Chapter 26
Faith squeezed Ryan’s hand as they walked up the sidewalk toward Alexis’s home. It was a beautiful evening, and the first blushes of sunset were beginning to paint the sky in the west. Birds sang in the trees of the charming neighborhood, and a gentle wind rustled the leaves overhead.
“I’m excited to meet your family,” Ryan said, grinning eagerly. “If they’re half as nice as you are, they must be great people to hang out with.”
She leaned her shoulder against his in thanks for the compliment. “You’re sweet. I’m so excited for them all to meet you.”
The truth was that she was genuinely very excited, but also a little nervous. She wasn’t sure why, but in the back of her mind, she had the strangest feeling that her family already knew who Ryan was and didn’t like him all that much.
They stepped up to the front door and rang the doorbell. The door was opened a moment later by Alexis, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“Come on in,” she sang out, looking radiant and well-rested.
Once Faith and Ryan were in the foyer, Alexis gave her cousin a big hug and then turned to give Ryan a handshake.
“I’m so pleased to meet the famous Ryan,” she said warmly. “Faith speaks so highly of you.”
“I’m thrilled to hear that,” Ryan said, turning to Faith with a grin. “I feel so lucky to be going out with her.”
Ryan and Faith looked at each other with shining eyes, and Faith felt her stomach do a somersault.
“Everyone’s in the living room.” Alexis said. “They’re all taking a look at the way it’s been repainted in there.”
“Oh yes!” Faith exclaimed eagerly. “Your renovation projects! I can’t wait to see all the things you’ve done around the house.”
“Thank you!” Alexis looked almost gleeful. “The living room is definitely my favorite. And the kitchen is a work in progress, but I’m okay with waiting on that project until after the baby is born.”
Faith and Ryan followed Alexis into the living room. Everyone turned toward them expectantly when they walked in, and Faith again got the strange feeling that the Owens already knew Ryan somehow.
“Hey!” Dean stood up to shake both their hands. “Glad you’re here.”
After introductions were made, everyone gushed over how wonderful the living room looked. Alexis looked pleased as punch and Grayson seemed delighted by their living room’s new look as well.
“Such a wonderful color choice, Alexis,” Hazel said, gazing around the room admiringly. “And you really did a great job of painting.”
“Can we see the pantry too?” Julia asked. “I’d love to see the way you organized it.”
“Julia never wants to pass up an opportunity to admire some good organization,” Cooper teased, wrapping an arm around her.
They trooped into the kitchen, and everyone agreed that the cupboards were going to look fantastic once they were all painted. Alexis showed off her pantry and the way she’d organized everything, and Hazel and Julia were so inspired by her work that they took pictures of it so that they could imitate it in their own pantries.
Despite how happy everyone was for Alexis and Grayson, Faith kept getting the sense that there was the slightest bit of tension in the room. She noticed Vivian glance surreptitiously at Ryan a few times, and Hazel and Julia kept looking at him intently whenever he spoke.
Is it just because I’m dating him, and they want to be extra sure that he’s a nice guy? she wondered. Or is there something else going on here?
“Your home really is lovely,” Ryan told Alexis and Grayson. “And congratulations about the baby.”
“Thank you.” Grayson nodded at him in a friendly way.
“We appreciate it,” Alexis said, smiling.
“We’re glad to have you here, Ryan,” Vivian said. “It’s the first time after many years of interaction that the Owens family and any member of the McCormick family have been together in a capacity other than a competitive one.”
Ryan’s eyebrows rose. “What do you mean?” he asked.
Faith turned toward Vivian expectantly. She hadn’t heard anything about the Owens family being in any kind of competition against the McCormicks, and she was anxious to learn what Vivian was talking about.
“Your father tried to buy our pub once—well, no, it was just once from me. Before my husband died, he tried year after year.” Vivian’s smile was gracious, but Faith could tell that it was a subject that still caused her some discomfort. “After we refused to sell it to him, he tried to compete with us. He, uh, said some things in an article once that were not the fairest and weren’t true, and many people in town noticed that for a while, the food menu at the brewery was uncannily similar to the menu at The Lighthouse Grill.”
“And he sent one of his friends to steal our secret sauce recipe.” Julia shook her head. “He almost got away with it too, until too many people in town realized what he’d done and stopped eating at the brewery.”
Faith turned back to Ryan, feeling a tightness in her stomach. She was disappointed to learn that her family had been bullied by Ryan’s family. She was worried that Ryan had known all about it all along. Maybe he had even been a part of it.
Ryan, however, looked just as shocked as she felt. “Are you the owner of The Lighthouse Grill?” he asked slowly. He appeared to suddenly be uncomfortable.
“I am,” Vivian said. “I didn’t mean to make you fret, Ryan. I thought you knew about the feud, even though we know you weren’t involved in it. I meant it when I said I’m glad the Owens and a member of the McCormick family are meeting up for a friendly meal.” She squeezed his arm warmly. “Your father is quite a passionate businessman, and he’s definitely kept us at The Lighthouse Grill striving to keep our standards high.”
Ryan looked relieved to hear her say such understanding things. He chuckled dryly. “You’re very kind. I don’t know what my father was thinking when he did all those things, but I’m sure you’re choosing a very magnanimous view of the situation.” He shook his head. “I know that my father and brothers don’t always do things… uh, in the most friendly manner so I appreciate your good sportsmanship. I’m sorry they’ve treated you the way they have.”
“Bygones,” Vivian said, waving her hand through the air. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, Ryan. I never wanted a feud, and maybe now that you’re dating a member of our family, your father will feel differently about being so competitive.”
Ryan nodded. “Well, if he doesn’t, I’ll be sure to speak up this time. Now that I’m living in Rosewood Beach, that’ll be a lot easier to do.”
A cloud seemed to have lifted from the gathering. Faith sensed the tension of everyone around her dissipating, but she wasn’t quite ready to stop thinking about the whole thing. While Alexis was leading everyone into the living room for appetizer snacks, she tugged on Vivian’s sleeve.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” she asked quietly.
“Of course, honey.” Vivian stayed behind in the kitchen with her while everyone else went off into the living room.
“I just wanted to know why you never mentioned the strained relationship between the Owens and the McCormicks.” Faith shook her head. “I had no idea that all those things happened. I wouldn’t have wanted to cause you any distress by bringing one of Judd’s sons into your family circle.”
Vivian smiled gently. “It’s not important, sweetheart. Really. Like I said, it makes me happy. And I’ve chosen to let things go, as far as Judd’s actions in the past. He was looking out for his business, and a lot of his antics ended up showing me just how valued The Lighthouse Grill is. The Rosewood Beach community has really pulled together on our behalf more than once. That’s been such a wonderful gift, and in an indirect way, Judd McCormick gave it to me.”
Faith shook her head. “You’re amazing.”
Vivian tutted. “Oh, thank you, but no. I think Ryan is great. What matters is what makes you happy. Family always comes first, and you are family, after all.”
Faith felt tears well up in her eyes. Being referred to as family meant everything to her.
“Thank you,” she whispered to Vivian, and the older woman pulled her into a warm embrace.
They went back into the living room together, where everyone was munching on miniature quiches and breaded mozzarella sticks dipped in the Owens’ secret sauce.
After grabbing herself some snacks, Faith went over to Ryan, who was having an animated conversation with Dean as if the two of them had been friends for years. She slipped her hand into his and he turned to offer her a radiant grin.
Incredible smells were wafting in from the kitchen, where the cheesy potato casserole and roast chicken were finishing cooking, and the crispy, gooey mozzarella stick she was munching on tasted heavenly. Around her, talking and laughter filled the air.
I’ve made it, she thought, looking around the room. I have a family, and I found a place where I’m loved and I feel like I belong. I know things are only going to get better from here.
She smiled as she reflected that she had never felt so at home before.