Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Anna
On Saturday morning, Anna had taken a walk while her mom and the kids were at the studio.
They were prepping for the class that her mother was hosting in a few hours.
As she approached the house, the familiar creak of the wooden steps beneath her feet brought a sense of comfort.
She heard Max barking excitedly, so she poked her head around the corner to where June and Max were engrossed in a game of chase.
June’s laughter rang out. For a minute, Anna thought maybe her mom and the kids were back from the studio.
She smiled at the sight of June enjoying herself and started back up the steps. Tom was nearby, trimming the overgrown bushes that lined the fence. He looked up, wiping sweat from his brow, and offered a wave.
“Hey, Anna,” he called out, setting his shears aside and walking over. “Any news about Luke?”
Anna shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. “No, nothing yet.”
Tom’s eyes softened with empathy. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he’s back.”
She managed a small smile. “Thanks for saying that.”
A sudden bark from Max and a burst of giggles from June drew their attention. Tom watched them for a moment, a shadow of concern passing over his face, an expression Anna recognized all too well.
“How’s June settling in?” she asked gently.
Tom sighed, his gaze still on his daughter. “She’s doing well, considering. Seems to be getting more comfortable here each day.”
“I’m glad. The Vineyard has a way of easing someone’s heart when necessary.”
“Yeah, I guess it does.”
“I don’t want to pry, but I did notice that you seemed surprised she was here when she showed up. Are you two close?”
He turned to Anna, his expression contemplative. “We used to be. I was a great girl dad, until she became a teenager, and the sound of my voice made her scream and roll her eyes.”
“Ah, teenage hormones,” Anna laughed. “When you don’t know how to handle anything.”
“It didn’t help that I didn’t really know how to be a father when I lost Blair, either.
She was the bridge between us. Things were rough.
I’d call June, even tried texting her, but she doesn’t really respond.
When we do talk on the phone, there’s a lot of silence.
I’m glad June’s here, but every day feels like I’m navigating a minefield, unsure of what to say or do. ”
Anna chuckled softly. “My dad and I went through a phase like that, especially when I transitioned from being a little girl into a woman. It was like he didn’t know how to handle any of it.
Mom had to remind him that I was still the same person and that it didn’t matter if he said the wrong things, we’d figure it out together. ”
She paused, a nostalgic smile on her lips. “She told me something similar when I felt like my dad loved Cody more than me. Which I know wasn’t the case, but, you know… teenage girl and all.”
Reaching out, she squeezed Tom’s arm. “You remind me a lot of my dad. If you remember that it doesn’t matter what you say and that you two will work through it, things will get easier. It seems to me she came home because you were her safe space, and that says a lot.”
Tom cleared his throat, nodding slowly. A small smile formed on his lips. “Thanks for that, Anna. I needed to hear it.”
She returned the smile. “Anytime.”
Anna lingered in the yard with Tom, the warm breeze curling around them like an old song. Max and June were still running around the yard. June was throwing an old, tattered tennis ball for him, and he was chasing it at Mach speed.
Tom watched her for a long moment before speaking again.
“You know, I haven’t seen her like this in a long time,” he said, voice low.
“She was… so shut down for a while. Distant. She and her mom talked on the phone two to three times a day and losing her has been really hard on June. I’m sure she’s especially missing her with the divorce.
But it’s nice to see her smile again. Even if it’s just for a little while. ”
Anna looked at him, noting the pinch in his brow and the way his arms were crossed a little too tightly. She recognized that kind of protective ache in his eyes. It mirrored what she felt every time Nora so much as frowned or Blaze grew too quiet.
“She’s lucky to have you,” she said gently. “Even if you don’t have all the answers. No one does, Tom.”
He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Blair… she was the glue. The peacemaker. She always knew how to draw June out, to make her feel safe, heard, important. Without her, I’ve been fumbling through.”
Anna offered him a soft smile. “It seems to me that you’re doing a great job. Seriously.”
They stood in silence a moment longer, both watching Max and June, the peace of it all hanging like linen in the breeze. Then Tom cleared his throat again and said, “Hey, is your mom still doing her pottery class today?”
Anna opened her mouth to answer, but the screen door creaked open before she could.
“She is,” Lily answered for her, stepping out onto the porch with her sunglasses perched atop her head and a mug of coffee in hand.
“Mom, I didn’t realize you guys were back.”
“We’re not.” She smiled. “I forgot some stuff, and Margot took the kiddos to get some donuts for class.”
“Oh, they’ll love that,” Anna laughed.
“I’m glad I caught you guys, I was actually about to ask June if she wanted to come along,” Lily said.
June slowed her sprint and turned to look at them, breathless, her cheeks flushed pink from the sun and exertion.
Lily smiled again. “Well, I was assuming you’d be coming to help again,” she added with a light laugh, looking at Tom, “but if June would like to come and learn, she’s more than welcome.
It’s a fun class. Maybe she’ll meet some more people around the Vineyard.
There are plenty her age floating around. ”
June tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, blinking in surprise. “Oh. Um… yeah, maybe. That could be fun.”
“I think Jess and Maisie will be there today too,” Lily added, then looked at Tom. “Jess and June are kind of kindred spirits right now. They’re both fresh out of divorces, both navigating what life looks like after. I think they’d get along well.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I think that would be really good for her.”
“Of course,” Lily said. “She’s part of the family now. Will you be there, too?”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Tom answered with a grin.
Tom turned to Anna again. “Speaking of tomorrow… if the weather holds, I was thinking about taking the boat out. Would love it if you all came along.”
Anna’s eyes lit up. “If I said no, Blaze would probably stage a full revolt against us all. So… you’re stuck with us.”
They all laughed at that.
“Well, I’ll let you get ready,” Anna said, turning toward the porch. Lily had already started walking back up with purpose, and Anna followed, shooting a smile over her shoulder at Tom.
“Thanks again, Anna,” he called after her.
“Anytime,” she replied, voice soft.
The door clicked shut behind them as they stepped into the familiar scent of home.
“What did you need?”
“Some more bags. I’d bought more clay and didn’t take it to the studio so I’m grabbing that, too. I also just wanted more coffee.”
“There’s a coffee shop right by you,” Anna laughed.
“I know, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be here or not and wanted to see how you’re walk went. Are you coming back to the studio with me?” Lily asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Anna smiled back at her mother.
“Oh, good, I didn’t want you to stay behind by yourself. I know you need your alone time, but I don’t want you to fall into the same trap I was in.”
Anna reached out and squeezed her mom’s hand. “I know, Mom. I won’t. I’ll go back with you now. That was nice of you to invite June, too.”
“She seems like a good girl who’s a little lost. I know that feeling all too well. Tom has been so helpful, lending a hand with the yard work and repairs, it only seemed right.”
“I think we all know that feeling too well—everyone in the world has felt a little lost at some point.”
“You’re probably right. I think her and Jess could become good friends, too.”
“Well, I might have noticed Cody looking at her a little longer than necessary,” Anna said with a soft laugh. “Which is nice, I’ve been worried about him lately. Breaking up with Nessa was such a surprise.”
“I agree, I really thought they’d be married by now. I guess the fact that he never proposed meant that she wasn’t the one, even though we wanted her to be.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
Anna grabbed her cell phone and purse off the counter and then followed her mother back outside.
As they drove the short way back to the studio, Anna thought more about her brother and how he ended things with Nessa.
Maybe she should check in with her brother, and maybe the two of them could have a good, open, honest talk.
It would be nice to take her mind off Luke.