Chapter 29 #2
“Well, perhaps it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t sent me away without a proper goodbye,” I replied. “I’ve barely spoken to you since I arrived at school, and this week, we haven’t talked at all. Seriously, Mom, why haven’t you been answering my phone calls?”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy to call me back?”
“Yes, too busy.” Her whole body deflated as she spoke, and as I looked at her more closely, I realized how completely exhausted she seemed. She had bags under her eyes like she hadn’t slept in days, and her skin was a sickly shade of white.
I suddenly felt scared. “Mom, is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. At least, it will be.”
“Are you having troubles with the café again?”
“It’s nothing you need to worry about. Just, with the Starbucks opening, we didn’t make as much money this season as I hoped.”
How did she expect me to not worry about that? “Why didn’t you say something? Is there anything I can do to help?”
“It will turn around. It always does. Just seeing you now is more help than I could have ever asked for,” she said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get upset. You just took me a little off guard, but I’m so happy to see you.”
Tears welled in her eyes, and I gathered her up in another hug. Now that we were hugging again, I could feel she’d lost weight. The stress was clearly getting to her, and I hated that I hadn’t been here to help her manage it. How had I not noticed she was struggling so much before I left?
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the plane. Noah surprised me with the trip. But I’m not sorry for coming here,” I said. “And seeing you this way, you’ll be lucky if I even go back to school.”
“Isobel, you have to go back.”
“But how can I leave you like this?”
“Because, like I said, I’m handling it. I’ve been having a bad week, and it doesn’t help that I miss you terribly, but everything will be fine. I promise.”
I studied her face, weighing her words. Mom had always told me when things had gotten bad before. And if she believed she’d get on top of them, I had to trust her. “Well, if it’s not, you know I’ll be straight back here …”
“Okay, but next time, you run it by me first.” She raised her eyebrows at me as she waited for me to agree, and I slowly nodded.
“Deal.”
“Okay, good,” She straightened her clothes and stood tall. “Now, have I made the worst impression ever on your new boyfriend, or do you think we could start over?”
“Mom. He’s not my boyfriend.”
She cocked her head to one side as she studied me. “With one look, I could tell that boy is crazy about you. If he’s not your boyfriend, he definitely wants to be.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed with her, but it was hard to argue Noah wasn’t at least somewhat interested in me that way considering he’d flown me here on a private jet.
It was crazy and extravagant although probably not all that unusual for someone in Noah’s position.
I decided to simply ignore my mom’s comment.
“I should probably get out there and make sure Norma isn’t trying to read Noah’s palms or something,” I said.
“Yeah, she’s probably telling him he’s going to end up with a gorgeous blonde who has the world’s most beautiful smile.”
My eyes widened with fear. “Do you think we’re already too late to stop her?”
“I don’t know.” Mom chuckled. “But let’s get out there just in case she also plans to tell him his future holds ten kids and a dog too.”
I was going to die of embarrassment if she had.
“Hopefully, I can rectify the awful welcome I gave him,” Mom continued. “I know I worry about you too much, but that’s no excuse for not being more friendly. Do you think he’ll give me another chance?”
“Yeah, I think so. Just so long as Norma hasn’t already scared him off.”
We walked out to the restaurant arm in arm. Noah sat at a table that was already loaded with food. Noah was a big guy, but even he seemed slightly daunted by the huge spread laid out before him.
“I swear I just asked for the pancakes, and Norma brought me all of this.” Noah held his hands up in front of him as if he was expecting us to accuse him of ordering too much. His tone was a mixture of guilt and surprise, and it made me laugh to hear him so bewildered.
“Yeah, Norma has been trying to fatten me up for years,” I explained.
“It’s her calling in life,” Mom agreed with a smile. Her eyes fell upon Noah, and a brief flicker of uncertainty shot through his gaze. He seemed apprehensive after their initial encounter, but the fact he cared about whether my mom liked him filled my chest with warmth.
“I’m sorry if I wasn’t very welcoming,” Mom said to him. “I wasn’t expecting to see Isobel, and I thought she might have run away from school. It’s really nice to meet you, Noah, and I’m glad to see Iz has made at least one good friend at her new school.”
Noah’s shoulders relaxed, and his expression warmed as he smiled at me. “Well, I’m happy to be considered one of Isobel’s good friends, and I can assure you we haven’t run away.”
“So I’ve heard,” Mom replied. “Though next time you both decide to leave school for the weekend, I’d like to be told first.”
“Of course,” Noah agreed.
Mom seemed happy with his response and gave an approving nod.
“Would you both like to join me for some food?” Noah continued. “I can certainly eat a lot, but I’m afraid this is too much, even for me.”
I eased onto the seat beside him. “I’d be impressed if you could finish a whole table full of food.”
“Are you challenging me to eat it all?” There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Because I’ll give it a good go.”
I laughed and shook my head. “No, you don’t need to prove your manliness to me by consuming three days’ worth of food.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I also happen to love our hash browns.” I reached over and grabbed one off an overflowing plate, taking a bite before Noah could try to claim it as his own. “You joining us, Mom?”
She was still hovering by the table watching the two of us. From the gentle smile on her face, I could tell she was already warming to Noah. She flushed when I caught her looking though and quickly took a seat.
“I’ve already eaten, but I could use some coffee.”
Eating breakfast with Mom and Noah was surreal.
Weybridge was so different from my home, and having Noah here felt like two worlds were merging.
I didn’t think they could work together, but it felt strangely natural.
Now that Mom and Noah had gotten over their awkward introduction, they chatted like they’d known each other for years.
I didn’t say all that much, but it was only because I was too busy soaking in the moment.
I still couldn’t believe I was here sitting with my mom and with Noah Hastings, of all people.
Just a week ago, I had been convinced there was no way someone like Noah could accept someone like me.
But today had me falling hard and fast for the guy.
It was really hard not to like someone who went to so much effort to try to make me happy.
Not only had he noticed how much I missed home, he’d actually gone and figured out a way to bring me here.
When the lunchtime crowd started to filter in through the door, Mom had to get back to work. “How long will you both be here?” she asked.
“Not nearly long enough,” Noah replied. “We have to get back later this afternoon.” He gave me a sad smile, like he wished he didn’t have to put a limit on our time here. I couldn’t complain though because he’d given me something so precious just by helping me enjoy a few hours with my mom.
Mom seemed to share my sentiment because she gave me a soft smile. “I’ll make sure I get some more time off after lunch so we can say goodbye,” she said. “Why don’t you two go explore the town before you leave?”
“I’d like to see your home,” Noah agreed. “We’ll have to leave here around three though, so we better get exploring.”
I let out a small laugh. He would have seen practically the whole town on our drive here, but he looked so eager I didn’t want to tell him that. “Okay, let’s go.”