Nodding, I said, “He is pissed and vengeful, so he’s trying to ruin Magnolia’s business. She hasn’t done anything to him. She’s just trying to make her own way.”
“I like Magnolia. She was the planner for Harper and Max, right?”
“That was officially her first wedding.”
“It was gorgeous,” Everly said. “Very personalized to the couple.”
“Magnolia’s the planner for Presley and West’s Christmas Eve wedding, among others. That one’s at my barn. Anyway…she’s put up with Felix’s BS her whole life. She thought she was finally free of him.”
“It’s not easy to break out from powerful parents.”
Everly would know. I remembered hearing about her breaking away from her dad’s big-label production for her music and going indie.
“You seem to be thriving now,” I told her.
“A lot of people don’t understand, but I’m so happy with the changes I made. But back to Magnolia. I’d be happy to recommend her to Ella. I don’t know anything about her dad or how controlling he is, but I can put in a good word.”
“That’s all I can ask for. I appreciate it. Not only does Magnolia deserve the chance, but Ella will get the best service and attention from Magnolia. She’s working to prove herself and build up her business. Nobody will work harder than Mags.”
Everly smiled as she studied me, making me a little nervous. I didn’t know her all that well, which made it a stretch for me to ask any favor of her, but if it would help Magnolia…
“I’ll ping Ella this evening before it gets too late. No promises it will change anything, but she should know Magnolia’s a great planner.”
“Thanks, Everly.”
She squeezed my arm. “She’s a lucky girl to have a good guy like you in love with her, supporting her goals,” she said, taking out her phone and holding it up, as if she was going to contact Ella now.
I was unsure what to say to that, so I merely nodded as Seth came back to her, and we went our separate ways.
Was I in love with Magnolia?
I let the words roll around in my head for a few seconds, waiting for some kind of alarm bell to sound. None did.
I wasn’t afraid to fall in love. I just never had before. I’d thought I loved Addie’s mom, but I questioned that now.
Standing out of the way of all the shoppers, I watched Magnolia as she listened to something her mother said. Magnolia’s expression went from shocked to glowing, and then the two women hugged. Magnolia’s eyes fluttered shut, and I saw so much emotion beneath the surface. A thread of caution. Relief. Hope.
I wanted nothing more than for the woman to finally do right by Magnolia. So far she’d heeded my warning not to hurt her daughter. I’d do anything to ensure Magnolia didn’t get hurt, by her mother or anyone else.
The truth crept in and enveloped me like a comforting hug. If this wasn’t love, then what was? I wanted Magnolia’s success. I wanted to be by her side for every joyful moment, but I’d also fight every battle I could for her. If her mother—or anyone—hurt her again, they’d answer to me, and I’d be there to support Magnolia in whatever way she needed.
Hell, I’d imagined having babies with her tonight. You didn’t think long-term family without being in love.
I realized I was grinning as I nodded to myself, still watching the strawberry-blond bombshell across the room. The bombshell I absolutely could imagine living happily beside for the rest of my years.
Everly was right. I was utterly, completely in love with Magnolia James. Now I just had to figure out how and when to let her know.
Chapter Thirty
Magnolia
I’d spent more time with my mother in the past week than I had in the previous twenty years.
Things were happening fast with the sale of Lansford Development and the creation of our nonprofit, faster than I ever could’ve imagined. I hadn’t asked for this project, and I still had less than zero interest in Lansford, but I was surprised at how invested in the nonprofit I was becoming.
When I’d shared the ideas from girls’ night with my mother over lunch last week, she’d been enthusiastic about them, agreeing a women’s campus with multiple kinds of support and resources was a fitting way to use the proceeds. I’d told her about the night Felix had kicked me out and how I’d managed to get my feet under me afterward. She agreed I was lucky to connect with Dotty. Most women didn’t have a Dotty.
Our first step was to find a buyer for Lansford, and as if it was meant to be, we now had one.
