I narrow my eyes at her. “Wrong example. I actually am traumatized.”
Avery laughs. “First-born children, I tell you. You’re sooo sensitive. But okay. Bad example. You are traumatized. But why? Seriously. Mom’s happy. She’s no longer sitting around the house lamenting the end of her marriage.”
“I know. The idea of her dating is growing on me …”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m happy for you. And for Mom.”
“Thanks. I know I’ll have to tell Mia about Greyson—eventually.”
“You will. In time.” She pauses. “And, honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, you’re probably right. That whole family reunion thing Danny just pulled sent Mia into a little bit of a setback. He does that every single time. Blows in like asummer storm, gone just as quickly. You’re probably smart to give her time to stabilize here in Waterford.”
Hearing Avery say she saw the setback too is a punch to the gut. I see how Danny’s inconsistency eats at my daughter in silent ways. To hear Avery confirm it boils my blood.
I have no choice but to allow his fair-weather fatherhood. Danny has the right to spend time with his daughter. And I can’t control how he goes about that—not unless I want to spend more time in court, which I don’t. He’d likely push back and then things would really implode. Or he’d get more time with her. Mandated time.
“I just need to know Greyson’s really all in before I bring him around,” I say. “Mia’s been through enough devastation.”
Avery nods. “Thanks forfinallytelling me about him.”
“I wasn’t trying to keep it from you.”
“I’m just giving you grief. You and I haven’t seen much of one another. This is the kind of news you share in person. I get it. And, I’m really happy for you, Hallie.”
“Me too.” I smile, thinking of Greyson hauling me across his porch in a fireman’s carry this morning.
“Oh, man,” Avery says, looking at my face and smiling extra wide. “You’ve got it bad.”
“I do.” I fling myself back on the bed again. “I really do.”
Avery sticks around for the rest of the afternoon and dinner. Then she heads back to her place.
I read a chapter to Mia and then I head out the door for my first book club meeting.
Mom shouts out the front door after me, “I’ve got this. Don’t you worry. We’re going to have the best time ever!”
“Just brushing teeth and bed, Mom,” I shout back.
Jonathan’s on his porch, watching us.
“I’m alone with my granddaughter,” Mom shouts over. “No TV for me tonight. You can click away all you like.”
Jonathan nods. “I’d rather enjoy the cool air after the storm.”
“Suit yourself,” Mom shouts, turning to head back inside.
Mia won’t die from one more night of Mom putting her to bed. She might need therapy in her adult years after enduring life with Mom as a housemate, but she’ll survive tonight.
I drive through town to the bookshop called Moss and Maple, located in a historic craftsman home that Daisy converted into a store. Or, I guess Patrick bought it for her and converted it. That’s what Dustin told me.
The shop is darling. If I had more time, I’d definitely be here more often.
I climb the wide front porch steps. The door is shut with a CLOSED sign in the window, so I knock.
Winona opens the door with a friendly smile. “Hey, you can just come in, even if it’s closed or locked. Well, I guess you can’t get in if it’s locked …”
“What she means is,” Winona’s twin, Cass, says. “Come on in. Make yourself at home. We’re so glad you made it!”
“Me too,” I say, following Winona and the rest of the women out of the main room. “Mia kept begging me to read another chapter, but I left her with my mom and promised an extra one the next night we read.”
