Already Home

by Susan Mallery

  “Watch sports?”

  “Football and baseball.”

  “Good choices,” she told him.

  “Thanks. I like to travel. I plan a big trip every couple of years. Next spring I want to go to Thailand. I hear it’s beautiful. And I like wine.” He nodded at her glass. “Have you been to Santa Barbara?”

  “No.”

  “It’s beautiful. I was there a couple of years ago. I drove from Chicago, saw a lot of the country, filled my trunk with wine and drove home.”

  “Sounds like a good time.”

  “It was.”

  He told her about other trips he’d taken. They spared a couple of minutes to look at the menu and had their orders ready when their server returned, then resumed their conversation.

  Violet found that she liked the sound of Cliff’s voice. He was well-spoken without being stuffy. He laughed easily, never looked at other women, and while he was obviously interested, he wasn’t touching her all the time.

  She found herself relaxing more than she would have expected, leaning in when he spoke. Partway through her meal, she realized she felt a flutter, low in her belly. Attraction, she thought happily. That was a good sign.

  “Have you been married before?” Cliff asked, passing her the bread.

  She took a slice, then set it on her plate. “No.”

  “Get close?”

  “Not really.”

  “I’m surprised,” he admitted. “A beautiful woman like you? You must have to beat guys off with a stick.”

  She laughed. “Not as much as you’d think. I’ve worked in retail for years, mostly in cookware. Not a lot of guys hang out there and I don’t go to bars very often.”

  Picking up a strange man and taking him home wasn’t her idea of a good time. She’d done that enough before—to make money. It had been a horrible life, and she’d vowed she was never going back to it.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  He sighed. “Divorced.”

  “What happened? Or is that too personal?”

  “I don’t mind talking about it. We were too young. We met in college, fell in love and thought it was forever. We got married after college, moved to Boston and started our careers. We had a plan—kids in a couple of years. Instead of growing closer together over time, we grew apart. Suddenly we’d been married four years and didn’t seem to be getting any closer to starting a family. We fought about that, then we fought about everything else. One day we both realized it was over.”

  “That sounds sad,” she told him.

  “It was, but I recovered. Moved to Chicago. I thought I’d meet someone there, but it’s tough. I’m not a guy who likes going to bars. I don’t want to date anyone at work. It can be messy.”

  “I can imagine,” she murmured.

  He hunched his shoulders a little and leaned toward her. “I tried a dating service. Talk about a disaster. I couldn’t believe the women they were fixing me up with. We had nothing in common. One of the women had twelve cats. I’m not kidding. I don’t mind a couple of pets but twelve of anything isn’t normal.”

  Violet laughed. “I agree. Plus, how would you get the hair off your suits?”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Conversation drifted to favorite movies. They both liked comedies and action movies. Neither of them enjoyed foreign films. He admitted he was a closet Harry Potter fan and she whispered that she was probably the only person in the area who didn’t like burnt orange—the University of Texas color. When their server asked if she wanted more coffee, she glanced at her watch and was shocked to find it was after ten.

  “It’s getting late,” she said. “I didn’t realize.”

  Cliff nodded. “You probably have to get home.” He hesitated. “I was wondering…”

  All her warm feelings tumbled. Three hours of great conversation, seducing her into thinking he was nice and normal and that she really liked him was going to end in him asking her to his place. For a drink. Because that was always how it started.

  She grabbed her purse and jerked it open. She’d put a hundred dollars in twenties right on top. Just in case she had to pay and run. No way she was going to let him buy her dinner and think that she owed him.

  He cleared his throat. “Now that you’ve spent some time with me, I was wondering if I could see you again. And if…” More throat clearing. “If you’d, ah, trust me with your phone number.”

  She stared at him. “Excuse me?”

  “Your number,” he said again. “So I can, ah, call you and see you again.”

  She blinked. That was it? He wanted her phone number? Not sex?

  Relief tasted sweet.

  “Cliff, I would very much like to see you again. And yes, you can have my number.”

  His whole expression changed. His smile lit up his face and he looked as if she’d just handed him the keys to a Ferrari.

  “Great.” He pulled out his cell, prepared to input the info. “Okay, shoot.” She gave him her number.

  He paid the bill and they walked outside. After escorting her to her car, he lightly touched her arm.

  “How about Saturday night?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good. Me, too.” He leaned in and lightly kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you with the details.”

  No one had ever kissed her cheek before. At least not that she could remember. She hadn’t allowed kissing with clients, and the guys she’d been involved with had been more interested in getting their tongue down her throat than in anything remotely sweet and tender.

  He stepped back. “Would you mind texting me when you get home? So that I know you got home safe?”

  “Sure.”

  “Great. Thanks, Violet. I had a perfect time with you.”

  And then he was gone. No touching, no hinting, no feeling her up. Just a nice guy on a first date. It was like something out of the movies.

  Jenna practically danced in impatience when Violet walked into the rear entrance Wednesday morning.

  “Tell me everything,” she said by way of greeting. “You said hello and he said hello and then what?”

  Violet laughed. She was wearing her usual dark makeup and dozen or so bracelets, but still she looked different.

  “You’re happy! I can see it in your eyes.” Jenna examined her. “Are you blushing?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. It’s crazy. I barely know this guy.”

  “But?”

  “But I like him. He’s nice. Funny and charming and normal. I’ve never wanted to be with a normal guy before. They don’t interest me. But I gave Cliff a chance and it turns out I like him.”

  “See!” Jenna grinned. “This is so cool.”

  “It kind of is.” Violet put her purse on a shelf, then moved through the stockroom into the store. “He deals with the stock market. Helping companies raise money. He travels, he likes wine, he’s into football and baseball. He’s divorced.”

  “Why?”

  “College sweethearts who grew apart. He says he wants kids and a family, that he’s looking for something serious.” Violet hugged herself. “I can’t believe he actually said that, but he did.”

  “Did it sound needy?”

  “No. It was nice. He was sincere.” She closed her eyes, then opened them. “He wants to see me again.”

  “Of course he does. If he hadn’t, he would be an idiot.” Jenna ignored the twinge of jealousy she felt. “I’m glad it went well.”

  “It was the dress. Pure magic. I’m getting it dry-cleaned, then I’ll return it.”

  “There’s no rush. Unlike some people, I don’t have a personal life.” She glanced at her watch. “I’d better open up.”

  She impulsively hugged Violet. “I’m really happy for you and only slightly bitter.”

  “There’s still the sexy doctor.”

  “That will be its own brand of fun,” she admitted, then hurried to the front door.

  Ever since the grand reopening, there had usually been customer
s waiting to get in. Today a couple in their late forties or early fifties stood patiently.

  She opened the door. “Good morning,” she said cheerfully.

  “Good morning,” the woman said, stepping inside.

  She was about the same height as Jenna, with dark red hair that fell to the middle of her back. She was thin and dressed in a flowing floral print dress that nearly went to her ankles. More striking than pretty. The man with her was a little taller and ruggedly handsome.

  Probably her husband, Jenna thought. The attractive couple didn’t look old enough to have retired, and yet they were in the store on a weekday morning. People had interesting lives.

  “Feel free to look around,” she said with a smile. “Violet and I are both available if you have any questions.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “There’s a class on risotto starting at eleven, if you have time.”

  “I love risotto,” the woman said, tilting her head. “You’re Jenna, right?”

  “Yes.” Jenna didn’t remember meeting her, but there had been so many customers lately. “Have you been in before?”

  “No, but we’ve heard about the store. It’s very nice. It feels friendly and welcome. No dark spirits here.”

  “Good to know,” Jenna said, taking a step back. She glanced at Violet who was obviously trying not to laugh. “Okay, then. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

  The man and woman exchanged a glance. The woman moved closer. “Have you owned other stores?”

  “Ah, no. This is my first. I used to be a chef.”

  “Yes, I…” The woman cleared her throat. “Here locally?”

  “In different cities. Mostly the southwest. Also Los Angeles.”

  “But you’ve only been back in Texas a few months, right?”

  Jenna stared at her. “How did you know that?” she asked slowly.

  “Serenity has always enjoyed cooking,” the man said, not answering the question. “She can make anything.”

  The woman sighed. “That’s not true.” She wrinkled her nose. “Not meat. We’re vegetarians. Partly because of the animals and partly the environment. If we stopped growing corn as animal feed we could cure hunger in a single generation.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Jenna murmured, wondering how to politely excuse herself from the couple. While she was always pleased to have new customers, these two made her nervous. How had the woman known Jenna had been in Georgetown only a few months?

  “We’re from California,” Serenity added. Her eyes were dark green, her cheeks pale. “The Napa area. Have you been there?”

  “For a couple of weekend getaways. It’s very beautiful.” She took another step back, feeling uneasy. “I’ll let you look around.”

  “Oh, Tom,” Serenity said softly. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  Happening? What did that mean? Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

  Jenna glanced at Violet, who was already heading for the phone. Jenna wondered if they were going to rob her or if it would be worse. Worry settled like a rock in her stomach.

  “Should we tell her now?” Serenity asked.

  The man—Tom—nodded.

  “Jenna, we’re Tom and Serenity Johnson.” He grinned, looking suddenly boyish. “Tom, short for Atomic.”

  Great, Jenna thought fighting hysterics. They were going to be robbed by hippies. How humiliating.

  “I thought you’d feel it,” Serenity said, staring intently at Jenna, as if searching for something. “The connection. I’d hoped you would. At first I was waiting for you, but now…” She sighed. “I want you to know, but only because it’s time. I hope you know that. I couldn’t wait anymore. Am I making sense?”

  “Not in the least.”

  Serenity smiled and held out her hand, as if expecting Jenna to take it. “We’re…” She swallowed, looked at Tom, then turned her attention back to Jenna. “We’re your birth parents.”

  Seven

  Violet had only gotten to the nine in 9-1-1. Slowly she put the phone down and stared at the three people standing in the middle of the store.

  Serenity and Tom gazed at Jenna with expressions that were almost beatific. Love, hope and happiness shone in their eyes. Jenna, on the other hand, looked as if she was going to bolt the second she found the ability to move.

  Jenna’s birth parents? Violet remembered Jenna telling her she’d been adopted, but she’d had no interest in getting in touch with her biological parents. It was obvious from her wide eyes and scary-white face that Serenity and Tom were completely unexpected.

  Not knowing what else to do, Violet crossed to Jenna and lightly touched her back, wanting her to know she wasn’t alone.

  “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  “No,” Jenna breathed.

  Serenity’s smile never wavered. “I’m sure this is a surprise. It is for me, too. I’ve been waiting to meet you, but I knew it was important for you to come to us. That you would have questions. I was as surprised as you when the universe instead told me to come to you. I’m so delighted we can finally be together.”

  Violet felt Jenna stiffen. Personally, she wanted to ask what the message from the universe was but didn’t think Jenna would appreciate that.

  “I don’t understand,” Jenna whispered, her voice breathless and soft.

  “Your mother is Beth Stevens, your father is Marshall Stevens. We knew that much from the adoption.” Serenity leaned into Tom. “They were so in love. We liked that about them. We could feel it and see it in their eyes.”

  “You met my parents?” Jenna asked.

  “It was a condition of the adoption. We had to know you were going to be well taken care of.” Her smile faded. Giving up a child isn’t an easy thing, but we were young… Still, all these years, we’ve wondered. I’ve sent you vibrations. Have you felt them?”

  “I’m going to throw up,” Jenna whispered.

  “Keep breathing,” Violet told her.

  “Let her get used to us,” Tom murmured to his wife. “Let her ask her questions in her own time. You don’t want to scare her off.”

  “You’re right, my love.” Serenity’s smile returned. “I’m just so happy, Jenna. You’re lovely.”

  “She looks like you,” Tom said quietly.

  Violet looked between them and realized he told the truth. Serenity and Jenna were about the same height. Their faces were similar, and they had the same eyes.

  “I don’t know what to say,” Jenna said, taking a step back. “How did you find me?”

  Violet felt Jenna’s confusion and pain. She wanted to dismiss the Johnsons but couldn’t. It was all too plausible.

  “We’ve always known your parents’ names,” Serenity said easily. “Once we knew we were meant to come and see you, finding you wasn’t difficult. We called your restaurant in California where a helpful man named Aaron told us you were here. We drove, of course. I’m not one who flies easily, except in my dreams. The country is so beautiful.”

  Serenity tilted her head. “I have so many things I want to tell you. About your past and your family.”

  Jenna seemed frozen in place. Violet glanced at the couple.

  “This is a bit of a shock,” she said. “Jenna wasn’t expecting your arrival.”

  “She’s right,” Tom told his wife. “Our girl needs time.”

  Jenna shuddered.

  “We’re staying in town for a while,” Serenity said. “Close by. We very much want to get to know you, Jenna, and have you get to know us. That’s why we’re here.”

  Jenna cleared her throat. “Excuse me. I have an appointment.”

  She turned and fled through the stockroom. Seconds later, Violet heard the back door slam shut.

  “Oh,” Serenity breathed. “She’s gone.”

  Hardly a surprise, Violet thought. Who walked into someone’s business and announced they were family with no warning? Talk about an insensitive introduction. While she could appreciate the theory of families getting back to
gether, some kind of delicacy seemed appropriate.

  “She’ll be back,” Violet said. “I’m sure she needs a little time to adjust to everything you’ve told her. Why don’t I take your number and she can call you later?”

  “All right,” Tom said. “We got a cell phone for the trip. I’ll write down the address where we’re staying, as well.”

  Violet pulled one of their business cards from her pocket and handed it to him. He wrote on the back.

  “I’ll give this to her as soon as I see her,” Violet promised. Although she had a feeling Jenna might not take it willingly.

  “I suppose that’s the best we can do,” Serenity said, sounding wistful. “I had hoped…”

  “It’ll happen,” Tom said, taking her hand in his. “Trust the universe.”

  “I will.”

  Serenity smiled at Violet. “Do you know any good vegan restaurants in the area?”

  If it was Wednesday morning, it must be yoga, Jenna thought frantically as she drove through Old Town. She headed for the studio and prayed her mother was keeping to her schedule. If not, she would have to hunt her down.

  Aware that she was not at her best, she focused on her driving and kept her breathing steady. Every time Serenity and Tom Johnson popped into her brain, she pushed the image away. Not now, she told herself. She would have her breakdown as soon as she was parked.

  She found a spot just around the corner from the yoga studio and quickly walked inside. In a small foyer, the girl behind the low desk looked up.

  “Class has already started,” she said. “I’m sorry but we don’t allow late arrivals.”

  “I’m here to get my mother,” Jenna told her. “There’s a family emergency.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry. Let me get her for you. What’s her name?”

  “Beth Stevens.”

  The woman walked to the closed door and quietly pushed it open. Jenna paced the small space until the woman returned with her mother in tow.

  “Jenna! What are you doing here? Not that I mind the interruption. I swear, I was seconds from snapping a bone. There are somethings my body simply won’t do.”

  Without thinking, Jenna moved toward her. “Mo-om,” she said, her voice cracking.