“I didn’t know you were back at work already,” Vivian said, glancing down at the papers strewn across his desk.
“Just paperwork,” Dean said, smiling. “This place can’t run itself. I had a lot of business work to catch up on.”
“Are you sure you didn’t get too tempted and sneak out there to be with the boys?” Noelle teased. “I know how you get about those cars. They’re like candy to you, and you have to stare at them every time you’re in here.”
Dean chuckled, holding up his hands in an “I surrender” gesture. “I promise I didn’t strain my hands. Just paperwork. Writing with that pen has been as easy as pie.”
Vivian looked at how easily he was moving his hands with delight. “Dean! You really seem to be feeling a lot better. That surgery did wonders.”
Dean’s expression darkened as he thought of the bills. “Yes, I have been feeling better.”
Noelle slipped her arm through his. “That’s incredible. How come you don’t look happier about it? Hearing you say that makes me want to start dancing on the ceiling.”
Dean shook his head. “I am happy, but you missed the moments when I was first reacting to this change in my hands. I’m also really worried about money, and that’s my predominant emotion right now, I’m afraid.”
“Why are you worried about money?” Vivian asked, her expression alert.
“The bills for the surgery were worse than I thought they’d be. I knew they would be a lot, but they’re like, next level a lot. And I’d been hoping that I could undergo some treatments that would improve my recovery time and speed up the healingprocess, but those are expensive as well.” He made eye contact with Noelle, who had brightened at the word “treatments.” “But I don’t think I can afford those, not with the surgery bills and the wedding coming up.”
Noelle stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I don’t want you to worry about any of that, Dean. There are still plenty of things we picked out for our wedding that we don’t actually need, and we could cancel them and save the money. Heck, we could even switch the venue to the basement of the church and I’d be happy. What matters it that we’re getting married, and I care more about you feeling good than I do about anything else.”
Dean felt his heart burst with love and gratitude as he looked down at her. She’d said exactly what he knew she would, but it still touched him deeply to hear her say it. He knew there weren’t a lot of women who would so quickly give up the idea of their dream wedding.
“I don’t want to do that, though,” he said softly. “I want you to have everything you picked out. We want our day to be as beautiful as you are.”
She shook her head, smiling. “It will be. No matter what. Even if you’re not feeling your best—which I believe you will be—it will still be the best day of our lives.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’re amazing. Even this news doesn’t affect your optimism.” His chest swelled with appreciation for the woman he was going to marry, even though he still felt burdened by what felt like two almost insurmountable obstacles. He wanted to have as much faith as Noelle did, but he couldn’t help fretting that things weren’t going to work out and their hopes were going to be dashed.
Vivian was quiet throughout the exchange, watching Dean and Noelle with that same alert look. Finally, she put a hand on Dean’s shoulder. “Hang in there, Dean. I just know it’s all going to work out beautifully. Don’t you worry. Promise?”
He laughed. “I’ll try.”
“Good.” She winked at him. “Well, I’ll head on home and let you two love birds chat about everything for a while. Don’t forget about our family dinner tomorrow night—at The Lighthouse Grill.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Dean smiled. Ordinarily they had family dinner nights in Vivian’s home, but every once in a while they met at The Lighthouse Grill, usually for special occasions. There was always an added sense of excitement in the air when they ate at the pub, and Dean knew it wasn’t just because Samantha always rejoiced over how fun it was that they all got to eat different things. There was a sense of being proud of their family restaurant, and all that their family had accomplished together over the years.
“I’ll be there too,” Noelle promised.
Vivian slipped out the door with a wave, and Noelle folded into Dean’s arms. For a few minutes neither of them said anything, and then she said softly, “Okay, no worrying. You promised.”
Dean laughed and kissed the top of her head. “Yes, ma’am.”
He closed his eyes, treasuring the way she felt in his arms, and knowing with all of his heart that she was right—whatever happened, their wedding day would be the best day of their lives because of all that it promised.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Vivian took a deep breath as she looked around the dining room of The Lighthouse Grill. It was empty of customers, since it was closed to the public by that point in the evening, and the unusual quiet made her feel nostalgic, as if her mind was filling in the silence with memories of laughter and conversation.
I can’t wait until everyone arrives,she thought, smiling to herself.I love having my whole family here with me. This is my favorite place in the world.
She went over to the two long tables that she and Terrence had pushed together a little earlier in the evening, making one extra-long table that Vivian had covered in white tablecloths. The table had already been set with silverware and glasses of water, and there were enough chairs for everyone. As a finishing touch, Vivian had added a vase of yellow roses and sunflowers to the center of the table, and she thought the effect was charming. She wanted to decorate, since it was such an important night.
She clasped her hands together, thinking about how her children were going to react when she told them what she planned to do with the money. Her heart lifted with expectation, although it also fluttered with nervousness. She shook her head at herself, not understanding why she felt so jittery.
She made her way back into the kitchen, where Terrence was heating up everyone’s dinner orders. Vivian had contacted everyone earlier in the day and asked Tom and the other chefs to make their meals while the restaurant was still open. Now she and Terrence had been popping the plates into the microwaves, making sure they would be piping hot by the time the rest of the Owens family arrived.
“Thanks for doing this, sweetheart.” She kissed Terrence on the cheek. “Looks like we’re just about ready, huh?”
