Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Maple
There’s only two weeks of summer left. And just like when I was a kid, I feel a sense of urgency to squeeze out the last bits of paradise here in Anchor Lake before it all disappears. Holt frequently reminds me that this year summer won’t end. Our life here is just beginning. There’s no stuffy home to go back to where my family will pummel me with responsibilities and comments about how I’ve disappointed them. That’s all in the past now. Logically I know it, but my nervous system hasn’t settled down yet. I suspect it might take me some time to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Holt has shifted his schedule so that he goes in later and gets off earlier, handing off more of his responsibilities to the staff he’s hired. This is also an adjustment for him. He’s been hustling for his business since before he got his doctorate. With more downtime, we’ve gone on more hikes, done more yoga by the lake, and he’s taught me how to cook while I’ve introduced him to takeout. He’s also gone back to regular therapy with a counselor especially trained in ADHD. He says it’s his way of making sure he’s on top of things for the good of our relationship.
I’m sliding into a pair of swim shorts when my cell phone rings. Holt and I are planning to float around the lake today, relaxing and soaking in the last bits of summer sun.
“Grandma?” I ask as soon as I pick up. “Everything okay?”
Her answering giggle puts my mind at ease. There’s some muffled talking and then her voice comes through, loud and clear, like she just remembered to put the receiver up to her mouth.
“Yes, darling. Everything is more than okay. Hank and I are getting married at noon today. We’d like you and Holt to be there. He’s calling Holt right now.”
My mouth drops open. “Oh, Grandma! I’m so happy for you!”
They’ve spent every second together the last two weeks since they were reunited, so it’s not a surprise they want to make things official, but I’m still shocked this all came together so quickly.
“Thank you, darling. We’ve wasted enough time apart, and quite frankly, who knows when one of us will up and kick the bucket! We’ve gotta make hay while the sun shines, you know?”
I chuckle. “That’s a lot of metaphors, but I know what you mean. Why waste time when you know what your heart wants?”
Holt comes into the bedroom in his boxers and nothing else, his own cell phone pressed to his ear. He gives me a questioning look, and I give him a thumbs up. He relaxes and smiles into the phone. “You got her pregnant, didn’t you, Grandpa?”
The loud guffaw from Harold’s end of the phone sends us all into laughter. When we’ve settled down, I tell Grandma that we wouldn’t miss their wedding for the world. They hang up, and I look down at my outfit of a swimsuit top and shorts.
“I guess I better change.”
Holt tosses his phone on the bed and stalks toward me, his gaze firmly affixed to my breasts. “Orrrr…you could wear that bikini top under your dress and we can go to the lake after the ceremony if there’s time.”
I put my hands on my hips, not at all annoyed where his attention has gone. The man is a master at playing my body in all the right ways. He can look all he wants if he keeps up the orgasms. “Are you going to stare at my boobs the whole time?”
He bites his lip and puts his hands on my hips, pulling me into his chest. “Probably. I can’t help it. You’re so fucking gorgeous.”
I love it when his voice takes on that growl he reserves for when it’s just the two of us. He goes from the happy physical therapist everyone around town knows him to be to domineering lover whose only goal is to make me delirious with pleasure.
“You’re not so bad yourself, hunky monkey.”
He winces, gaze finally swinging back up to my face. “We still have to work on that.”
I slide my hands behind his neck and into his hair. “Do we though?”
He dips his head and kisses me, time unraveling at the feel of his soft lips, tickly five o’clock shadow, and insistent press of his tongue. The man has made kissing an art form, spending time in practice, not hurrying along to the finale when there’s pleasure to be found in the intimate act of sharing the same air. I love that he doesn’t rush. Doesn’t brush past the steps that lead to real intimacy between two people.
Holt drags his lips away and groans. “We better get dressed and get something to eat before we head to the courthouse.” He pauses though, his gaze tenderly sweeping over my face. “I can’t wait until it’s our turn.”
“Me too,” I whisper back, happy in a way I didn’t know was possible.
I end up in the dress I wore the night Holt didn’t show up at the restaurant for our date. It’s the only fancy one I have with me, and I’d like to attach happier memories to it. As soon as summer is officially over, I’ll handle my affairs, get my things from the condo, sell the place, and officially move to Anchor Lake.
Holt dons a pair of khaki shorts with a black polo shirt that makes his tan skin look like he should be in a commercial for a vacation timeshare somewhere exotic. He fiddles with the collar as we drive into town in his Jeep, and I can’t help but tease him.
“Not used to wearing a shirt, huh?”
He turns a smile on me that makes my lungs constrict. I hope I never get used to it. “Why do shirts even have collars? They’re completely unnecessary.”
Grandma and Harold are outside the courthouse, a bouquet of dogwoods in her hands that matches her lace dress and Harold looking spiffy in his suit. He’s been eating like a horse since he’s been at Sunny Shores. Holt thinks it’s the superior food at his facility. I think it’s the magic of love. It’s a necessary sustenance one can’t define by science.
We follow them inside and stand by their sides as they hold hands and face the judge. He happens to remember Grandma and gives her a hug before he shakes Harold’s hand and gets on with the ceremony. When it comes time for the vows, Grandma says they wrote their own. She goes first, slipping a napkin out of the top of her dress.
“I promise to love you with the depth of someone who knows how rare and precious love is. Today, I vow to give you my love, let go of the past, and embrace the future. I offer you the autumn of my life. After all, it’s the slow setting of the sun at the end of the day that makes the most vibrant colors. I promise to be a companion worthy of your precious friendship. I pledge to you compassion in good times and bad, encouragement in sickness and health. While we cherish the memories of our individual pasts, we will create new experiences and memories in our new life together.”
Harold lets go with one hand to wipe his teary eyes. With a catch in his voice, he recites his own vows.
“I promise to share the rest of my journey, with all its joys and challenges, by your side. I vow to treasure this second chance at love and promise to embrace the past that made us while building a future filled with kindness, laughter, and love. I promise to love you, not as a chapter in my story, but as my partner in writing the rest of it. Forever my Gracie Mae.”
He then slides the original gold band onto Grandma’s finger, the one he gave her sixty years ago. By the time the judge pronounces them husband and wife, we’re all crying, including the judge’s secretary who’s handling the paperwork. After the papers are signed, she escorts us into the hallway with her congratulations.
Holt holds up the bottle of champagne he brought with us and the secretary hands out a stash of red Solo cups for our use. She retreats back into the office, leaving the four of us alone in the courthouse. Once our glasses are filled, Holt gives a toast.
“To the very embodiment of second chances. To the couple proving that sometimes, love really does last. May you have a long and happy life together.”
We all sip the bubbly. I feel the need to say something too. I hold up my cup and look around at the people who’ve become very dear to me this summer, but my gaze settles on Grandma.
“To the woman who’s saved me more than once already in my lifetime. I couldn’t be happier to see you get another chance at love. Thank you for believing in me and showing the way.” Then I turn to Harold. “Thank you for loving her the way you do. I heard this quote once and didn’t understand it until now. Even if love’s not ready today, you can try again tomorrow.”
“Praise God tomorrow is here!” Grandma chimes in, looking absolutely radiant and far younger than her seventy-eight years.
“Hear, hear,” Harold says, tapping his cup to mine before we all take another sip.
Grandma wiggles her eyebrows, thankfully colored in elegantly with a light brown pencil this time. “Now, what about you two? Have you set a date?”
Holt and I share a look. We’ve discussed it, but mostly our discussions end with more of that kissing he’s so good at before we can pinpoint a date.
“I need to tell my parents first. Sell my condo. Officially move here. Then we can make wedding plans,” I explain.
“Speaking of moving here,” Grandma releases her hold on Harold’s arm and shuffles over to the bench just outside the judge’s chambers where her bouquet and purse are waiting. She pulls out a white envelope and shuffles back. “This is for you, my darling.”
I take the envelope reluctantly. “It’s your wedding! I should be getting you something.”
She waves me away. “I’m old and don’t need anything.” She takes Harold’s elbow again. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”
They’re so stinking cute. Holt’s arm slides around my waist, and I rest my head on his shoulder for a moment, just soaking in the knowledge that Grandma’s healthy. She’s happy. She’s found her first love and has a partner in life again. All those worries I had at the beginning of summer are long gone.
I slide my finger under the flap of the envelope and take out the single sheet of paper, unfolding it and reading in my head. My mouth drops open and hot tears sting my eyes. I crush the paper to my chest and lurch forward, wrapping my arms around Grandma. She holds me tight like she always has.
“I know you don’t need it, but it can only belong to you, darling.”
I pull back, tears spilling onto my cheeks. It’s the deed to the cabin. Now in my name. The cabin where I journaled over my first crush, my first heartache, and the never-ending problems with my family. The cabin where Grandma showed me what unconditional love actually was. The cabin where I fell in love with Holt.
“My estate goes to you too, but I plan to live a long time with this guy, so don’t expect to see it anytime soon,” Grandma adds wryly.
I hug her again, then hug Harold, and when I can’t seem to stop myself, I hug Holt too before going around in the circle again. They all chuckle at my enthusiasm, but I don’t care. I plan to never stop hugging these precious people.
“Maple,” Dad’s voice booms from my cell phone speakers. He’s sitting in his study at home, a glass of scotch in his hand. Mom sticks her head into the screen and says hello. She’s still got scrubs on, so I know she just got home from some world-renowned surgery that will be written up in the medical journals. “Is Gracie all right?”
I nod, heart already beating erratically just seeing their faces. It makes me sad that seeing my own parents makes me anxious instead of warm and fuzzy. Then again, I have Grandma and Holt, and they’re all I need.
“She’s doing wonderfully.” I don’t mention her recent nuptials. That’s between her and her own son. “I have personal news to share with you.” They blink into the camera, looking like they expect me to say I’m on the streets and need a handout.
Time to rip off the Band-Aid. “I’m getting married.”
“What?” Mom leans heavier over Dad, her hair swinging down to block his face. “To who? When did this happen?”
I tilt the screen so the camera shows Holt sitting next to me on the couch in the cabin. He looks sexy in his thick black glasses. “This is Holt McGrath. Holt, these are my parents, Darryl and Bethany Thatcher.”
Mom’s mouth flops open and closed a few times. Dad finally pushes her hair out of the way and glares into the camera. “Holt McGrath? Who the hell are you?”
“Dad!”
Holt puts his hand on my arm. “It’s okay, Maple. Nice to meet you, sir. I’m a physical therapist at Sunny Shores. I live here in Anchor Lake.”
“A physical therapist? You mean, like, massage or something?” Mom pipes in, clearly unable to believe I’m marrying a man with an actual degree and profession she might be proud of.
Because of course she still doubts me.
“No.” Holt clears his throat. “I’m a licensed physical therapist at Sunny Shores Retirement Home, which I also own, along with several other facilities on the East Coast. Maple coming to visit Gracie this summer has afforded us the time to get to know each other and fall in love. I would have asked your permission to marry your daughter, but she’s a fully grown adult who can make that decision herself.”
I beam at my future husband. God, I love it when he goes all alpha male in the face of a bully. He’s absolutely getting a blow job tonight. Not that I’ll say that in front of my parents. It must show on my face though, because when Holt glances at me, he does a double take and the tips of his ears instantly turn red.
“Well, we’re so happy to hear the good news!” Mom says, her tone markedly different than before she discovered Holt’s actually quite successful.
“Do you play golf, Holt?” Dad says, sporting an easy smile I’m very rarely on the receiving end of.
“No. I prefer hiking, lifting weights, and yoga.”
Dad is taken aback, not used to people not immediately kissing his ass. “Well, uh, we’ll have to try a hike together when we come visit. Maple?” He turns to me, looking like a fish out of water, wishing he could jump right back into the familiar but plowing ahead anyway. “I was thinking we could come visit you and Gracie soon. Is there a good weekend?”
I glance out the window at the setting sun, but don’t see pigs flying through the sky. “Maybe Labor Day weekend?”
Holt nods. “Sunny Shores is having an end-of-summer party that weekend. It’s going to be a fun time. We’d love to have you.”
“We’ll see what we can do,” Mom assures us.
I don’t yet believe they’ll come out to visit, but they’re trying at least, which is more than they’ve done in the past. We hang up soon after and Holt pulls me into his lap.
“They’re…” He trails off, his big hands stroking my hair and back.
“Formidable?” I supply.
He nods. “Thank God for Grandma Gracie.” His hand slides under my skirt to trace rough fingers up my thigh. “And thank God for this dress. Can I please, please, please see that bikini top now?”
I tilt my head left and right, pretending to think about it. “Since you’re wearing your sexy glasses, I suppose I’ll say yes.”
Holt abruptly stands, me in his arms. “Let me get the blankets spread out.”
“Actually,” I stop him. “I was thinking your bed sounds like just the place for what I have in mind for you tonight.”
He pauses, looking deeply into my eyes to judge my sincerity. “You’re sure?”
I realized earlier today as I stood by Grandma’s side that all that baggage from my ex is gone now. It used to be the anchor keeping me stuck in a low-self-esteem spiral. Now I’ve tossed the whole damn chain overboard and untethered myself from the past. It’s time to anchor myself to Holt, to Anchor Lake, to a future brighter than the summer sun.
“I’m sure.”
And then Holt is running to the bedroom with me bouncing in his arms, laughter filling the cabin that’s seen the very best kind of love.