Mary leaned back and gave me a secret smile. “You might not have known about these folks coming, but your Ms. Jules did, so she let me know and we planned accordingly.”
Of course Jules had known. I shook my head, mentally cataloging all the ways to show her my gratitude later.
“I’m just glad I got to meet your Addie and all the rest of your Highland Falls family,” Mary said. “You have been blessed.”
I looked around the living room into the kitchen, noting all the folks who had given up their Friday to drive up here and support me. Lou was at the dining room table, holding courtwith some of the staff and many of the women who’d driven up today, telling some story or another. To my horror, based on her gyrations, I think the story involved the all-male revue Jules had mentioned when this hellish week began. I looked over to see Verdell watching his wife, an indulgent smile on his face.
Looking back to Mary, I was torn between laughing and crying, overwhelmed with the gratitude for the family I hadn’t even realized I had, including her and Fred. “You’re right, Mary. I am so lucky.”
“Heck yeah you are.” Ivy walked up behind me and leaned in to steal Mary from my arms. “Mary, your food is as delicious as always.”
“And you are as beautiful now as the girl you were way back when,” Mary said, pulling Ivy to her in a tight squeeze. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“You need to come down to Highland Falls—we’ll pull you right into an amazing community,” Ivy said. “Madison is beautiful and all, but I think you’d love our small town.”
“Oh, Fred is pretty settled,” Mary said, nodding at her husband, who had found a spot on the wall with Verdell. “But maybe for a visit this fall?”
“Count on it,” Ivy said.
Mary stepped back, squeezed my arm again, then headed off to check the food and see what needed to be replenished.
“So,” Ivy began.
“So,” I echoed. “Last time we talked two days ago, I was going to see you all—including our daughter—when I got back.”
“Oops?” Ivy shrugged with a wide smile. “Noah, there was zero chance that I was leaving you, even with Jules by your side, to deal with our parents’ cronies on your own.”
“You talked with your mom and dad.”
“A bit,” she said, which spoke volumes. “I talked to Jules, and we decided just to let everyone know what was going on andwhen the services were. The people who are here chose to come on their own, no pressure from either of us. And that doesn’t even cover those friends who wanted to come but couldn’t on short notice or the ones who stayed back to watch everyone’s kids.” She looked around the space and then came right in front of me, putting her hands on my shoulders. “You are loved, Noah. Just as you are. And because our friends wouldn’t have the first idea hownotto show it, you get to see how much you matter. For that, I’m grateful.”
I swallowed, not sure at first what to say as I just looked around at all the folks here. Coming back to Ivy, I spoke the words that were weighing me down. “Are you ever surprised that we found this?”
She tilted her head as she looked at me. “Tell me what you mean.”
I took a deep breath, getting my thoughts in order. “We’re from here, and the people we grew up around valued status, money, connections—what you could do for them.” I took another deep breath, warmth filling me up as I thought of all that I’d gained from this group. “And these people here? They’d do anything for us, expecting nothing in return.” I wiped at my eyes. “They don’t know what I’m inheriting from my parents, but it wouldn’t matter one bit to them anyway.”
“No, it won’t,” Ivy agreed.
I’d texted her after I met with Barry, expressing my shock. She hadn’t been surprised in the slightest, immediately echoing Barry’s thoughts about them caring about appearances even in death.
I looked at her, my oldest friend. “I’m so glad you found Highland Falls.”
She laughed. “Well, thank my Nana.”
I looked up at the ceiling and thought of her hilarious grandmother, so different than her mother you would neversuspect they had been related. I knew Ivy missed her a whole lot, but it was thanks to her grandmother that she had the bookstore and the building it housed. “Thanks, Lorelai the first,” I called.
“Now,” Ivy said, pulling my attention back to her. “Shall we talk about what’s going on with you and Jules and how much I am here for it?”
Chapter 21
Being Human
Jules
I’d been sitting in the same position for far too long. The drive back down to Highland Falls was close to four hours, and I’d been writing for nearly every minute of the trip so far.
I couldn’t speak for Noah, but I’d been moving more slowly than anticipated when we woke up due to a minor hangover. I’d be shocked if Noah hadn’t been struggling with the same, though he didn’t mention it at all. Did I expect to have too much to drink after a funeral? Nope, I sure didn’t. But that’s the way the day unfolded, and I chose to roll with it.
