That was what I wanted to know too—what had happened in the past two days to change everything?
And then she was moving. She was at the door before I knew it.
“Take the rest of the pie,” I said.
“Jackson can bring it,” she said as she walked out.
He gave me another look, this time an angry one for hurting his sister’s feelings.
I’d recognize that look anywhere because I’d given it plenty of times to people bugging Goldie.
I stood there with a messy kitchen and an ache in my gut that had nothing to do with the food.
CHAPTER SIX
HOLLY JOLLY
JULIANA
Present
“I know what we have to do as soon as Mom and Dad get here,” Jackson says before he’s even in the door all the way.
The facts out there about women talking more than men do not apply to my brother and me. For every one word I say, he says twenty.
“It’s too late for a card since it’s Christmas freaking Eve, but we can post it on the socials and give everyone a laugh.” Jackson hugs Uncle Hal, who’s closest to him. Papa is next, and when he reaches me, he’s pulled up an old picture on his phone.
“Hello, Jackson.” I laugh, giving him a playful shove when he holds the phone in my face.
“Hi…hey,” he says, still grinning at his phone. “Wait till you see this. It’s gonna be hilarious.”
I bump him with my hip, and he grumbles but waves his phone. I begrudgingly take it from him.
“It wouldn’t hurt you to hug your sister,” I say.
“You sound just like Mom.Hello, Juju,” he says, mocking me. He hugs me, lifting me off the ground. When he sets me down, he leans down so we’re at eye level. “Satisfied?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now look at this picture.”
I start laughing as soon as I see it. My dad is on all fours, and my mom, my brother, and I are on his back. I think I’m around four years old, old enough to remember doing this. Jackson would’ve been around six. We’re all laughing so hard—my head has fallen back on Jackson’s shoulder, and his smile is so wide. Jackson’s in the middle, and Mom is in the back, looking at us to make sure we’re not going to fall off. Dad’s expression is very similar to Uncle Hal’s—pure mischief.
“It is a great idea,” I admit.
The second Mom and Dad pull into the driveway, Jackson and I run out to meet them. I practically fall into Mom’s arms, laughing as we squeeze each other like we haven’t seen each other in years instead of just a month ago.
“We’ve got to see more of each other,” she says. “It’s not that far, but when it’s hectic, those few hours feel like an eternity. I’ve got an assistant who’s taking a lot off my plate, though.” She squeezes my arm and smooths back my hair. “I’ll do better at getting to Windy Harbor. I miss you too much to go a month at a time not seeing you.”
“I’d love that. The cafe has me stretched pretty thin or I’d come see you more often.” I make a face.
My parents have been nothing but supportive of my business. Initially, they weren’t thrilled that I was opening a cafe in Windy Harbor instead of St. Paul, since they weren’t able to be here full-time, but once they saw how I was thriving here, they never brought it up again. They plan to be here once they retire, so I think they’re a bit envious that I’m getting an earlier start.
I’m not sure if or when Jackson will leave Minneapolis. He has a beautiful condo downtown and isn’t too far from the house we grew up in. Maybe if he ever settles down with someone, he’ll move here. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, but he loves it in Windy Harbor as much as I do. My family has been addicted to the town ever since we first came to visit the Whitmans at their lake home. My parents and Goldie’s became instant friends when they met, and it wasn’t long before we got a lake home here too, our families enjoying time together both in St. Paul and Windy Harbor.
“Come here, pretty girl,” Dad says.
His hug is warm and solid, and I bury my face in his shoulder before Jackson claps him on the back.
