Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Ana nods. “Thanks.” She puts her hands in her pockets. “You don’t look happy to see me.”
I sigh heavily and adjust my ball cap. “Let’s go sit.” I point to the picnic bench and follow her over there. “Where are my parents?”
“They went to get lunch.”
I pull my phone out and send a text to them, letting them know I brought food over for everyone. I sit down, opting to wait for them to get back before eating because it gives me a minute to talk to Ana without Goldie next to us.
“So, what’s up?” Ana asks.
“I think Lemon and I got back together last night but . . .” I pause and shake my head.
“You’re afraid she’s going to run for the hills with me here?”
I nod. “I’m not afraid. I know she’s going to. I know how Lemon feels, and her feelings are valid. This is going to make her retreat, and I honestly don’t blame her.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No,” I tell her honestly. “Having Goldie here has been life changing. I love going home now because she’s there and she gives me something to look forward to. I told you to move here, Ana. It’s what’s best for Goldie. And you. We have a good relationship, and you’re close to my parents. I think Magnolia Grove is going to be good for you.”
“Not at your expense, Wade.”
I shake my head. “It’ll be fine, Ana. Goldie’s happiness is more important than anything.”
“Wade . . .” She trails off when we hear my dad’s voice.
“Lunch from Willy’s that I didn’t have to pay for. Sounds like a damn good day to me.”
Dad puts the bags on the table while my mom sets plates and utensils down. Ana helps dish out the food while I go get Goldie.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Hey, sweetie. Wanna eat some lunch?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t like crab.”
Goldie loves seafood but will do this every time we eat it unless it was her idea. “All right. I’ll let Grandpa eat your crab cakes.”
“Cakes?”
I nod. “Crab cakes.”
She pretends to think and then hops off the swing. I scoop her up even though she’s old enough to walk on her own.
“Are you happy Mommy’s here?”
“Sure am.” She’ll never know the truth.
“Mommy says we are going to get a new house soon.”
“That’ll be fun. A whole new bedroom to decorate.”
“And a dog.”
I roll my eyes, knowing full well Ana won’t be getting a dog anytime soon.
twenty
lemon
Sunday morning at Jitterbug Coffee, while everyone is at church, is the place to be. I have the place to myself. It’s peaceful, quiet, and the smell of freshly roasted beans isn’t overtaken by a mixture of cologne and perfume. Sometimes, it’s just nice to reflect and relax without other factors clouding your senses.
I take a sip of my coffee and flip the page of one of the magazines I brought with me. Buying a home is on my list of things I want to accomplish in the next year, and I’d really like to have some interior designs in mind. My problem is, I love an American Craftsman style home, but also love a farmhouse style home with a wraparound porch. And while single floor living makes sense, I don’t want a ranch. I want a banister to decorate during the holidays, and I want to hear the pitter patter of little feet running down the hall while I’m in the kitchen cooking.
The thought of children gives me pause. They’ve been on the back burner for so long, they aren’t something I even considered when I started looking for a house. But now that Wade’s back in my life, I want them with him. The life I used to dream about is within reach.
One of the baristas comes over and fills my cup and brings me fresh cream. I thank her, mark the page I’m on, and turn it. Another house, this time it’s a cape style house with slanted ceilings, which I’m not a fan of. I put a red X on the page and flip.
Someone sits across from. Right away, I know it’s Goldie’s mom—the woman who changed the trajectory of my life—whether she meant to or not. She doesn’t need to introduce herself to me. Hearing her name isn’t going to change anything.
“Hi, are you Lemon?”
Reluctantly, I nod. “What are you doing here?”
“You know who I am?”
“Goldie looks just like you,” I tell her. “She’s more you than Wade, although she favors him in places.”
She beams. I imagine what I said was a compliment even though I didn’t intend to give one.
“I’m Anastasia,” she says without bothering to hold out her hand. Which is a good thing because I don’t know if I’d shake it. “Everyone calls me Ana.”
I say nothing and want to shoo the barista away when they bring an extra cup and a menu to the table.