To the twins’credit, they quickly hid their surprise.“Isn’t that nice? It’s great to have you here in town, Blake,”Jillian said.
“Are you enjoying your visit?”Jackie asked with a warm, friendly smile.
Heather breathed a sigh of relief. The twins could carry town gossip like no one else, but when it came down to it, they were warm, caring people, and she was grateful for their acceptance of Blake with no questions.
“I am. Moonbeam is kind of a cool town.”
“So you’re here staying with Heather?”Jillian asked.
Okay, they wanted a little more info. Some questions were inevitable.
“No, I’m staying with my dad, Jesse.”
Jackie’s eyebrow rose, but she quickly hid it with a smile.“That’s lovely. Jesse is a very nice man.”She turned to Jillian.“We should get you inside the cafe and let you sit down. Don’t want to overdo the walking on that bum foot of yours.”
“Yes, we should. It was nice seeing you two. Blake, enjoy your stay,”Jillian said.
“Yes, ma’am,”Blake answered politely.
The twins went inside and Blake turned to her.“So…you told them who I am.”
“I hope that was okay.”
“I’m fine with it. When we ran into them before, Jesse didn’t say who I was. That I was his son. He wanted some of the legal stuff to get settled first.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. And…”She paused, taking in the mixture of hope and uncertainty on his face.“I want people to know you’re my son. I’m proud to have you as my son. There’ll be some talk, of course. It is a small town and suddenly you pop up out of nowhere at sixteen. But I’m okay with the talk if you are.”
“I’m good. I don’t care who knows. I’m just—”
She waited for him to continue.
“I’m just glad I was able to find you guys.”
“I am, too. Very glad.”
“So, I guess I’ll see you around?”Blake stepped back, changing the subject.
“Of course.”She’d love to see him every day. All day. But she was lucky that Jesse had given her this much time with him.
“You going to be at the festival Jesse keeps talking about?”
“I am. I’m showing some of my artwork at a booth there and I told Livy I’d help out at the cafe booth if they need it.”
“Guess I’ll see you there, then.”
“Yes, you will.”And she’d count the minutes until then.“Call me if you need anything.”
He nodded, turned, and walked down the sidewalk. She watched until he turned the corner, and then she leaned back against the brick wall of the front of the cafe.
That had been the most remarkable three hours of her entire life.
Chapter 24
Jesse looked up from mopping the upper level of the Destiny. It didn’t really need it, but it kept him busy and helped him squash his thoughts, even if it didn’t help him salve his anger. Blake stood at the top of the stairs watching him.
He straightened.“Hi.”
Blake crossed over to him and leaned against the railing.“Hey.”
