Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Dar thinks I’m doing her a favor, but she’s saving me from a day of overthinking and examining every choice I made about Korren.
Hefting the box of wooden pieces, I walk toward the two-story building with black shutters.
Balancing the black plastic bin on my hip, I turn the knob.
The door swings open, and I catch Dar in all her glory.
Smiling wildly, she speaks with her hands to the older couple next to her by the entrance table.
Nodding their heads, they’re eating up every word.
With her bubbly personality, she’s well-suited to customer service.
I’ve always loved seeing her in her element.
Growing up, she’d been on the shy side. Self-consciousness about her hearing issues led to her shrinking herself.
As if sensing me, she looks over, waves, and holds up one finger.
Nodding, I take in the fall decor. Wreaths made of colorful fall leaves wrap around the banister of the stairs leading to the second floor, paired with white twinkle lights.
Centerpieces with the same leafy décor rest on the large table in the entryway and the check-in counter.
Fake pumpkins hold live fall floral arrangements on various surfaces.
Finished with the older couple, she hurries over to me.
“Thank you for doing this. You saved my bacon. We always have activities for the kids during vacation season, but the magician coming down with the flu last night wasn’t on my bingo card for fall craziness.”
“It’s okay. I love working with children. They get so excited to create. Their faces at the end, when they have the physical item to take home, are the best.”
“You’ve always been great with kids,” Dar says. “Let me show you the area I set up for you in the activities room.”
Grabbing the tote, I observe the upgrades as we leave the main area.
The carpet runner is new, and the walls boast fresh, inviting cream paint.
Landscape photography of local spots includes plaques that provide information for visitors.
The Murphy family sprinkled their photos in, adding a nice personal touch.
Four eight-foot tables feature small brown aprons with the Murphy’s Inn logo. The mini builder in cursive letters completes the look.
“That’s adorable.”
“I have a vinyl machine and a vision.” She sweeps her hands out in a panning motion. “What are they making today?”
“Tiny boats. I thought creating a toy they could see in action would be fun.”
“That’s going to be fun. We could have them bring their ships back to decorate, too.” She rubs her hands together.
“Does your mind ever stop?”
Sighing dramatically, she shakes her head. “Sadly, no. But also, you do not have room to talk.”
“I’m working far less than I did before.”
“Which is still a lot.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I pop open the neon-green lid of the black tote. “You said eight kids, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. I brought a few extras just in case. You must have a lot of families here for the holidays to fill a class.”
“No, actually. I changed things up.” She sets the prepackaged bundles in front of each chair. “Half of the kids are local. It gives them something to do on the weekends while the parents enjoy the coffee and pastries. Our events sell out.”
“You’re a marketing genius, you know that?”
She tosses her hair over her shoulder and strikes a pose. “I try. Speaking of changes, you and Korren looked cozy at Midnight Mochas.”
I can’t hold back my sappy smile. “It was nice.”
“I thought I saw hand holding?”
I set down the final kit. “And if there was?” I bite the inside of my cheek and wait.
Squealing, she rushes over and hugs me. “I am so happy for you.”
“I have no clue what we’re doing.” I groan. The refusal to label things rests firmly on my shoulders.
She pulls away. “Are you happy?”
“Is it awful that I’m afraid to say yes?”
She shakes her head. “Are you having fun?”
“I really am. It feels so good to admit it. He’s different from anyone I’ve ever dated.”
“For one, he’s a mature adult who doesn’t look to you for every inconvenience.”
“The guys I dated weren’t that bad —”
“Babes, you couldn’t see because of those big heart eyes.
Half of those men were spoiled their entire lives.
Most couldn’t match your drive or hustle.
When you continued to thrive and rise among the ranks while the ones you dated kept their middle-of-the-road nepotism hire positions, it damaged their fragile egos. ”
“Or did I make my life too full to fit anyone else in it?”
“No. Those are the words of some loser who wanted to make you doubt yourself. I won’t let you repeat them.
The right man will support you, and you’ll grow together.
” Her jaw tenses. “Trust me, I know. I had the same conversation with Jeremy. He thought having a child would slow me down. When we lost our son, he blamed my work schedule. All the time I spent on the floor and on my feet, and the stress of dealing with the public, caused our son to be stillborn.” She takes a shaky breath. “You get the picture.”
“Next time I see Jeremy, I’m kicking him in the shin.”
She snorts. “Please don’t waste your time on him. I certainly don’t. We had different expectations. He thought he could change me. I thought everything was perfect. In my mind, we were the high school sweethearts who’d last the test of time. Then I woke up.”
“I’m sorry, Dar. You didn’t deserve any of that.”
“And neither did you. Life throws us all kinds of curveballs.”
“How can you be so damn calm?” I marvel.
“Time.” She squeezes my shoulders and runs her hands down my arms to hold my hands. “The only way to get to the other side is to go through.”
“I’m trying.”
“No, you’re doing. Be kind to yourself. And try to enjoy the journey. Korren obviously adores you.”
“You think so?” I feel shy.
“Girl. The man’s been chasing you since you sprayed him down.”
We burst into laughter, and the serious moment passes.
A knock on the door has us stepping apart.
The door opens, and I watch Fletch walk in with the cutest, round-faced brunette in two pigtails.
Clad in a pair of cuffed white jeans, a white t-shirt, and a pink flannel button-down, she’s a miniature version of Fletch.
When did Fletch have a child? How the hell did I miss that event? Who’s the mother?
“Are we too early?” Fletch asks.
Dar rushes forward. “Not at all. Hi Sienna. Did you drive your uncle here today?”
The apple-cheeked cutie giggles. “No. Ms. D., I can’t drive.”
“Silly me.”
Fletch is all pearly whites as he watches their interaction. Have I ever seen the man look this happy? I know kids tug at heartstrings, but right now, he only has eyes for my best friend. Do they have a thing going on? I remain in the background, watching the exchange.
“We’re excited to build things today, right, Sie?”
She nods. “Uncle Fletch said I’d like it.”
“I sure hope so. My best friend, Ms. Phil, is going to help you create your own boat.”
“Really?” She peers around Dar at me.
Walking over, I kneeled in front of her. “I am. What do you think about that?”
“It’s cool. Can I take it in the bath with me?”
“Once the special glue is dry, you can. As long as your Mommy and Daddy say it’s okay.”
“I can’t wait to show my brother, Stevie.”
“He’s two,” Fletch explains.
“Ah. I’m sure he’s going to be very impressed.” I make a mental note to send an extra kit home with them for her baby brother.
“I’m seven. So, I’m the big sister.” The pride in her words makes me smile.
“Being a big sister is awesome, isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t know, but I am the oldest of my best friends. That has to count for something. They’re amazing.” I look at the other two and lower my voice. “When they’re not being annoying.”
Sienna’s laughter is music to my ears. There are few things as pure as the joy of a child. I note how close Uncle Fletch and Ms. D are standing.
We’ll definitely be talking about that. Others arrive, and I go into teacher mode as Dar plays host, making introductions.
“We’re waiting on one more guest. They’re stuck in traffic,” Dar explains apologetically as the children settle into their spots.
“That’s okay. How about we get everything ready while we wait for our new friend?” I ask. “You open your kits, and I’ll open our friends for them. Let’s put all the wooden pieces in front of us. Then we need to make sure we have a little mallet, it’s a wooden hammer, and special glue.”
Plastic and paper crinkle as they’ve been told.
I walk around helping when it’s warranted.
The door swings open, and I freeze. The tall brown-skinned woman with curly hair in a burned orange jumper is all smiles.
Her round face is nearly identical to the small ball of energy dancing at her side in a pair of pink overalls.
“Story? Journee?”
“Aunt Phil!” Journee runs toward me. I rock back on my heels under her impact, holding her close.
“How is this possible?” I ask, covering her sweet little face with kisses.
“Dar and I planned it all. Surprise.” Story holds her arms up and strikes a runway model pose.
“This is our new friend Journee, guys. Can we tell her hello?”
The kids welcome her, and I force my excitement to take a backseat. I suddenly have a lot more to be thankful for.
An hour later, the parents have all collected their children, and Story is helping me break down the tables and store them in a closet.
“You’re the best helper, Journee.” I praise Journee as she runs around the space, gathering stray strips of paper and plastic and throwing them in the garbage can up against the wall.
“I can’t believe you did this.”
Story beams. “I needed to see my Philly in person.” She gives me a side hug, “plus you’ve talked about this place so much, I had to see it for myself, and Thanksgiving is my holiday this year.”
“I’ll give you the grand tour. Dar’s an excellent Chace Falls ambassador as well. Her family roots run every bit as deep as mine.”
“She is lovely. I get why you love her so much.”
“And you,” I add, not wanting her to feel left out for a second.