“Yes.” Steph lowered her head for a moment, in honor of what she had achieved and in tribute to those who hadn’t won the battle. “I was lucky, but I had a lot of help. My sister stood by my side and her minister helped me too.” That had been a dark time in Steph’s life. Thinking about it now made every muscle in her body constrict. The cancer diagnosis, her divorce, the beginning of her estrangement with Davey. “It was a rough time in my life.”
“Oh, Steph.” A glint of light appeared in Nora’s green eyes. “That’s why you left, isn’t it? You didn’t abandon Davey, you went away to heal.”
That pretty much summed it up. Steph picked up her glass and took a long sip of juice. She wasn’t angry with Davey for his perspective. Not now, anyway. Guru Bob had helped her work through a myriad of emotions to the ultimate understanding that in order to heal she needed to forgive Davey and, more importantly, she needed to forgive herself.
Besides, when she put herself in Davey’s shoes, she understood his point of view. He’d been fourteen when she had divorced Tuck. She’d wanted to fight for joint custody, but Tuck had challenged her to show how she could support Davey’s racing career. Of course, she couldn’t. She didn’t know anything about the sport. As she attempted to figure that out, Davey told her he never wanted to see her again. She wouldn’t have let that stop her but before she could come up with a mutually agreeable plan, she had been diagnosed with Level 3 pancreatic cancer. She’d begun immediate treatment, but the medications and treatments had only made her sicker. When her sister had invited her to move to Arizona to meet with her holistic therapist, she’d had no other viable choices. It was that or die.
“I had to leave in order to heal,” she said. She had attempted to keep in touch with Davey, but he’d never once responded to her letters or packages. She had hoped she could show him her love through the mail until she could move home. Instead, his unresponsiveness had broken her heart. “By the time I moved back to Serenity, Davey and his dad were long gone.”
But hope sprang eternal and Steph was an optimistic soul. Over the years, she had followed Davey’s career, nurtured her hopes, and visualized a reunion. Now that Davey was back in Serenity, her hope had taken on a new and expanded life.
“Why don’t you tell him now?” Nora suggested. “Surely, he’d understand.” She leaned toward Steph. “You’re an amazing person. I’d’ve killed to have had a mom like you.”
Steph was moved by Nora’s words. “Oh, sweetie, you’re too kind.” She reached over and squeezed Nora’s hand. “And we’re practically family now.” She took a bite of bread. “But, enough about me. What about you? Tell me about your dreams.”
Nora lowered her gaze and took a bite of soup before she answered. “I want to give Ben a better life.”
Clearly Nora didn’t realize she already had. “I think you can check that off your list,” Steph said.
Nora’s head snapped toward her, as if she was surprised.
Steph wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “You’ve found Ben a place to live in an environment with no drugs.” She took another piece of bread, then pushed the plate toward Nora. “You’ve found Ben’s dad and his grandma.” Slathering vegan butter on her bread, she smiled at Nora. “Not bad for a month’s work.”
“Thanks, Steph.” A smile creased Nora’s lips. “I needed that.”
Steph suspected Nora had suppressed her own dreams for quite some time. It was admirable that Ben was her primary focus now, but surely she’d had other goals before she’d become Ben’s guardian. And if Steph were honest, she also had bottled-up dreams.
“You’re doing a great job with Ben.” She nodded at Nora’s glass. “More juice?”
Nora nodded. “Yes, please. It’s delicious.”
As Steph rose and made her way to the refrigerator, an idea formed. She retrieved the pitcher of juice, carried it to the table, and filled both of their glasses.
When she eased down, excitement mounted. “When I was in Arizona, Guru Bob helped me create a vision board.” Thinking of her former minister and all of his love and guidance made her smile. “Mine was a fridge board. I was overly focused on food at the time so we put my pictures on the refrigerator door.” She steepled her fingers. “We should both make one now.”
Nora angled her head. “What’s a vision board?”
“You find pictures of your deepest desires and put them someplace where you’ll see them on a regular basis.”
Nora looked uncomfortable, but Steph pressed on because she wanted to help her new friend, and perhaps in the process, herself too. “When I had cancer, my pictures were about vibrant health and rewarding work with people I loved. It all came true.”
Nora raised a skeptical brow. “So you put pictures on a board and it all magically comes true?”
“There’s a little magic,” Steph conceded, “but there’s science too. When you look at your pictures each and every day, signals go to your brain outlining your desires. A seed is planted in your subconscious and its reinforced every time you look at your board. Looking at the pictures also puts vibrations of your wishes into the universe so the universe can begin its magic to help you.” Excitement bubbled inside Steph. She hadn’t thought about her vision board in a long time, but there was a reason why she was thinking about it now. It was time for her to put her most intimate desires out there once again. It was time to ask, believe, and receive.
“It’s worth a try, don’t you think?”
“I guess,” Nora said with a half shrug.
“Give it a try,” Steph urged. “It’s a great way to map out your hopes and dreams.”
Steph planned to create her vision board that evening. She hoped Nora would create a vision board of her own. It was time for both of them to reach for the stars.
Chapter Eight
After lunch, Nora went home determined to give the vision board a try. She was still skeptical, but she supposed it couldn’t hurt. But she didn’t want to put her pictures on the refrigerator like Steph. Instead, she’d put hers in her bedroom where it was more private. She had a nearly blank fabric bulletin board that she could use. She and Ella had found the board at a yard sale a few weeks ago. Even though she’d had no use for it, the board had been too pretty to pass up, especially since the colors—lavender, green, and white—perfectly matched her comforter.
As Cosmo rushed over to greet her, she warmed up to the idea of a vision board. If nothing else, it would be nice to fill her bulletin board with happy pictures. She rubbed Cosmo’s head. “Did you miss me?”
Woof!
She bent down to kiss the top of his head and love radiated from Cosmo’s heart into hers. “I’m so glad you came back.”
Cosmo’s tailed thumped on the hardwood floor.
“Come on, buddy,” she said, rising and eyeing the room. “We need to find pictures so we can make a vision board.” She grabbed a couple of magazines. “It feels silly, but who knows? Maybe making the board will help me figure out what to do with my life.”
Cosmo’s shaggy white and gray head bobbed up and down as if in concurrence with the idea.
She picked up a few more magazines, then trotted up the stairs with Cosmo at her heels. Inside her room, she sighed happily. It was the biggest bedroom she’d ever had, and it even included a small en suite bathroom. She’d hit the jackpot with this duplex. She loved everything about it, including living next door to Steph.
Scratching Cosmo’s fuzzy head, she glanced at the bulletin board. It only had one item pinned to it—her favorite picture of Ben. She’d taken Ben to Dollywood a few years ago and had snapped a photo of him standing in front of the Dreamland Forest fountains with an expression of childlike wonder. That picture was staying since her number one goal was to give Ben a happy life.
She put the magazines on her bed and grabbed scissors from the desk. After climbing onto the bed, she sat cross-legged next to the stack of magazines. Cosmo jumped onto the bed and put his head on her right knee just like Astro
used to do. Gently scratching Cosmo’s ears, she took a long moment to marvel over his return. “I’m so grateful that you’re here.”
He gave her an adoring look, then licked her hand.
“I love you too, Cosmo.” She bent down and kissed his head again.
She flipped through the magazines and cut out pictures that spoke to her. A couple in love, a family, and last, but certainly not least, pictures of farm animals. She tacked the pictures onto the bulletin board, then returned to her bed to look at them.
Steph had been right. This exercise was not only fun, but it had pushed her to figure out what she wanted.
Her goals related to Ben were clear and easy. But, the rest of it had surprised her.
Studying the picture of the couple, she acknowledged that someday she wanted to find true love. She wanted a man who looked at her starry-eyed like the handsome blond looked at the beautiful brunette in the picture. She wanted a man who loved her for who she was and who loved Ben as much as she did. A love where her happiness was his happiness…the kind of love she had never believed in but now wanted to believe was possible.
Next to the couple was a picture of a family. A mom, dad, and three kids. Hugging her knees to her chest, Nora sighed wistfully. One day she wanted that family too, so she could give her children all the things she’d never had—like unconditional love and support.
She shifted her gaze to the last row of pictures. There was a photo of a brown and white cow with big soulful eyes. A picture of adorable piglets. The last was of a small farm with a big red barn, green fields, and lots of animals—cows, pigs, donkeys, goats—all happily grazing together in the fields.
She rested her head on her knees. What on earth would she do with a farm? She didn’t eat meat nor did she use dairy products, and she certainly wouldn’t sell them to others. Still studying the picture, she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. If that was her place, she would visit with the animals. She would talk with them, walk with them, play with them. But a farm of pets wasn’t exactly practical.
Huffing out a breath, she shook her head. Other than the first picture of Ben, she hadn’t come up with any realistic goals. Glancing between the picture of the couple and the family, she began to second guess herself. She was highly independent and had been for her entire life. She’d been taking care of herself, her mom, and her sister before she’d turned double digits. She didn’t need a man, she didn’t even believe in romantic love. And she already had a family with Ben. But before she could change her pictures, the front door thudded open.
“Aunt Nora!” Ben shouted from downstairs.
“Stupid vision board,” she muttered, hopping off the bed. It hadn’t helped her figure out her life’s purpose at all. Instead, she’d selected pictures of things she couldn’t have.
“Come on, Cosmo,” she said, pushing the vision board out of her mind. “Come meet Ben.” That put a smile on her face. Ben would be super excited that they had a dog.
She rushed down the stairs and opened her arms to Ben.
Ben hugged her. “Aunt Nora, we had so much fun! We went—”
Woof! Woof!
Ben jerked back and gaped wide-eyed at Cosmo. “Whose dog is that?” He sprinted over to Cosmo. “He’s so cute.”
“He’s our dog.” Nora’s gaze shifted to Davey as she spoke. Standing in the doorway, he looked handsome in a dark polo shirt with his thumbs hooked on the tabs of his faded blue jeans.
“You can come in,” she said.
He flashed a sexy smile before closing the door and sauntering over to her and Ben.
“We got a dog!” Ben dropped to the floor to pet Cosmo.
Cosmo licked Ben, a long swipe across his cheek.
Nora laughed. “Ben, meet Cosmo.”
“He kinda looks like that dog on the roadrunner,” Ben said.
Cosmo’s chest puffed. The dog glanced up and locked eyes with her. Told you.
Shaking her head, she smiled at Ben.
His face was bright with joy. “He’s really ours?”
“Yep.” She squatted down and kissed the top of Ben’s head. “You’ve been saying you wanted a dog.”
Ben gave her that sweet look again. “Thanks, Aunt Nora. This is epic.” He rested his head on Cosmo’s. “I love you already.”
Ben and Cosmo both eased to the floor.
“See, he likes me,” Ben said. “Look Dad—” he waved Davey over “—I got a dog now, just like you.”
Davey stepped over and scratched Cosmo’s head. “Pretty cool.”
Cosmo sniffed Davey’s leg, probably drawing in the scent of his dog, then licked Davey’s hand.
“Look! He likes you too, Dad.” Ben’s smile extended from ear-to-ear as he turned toward Nora. “Me and dad had lots of fun.” Then he talked so fast that she could barely keep up. Racing boats on the lake. Go-Karts. Paintball.
Maybe her Pap had been right. Ben was deliriously happy and this time he’d come home in one piece.
“I’m glad you had fun.” She ruffled his hair. “Want a cookie? Ella brought over a batch of her chocolate M & M cookies.” As Ben jumped to his feet, she glanced at Davey. “Come on, you too.”
Davey followed her and Ben into the kitchen. The space was small, but warm and cozy, and Nora loved it.
Ben poured himself a glass of juice.
“Iced tea, coffee?” she asked Davey as she put together a plate of cookies.
“Coffee, please.”
As she poured his coffee, she nodded toward the table. “Make yourself at home.”
Although she’d tried to convince herself otherwise, the man was sinfully attractive. He looked uber sexy with half-slit eyes and at least a day’s worth of light stubble. She wondered if Ben had worn him out, then wondered why sleepy looked good on him.
She handed Davey the coffee, then poured herself a glass of iced tea. After they were all seated, she asked Ben what he’d had to eat.
He gave her minute detail about the enormous breakfast Cruz had prepared. “Last night’s dinner was good too.” Ben stuffed half a cookie in his mouth. “And so much fun! You shoulda been there.”
“I’m sure your aunt doesn’t want to hear about it,” Davey said, looking a little pale.
Curiosity up, she angled her head. “Actually, I do.”
The color drained from Davey’s face, raising her interest…and her angst.
“Paintball,” Davey said, with a hint of desperation. “Wasn’t that fun?” he asked Ben.
“Loads of fun.” Ben beamed at Davey. “So was dinner. I got to meet Dad’s girlfriend.”
She gave Davey a sharp look. “Really?” She’d bet her next paycheck it had been a hook-up and not a girlfriend. She had Googled Davey, and based on what she’d read, he didn’t do girlfriends. “What was his girlfriend’s name?”
“She wasn’t my girlfriend,” Davey said, his voice tight.
“Cee-Cee said she was your girlfriend of the night,” Ben offered.
“Cee-Cee was joking.” Davey picked up a cookie and took a bite. “Hey, these are really good.”
“Her name’s Brandy,” Ben said, “and she had big sweater puppies.”
Nora choked on her tea. “Excuse me?”
“That’s what AJ said.” Ben sat tall in his chair. “Then I drank Dad’s beer.”
Nora felt her eyes widen with shock as Ben stuffed the rest of the cookie in his mouth, looking pleased with himself. She slowly turned toward Davey. “You gave Ben beer?”
“No!” Davey shook his head vehemently. “Jesus!”
“Jesus!” Ben mimicked.
“Ben! We don’t use Jesus’ name in vain,” she said, shooting daggers across the table at Davey.
“I shouldn’t have said that.” Davey rubbed the back of his neck. “Your aunt’s right, neither of us should have said that. Okay?”
Ben shrugged agreeably. “Sure.”
“I thought you didn’t drink,” she said, through gritted teeth. Davey had made that statement m
ultiple times, yet somehow, he always ended up around alcohol.
“I don’t,” he said in a clipped voice. He turned toward Ben. “When did you drink beer?”
“When you hit the can.”
Davey glanced at her, the tips of his ears flushed. At least he had the decency to be embarrassed over Ben’s sailor talk. “When I went to the restroom,” Davey said, stressing the more civilized word, “you tried someone’s beer?”
Ben’s head bobbed up and down. “I tried yours. Cee-Cee said it would be okay.” He scrunched his nose. “But I didn’t like it so I spit it back in your glass.”
Nora raised a hand to her mouth but was unable to help the snicker that popped out. She was still mad, but Ben spitting beer in Davey’s mug was both funny and karmic.
“It was an O’Doul’s. A non-alcoholic beer,” Davey said, running a hand through his hair.
“Ben, honey, why don’t you take your stuff upstairs?” she suggested. “You need to unpack, see if you have any homework.”
“ ‘Kay.” Ben grabbed two cookies, then pointed at Davey. “Don’t leave without saying ‘bye.”
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Davey promised.
Ben high-fived with Davey, then scampered off.
Nora got up and put the tea kettle on the stove. She gave herself a moment to calm down, but it didn’t work. When she spun around, she was still pissed with a capital P. “I don’t think you’re a good influence on Ben.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
Rising, Davey’s lips thinned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Your friends, your language, your alcohol.” She put a hand on her hip. “Not to mention the questionable women in and out of your life.”
Davey made his way over and leaned against the counter next to her. “How do you know about me if you don’t follow racing?” He grinned. A big, cocky-ass grin. “Maybe you just follow me.”
“Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She made a sound of disgust. He had some nerve and a super-sized ego to go along with it. “For your information, not every woman on the face of this earth is interested in you.” She lifted her chin. “I Googled you.”
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