His lips lifted in a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ve already been through this. Not your fault.”
“No, but it’s not yours either.”
He released a heavy sigh. “I guess it isn’t. But it’s our reality now, like it or not. We’ll get through it.”
No doubt they’d do just that. But she couldn’t help but ache for the relationship she didn’t remember.
And as they turned the conversation back to the barn’s renovation, the ache remained, strong and unrelenting. And if she hurt for something she didn’t even remember, she couldn’t help but wonder—what kind of misery was Jonah enduring?
***
Jonah handed his menu to the server and settled back in the booth. His family often ate out after church on Sundays. But Meg had made plans with her friends today, leaving Jonah alone with his parents. The buzz of chatter filled the Village Café and the scent of grilled burgers made his mouth water.
Mom’s gaze sharpened on Jonah as she leaned onto her elbows. “How are you doing, honey? It’s hard to believe it’s been three weeks since the accident.”
As if he needed the reminder. “I’m fine, Mom. Really. I mean, it’s not ideal, obviously, but I’m still hopeful.”
“Is she doing anything to help jog her memory?” Dad asked. “Is there anything we can do to help?”
Jonah winced. He didn’t want to admit to his parents that she didn’t want her memory back at all. He didn’t even want to admit it to himself. “Just keep the prayers coming. That’s the biggest thing you can do.”
“Of course, honey.” Mom glanced at Dad, then back to Jonah. “Lauren seems to be excited about the barn renovation.”
“She is.” Something was up. The two of them were trading glances like undercover cops.
“It’s just—your dad and I, well, we were wondering if you’re sure you should go ahead with it, that’s all.”
“With the barn renovation?”
“Right,” Dad said.
Where was this coming from? “That’s been the plan all along, hasn’t it? We approved it months ago.”
“I realize that.” Mom fiddled with her napkin. “But things have changed since then.”
“Not really. We weren’t even a couple when Lauren originally presented the idea. We decided the plan made financial sense for the resort. There are the initial costs, of course, but the venue will earn back that money pretty quickly. It’s a good investment.”
Dad gave him a pained look. “It’s not the finances we’re concerned about.”
Jonah didn’t like where this was going. The barn was the one thing Lauren was excited about—minus the dream job she didn’t realize she’d given up. “What then?”
“Honey, we’re all hoping Lauren’s memory will return and we can all go on with our lives as before. But there’s a chance that might nothappen. And if it doesn’t... Lauren will return to Boston at the end of the year, and we’ll be left to deal with that venue.”
“I’llbe left to deal with it. Come January first, it’ll be my problem, right?”
“Well, that’s just it, honey. We don’t want you to be left with a problem on top of all this heartache.”
He pressed his lips together. “Earlier this summer you said it was up to me.”
“And we’re not going back on that.”
“So this isn’t about you thinking I don’t belong at the resort.”
Mom grabbed his hand. “Honey, we never thought that! Of course you belong.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Or maybe he had. But he couldn’t own up to his real feelings. His parents had been nothing but good to him. Had given him a far better life than he would’ve had without them. If his mom was disappointed that their family business would pass to him and not their biological child, well, he couldn’t really blame her. But it was hurtful nonetheless.
His parents stared at him, waiting for him to finish his thought. “I just meant that you seem to think I might be more fulfilled doing something else.”
