Chapter 30
Gia
“Am I doing this right?” I whisper to Lauren.
She looks at the yarn monstrosity in my hands and starts to giggle. “I don’t think so… What are you trying to make?”
“It’s supposed to be a mitten.”
“I’m not sure that’s going to keep your hands very warm.”
She’s got a point. There are giant holes in places where there shouldn’t be.
A laugh bubbles up my chest until I can’t hold it in anymore. “I’m horrible at this.”
Lauren grins at me. “It doesn’t really matter as long as you’re having fun.”
“Well said, Lo Lo.” Muriel nods at her granddaughter, a proud smile stretching across her face. “The crochet club isn’t about the crafts you finish, it’s about spending time together and having fun.”
The rest of the women sagely nod in agreement.
Holt’s assistant, Beverly, leans forward to pat my leg. “As long as you have some hot gossip, we’ll let your skills slide.”
“Beverly,” Muriel admonishes.
She cackles. “I’m teasing! Sort of. We are glad you’re here though.”
This is my third time attending a crochet club meeting. I probably won’t ever get the hang of crocheting, but spending time with these women is the highlight.
Muriel and Marcie are the self-appointed leaders. They keep everyone organized and in the loop about the gatherings. There are five or six women who attend every meeting, but about fifteen total in the group.
I brought Lauren and Leah with me today because Holt went to talk with Kathy about the things she’s been saying to the girls.
I hate that I’m the reason there’s conflict between them.
If she can talk through her main issues, maybe they’ll be able to work everything out.
Holt didn’t seem optimistic when he left earlier, but for the girls’ sake, I hope she surprises us.
“I made this for you, G.” Leah rushes around the table to stand next to me. She holds up a pipe cleaner that’s been bent into a bracelet with plastic beads strung on it.
“Wow, Lee Lee. Thank you. Will you put it on me?” I hold my left wrist out for her to slide it over my hand. “My favorite color is blue.”
“I know.”
My eyebrows furrow. “You do?”
“Mm-hmm. You told me when we decorated for Balentime’s Day.”
“You are so right. Thank you for remembering.”
“Can I help you with your mittens?”
I scoot away from the table to let Leah sit on my lap. “You might be better at this than I am.”
Together, Leah and I practice the movements Muriel shows me for the fourth time. The woman has the patience of a saint.
I hold the yarn in one hand while Leah and I both hold the hook. It’s a mess of knots and dropped stitches, but we laugh the whole time we work.
Lauren, on the other hand, is a master at crocheting. She’s already gotten the base of a stuffed cow done. And when I told her I was impressed, she told me she’s been practicing with Muriel since she was Leah’s age.
“Oh, Gwennie darling,” Beverly calls out as Gwen passes by our little group.
“Hey, Miss Beverly. You guys need anything?”
“Can I have a brownie?” Leah asks.
Gwen raises an eyebrow at me, and my brain fritzes out. It takes me entirely too long to realize they’re asking me for permission.
Muriel must read my panicked expression because she gives the okay, asking for several for the table to share.
Thank you, I mouth at her. She smiles warmly at me in return.
“Do you have a gender preference?” Bev asks Gwen, who sputters at the question.
“I’m sorry?”
“For dating, do you prefer men? Women? Both? None? Any and all are acceptable answers, love.”
“Uh, men, I suppose. Why?”
A sly smile curls the corner of Beverly’s mouth. “Just curious.”
Marcie groans. “Beverly. You cannot make that poor girl your next project.” She turns to Gwen. “Run away now, sweetheart, or you’ll get caught in her trap.”
Gwen heeds her advice, widening her eyes at me as she scurries away.
“There are plenty of eligible men and women in this town,” Beverly tries to explain. “I’m just trying to find everyone their happily ever afters. It worked for Holt and Gia.”
Muriel scoffs. “You didn’t do anything to help those two. They found their way back to each other on their own. As it should have been.”
Beverly grunts. “I told Holt he needed to call her, so I helped some.”
Marcie rolls her eyes. “Not enough to suddenly try out a career in matchmaking.”
“Come on. We know everything that goes on in this town. We know who’d be a good match.”
“No.” Muriel points at her.
“You don’t want your boys to find good partners?” Beverly cajoles.
Muriel hesitates.
“Stay strong, Muriel. She’ll be a menace if you give in,” Marcie says, grabbing Muriel’s arm as if to give her support.
“No.” Muriel shakes her head as if to clear it. “My boys will find their people if and when they’re ready. I’m not going to interfere.”
“Dammit.” Bev thunks her fist on the table. “I almost had her, Marcie!”
My laughter finally escapes, creating a domino effect with the rest of the women.
“Is it safe to come back?” Gwen slowly approaches the table.
“Yes, darling,” Muriel answers. “We’ve reined in the maverick over there.”
Gwen puts the plates of brownies across the table. “Can I refill anyone’s coffee?”
We all say no, and Gwen leaves to wait on the other customers. Marcie sets up her tablet when the girls start to get bored. Holt is supposed to come pick us up when he’s done, but that was a couple of hours ago now. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign or a bad one.
Muriel moves closer to me now that the girls are distracted. “You doing okay, honey? I hope you know that Holt doesn’t blame you for the things Kathy said.”
I sigh. “Yeah, I know. It’s still hard. I hate being the reason there’s an issue in the first place.”
“Don’t you worry about that. Kathy was well on her way to doing something like this long before you joined our family.”
“I have no idea what I’m doing.” I whisper the confession, needing to get it off my chest to someone I know will keep my confidence. I also need advice from someone who has stood in my shoes.
“With what?”
“The girls. I never thought I would be a parent to anyone. I didn’t believe I had that sort of instinct in me until I met the girls. Now, I’m terrified I’m going to do the wrong thing and mess them up for all eternity.”
Muriel starts to laugh, and it takes her a few seconds to get it under control.
“I’m sorry, honey. I promise I’m not laughing at you.
It’s just that not a single one of us knows what we’re doing at any given time.
The goal is to do your best, talk to your partner, and love those kids as you love yourself. ”
“I never want to step on Holt’s toes or overstep my boundaries here. I’m trying to balance becoming a guardian and not replacing Hannah.”
Murial rubs my shoulder. “You’re in a tough spot because of everything they went through with Hannah’s passing.
I’m not going to discount that. What I can tell you is that every time I see you interacting with the girls, I think Hannah would be so happy Holt chose a woman who loves her family the way she did. ”
Tears pool in my eyes, and I try to blink them away. “They make it easy.”
“Just keep being yourself, Gia. That’s all they need from you.”
“I can do that.”