He was about to go over and knock on her door when his cell phone rang. Of course, it was Mom. Just like every year, she’d called to sing “Happy Birthday” to him. He listened, then thanked her, and when she asked him to come over for breakfast, he reluctantly agreed. He would have preferred more time with Brynna, but having breakfast with his mother was preferable to getting stuck here with Gina and her friends.
He hopped in his Jeep and headed over to Damico’s. As he drove, he remembered how it had hurt his feelings when his mother chose to live at his sister’s place instead of here, but in the long run, he knew it was for the best. As much as he loved his mom, they didn’t always see eye to eye on things. It hadn’t helped matters when she’d started picking fights with Marcie. Usually over finances and the vineyard and household chores. And when Marcie got sick, Leroy had known it was time for his mom to move on. Fortunately, she had understood. Sherry’s boys were little at the time, and having their grandmother nearby had been welcome all around.
His mother had a nice little breakfast all set up on the back terrace. After they sat down, she explained that she’d begged out of going to church with Sherry and Tony and the boys. “That loud music plays havoc with my hearing aids.” She filled his coffee cup. “I told Sherry I’d rather have breakfast with my firstborn on his birthday.” She chuckled. “Of course, that made her jealous. But what’s new about that?”
He shrugged. “I think it’s just youngest child syndrome. Gina always thinks Luna and Sophie have had it better than her.”
“So, any big plans for today?” She had a mischievous twinkle in her eye, almost as if she knew something. Had she heard about Brynna ... or had she put two and two together?
“I don’t know.” He studied her closely. “Did Sophie tell you about our office manager?”
Her pale brows arched. “Your office manager?”
He decided to just get it out in the open. “Yeah. She was going by Bree, but her name’s actually Brynna. Did Sophie mention she’s the same girl I met thirty years ago at summer camp?”
“Your first love?” She set down her orange juice glass with a loud clunk. “The office manager is thesame girl?”
He nodded.
Her jaw dropped.
“Yeah, I was pretty shocked too.”
“You had mentioned to me that Bree—or Brynna—that the new office manager had reminded you of that other girl.”
“Well, sheisthat other girl.”
“I hardly know what to say.”
He explained the situation in a bit more detail, trying to make her understand that Brynna’s motives hadn’t been to trick anyone. “Still, I felt pretty blindsided. It was a lot to take in.”
“And how do you feel about it now?” she asked.
He smiled. “I guess I’m open to the possibilities.”
“Really?” She blinked.
“Yeah. I mean, I’m not stupid, Mom. I know it could blow up in my face ... again. But I guess it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“Well, I’ll be.” She shook her head with a stunned expression. “That’s interesting to hear, son. Very interesting.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you know. Because, well, I plan to spend time with her.” He explained how he’d talked Brynna into coming back to work after she’d taken off yesterday. “It was sort of touch-and-go. I was pretty mad about the whole thing at first. ButI spent a lot of time with her yesterday, getting reacquainted. She’s been through a lot of hard stuff.” He went into more detail and, to his relief, his mother seemed sympathetic.
“So does the rest of the family know about this?” she asked.
“Sophie does. And she told Gina.”
“Can I tell your sister?”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me. It is what it is.” Still, he wondered how his sister would respond to this tasty tidbit of gossip. Would she and the others misjudge Brynna and treat her like an interloper? What if they assumed his relationship with Brynna was more evolved than it was? Would they be supportive, or suspicious and overprotective? One thing he knew about his family was that they were opinionated. And they could be unpredictable. Hopefully they’d treat Brynna with respect.
Chapter 30
By the time Brynna woke up, the sun was pouring brightly in through the kitchen window and, according to the wall clock, it was half past nine. Very late for her. But since it was Sunday, no one would care. Seeing the bedroom door open, she peeked inside to find the bed was unoccupied and unmade. But the way Luna’s bags and clothes were spread across the room suggested she planned to stay awhile.
Brynna was relieved to discover the bathroom unoccupied too. Although, as in the bedroom, Luna had clearly made herself at home in there. Picking her way through Luna’s jumble of hair products, cosmetics, and skin care stuff, Brynna freshened up then dressed. She was just about to make coffee when her phone chimed. Glad to see it was Jan, she answered.
“Hey, you. Mike and I are having a late start day.” Jan’s tone was chipper. “But we’ve got this huge breakfast going on. Want to join us?”
