Chapter 24 Maisey
MAISEY
“I don't want to tell anyone about Reykjavík just yet.”
I stop short, almost skidding to a halt, loose gravel in the shared parking lot between the church and the library catching under my shoes, my arm tugging on Ewan’s as he continues to walk for a step, our hands still joined together.
Turning to me, his eyes go wide, asking the question before he does.
“So, you’ve decided?”
No, not even close. I haven't decided on anything. In fact, I'm so far from a decision it's not even funny.
“No.” I shake my head, looking over at the large group already gathering for my grandmother’s party in the open field next to the library.
A few hours ago this space was filled with booths and vendors for the weekly Farmers’ Market. Now there’s a tent with tables, chairs, and a buffet big enough to feed the town. Oh, wait—it is feeding the town.
As the matriarch of Hickory Hills, my grandmother’s hundredth birthday is a big deal.
To be fair, at this age, every trip around the sun is a big deal, but when you are the town elder, it becomes next level.
What started out as immediate family only snowballed into something much bigger—with the guest list taking on a life of its own—to the point where we were no longer going to fit in the church hall anymore.
Now, all of my immediate and extended family are here, plus half the town, ready to celebrate. When all I want to do is curl up at home next to Ewan and have a personal existential crisis over my future.
Our future.
“And that’s why I don't want to bring it up,” I continue, squeezing his hand. Ewan looks down at me, his blue eyes holding mine like they hold all the world’s secrets. “Because I don’t want to have to answer all the questions that I know are going to come with it.”
Like all the questions that are still running through my head. All of the ones that he doesn’t seem to want to talk about either.
We’ll make it work.
That’s all he keeps telling me every time I try and broach the subject, every time I’ve tried to question how or what we’re going to do, tossing out possible scenarios or options.
It’s the same response every time—those four little words.
Said with a confidence that only Ewan Hayes could have. We’ll make it work.
“You’re the only one who knows about the offer, and I…” I sigh, pausing as Dolly’s parents walk by, waving at us. “I want to keep it that way. Until we decide.”
Ewan gathers me in his arms, kissing me gently. I give in, letting myself relax into him. To surrender. The only moments I haven’t felt completely conflicted since I got Cathy’s call are when he’s holding me. Right now, Ewan Hayes is the only thing that makes sense to me.
This whole situation would be a lot easier if one of the choices sucked. If they were offering me a contract in some mediocre location. Or if my first impression of Allison and the trauma response team at Tifton Regional the day of Ewan’s accident had been a fluke. But no.
Reykjavík is the one place I’ve wanted to go for years.
The top of my bucket list. And Allison? We got on even better during the interview than we had during our ER visit.
Even her bosses are great. She’s exactly the kind of charge nurse I want to work for.
I can see myself living both lives, being perfectly happy.
If only there were a way that didn’t involve some made-up magic necklace that I don’t have access to.
“You decide,” he corrects, pulling back just enough to rest his forehead against mine. “I can’t make this decision for you, Mais.”
“I’m not trying to start a fight in a parking lot, Ewan, but…this is our future that we’re talking about here. I appreciate you respecting me and my independence, but this is something we should kinda decide together. Because one of the options requires you to give up—”
He cuts me off with a kiss. This one not nearly as gentle as the first. Not even close. His hands cradle my face, fingers weaving into my hair as he deepens it, and I whimper. Fuuuuck…this isn’t fair. When he kisses me like this, the world stops. Nothing else matters.
We aren’t standing in the middle of a public parking lot, surrounded by every one of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and half this town. We don’t have big, life-altering choices looming ahead of us. And we most certainly don’t have to behave ourselves.
Except…we do.
We have all those things.
“We’ll make it work, beautiful. Whatever you choose.”
There’s that confidence again. I’m glad he’s so sure. One of us has to be, and it’s certainly not me. I’m not sure of anything at the moment.
Except him.
Wrapping an arm around me, Ewan places another kiss on the top of my head before we head into the tent.
The large, open-air space looks much like it did for Dolly and Hux’s wedding last month, only with a few more tables in place of the dance floor, giving everyone more room to spread out.
I can already smell Dolly’s famous honey butter biscuits, the scent of freshly baked bread lingering in the air.
Standing right by the buffet, peering into an open chafing dish, is the birthday girl herself. Pointing to her, I direct us that way, wanting to see what kind of trouble she’s causing.
“Checking to make sure it’s up to your standards?” I ask, gently nudging her with my shoulder.
“I was checking to make sure that the specific items I requested made the list.”
“Because you thought Dolly wouldn’t follow your request?” I ask.
“It wasn’t Dolly I was worried about,” she snarks, giving me a knowing look.
Oh, got it…
I nod, letting her know I understand. “So, what is it that you requested that’s so special?”
“Chicken ’n dumplings, red beans and dirty rice, and cheddar hush puppies.”
Now that’s a combination. Then again, at one hundred years old, I suppose no one gets to comment on your food choice.
“Sounds fab.”
“It will be, since our Dolly is cooking.”
I laugh. Can’t argue with that.
“Now, Ewan Hayes, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to steal this beauty from you for a little bit,” Grandma continues, looping her arm through mine. “I haven’t gotten near enough time with her since she’s been home.”
Guilt rips through me. I did promise her that we’d have plenty of girl time when I arrived back in town. A promise I have not lived up to, since most of my spare time has been spent with Ewan. Whooops…
“No problem, ma’am. She’s all yours.” He winks at us. “Although, do y’all want me to get you something to drink before I leave you to talk about me? Or are you all set?”
Ewan Porter Hayes!
“Oh, that would be lovely. There’s a lot to catch up on, so I’m sure we will be quite parched.”
Thanks, Grandma…
Ewan nods, turning to leave us and head off in search of drinks. I shake my head, looping my arm through my grandmother’s and leading her over to a table where we can sit.
“Happy Birthday,” I say, making sure she’s securely seated before I grab the chair next to her. “How does it feel to hit this milestone?”
“Psssh.” She waves me off. “When you get to be my age, one birthday is like the next. You’re just happy to see it. I care more about how you are. Haven’t seen you much since Dolly’s wedding. Priorities shifted a bit once you got back into town, huh?”
Ooof, way to call me out…
Then again, I deserve that.
“I didn’t mean to ditch you,” I tell her. “I’m sorry. Things moved fast and—”
“Maisey Margaret Phillips, stop right there. I do not blame you one bit. I’d also pass on hanging out with an old lady like me in favor of some rather respectable wienering.”
Rather respectable wienering? Well, that’s a new one…
I press my lips together, biting down as I try to hold it together and not burst into laughter. Rather respectable wienering. But I’m not sure I can. I need to though. Which means I need to think of something. Anything.
Anything other than Ewan. And his very respectable wienering.
“It is respectable, right?” she follows up. “Based on the way Dolly lit up like a pinball machine once she finally ditched that Jeff guy and upgraded herself to Huxley, I know she is properly taken care of. I assume based on your newfound glow, you are too.”
Heat races up the back of my neck. That’s not a glow; that is straight up fluster. Grandma has always been a straight shooter, but phew…I was not expecting her to come right at me about my sex life.
I won’t lie though. I kind of love it.
“Perfectly respectable,” I inform her with a firm nod. Then, I think better of my answer, leaning in to whisper. “And sometimes not so respectful…”
“As it should be. Every girl needs a rip in her jeans.”
I laugh, unable to hold it in any longer.
It’s a phrase I’ve heard her mutter many times before and never thought anything about, usually attributing it to my need to follow my own path.
But now that I hear it in this context, I’m starting to think it might be a bit too much information about my grandfather.
Although, good for Grandma…
“I’m happy to see you so happy, Maisey,” she continues, her voice turning serious.
“There was a part of me that was worried when your mama told us about everything that happened with your job in Central America and that you were going to come spend some time back here to regroup. That’s never been who you are, my little free spirit.
You always had your own drum to dance to. But you found your way.”
A single, wry chuckle escapes before I can stop it.
If only she knew that I’m in even more of a pickle now than I was a last month when I arrived back in town.
That this happiness that she’s so happy about is not a facade, per se, but may be a little bit in jeopardy right now. My heart not far behind.
I look up at her, wishing I had a way to tell her everything. Other than outright telling her everything. That is an option, other than the fact that I literally told Ewan not fifteen minutes ago that I wanted to keep it between him and me. Doesn’t mean I can’t change my mind.