“Is he married?”
“He lost his wife and child three years ago.”
“How tragic,” Oma murmured.
“Very much so,” Misty said. “He would’ve made a great father. You should see him with Talei.”
“She was talking to that bear as if it were him. Now, when did he become her godfather? I never heard mention of it before.”
“John named Leon her godfather. He couldn’t accept initially because of what he was dealing with, but he wants to be there for Talei now.”
“That’s nice of him.”
Misty agreed.
Her eyes strayed to a bag containing a colorful quilt. “Who is that for?”
Oma smiled. “It’s for you. I thought it might look nice on your bed.”
Misty pulled the quilt from the bag. “Mama, it’s gorgeous. I love it.”
“I also bought some new moccasins for Talei. The others look like they’re too small for her feet.”
“Wado, Mama.”
“Hawa.”
“Have you heard from Aunt Lois?”
“I haven’t spoken to her in years. Your father doesn’t want any members of his family communicating with me, so they don’t. They never wanted to be in the middle.”
Misty’s eyes grew wet. “I guess he divorced me when you divorced him.”
“I’m so sorry,” Oma said.
“It’s not your fault, Mama. There’s no way we could’ve stayed with him. He was an alcoholic and a cheater. You deserved better than that.”
“When I found out he had a baby on the way, I knew the marriage was forever broken.”
“It’s just really sad that he cut his whole family off from me. I would love to have gotten to know them. I have siblings I’ve never met. I don’t even know their names. There was a time when I didn’t care to meet them, but I feel differently now.”
“Misty, you can reach out to your family—you don’t have to wait for them to contact you.”
“I know that, Mama. You’ve never tried to keep me from them. When I was younger, I felt like they should be the one to contact me since I was a child. The truth is that my grandmother has been on my mind a lot lately. She’s the one I’d like to see.”
“Then you should give her a call, Misty. I don’t know if the number I have for her is still good, but it’s a start.”
Misty embraced her mother. “I’ll try to contact her tomorrow.”
She could purposely ignore the feeling of abandonment that flowed through her, but it was always there, taunting her. Misty hadn’t forgiven her dad for disrespecting her mother by parading his girlfriend around their friends and even bringing her to one of Misty’s school events. He was intent on embarrassing Oma. When her mother left him, he never attempted to reach out to her. He simply moved on with his new family.
Misty blamed him for all the dysfunctional relationships in her life. She blamed him for the hole that was left in her heart because of his absence. She faulted him for not loving her enough to at least try to be a better father.
* * *
THE NEXT DAY, Misty did what she’d told Oma she would—she keyed in the phone number, hoping her grandmother would answer on the other end.
“Hello.”
“Is this Waverly Taylor?” she asked.
“Yeah. Who is this?”
“This is Misty...your granddaughter.”
“Misty? Mike’s daughter?”
“Yes, ma’am. Oma is my mother.”
“I haven’t heard from your mama in years. I didn’t know if y’all was dead or alive. If you lookin’ for your daddy, he ain’t here. He lives in New York now.”
“No, ma’am, I’m not calling about him. You’ve been on my mind a lot,” Misty said. “That’s why I called.”
“Baby, I’m so glad to hear from you. I know Mike didn’t do right by you and your mama. I want you to know I didn’t raise him to be that way.”
“I don’t need a father,” Misty said. “I have a beautiful little girl and we’re fine. My mother is good. Like I said, you’ve been on my mind for a while and I decided to just reach out. There’s no need to live in the past.”
“Sounds like you’re a right smart young woman. Are y’all still in South Carolina?”
“Yes. My mom is in Charleston, but I live on Polk Island.”
“I would certainly love to see you and my great-granddaughter before I go home to glory.”
Misty smiled. “I would love to see you, too.”
“I’m gonna tell you this. I’m sorry for letting Mike keep you away from us. I hope you and Oma can forgive me. I was trying to keep the peace in my family back then, but it was wrong. I should’ve spoke up.”
“It’s okay, Grandmother. I know how my dad can get. Besides, I allowed him to keep me away as well, but I won’t let him do it again.”
“I won’t either,” Waverly promised. “I’m gonna do better by you, Misty.”
When they hung up, Misty found her mother and gave her a quick recap.
“Sounds like you and your grandmother had a good conversation.”
“We did, Mama. She wants to see me and Talei.”
“That’s wonderful news. The creator will work things out and his timing is always perfect.”
“I’m glad I called her. I won’t have to spend any more time wondering what would happen or if she ever thought about me.”
“I’m happy for you.”
Misty scanned her mother’s face. “Are you really happy, Mama? You don’t feel like I’m betraying you or anything? I want you to tell me.”
“You should know me better than that,” Oma responded. “I’ve always wished for you to have a relationship with Michael’s family.”
“I’m so lucky to have you as a mother.”
“And I’ve been blessed to have you as my daughter. I want you to have the life you’ve always dreamed of—it’s still possible.”
Misty settled back against the cushions. “I thought I had it with John, but I was never so wrong.”
“That’s all in the past now.”
“You’re right. Time to live in the present.”
* * *
LEON DROVE TO Charleston to pick Trey up from the airport. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
The two men embraced.
“Big brother, I’m so happy to be here. You know the first place I want to go is to the café. I need some of Aunt Eleanor’s chocolate cake in my life.”
“She has a new employee named Misty helping her with the baking. Man... She truly has a gift. She’s been at the bakery since May and business has increased, according to Aunt Eleanor. They had several wedding cakes for this month already and more for July.”
“Really?”
Leon nodded. “In fact, she was married to John.”
Trey’s eyes grew wide in his surprise. “John Hayes?”
“Yeah. It’s a small world...”
“How did John’s wife end up working for Aunt Eleanor?”
“When Misty came to the island to find a place to live, they connected.”
“Wow, it really is a small world,” Trey said. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Grinning, Leon glanced at his brother. “Auntie is gonna be beside herself when she sees you. She really misses you.”
“I miss her, too.”
“We’re here,” Leon said as he pulled into a vacant parking space in front of the café.
Eleanor was standing in the doorway. “Trey, I’m so glad to see you,” she said, embracing her nephew.
Trey kissed her cheek. “It’s great being back on the island.”
Misty walked out of the kitchen. When she spotted Leon, she gave a tiny wave.
He gestured for her to join them. “Trey, this is the lady I was telling you
about.”
Trey shook her hand. “Leon was actually talking about your cakes.”
She smiled. “Okay...”
Eleanor made the introductions. “This is Misty. Leon’s right. Her cakes sell out fast. We’ve had wedding cake orders every weekend this month. Birthday cakes, too.”
Rubbing his hands together, Trey said, “I have to try this chocolate cake right here.”
“I’ll cut you a slice.” Smiling, Misty glanced over at Leon. “You want anything?”
“No, I’m good.”
Leon and Trey sat down with Eleanor at one of the tables near the kitchen.
“How have you been?” Trey grabbed the menu and perused it. He glanced up at Eleanor.
“I’m doing fine. I’ve been a lil forgetful from time to time. I guess it comes with getting old.”
“Auntie, I’ve told you that you’re not old,” Leon interjected. “You need to stop saying that.”
“Leon’s right. You’re nowhere near old.”
“In my mind I feel twenty-five years old, but my body constantly reminds me that I’m fifty-five.”
One of the servers brought a plate laden with a huge slice of chocolate cake. She placed it in front of Trey.
Leon’s eyes kept traveling to the kitchen for glimpses of Misty. As much as he tried to fight the emotions threatening to escape from behind the wall, he’d carefully erected to protect what was left of his heart, she was still able to infiltrate somehow. Leon found himself looking forward just to seeing that beautiful smile of hers.
He tried to deny the pulsing knot that had formed in his stomach when Misty walked out of the kitchen.
“She’s beautiful,” Trey said.
Leon nodded in argument. “Yes, she is.”
“Well, if I were in your shoes, I’d do something about it.”
His words gave Leon something to consider.
* * *
MISTY STOLE A peek into the café area. Leon and Eleanor looked to be having a wonderful reunion with Trey. She enjoyed seeing him so happy. A visit from his brother was like medicine for him.
She gave herself a mental shake, then went back to decorating the cake she’d been working on before Leon and his brother showed up.
Eleanor appeared in the doorway. “Sugar, when you get a free minute, come join us.”
“I will,” Misty said. “Give me five minutes.”
She did a quick check in the mirror to make sure she didn’t have any flour on her face. Eying her reflection, Misty removed the cap and freed her curly tresses.
Leon moved over to make room for her. She could feel the heat emanating from his body and drank in the comfort of his nearness.
“Looks like they’re keeping you pretty busy today,” he said.
Misty nodded. “I have to have a birthday cake done for pickup later today. I spent most of my morning helping out in the café.”
“Trey, this lady here is a godsend,” Eleanor stated. “She can practically run this shop all by herself.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Misty responded. “I just do what I can to help out around here.”
“Hey, Aunt Eleanor isn’t one to give meaningless compliments.” Trey picked up his water glass. “She’s really needed someone new. The last time I was home that other guy wasn’t that good.”
Eleanor chuckled. “He was fine, but after his heart attack, nothing was the same.”
“I’m with Trey on this one,” Leon said. “Aunt Eleanor had to make all of the specialty cakes.”
“Y’all leave Augustus alone. He done retired.”
“Thank goodness,” Trey said.
“Why don’t we have a cookout or something for the Fourth of July?” Eleanor suggested.
“Sounds good to me,” Trey responded. “That’s the perfect way to end my vacation. I love the day after.”
Leon agreed, then looked over at Misty. “You’re invited, too.”
Smiling, she said, “I’d love to come. Can I bring anything?”
“Cake,” Leon and Trey said in unison, sparking laughter all around the table.
CHAPTER NINE
“I CAN TELL that you really like Misty,” Trey stated when they walked out of the shop. “I saw the way you were looking at her.”
Leon gave his brother a sidelong glance. “What are you talking about?” He wasn’t ready to admit his attraction to anyone—not even himself.
“Man... You know you like that woman. Hey, I can’t blame you. She’s gorgeous.”
“She was married to my friend.”
“From the sound of it, John wasn’t the man we thought he was,” Trey responded. “Sounds like he didn’t deserve a woman like her. I think she’d be good for you, Leon.”
“I haven’t gotten over losing Vera. It wouldn’t be fair to her when I still have feelings for my late wife.”
“A part of you never will never stop loving Vee, but life isn’t over for you, big brother. It’s time for you to get back out there, Leon.”
“That’s what everybody keeps telling me, but it’s just not that easy. I can’t erase my feelings for Vee. I miss her more and more every day.”
“Leon, I get that.”
“I don’t want to meet someone and mislead them. I’m not ready to date.”
“Okay,” Trey murmured. “I’m not gonna push you.”
“I wish I could get Aunt Eleanor to stop.”
“You know she means well.”
“Yeah.”
“I think I’d like to walk around the town for a bit,” Trey said. “It’s been a while and I miss the island.”
“Is that your way of making sure the ladies know you’re back?” Leon teased.
Trey burst into laughter. “Hey, I just want to say hello to a few people. What are you about to get into?”
“I’m going home,” Leon said. “I think it’s time I redecorated my room.”
“Why don’t you ask Misty to help you?”
“I’m sure I can manage,” Leon responded. “I’m just getting new bedding. Something to match that new quilt Aunt Eleanor made for me last Christmas.”
He unlocked the door to his truck. “You want me to drop you off anywhere?”
“I’m good,” Trey responded.
“Think you’ll be around for dinner?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.”
Five hours later, the doorbell rang just as Leon was about to make dinner. He left the pack of hamburger sitting on the kitchen counter and went to answer the door.
He opened it quickly, expecting a package delivery or one of his neighbors bringing misdelivered mail, but instead he found Trey standing there, holding two boxes of pizza.
“No offense, brother, but you’re not a cook, so I thought I’d spare you by getting dinner tonight.”
Leon took the pizza boxes from him. “Nothing like a night of pizza, beer and brotherly conversation.”
They sat down at the dining room table, eating and talking.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” Leon said. “I know Auntie feels the same way.”
“Have you noticed that she’s starting to repeat some things? She mentioned being forgetful. Anything we should be worried about?”
“I don’t think so, Trey. I can be forgetful at times.”
After several slices of pepperoni and sausage pizza, they watched a movie before Leon marched upstairs, calling it a night. “Come by the station if you run out of things to do or people to see.”
Carrying the paper plates to the trash, Trey laughed. “I’ll do that.”
Leon showered, then slipped on a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt.
He climbed into a king-size bed. Most times, he slept in the guest room, which had a full-size bed. It didn’t make him feel quite as lonely as he did in the one he’d sha
red with Vera. With Trey there, he had no choice but to sleep in the master bedroom. The third bedroom had been converted into a home office.
Three hours later, Leon punched his pillow with his fist. Plagued with thoughts of Misty, he was having a tough time sleeping. His mind warred between his attraction for a woman who wasn’t his late wife and his guilt for feeling that way. Although he no longer wore his wedding ring, Leon was still bound by his vow to Vera.
She’s gone, he told himself. The promises made on their wedding day remained in force only until the day she died. However, Leon chose to continue to remain faithful as a way to honor Vera. She’d meant the world to him and he wasn’t going to dismiss her so easily.
He had not expected to develop feelings for Misty beyond friendship. After all, she was John’s ex-wife.
Although Misty tried to keep her expression neutral, Leon knew that their attraction was mutual. He was rusty when it came to this sort of thing, but he was sure that he’d caught glimpses of interest in her eyes whenever they were in the same room.
Groaning, Leon turned from his left side to the right. He was scheduled to be at the station at 8:00 a.m. to start his shift.
Why was it so hard to get this woman out of his head?
Why couldn’t he stay away from her?
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Misty followed her usual routine of dropping Talei off to day care at 6:00 a.m., then heading down Main Street to the shop to start the morning baking.
As she waited for the lemon blueberry muffins to come out of the oven, she worked on carrot cake muffins next, all the while trying to keep her mind off Leon.
She was failing miserably.
If Leon hadn’t been so blatant in his attraction to her, Misty could’ve easily dismissed his actions as simply the thoughtful gestures of a nice guy.
Initially, Misty had been certain he kept his distance because she was John’s ex-wife. But now she felt his reservations were less about whom she’d been married to and more about his grief. In his present state of mind, Misty represented a risk to his broken heart. His daughter would be around Talei’s age now—how often did being around her remind him how much he missed her? If her daughter got too attached to Leon... It worked both ways. Misty ran the same risk.
Harlequin Heartwarming June 2021 Box Set Page 55