Loose strands of Chloe’s hair stuck to her cheeks.
Walter rested his head on my shoulder. “I gotta come back to this place,” he said as his fingers rubbed my neck.
“That you do, darlin’ boy, that you do.” I felt his smile against my collarbone.
Judy packed the back of the Suburban while I made French toast and bacon for the troops, including Ashley and Justin who joined us for breakfast.
Chloe sat with her chin on the counter. “You gonna be home when we come to Grosse Pointe next week?”
“Yup. Glad, too. I talked to her yesterday and she can’t wait to see you.”
“Good. Will you help me pack?”
I handed Ashley the spatula and she took over the cooking that filled the air with the aroma of cinnamon and love. “I’ll help with whatever you need. I’ll be home all week.”
“This is going to stink. Harry and Walter will be gone. You and Judy will be gone. And I’ll just be here.”
“With me,” Ashley said. “We can ride Huckleberry all you want.”
“I do like Huckleberry a lot!” Chloe said. “Her spots remind me of my favorite color, Voodoo, and the hat that Glad knit for me last summer.”
Taking the platter of French toast from Ashley, I smiled, letting her know I appreciated her efforts in taking care of my girl. “You want to go get the boys and tell Judy breakfast is ready?”
John came through the kitchen, sniffing the air. My stomach rolled over with excitement thinking about being in his arms, relishing the moment he’d swept me off my feet, and carried me to a secret place where he’d made love to me. My cheeks warmed as he brushed past me, and I supposed my grin was a bit bigger than it had been in quite some time.
Harry, Walter, and Chloe ran into the dining room like a herd of cattle.
Chloe skidded into a chair and bumped the table. “Sorry, Dad. Just a little excited to eat. It smells delish.”
John and I sat next to each other after getting Chloe situated, our knees touching like school kids. The connection of the innocent touch make my heart race. Winston joined us and sat at the head of the table while the kids dished up.
“Thought you had business this morning,” John said.
“I do, and it’s the people around this table. Smells mighty good in here,” he said, winking at Chloe. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Trout can hold down the fort while I say goodbye to my new friends.” Winston’s emerald eyes twinkled as he scanned the table. “You ladies all packed?”
“Yup.” Judy sipped her coffee. Her dark eyes shone with anticipation for the long drive home.
The hair on the nape of my neck bristled when Winston’s gaze met mine. His eyes sent a message, a tender message disguised by his rough exterior. John’s hand covered mine under the table. Disappointed about leaving such a beautiful place filled with beautiful people, I held on to John’s warm hand, masquerading my true feelings with a happy face.
I sat between a father and his daughter, realizing I had a place in both their lives. We fit together like missing pieces, and it made sense. The twinge of panic trickled through my veins. There had to be a way to work our situation out.
John’s hand left mine as he reached up to fill his plate with homemade goodness.
Chloe’s gaze met mine. Freckles on the bridge of her nose stood out like a path of stars at midnight leading to heaven in the Montana sky, just like the ones I’d wished upon last night as John and I held each other. I hated the murky glow of uncertainty and I wanted desperately to quit doubting the tide in my heart that toyed with the thoughts in my mind. Chloe smiled, and I smiled back. I reminded myself that things have a way of working out for the best, but I desperately wanted the gods to sway my destiny in her direction.
Judy studied us from across the table, cradling her coffee mug in her hands. I hoped like hell no one else at the table saw me flinch when I began planning how to get myself back to Montana as soon as possible. Getting anyone’s hopes up unnecessarily wouldn’t be fair, and that included mine.
Chapter 33
I reviewed the pictures on my camera as Judy crossed the Michigan state line. Mom was three hours away, Montana was two and a half days behind us, but imbedded memories were fresh in my mind. Judy glanced over to me, then checked her mirrors, and changed lanes. She eyed the boys snoozing in the back seat through the rearview mirror, and then looked over to me again as I pressed the button on my camera to replay the trip on more time.
“You look a little homesick already,” Judy said, adjusting her visor. “You’re one pitiful woman.”
“Yeah, I miss Mom.” I fiddled with the grass bracelet that John made me. The sticky texture was now smooth and the strands of grass supple to the touch. It made me happy that Chloe was still wearing hers when I said goodbye.
“That’s not what I meant,” Judy said. “Your mom is just up ahead. I meant Montana.”
“Montana’s not my home,” I whispered, staring out the window as the flat fields whizzed past.
“I beg to differ. You belong there. You’re not kidding anybody.” Judy checked her mirrors then changed lanes again.
A picture of John and me lit the camera screen. “Shit. How am I going to do this?”
“You’re gonna do what you always do. Figure it out and get your butt back there to your family.”
I choked out words. “My family is here.”
She scoffed in my direction. “You belong with John and Chloe.” Judy sighed and gripped the wheel tighter. “They’re family, too, new family.”
I swallowed away the tears. My eyes burned and my heart ached. “What about my mom?”
“She’s been antsy to see you move on, too. She wants you to be happy.” Judy tossed me a packet of tissue from her armrest. “I can’t believe you haven’t cried before now.”
I swiped the corners of my eyes with my fingers. “Sorry to disappoint you.” I could barely say the words.
“On the contrary. It’s just another hurdle. You’ll figure out how to get over it.”
Tears flooded from my eyes even though my lips curled upward. “This is so stupid,” I said, blotting the streams running down my cheeks.
“It’s not stupid. You three belong together. Anybody in their right mind can see it.”
There was a rustle behind my seat. “I knew it.” Harry stuck his face between the front seats.
I glared back at him. His goofy grin made me smile harder.
“I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I told Chloe you and John loved each other. I am the man.”
Reaching back, I pinched him. Judy grinned, and Walter stretched his arms over his head with a yawn. “Are we home yet?” he asked.
“Almost,” Judy said.
Harry rested his hands behind his head and leaned back in his seat. “Does this mean we get to go back to Montana?”
“We’ll see,” Judy said. “See, Maggie, if he can figure it out, so can the rest of us. Get on board, girl.”
“Hey, I’m the smart one in the bunch.”
“Apparently.” I stared out the window at the passing cars.
“Can we stop to go to the bathroom?” Walter asked. “And what are you guys talking about?”
“Yes, we can stop,” Judy said. “And nothing.”
“I thought Harry said we’re going back to Montana.” Walter yanked at his seatbelt.
“He didn’t mean today. Harry, will ya’ knock it off?” Judy veered onto the off ramp. MacDonald’s was just off the highway.
Giving Harry the stink-eye, I stared back again between the seats. “Who wants fries and a drink?” Judy asked, parking the truck.
“I do,” Walter and Harry said in unison.
“Me, too. Can I have a double?” I asked, unbuckling my seatbelt.
Judy chuckled. “Whatever it takes, ’cause it’s time to shove you out of the nest.”
“It’s time to fly, sister, just like Frankie.” Harry’s voice carried through the parking lot. A gray-hair
ed woman with a walker scowled at his boisterous antics.
Harry closed the door then I shut mine. We stood nose-to-nose. “You know, last summer you were a lot shorter and a lot less nosey.”
“Chloe’s taught me a lot,” he said.
“Yeah, me too.”
Harry squinted as the sun hit his face. “You’re not going to tell me any more of your secrets, are you, or smart-aleck comebacks as my mom calls them?”
“Nope, you’ll figure them out on your own.”
Harry’s grin flat-lined. He stared at me, his dark brown eyes flickering. “It’s okay,” he said. “’Cause I knew it all along. And so did Chloe. Maggie and John sitting in a tree—”
Judy interrupted. “That’s enough, Harry. We want her to. Leave. The. Nest.”
Walter narrowed his gaze at me. “Now you know how I feel. My brother is annoying!”
“I guess so.” I held Walter’s hand in mine.
Judy draped her arm around Harry’s shoulder. Her voice was low and menacing. “I swear I’ll make your life a living hell if you press this any further.”
Walter smiled at me. “And she means it,” he said, jumping up onto the curb. “I’m gonna get an orange soda. What are you getting?” he asked, tugging at my hand.
“I’ll have what you’re having,” I answered.
“Can we get it to go, Mom? I want to get home,” Harry said, holding the door for us. “I’ve got people to see.”
“Sounds like a plan. You guys want a hamburger?”
“Chicken nuggets,” Walter said.
“Hamburger for me,” Harry said, leaning on his mom’s shoulder.
I was glad that Harry suggested we get takeout because I wanted to get home just as much as he did. Mom and Bones were waiting, and I missed them terribly.
Judy parked the Suburban in my driveway. Mom sat on the front porch, head down, and her hands working the knitting needles. Judy honked, and Mom’s expression warmed my heart. I had so much to tell her. Before Judy could put the truck in park, I unbuckled my seatbelt. Mom greeted us with open arms. Bones barked at the front door and pawed at the screen. He nudged the door open with his front paws and ran to my feet. His stocky legs landed in my hands as I caught him, his weight against my thighs. Judy opened the back of the truck, then sifted through the contents to get to my stuff. I set Bones down and went to help her while Mom went to the window of the truck to talk to the boys.
Judy two-fisted one of my bags. “Here ya go. Geez this is heavy.” Then she handed me the other bag. “Oh, and don’t forget your beer.”
“Thanks,” I said as she closed the back of the Suburban.
Her hands covered mine. “Don’t go getting all weird on me. You have something great going. If I know you, you’ve already begun planning. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks for going on this adventure,” I said, setting the case of beer next to my bags. “It feels like I’ve known you forever. You’re a great friend.”
“Are you kidding me? This was fabulous. I can’t wait to go back.”
“Are you sure you’ll go back?” I asked, holding her stare.
“Positive.” Judy patted my hand. “Thanks for inviting us and thanks for putting up with the boys.”
“No problem. They’re wonderfully wacky.” I said my goodbyes.
Walter jumped out of the truck, then wrapped his arms around my waist. “Bye, Maggie.”
Walter squeezed me tight, and I moaned as he squished me. “Wow, that’s a bear hug.” I lifted his chin with my finger to get a better look at his sweet face.
“Thanks for letting us go with you to Montana,” he said. “Chloe’s gonna be really lucky someday.”
“What are you talking about, short stuff?” I cradled his face in my hands, smudges of dried ketchup dotting his cheek.
Walter beckoned me to kneel down to his height. He cupped his hands around my ear. “Harry says you’re going to marry John. If you do, that means Chloe gets to have you as her new mom, and that’s really cool.”
Mom’s forehead wrinkled with curiosity and I was glad that she couldn’t hear Walter. “Let’s just keep that between us. And Harry’s just talking.” I touched the end of Walter’s button nose with my finger. “Shh.” I put my pointer finger to my lips.
Judy reached out, and I hugged her. Walter climbed back into the truck and I poked my head inside the window. “Thanks for the great trip, boys. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.” Harry beamed, and I felt my cheeks glow. My heart danced as I contemplated a new beginning.
“I know your secret.” Harry boasted while climbing into the front seat.
I leaned into the window further to whisper. “Yeah, you and I will chat later.”
Harry laughed out loud and slugged Walter in the arm. “Pee-wee.”
Walter leaned over and slugged him back. “Jerk,” he said under his breath. “Mom, can we get this bus moving? I have to go to the bathroom.”
Judy hopped in the driver’s seat and started the oversized Suburban’s engine. She hung her elbow out the window. “Did you really mean what you said about watching the boys?”
“Yup. Just let me know when. Maybe next week when Chloe is here I can take all of them for one last hurrah.”
Walter stuck his head out the window. “Cool.” He gave me a thumbs-up.
Harry laughed and waved to me.
Judy checked her mirrors and backed out of the driveway.
Mom and I waved goodbye, and then I picked up one of my bags and carried it to the porch. I went back for the second bag and my Montana beer while Mom settled back into the swing on the porch. She yanked at her ball of yarn and peered over the rim of her glasses at her knitting project.
“Walter’s pretty smitten with you.”
“He’s great. Harry’s a pill, but I like him, too.”
“You’re lucky to have such great friends. How is Chloe? Was she sad when you left?”
Sitting down beside Mom, I held the ball of pink yarn in my hands. “She was okay, I guess.” My smile faded as I unwound yarn and fed it to Mom as she worked her steel knitting needles. “It was so gorgeous there. The air was so sweet. The weather was great. We did so much,” I said quietly, thinking about John’s touch and Chloe’s face when she stared in to my eyes as Winston and Trout ran the horses.
“And how was John?”
“He’s good. He seems happy and Winston was so kind. Did you know he plays the guitar?”
Mom beamed as I unwound more yarn for her. “Sounds like you really had a great time. I bet it was hard coming home.” She lowered her gaze and stopped knitting. “Actually, I’m surprised you came home.”
“Why would I not come home? This is where I live and this is where you live. This is my home.” I blew a loose strand of hair from my eyes as I tucked my foot under my leg.
“For now,” Mom said then stopped. “I can see it in your eyes. I saw it before you left.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were running toward something this time, not away.” Mom tucked her needles in her knitting bag and took the ball of yarn from me. Bones ran up the stairs and bounded into my lap. I grunted as his four paws pounced on me. He was too hefty to be jumping in my lap.
“You shouldn’t roll your eyes at me. I’m your mother,” Mom said, patting Bones’s head. “He was a perfect angel while you were gone.”
“Of course he was.” I scratched his ears while his hind leg twitched feverishly. “I missed you.” I held Bones’s head up, and his brown eyes reciprocated my inner joy. Drool dripped from his jowls while Mom’s knowing eyes focused on me.
“What’s next?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s next’?” Why was it so hard to talk to her? She was my mother for God’s sake. Why did I feel the need to be secretive? The only judge here … was me. I had to get over it. She knew how I felt about my career, Chloe, and John. Nothing was a secret. Mom rolled her eyes at me as she took off her
silver reading glasses and hooked them on her collar.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, Marjorie Jean. What about John?” Mom lowered her gaze. “And Chloe? What happened out there? That’s why you went, wasn’t it?”
I caressed Bones’s wrinkly neck. He moaned then shut his eyes. His husky back leg twitched. “A lot, actually.” I paused, waiting for my mother’s reaction. Her gaze remained steady as I finally swallowed hesitation to share. “I want to go back.”
“Okay,” she said, caressing Bones’s hindquarters.
“I want to go back and not come home,” I said, speculating what it would mean to give up my life in Michigan. The corner of Mom’s mouth crept up. Her eyes gleamed. Embarrassment crept over me, but I wasn’t sure why.
“Then I think you should go.”
“What about my job? I’ve worked this long toward a pension. I don’t have enough years in.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Marjorie Jean.”
I ran my fingers through my hair and covered my face. “Why can’t anything be easy?”
Mom’s touch was soft as she pried my fingers away from my face to see me better. “I don’t think life was meant to be easy. If this is what you want, just do it. You gave your youth to Beckett. You raised a terrific son. Now it’s your time.”
Her words were tender as she caressed my hand. Her skin was supple and the wrinkles of time framed her youthful disposition. “I don’t want to leave you.”
Mom chuckled at my words. “That’s just like you. Always worried about the other guy. I’ll be fine.”
Emotion stuck in my throat. “What about my house, my things?”
“Sell the house, take the things you want. You’ll always have a home in me.”
My chest heaved at her sensitive words. “Thanks, Mom.” Bones lifted his head and opened his eyes. “I just want you to be okay. Montana is a long way away.”
“Maybe, darling girl, but so is heaven, and I’ve managed to keep your father with me every day since he died.” She blew a kiss into the air.
Tears burned behind my eyes. I looked to the sky, and then blinked away the puddles. “Who am I going to have to bug me? I don’t think I can function without you around.”
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