“We were going back to Europe, but with Shelly’s news, Celeste wants to stay here and put down roots again.”
I take my shot, knocking the ball onto the fairway. Can’t say I blame them. It’s exciting to know we’ll have a new familymember by next summer. Knowing that this time I get to be the doting grandparent and not take any of the responsibility comes with its own rewards.
When Finn was born, Merry and I were very young, in our early twenties at the beginning of our careers, but we thought we could do it all and take on the world. While we were excited for a baby, it didn’t come without its anxiety and all the worries and fears that any new parent experiences. But a grandchild is a gift and comes with all the knowledge and confidence that I know how to do it right this time.
“Have you travelled much?” Marley asks as we walk down the embankment, pulling our carts.
“I’ve travelled a lot for business. Worked on several developments in Dubai, but I settled in Magnolia Point as I fell in love with the place. Since Merry and I divorced, it’s been the next best thing to a home.”
Finn catches up with us, shouting across the green, “We’re going for food.” He waves us over and we all pile into the golf carts scattered around.
As I climb out of the cart, I meander around the country club resort, peering into the large windows of the pool area, hoping I get a glimpse of Merry.
Finn strolls behind me, having the same idea as he waves to Shelly in the jacuzzi.
I scan the area. “Can you see your mom?”
Finn points to the area near the bar. “There she is.”
My breath catches in my throat as Merry turns around with a cocktail in hand. Her red swimsuit shows off every curve. Our eyes lock through the glass.
Her lips part as she walks from the bar towards the pool.
My eyes zero in on the deep V of her swimsuit, packing some serious scaffolding in there, as her tits would give any lingerie model a run for their money.
“What’s she doing?” Finn says, waving to get her attention, but her eyes are fixed on me.
My faint reflection in the glass stares back at me with a goofy grin, then a gasp as Merry walks straight off the edge of the pool, falling into the deep end.
Somehow she manages to keep her cocktail above water even when her head submerges beneath the surface.
Finn chuckles at the side of me, knocking my arm with his elbow. “I don’t think she meant to do that.”
Shelly climbs out of the jacuzzi and rushes to the poolside.
Merry’s head breaches the surface, a shocked expression on her face. She smoothes a hand over her slicked back hair, looking even sexier than she did when it was styled in waves around her face.
“Do you think she’s all right?” Finn says, watching his bride-to-be take the drink from her soon-to-be mother-in-law.
“She’s fine,” I say, knowing she’s more than fine. The woman I married has only got better with age, like a full-bodied, fine wine, aged to perfection. The label might be a little worn, but the substance is more delicious than ever.
After having a taste last night, I need more.
Chapter Seven
MERRY
Isip on my red wine, enjoying the velvet texture on my tongue. Celeste’s up dancing with a few of the girls, but I’m enjoying a drink with my future daughter-in-law as she asks me another question about Finn.
“Was he always good at art?” She places a hand over her stomach. “I wonder if our baby will have his talents.” She sips on a fruity mocktail, glancing down at the tassels on her crochet pattern dress over her belly.
“He was drawing and colouring as soon as he could hold a crayon.” My smile pushes my cheeks up as I think of Finn colouring on the wallpaper with felt-tips. “When he was about three, I’d just redecorated the stairs and had this lovely wallpaper with a fleur-de-lis texture embossed into it.”
Shelly nods for me to continue, her elbow resting on the table with her fist propping up her chin.
“He came downstairs to my office and said, ‘Mummy, come look at my picture.’ I was typing away on the computer and said,‘bring it to me, darling. I can’t go upstairs right now.’ And he said, ‘I can’t. It’s on the wall.’”
“Oh, he didn’t?” Shelly giggles, already guessing where this story’s about to go.
