Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Tori
Kincaid and I were chatting at the counter when I heard his name. He glanced over his shoulder. “Oh, Mom, good to see you.” He gestured to me. “You can meet Tori.”
Oh, my God. This was fine, totally fine. I could meet his mom. I kind of needed to get this over with, but anxiety kicked up like an unexpected gust of wind swirling in my chest.
Kincaid’s mom—his mom!—stopped beside him. Her eyes were kind, and I did my best to ignore my anxiety.
“I’m Tori.” My voice came out like a croak. I cleared my throat. “It’s so nice to meet you,” I added as I extended my hand.
Claudia smiled warmly. “You as well.”
Her eyes twinkled, and I had no idea what Kincaid might have already said about me. Before I knew it, he had somehow herded us over to a table.
“Are you glad to be back in Alaska?” I asked politely.
“I am,” she replied. “Back when I was stationed in Anchorage with the Air Force, I came to visit Willow Brook a couple of times and absolutely loved it. I’m not really a city girl,” she added. “And Anchorage is…”
“Definitely a city,” I finished with a smile.
“Exactly! Most people don’t realize how big it is, especially those who live out of state.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s even bigger now.”
She laughed softly. “That it is. Kincaid tells me you work at Fireweed Winery?”
Considering I was pregnant, and I knew she knew, it was kind of funny to tiptoe around that, but sometimes chatting about the mundane smoothed the way.
“I do. I actually love it. I know waiting tables isn’t anything spectacular, but I enjoy it.
” I rolled my eyes. “I went to college and got a degree in communication studies. Not exactly sure what I’m doing with it. ”
She shrugged. “You’ll figure it out. A college degree isn’t the end-all be-all.”
“True,” I said. “A friend who works with Fireweed Industries since they own the winery, and she mentioned there are opportunities for advancement. The guy who manages our location used to run the flagship restaurant in Fireweed Harbor. I might be able to take over his position when he transitions out.”
“Sounds like you’re building something,” she said with a nod. “I’m all about doing what you enjoy.”
Kincaid stepped away to use the restroom, so it was just the two of us for a moment. Janet came by our table and smiled between us. “How are you ladies doing?” she asked brightly.
Kincaid’s mom beamed up at her. “We’re good. Very good.”
When Janet moved along, Claudia studied me for a beat before saying, “I’m thrilled for you and Kincaid.”
Her words were soft, but clear, and I blinked away the tears that rose with the rush of emotion inside. “Thank you. It’s unexpected, but we’re excited.”
A few minutes later, my mom came walking in, and we pulled over another chair so she could join us.
I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about them meeting.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want them to—it just made things feel real with Kincaid.
Ever since I’d stumbled through telling him about being pregnant, I felt as if I was trying surf through wave after wave of uncertainty, which made me even more unsure of myself.
Later that afternoon, my mom called me about some mail she’d picked up in our shared post office box. “So, you met Kincaid’s mother,” she said casually.
“Yeah. You were there, Mom,” I replied dryly.
“I know,” she replied, and I could hear the grin in her voice. “But what does it mean about you and him?”
“Mom!” I sputtered. “We’re having a baby!”
Her laugh came through the line like a breeze. “I know, I know. Just putting it out there that you could admit you love him out loud.”
“I appreciate your feedback. I’ll be by to pick up the mail later,” I murmured before I ended the call to the sound of her laughter.