CHAPTER 37
Walker
HOPE HARBOR TOWN CHAT
FLETCHER: Hi Walker! We’re so excited that you signed up to judge the derby race! See you Thursday at the town meeting!
STEW: Hi Walker! Was wondering if you wanted to join us guys for a beer at the bowling alley Friday? We could use another player in our league.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumble when my phone buzzes in my hand again. This is what I get for having my own people.
ELI: Want to grab dinner at the diner this week? We can go over campaign ideas?
I glare at the text, confused.
ME: Aren’t we running against each other?
I groan, realizing what I just texted. Did I really just ask him if I’m running against him for grand marshal? Goddammit, this town drives me nuts.
ELI: Sure are but it’ll be more fun if we do it together.
With another roll of my eyes. I drop the phone on the windowsill of the cottage I’m just finishing painting.
“I saw that.”
I practically jump at the sound of Eli’s voice.
“Why the hell are you texting me if you’re right there?
” I drop my head down and groan. We’re back to working nonstop hours, but Gail, Penny, and my family are joining us at the big house for dinner tonight.
I say “us,” even though Tally and I are still sneaking around.
We made it through our first two weddings over the weekend without any major problems. Billie assisted Gail and Tally stuck by my side, but now the pressure is on when it comes to getting everything ready for the Hall event.
“Figured I’d test out the waters, suss your mood before I asked you this next thing.” Eli’s grinning when I turn around.
I motion to my face. “Is this scary enough to avoid any more questions?”
He chuckles. “Nah, I’m like Teflon. Nothing bothers me.”
I roll my eyes, but my lip twitches in betrayal. It’s hard not to smile when the guy is trying so damn hard.
He must see that momentary weakness because he pounces. “Do you have a date to the Spring Fling?”
I groan. “What?”
“The Spring Fling. Do you have a date?”
My teeth grind together. “Are you asking if you can take Tally?”
“Do you think I have a death wish?” Eli laughs. “I was just thinking we should go shopping for suits together.”
I shake my head. “We’re not doing that.”
“Come on. I’m wearing blue, we should coordinate.” I kill his enthusiasm with my silence. “True, blue is so not your color. Maybe green then?”
“Fuck’s sake, I don’t know why I try,” I grumble.
“Because you’re going to like the information I just heard about Tally.”
I immediately stand to attention. “What did you hear?”
He turns toward me like he doesn’t want anyone to over-hear, despite the fact no one is with us. It’s ridiculous, but for some reason I lean in as well. “Word on the street is, the old bakery she used to work at has been put into the town restoration project.”
“Huh?”
“It’s this fund that restores old buildings and offers reduced rent so the downtown remains vibrant. It’s the only building empty on the whole street.”
My tongue goes to my cheek. “You don’t say.”
—
A few hours later, I’m trying to forget about what Eli told me and instead focus on helping Tally make dinner.
She’s wearing another one of her pretty dresses; this one is red and floats down to her bare feet.
I wonder how she will act in front of everyone this evening.
Because here, in this kitchen, she looks a hell of a lot like mine.
“Oh, what smells so good?” Gail asks as she appears with Penny and Billie in tow.
Quinn must have booked it back outside, typical.
Mid-April has brought with it warmer weather and bluer skies—much better than the gray New England experiences so often in winter—which means it’s nearly impossible for my sister to get Quinn inside at night.
“Tally’s making brisket,” I say before greeting each of them with a quick kiss to the cheek and a hug. Billie and Penny are focused on how I move around Tally, though Gail seems more tuned in to her daughter.
“Haven’t had that in a long time,” her mother murmurs as she steps up close, leaning over Tally’s shoulder and taking in the impressive spread.
“Daddy’s favorite,” Tally says softly.
Gail rests a hand on Tally’s shoulder and squeezes. “It sure was.”
Tally relaxes her head against her mother’s hand, and something between them settles, an acknowledgment that although they might be grieving in different ways, they still have each other.
“I’ll go get Quinn, and we’ll set the table,” I say quietly.
“Penny and I can do it,” Gail offers. “There are six of us so we’ll need all the settings,” she tells her daughter. Tally’s shoulders seem to tense, and I remember how she reacted last time someone sat in her father’s chair.
“Why don’t we eat outside?” I suggest.
Gail lights up. “That’s a great idea, Walker. It’s a beautiful evening.”
She’s not wrong. The moment I step outside, the warm breeze greets me.
I take a deep breath of the fresh New England spring, which is almost as sweet as a Tally dessert, grateful that I get to live on this land where acres of color greet me.
Lively green grass rustles in the wind, and daffodils dance for me.
Each day I discover another spot on this farm that I love, and tonight it’s a long wooden table big enough to fit both Tally and my family. It sits beneath a string of twinkle lights that hangs from the tall sycamore trees surrounding it, and it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Quinn makes himself known immediately as he zips by me, pretending he’s a superhero.
I carry the plates to the table and holler at him to help.
For the next fifteen minutes, he fills me in on the superhero he’s made up, the stats for every single play on his baseball team, how much he hates his English class, and how his science teacher has the coolest fake eye.
He’s barely taken a breath when the girls appear out the back door.
“That boy can talk,” I mumble to my sister as she settles in beside me.
Billie laughs and pats the spot beside her. “Come on, Quinn, I think your Uncle Jesse needs a few minutes of silence.”
“Well then, he’s living in the wrong place,” Penny teases as she sits on the other side of Tally.
“What are you trying to say?” Tally says, feigning offense.
Gail rolls her eyes as she takes the seat at the opposite head of the table. “How’s the campaign going, Walker?”
“Campaign?” Billie queries.
Tally wears a devious expression. “Oh, he didn’t tell you?”
Beneath the table I reach for her knee and squeeze. She bites her bottom lip but doesn’t look at me.
Billie looks toward me, then back to Tally. “Nope.”
“Walker is running for Daffodil King,” Penny says in explanation.
My face contorts. “I am not.”
Tally giggles. “He is.”
“I am not.”
Gail’s grin matches her daughter’s. “He is. And he’s going to win.”
“Only if he starts actually campaigning,” Penny declares.
“I am campaigning.”
Tally snorts beside me.
“What is a daffodil king, Uncle Jesse?” Quinn tilts his head, trying to follow the conversation.
A grumble works its way up my throat. “It’s the grand marshal of the parade.”
“Which is lovingly referred to as the Daffodil King,” Penny says.
I glare at Tally. “You never told me that.”
She shrugs but doesn’t try to hide the grin spreading across her face.
“Do you have a daffodil queen?” Quinn asks.
“Yeah, Jesse, do you?” Billie teases.
I ignore the question and take a bite of food.
“So what does he have to do to campaign?” Billie asks the rest of the table.
“Well, let’s see. He has to attend the town meetings. First one is tomorrow,” Penny reminds me.
“And there’s Derby Day next week,” Gail adds. “They do a cool old-fashioned car show before it, too. You should come, Quinn.”
My nephew lights up, and my sister nods. “Sounds fun!”
“And don’t forget the Spring Fling. That’s May fifteenth,” Tally adds. “You guys should come next weekend to the farmers market, though. With Quinn by your side, it’ll make you seem more friendly.”
“I am friendly,” I grouse, and Tally arches a brow.
Billie laughs, and the sound sends a jolt of warmth through my chest. “We wouldn’t want you to miss out on a shot at being Daffodil King, Jess. We’ll definitely be there.”
“Do you get to wear a crown?” Quinn asks.
I’m about to say no when Tally nods dramatically. “Yes! I have a picture of my dad in his crown!”
She pulls out her phone, and after a few seconds of searching, passes it around the table. When it finally makes it to me, I find myself staring at a beaming Peter with his arms wrapped around all of his girls.
“He loved the crown you made.” Gail laughs as I notice the daffodil crown on top of his head. Oh, for fuck’s sake.
Tally grins at me, and I know with every fiber of my being that I’ll do anything she asks, even it if involves wearing a damn flower crown.
—
“Is everyone gone?” I search the kitchen for any spare family member or friend who could hop out and interrupt our night.
I relax when I’m greeted by no one but Tally. “Just me.”
“What are you doing?” I’m moving toward her before she answers. She stands in front of the counter, still in that damn red dress that makes my mouth water, a slew of ingredients in front of her. I swear this girl is never not baking something. I smile at the memory of what Eli told me earlier.
“Making your favorite cupcakes,” she says before turning back to the counter. I settle right behind her, and she reaches for both of my hands, placing them on either side of her.
Stepping up closer so I can feel every breath she takes, I glance over her shoulder and watch as she measures her ingredients.
“This is all it takes?” I stare at the few things she has beside a bowl.