’t want a beast to lock me away. I’d rather just go have fun with my friends.”
“Then that’s what you’ll do,” Mitch said, before asking, “You ladies ready to go?”
I held up my bag in answer, which made his eyes twinkle.
“I’ll take that for you,” he said.
I handed him the bag and said, “I’ve just got to go grab my macaroni salad.”
After I locked up, we all loaded up in his truck and headed toward The Faulkner Farm.
“Is this your first barn dance?” Mitch asked Hope, glancing back at her through the rearview mirror.
“Yes. I’m so excited. Mommy said there’s games and food and dancing. I’m the best at dancing. She said Mr. Tucker will be singing. He’s my favorite.” Hope was practically vibrating with so much excitement that I was worried she’d be tuckered out before we even got to the farm.
When we arrived, there were already a lot of people there, so Mitch dropped Hope and me off at the front and went to go find a place to park.
“Oh look, Hope, isn’t it beautiful?” I exclaimed as we made our way to the barn.
There was a fun kids area set up outside and inside you could see lights everywhere. As we walked through the barn doors, I took in the delicate, feminine décor and absolutely fell in love.
It looked like a dream and smelled like heaven.
“Let’s go put this on the food table,” I said, crossing to the table and finding the appropriate place on the table for my salad. I left it with the other sides and turned to look around the space once more.
“There’s Grandma,” Hope cried, looking up at me expectantly.
“Go ahead,” I said with a nod, and she took off like a shot, weaving through people to get to my mom.
The band was warming up and while guests were still arriving, the others were milling around, enjoying drinks and mingling with each other.
I looked around the space and realized I knew everyone in it, which was oddly comforting. In Chicago it was odd to go to a function and know ten percent of the guests, let alone all of them. It was a city of strangers, which was exactly what I’d wanted. Funny how my desires had changed so drastically over the years.
Now I was becoming the person I’d been terrified of, and I loved her.
“Don’t you look lovely.”
I glanced to my left to see Mitch’s mother walking toward me with Mr. Locke trailing close behind. When she came up next to me and stopped, he stayed a couple feet away. Presumably to give us privacy, which I had to admit, made me nervous.
Mrs. Collins and I had always gotten along great, but I knew how much she treasured her son, and I was sure my leaving and breaking his heart did not endear me to her.
I glanced around to see if there was anyone nearby to save me, then mentally chastised myself for being a big chicken. If Mitch and I had any chance of having a meaningful relationship, I had to be able to face his mother and own up to what I did.
“Hi, Mrs. Collins,” I said lamely, hoping she couldn’t hear the tremble in my voice.
She didn’t even bother to fake a smile, instead she looked me dead in the eye and asked, “So, I hear you’re once again dating my son. Do you plan on sticking around this time, or are you going to break his heart again?”
Damn, she went right for the jugular.
“Uh, ah,” I stuttered, then cleared my throat nervously. “Yes, I am seeing Mitch again and it is not my intention to hurt him in any way. I swear.”
Mrs. Collins simply stared at me without replying, so I assumed she wanted me to continue.
“I’m so sorry for the way things happened before. I know I hurt him, and you, by running off without a word. I had my reasons, even though it’s not an excuse. And I promise to sit down with you one day over tea, or wine, if you prefer, and share those details, but I don’t think this is the place to get into it.”
Just then I saw someone approach from my peripheral vision. It was Mitch and he asked, “Mom, what the hell are you doing?” And he didn’t sound too pleased.
30
Mitch
I’d been waylaid by a few folks on my way inside, but when I’d finally walked in and scanned the room to see where Faith was, I’d been pissed to see her being cornered by my mother, looking nervous and upset.
I’d shot Sam Locke a look of disgust, I mean, what was he doing standing off to the side like he was my mom’s bodyguard or something, before approaching the two most important women in my life.
“Mom, what the hell are you doing?” I asked, stopping next to Faith and facing my mother to show her whose side I was on in whatever this was.
She looked at me and pursed her lips, like she did when she was trying not to cry.
Shit.
“I was simply asking Faith her intentions, that’s all.”
“Mom, I’m thirty. I can make my own decisions, and if I want to be with Faith, that’s what I’m going to do. It has nothing to do with you.”
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, you’ll always be my son and it’s my right as your mother to worry and want what’s best for you,” she argued.
“It’s okay, really,” Faith said, placing a reassuring hand on my arm.
“No, it’s not. This is a barn dance, not a courtroom, and we’re here to have fun. This is not the time or place for you to come in guns blazing.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right about it not being the right time,” my mom said with a sigh. “I just saw Faith over here alone and since I haven’t spoken to her since the two of you started dati
ng, I wanted to say my piece.”
“I understand,” Faith said calmly. “And what I said before stands, I’d be happy to meet up with you and talk about whatever you’d like.”
“Thank you,” my mom said with a nod. “I’ll take you up on that.”
“Okay, now if you don’t mind, I’d like some private time with Faith.”
Because she still looked sad, I grabbed my mom and gave her a hug. “Have fun tonight,” I whispered, then gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“You, too, sweetheart,” she replied. “You know I’m only looking out for you.”
“I know,” I said, pulling away to look down at her. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too,” she said, then looked at Faith and said, “Have a good time. I’ll call you about that wine.”
Faith gave her a small smile. “I look forward to it.”
Once my mom joined Sam and they walked away, I turned to Faith and said, “I’m so sorry about that.”
She put her hands in mine and tilted her beautiful face up to look at me.
“Don’t worry about it, truly. She has a right to her feelings, and I understand them. I’m sure when someone breaks Hope’s heart I’ll react the same way.”
“I’ll kill him,” I only half-joked, but succeeded in making her laugh. “Want to grab a drink?”
“Absolutely.”
I held her hand as we made our way over to the bar in the corner. We stopped to say hello and engage in small talk with a few folks, but eventually made it.
“Wine?” I asked, and when she nodded in affirmation, I poured her a glass before getting some beer for myself. “Shall we find a table?”
Faith agreed and pointed to a table up by the dance floor where a lot of our friends had gathered.
Once we had our seats, we drank and talked with our friends a bit. When the band started warming up, talking became more difficult, so we sat back, hand in hand, and listened to the music.
Perfect Summer: Mason Creek, book 7 Page 10
