CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Rori tried not to feel embarrassed by what had happened. The shock of realizing that Lee and his family not only knew about her birthday but had planned a celebration for her, had been like a sledgehammer to the wall she’d built around the emotions and hurts of her past.
Here were people who hadn’t known her for very long, and yet they’d welcomed her and were quickly filling her life with friendship and happiness.
And then there was Lee who’d taken her outburst in stride, even going so far as to reassure her that it hadn’t changed how he felt about their relationship. Her love for him was present in every beat of her heart, and more than anything right then, she hoped he would one day come to feel the same way about her.
She hoped that he was being honest when he said that her outburst hadn’t changed how he felt. It might mean that he’d take longer to fall in love with her, but she could accept that as long as it happened one day.
Lifting her hands, she rubbed them against her cheeks, realizing she probably looked like a wreck. Lee moved away for a moment, then returned with a tissue box in his hand.
“Thanks.” She gave him a self-conscious smile as she plucked two tissues from the box.
She wiped her eyes and cheeks, then turned away from him so she could blow her nose. Her stomach knotted at the thought of seeing the rest of Lee’s family and having to explain to them why she’d melted down the way she had.
“Would you like to go to the bathroom?” Lee asked. “Splash some water on your face?”
He was clearly offering her the opportunity to gather herself together. It would also give him the chance to talk to his family without her being there.
“That would be great.”
Lee led her to a small bathroom underneath the stairs. “Take your time.”
Rori went into the beautifully decorated half bathroom, closed and locked the door, then leaned back against it. She took several deep breaths and flexed her hands before giving them a shake to try to rid herself of the emotion that was still so near the surface.
The last thing she wanted was to break down yet again after doing so in such a spectacular fashion. There was no doubt that she’d be reliving the embarrassment of that moment for years to come.
Pushing away from the door, she went to the pedestal sink. She braced her hands on its smooth rounded edges, staring down at the cream-colored porcelain and trying to put off having to face her reflection in the oval mirror on the wall above the sink.
Finally, she looked up, wincing when her assumption became reality. Her reflection told the truth of how terrible she looked.
It was going to take more than splashing water on her face to repair the damage. She was glad that she always wore waterproof mascara or else she’d look even worse.
Reaching up, Rori pulled the band out of her hair because it had gotten all messed up while she’d sobbed in Lee’s arms. She had no brush, so she had to settle for using her fingers to smooth the wayward strands back into a ponytail. Once that was done, she turned on the water and washed her hands.
Reluctant to douse her entire face, Rori lightly dabbed cold water onto her cheeks and nose, hoping to alleviate the redness brought on by her recent bout of tears. Yet, despite her efforts, the warmth of embarrassment stubbornly clung to her complexion, refusing to be washed away with mere splashes of water.
When there was nothing more she could do, she dried her hands and went to the door. She opened it to find Lee leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets and head bent. He looked up as she stepped into the hall, his worry clear in his brown eyes.
Had he been there the whole time she was in the bathroom?
“Are you doing okay?” he asked as he reached out to take her hand.
“I’m fine.”
His head tilted as he gazed at her. “It’s okay if you’re not. I’d rather you be honest about it.”
She gave him a smile, hoping to reassure him. Unfortunately, she had a feeling her smile was too weak for that. “I really am okay. Thanks to you. Of course, I’m embarrassed beyond words, but other than that, I’m okay.”
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Lee said. “We’ve all had our moments.”
Rori wasn’t sure about that, but she decided to accept his word. “I hope they haven’t been waiting for us.”
“I think they’re all outside.”
She took a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Keeping hold of her hand, Lee guided her to the kitchen. Her steps slowed as she saw balloons, streamers, and signs proclaiming happy birthday in bright colors. There was one sign that looked like it had been made by the kids which said, “Happy Birthday Rori. We love you.”
Tears pricked at her eyes again, but this time she was able to keep them at bay. “They did such a good job.”
“They did. Considering they only had a few hours to pull it all together.”
She looked at him. “How did you find out it was my birthday?”
“That call from Cheryl? She wanted to let me know it was your birthday. She’d meant to tell us sooner so that we could plan something for you at work, but it slipped her mind.”
“She’s had more important things going on,” Rori said.
“More important to her. Your birthday is more important to me, which is why I called Charli for help. And boy, did she come through.”
“I’ll have to thank her,” Rori said.
She took a step toward the back door, but Lee stayed put. She gave him a curious look.
“I want you to know that I don’t have a gift for you because I had such short notice,” he said. “But if I’d had some advance notice, you’d absolutely be getting the best gift ever. I’m going to get you something, it’s just going to be late.”
She took a step to bring her closer to him, then gazed up into his eyes. “You don’t realize you’ve already given me a wonderful gift. Being with you like this is more than I could have ever hoped for. You never need to give me another thing.”
“Maybe I don’t need to, but I definitely want to.”
“Don’t worry about a gift for this year. You can plan for next year.”
That brought a smile to his face. “Next year? I’m definitely getting you the best gift ever. I can’t wait.”
His smile lightened her emotions further, and this time, when she tipped her head toward the back door, he nodded and led her out onto the deck.
Everyone turned to look at them, and for a moment, Rori wanted to flee the attention and retreat back inside the house. But before she could move, Charli handed Shiloh off to Janessa and headed their direction.
Charli might not be biologically related to Lee, but her worried brown eyes looked very much like his. “Are you okay? We didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m okay,” Rori reassured her. “You didn’t upset me. At least, not like you mean. It had just been the first time I’ve had a birthday party. I’m super touched.”
Relief eased the tension in Charli’s features. “I’m sorry to hear you’ve never had a party. We’re definitely going to change that. Hopefully tonight will give you some good memories about the day you turned…?”
“Twenty-five.”
Charli glanced at Lee, then smiled. “Well, let’s get this party started!”
Though that was the end of the discussion about her breakdown, Rori was pretty sure that it wouldn’t be forgotten.
Layla and Amelia both came over and gave her hugs before leading her to the table so she could load up her plate. In addition to the pizza that night, there was fried chicken and potato salad. It all looked and smelled delicious.
“Thank you for having a birthday, Rori,” Jackson said with a grin. “Because of the party, Misha’s mom made her wonderful fried chicken and potato salad.”
Rori turned to Misha. “Your mom helped with this?”
“Oh yes. There was no way she wasn’t going to pitch in to help.”
“Why didn’t she stay?” Rori asked.
“She meets with some of her crafting group on Friday nights.”
Rori made a mental note to write the woman a thank-you card for her part in making her birthday dinner such a special one.
She’d just set her plate down on the chair she planned to sit on when Carisa approached her. Without warning, the other woman gave her a tight hug.
The woman’s hug took Rori aback, but she returned it and let Carisa decide when it was over.
As she let go, Carisa stepped back and smiled. “Happy birthday, friend! I’m so glad I could be here to celebrate with you.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Rori told her, and that was one hundred percent the truth.
She and Carisa couldn’t be more different in their upbringing and lives, but Carisa’s friendly nature helped to overcome all those differences. And now that Rori knew without a doubt that Lee wasn’t interested in the other woman, Rori could accept Carisa’s overtures without reservation.
As the evening passed, Rori realized that whatever dam had broken to allow her emotions to flow out earlier was also allowing things in. The conversations, the laughter, the music, the joy… All of it surged into her and filled a part of her that she hadn’t even known was empty.
Lee stuck by her side for most of the evening, though he did leave to play the guitar with Jay for their time of singing around the fire pit. At one point, even though they were still singing, Charli got up with the girls and disappeared into the house.
When they finished the song, Lee leaned over to say something to Jay as he continued to lightly strum on his guitar. Then, he began to play specific chords, though he didn’t say what song was next.
Lee’s gaze was on the back door, and when Rori turned, she saw Charli carrying out a cake that had candles flickering on top of it.
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Rori! Happy birthday to you!”
Everyone sang with great enthusiasm, some of them decidedly off-key, though Rori thought it was probably on purpose. Regardless, it was a moment—among many others that evening—that she was never going to forget.
Charli and the girls came to a stop in front of Rori’s chair and someone produced a TV tray for Charli to set the cake on. Glancing around, Rori saw that several phones were aimed in her direction as they waited for her to blow out her candles.
“Don’t forget to make a wish,” Amelia said.
“But don’t tell anyone what it is, or it might not come true,” Layla added.
Rori closed her eyes. I wish for Lee to fall in love with me. And that we live happily ever after.
It was a fanciful wish, but for the first time in her life, Rori felt that there was at least a passing chance that it might come true.
Opening her eyes, she glanced at Lee, then smiled at the girls before taking a deep breath and blowing out the candles. She didn’t know how many there were, but she got all but one.
“Well, that’s a good sign,” Jackson said as she blew out the final candle.
“What is?” Rori asked once it had been extinguished.
“The number of candles still lit after your first blow at your candles is how many boyfriends or girlfriends you have.”
“Oh.” She looked over at Lee, who was still standing with his guitar, and he winked at her. “Then I guess that was accurate.”
They hadn’t labeled themselves yet, but in her heart, she considered Lee her boyfriend, and from the look of things, he didn’t mind that.
As Charli removed the candles from the cake, Rori leaned forward to look at it. There were flowers piped on the top and a scalloped border, along with Happy Birthday, Rori in script across the top.
“We helped Grandma Denise make it,” Amelia said, pointing to the cake.
“You did a great job,” Rori told her. “Thank you so much.”
While Charli cut the cake, Lee disappeared with the guitars, but he wasn’t gone long. When he returned, he sat in the chair next to hers and took the plate with a piece of cake on it that Charli held out to him.
He leaned closer to her and said, “You doing okay?”
Once again, his concern for her brought her emotions to the surface again. She wished that she could feel his arms around her again, to experience the comfort and reassurance his embrace offered.
Despite her self-doubts, she was coming to under that she had his unwavering support. He never made her question her own worth while with him. In his presence, Rori had found a safe haven, a sense of security she had never experienced before.
She trusted him entirely, knowing without doubt that he would always do what he could to protect her and never cause her harm. She’d never felt that with anyone before, and she prayed she would always have that with him.
“I’m great.” Everything good about that moment fueled her smile, and when Lee returned it, Rori could see the relief in it. He’d been worried about her. Would she ever be able to put into words how much he meant to her?
They’d just finished when the girls and Charli once again disappeared into the house.
This time, when they returned, the girls carried a large wicker basket between them. Charli moved the TV tray with the remnants of the cake out of the way so the girls could set the basket in front of her.
“These are for you,” Amelia announced. “For your birthday!”
At the sight of the wrapped packages, Rori felt tears rising once more. She’d thought those overwhelming emotions had settled, but she’d been wrong.
She looked over at Lee, helpless against the feelings that threatened to swamp her again. He leaned close and put his arm around her. She buried her face into the crook of his neck, drawing in deep breaths and taking solace in the familiar scent of his cologne as she tried to calm herself.
“Doesn’t she like presents, Uncle Lee?” Amelia asked.
“She does, Berry,” Lee assured her, his deep voice rumbling in Rori’s ear. “But have you ever been so happy that you felt like you had to cry?”
“Yep. When Daddy told me that Layla was my sister. I was so, so, so happy that day, I cried.”
“See. You were happy but still cried. Not all tears are sad.”
“Okay. But do you think she’s going to cry after each present?”
Rori gave a choked laugh at Amelia’s question, and it helped her regain control.
“I don’t know. But even if she doesn’t, that doesn’t mean she isn’t happy with them.”
“Okay. I want her to open mine first.”
“Just give her a minute, and I think she’ll be ready to open it.”
Rori appreciated Lee stepping in for her, giving her a safe space to deal with her emotions while heading off his niece’s questions. He’d done a better job answering them than she could have done.
His hand rubbed up and down her arm, and for a moment, Rori wondered if she could just stay like that forever. But no… there was a little girl waiting for her to open her present.
She took a deep breath and straightened. Thankfully, Lee’s arm stayed around her as she quickly swiped at the moisture beneath her eyes.
“Are you ready?” Amelia asked, concern on her face.
“I certainly am.”
“Great!” The girl bent to pick up a flat package that was wrapped in bright pink Barbie paper. “This is from me.”
When she took it from Amelia, Rori could tell that it was a book of some nature. Placing it on her lap, she carefully unwrapped it.
Since it was still fairly light thanks to the long summer days, she could see right away that it was an adult coloring book of Bible verses, and along with it was a package of colored pencils.
“I like to color,” Amelia announced. “So I thought you might like to as well.”
Rori hadn’t done anything like that before, but she could see the appeal in it. “I think I will. Thank you so much, Amelia. It was very thoughtful of you. I’ll give you the first picture I color.”
That made Amelia beam as she turned to Layla. “Do you want to give her yours or can I?”
“You can,” Layla said.
The package that Amelia handed Rori was smaller than Amelia’s had been, and it was wrapped in pretty floral paper. “This is from Layla.”
Rori looked at the older girl and smiled as she took it. Once again, she was careful in how she unwrapped it. Once the paper was gone, she saw a flat, square box. Lifting the lid revealed a pair of drop earrings with a heart dangling from each of them and a dainty silver chain with a matching heart.
She only had one necklace and a set of earrings, and she wore them every day. Now that she’d been gifted more, Rori would have to remember to wear them, especially when Layla was around.
“Thank you so much,” Rori said, looking up at the young teen. “They’re beautiful. I can’t wait to wear them.”
“I couldn’t remember if you wore silver or gold.”
“Well, as it turns out, the few pieces I have are silver, so these are perfect.”
Layla’s smile grew, then she bent to give Rori a hug. “Happy birthday again.”
The love and affection Layla and the other kids had showed Rori was in direct contrast with how her own sisters and brothers had acted toward her when they’d been Layla’s age. Everything they’d done had been a reflection of their parents’ attitudes toward Rori.
Her own parents hadn’t shown Rori any love or affection, so their children hadn’t either. But here, all of the Halversons treated her kindly, and so, too, did their children.
“Here’s another present for you,” Amelia said, as she held out a large package.
It was a big package, but as Rori took it, she realized it wasn’t super heavy.
“Layla, I think you need to show Rori how we open presents around here,” Charli said with a laugh.
“Can I?” Layla asked Rori as she gestured to the present.
Uncertain, Rori glanced at Lee. He grinned and nodded. “Go for it.”
And boy, did she.
Strips of wrapping paper went flying as Layla ripped it open. Rori laughed as Amelia got in on the action. By the time Peyton had joined them, the wrapping paper was all gone.
In her lap, Rori now held a wonderfully soft blanket that would no doubt be cozy and warm come winter. Thankfully, she’d gotten a look at the tag before the wrapping paper had been demolished, so she knew who to thank.
By the time she finished unwrapping everything—with the kids’ help—Rori also had a new set of bath towels, a pillow that was fluffier than any she’d had before, and a double picture frame.
In the space on the left of the frame was a picture of Lee, his eyes sparkling with laughter, and on the right was a photo of her and Lee. Rori had no idea who had taken it, but they’d captured a moment when they’d been turned toward each other, smiles on their faces.
“Have you seen this picture?” Rori asked as she handed Lee the frame.
Taking it, he gazed down at it, his finger brushing across her cheek in the photo. “No, I haven’t. But I think I’d like a copy too.”
Rori planned to put the picture frame on the small end table she’d found at the thrift store, which now sat next to her bed.
“Whoever took this,” Lee said, holding up the frame. “I want a copy. And if anyone else has pictures of me and Rori, I’d like those too.”
“There you go,” Hudson said as Lee’s phone chimed a moment later.
“You took it?” Lee asked, his voice sounding a little incredulous.
“I sure did, and when Charli sent out an SOS asking if anyone had pics of the two of you, I remembered I had that one.”
“Well, thank you, bro,” Lee said. “It’s a beautiful shot.”
Rori agreed.
Now that the presents were all open, they began to clean everything up, but they rebuffed Rori’s attempts to help since she was the birthday girl. Instead, she’d been banished to the large quilt that had been laid on the ground earlier to hang out with the kids.
Eventually, all the parents had claimed their kids and left the yard. Now that the festivities were over, most non-inhabitants of the house had left. Jackson and Carisa were still there, sitting together on the swing at the far end of the porch.
Lee dropped down on the quilt beside Rori and smiled at her. Since the sun had set, the only illumination came from garden lights placed strategically around the yard.
Rori laid back on the blanket with a sigh and stared at the inky black sky. Though they were still in the town, since they were currently in the backyard, the streetlights didn’t dilute the darkness very much. The moon was about a quarter, so lots of stars were visible, some bigger than others.
With her arm pressed to Lee’s, his hand was next to hers. She reached out, entwining her fingers with his. He squeezed her hand and brushed his thumb across the back of it.
“Thank you for the party,” she said, keeping her voice hushed so it didn’t carry in the quiet of the night. “This evening has been amazing. I’m so blessed and thankful.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Everyone was happy to be here to celebrate with you.”
Rori rolled to her side, letting go of Lee’s hand so she could prop her head up. Once she was settled, she reached for his hand again. Her heart pounded in her chest as she considered what she wanted to say.
“Are we boyfriend and girlfriend?” she asked, her brain temporarily shutting down her heart’s desire to immediately spill her love for him.
Lee’s fingers tightened against hers for a moment, and he didn’t answer right away. “I guess we haven’t verbally defined what we are yet. However, I do consider myself your boyfriend, and you, my girlfriend. What about you?”
Rori smiled down at him. “Same. Definitely the same.”
“The thing is,” Lee began, shifting his head to stare up at the sky. Silence stretched between them for a long moment, then he cleared his throat and turned back to face her. He lifted his free hand and brushed his fingers along her cheek. “I love you, Rori, so in my mind, we’re definitely a couple.”
Rori’s heart stopped beating for a moment, then took off at a hard gallop. “Already?”
“What do you mean?” Lee asked.
“I can’t believe you love me already.”
Lee smiled. “I’ve loved you for a little while now. Might not have been love at first sight, but it happened pretty quickly.”
Rori’s heart was still racing, but her mind was focused on one thing. Surely it was okay to tell him, now that he’d revealed how he felt for her.
“I love you too.”
Reaching up, Lee cupped her cheek, his gaze intense, but then he just waited. Rori hesitated for a moment before she gave into her heart and leaned down to press her lips to his. The love she’d tried to hide from Lee, afraid that she was alone in her feelings, swelled within Rori as they shared their first kiss.
Her first kiss ever, and she was so grateful that it was with this man who treated her with such kindness and respect. Who loved her. Who she trusted. Who made her feel safe.
He’d probably had his first kiss already. However, if Rori had her way, this would be the last first kiss he ever shared with a woman.
Lee might have thought he didn’t have a gift for her, but the gift of his love was worth more than anything else he could have given her.
As their kiss ended with one last gentle brush of their lips, Rori kept her face close to his. In the quiet of the warm night, she whispered her love for him, and when he whispered it back, Rori tucked her head into the curve of his neck.
And if a few tears fell, she refused to be embarrassed about them. She might still be shedding tears, but there was no hurt in these. And she knew Lee would understand that.
He’d already proven that she could trust him with her tears—good and bad—so she did.