Chapter Thirty-One
Hours later, when the adrenaline wore off, and they’d moved a number of key essentials from Hallie’s storage space back into her house, Tessa found a quiet corner to call Grant and relay the unexpected events of her day.
“That’s remarkable,” he said bluntly. “Truly main character worthy.”
“Indeed,” Tessa agreed with a grin. She unpacked a box of kitchenware while Hallie, her family, and Kate made loud, enthusiastic plans for Hallie’s perfect future.
“I’m super proud of her. I can’t imagine doing what she did, but I know her life is going to be amazing and exactly what she wants it to be. No concessions.”
“A little concession,” he joked. “Tell me again about the Vampire Dinosaur Café.”
Tessa laughed and relayed the details until her throat was dry. She sipped a dirty soda, provided by the runaway bride, and marveled in the power her friend had taken back today. The way her family had rallied around her, never letting her think for a second they were anything but proud of her.
She emptied another box and flattened it, then spotted tomorrow’s date circled on the calendar. Tonight felt victorious. Tomorrow would be harder. She’d come back early to keep Hallie company and reassure her in case any fears or regrets reared their ugly heads.
“I’d love to invest in Hallie’s business,” he said. “I think Harbor Heights would flock to a darkly romantic bookstore and café. I already have experience launching both. I think I’d do a great job getting this sort of combo on its feet.”
Pride welled in Tessa as she listened. She couldn’t wait to tell Hallie. “I think you’re pretty amazing. Have I told you that?”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “But feel free to tell me again.”
“I think you’re amazing.”
“Enough to let me invest in you too? I know your new advertising firm will be unstoppable.”
Her smile grew, then waned. “Thank you, but I really want to figure that part out myself.” She wasn’t sure how, exactly, but she needed to find a financier who wasn’t the man stealing her heart.
“I suppose it could be awkward,” he said. “Dating the guy who’s funding your company.”
Tessa grinned, feeling easily half her age. “Are we dating now?” she asked. “When did that happen?”
“I’ve been dating you since the night you told me you were single,” he said. “Just taking it very slowly.”
She laughed again, a little louder this time. “Oh yeah?”
“Of course,” Grant said. “I didn’t want to rush you, but you kissed me recently, so I’m thinking now’s the time to ask.”
“If I’ll be your girlfriend?”
“Mm-hmm,” he hummed. “And how soon can I see you again?”
“Absolutely yes, and depends.” Her gaze snagged on the calendar once more, and her marketing mind automatically went to work. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Oof. I know this tone,” he said. “I’m trying to set up a date, but I think you’re concocting a plan. Is this a business plan or an incredible date night with me?”
“Hopefully both,” she said. Then she told him the fuzzy idea taking shape in her mind, making notes on the side of a collapsed box so she wouldn’t forget the details. Grant had several incredible suggestions to add as well.
Tessa hurried to the living room when they disconnected, the flattened box in her hands.
“Hal!” she called.
Kate and Hallie clocked her arrival instantly, and both stood.
“What’s wrong?” Hallie asked.
Tessa wet her lips. “I think I have an idea.”
“About?” Kate asked.
“The reception venue is still yours all evening tomorrow?” Tessa asked.
Hallie nodded, confusion wrinkling her brow. “Yeah.”
Mrs. Montgomery peered around them from the couch. “I paid for it, and it’s too late to get my money back. No last-minute cancellations.”
Tessa smiled. “What if we use the Barn at Baker’s Farm to celebrate your new culinary adventure?” she asked.
Kate’s eyes went wide, and she bounced at Hallie’s side. “Like a launch party?”
Tessa nodded. “Hallie can prep a few simple dishes to test for the food truck,” she said.
“We can contact the catering staff about using the ingredients they’ve already purchased for the meals.
Kate can use her social media reach to promote the event, and I can use my connections in town to push awareness.
We can set a small cover charge to help reimburse Mrs. Montgomery for the rental, or to help with repair costs for the truck.
We can also charge for drinks and advertise the whole thing as a women-centric evening of celebration.
A safe place to eat, drink, dance, and support one another.
A one-night-only pop-up event.” Her eyes snapped to Mrs. Montgomery.
“Do you think the catering company would consider changing all those sit-down meals to appetizers, finger foods, and hors d’oeuvres? ”
Hallie looked so darn pleased. “For what it costs, we should get to do whatever we want with that food.”
Hallie bit her lip. “I don’t know. Is it super disrespectful to have a party tomorrow when I just left a man at the altar? More or less.”
Mrs. Montgomery leaned forward on her seat.
“Absolutely not,” she said. “I had to go to the bank and leverage my car for this event. I took out a loan. I’ve been sitting here all night trying to figure out how long four hundred meals will last and how many I can fit in my deep freezer.
” She looked to Hallie. “If you don’t want to do it, don’t do it, but don’t say no for someone else’s sake.
Bryce and his people won’t be any less upset if you pack the meals into coolers and let the venue sit empty.
You might as well make the most of this. ”
Kate beamed. “I can take the photos. I have all the equipment, and the bulk of folks following me now are into books and real-life moments like this.”
Hallie’s lips parted. “I don’t know how much I can cook in a day. Will the catering staff help?”
“I’ll call and ask,” her mama said. “Do you have any recipes? If so, I can offer to send them over now so they can get things sorted on their side.”
Hallie reached for the familiar binder on her coffee table. “I have a dozen.”
Her mama rose. “Say no more. I’ll be right back.” She left the room, cell phone in hand.
Gina slid into the empty spot on Hallie’s sofa. “If the staff won’t help, we will.” She nodded at the room full of Montgomery women. “We know our way around a kitchen, too, don’t forget.”
Hallie’s lip quivered, and her eyes misted with unshed tears. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Well, what on earth is family for, if not to help throw a big-ass party?” she asked.
The next afternoon, amid the chaos of preparing for the largest open-invitation party of her life, Tessa slipped away to see her dad. Becoming the heroine in her story meant being true to herself, and the conversation ahead was decades overdue.
She paused in the driveway, watching as Devin used a power tool on the front door.
He stood and turned when he noticed her. “Hey.”
“Hey,” she said. “Changing the locks?”
He stepped aside as she climbed the steps, revealing a shiny new touch pad and knob. “The code’s your birthday,” he said. “Dad picked it. He wants you to know you should come and go as you please. You don’t need to ring the bell.”
Her heart swelled as she pulled him into a hug. Devin stiffened a moment, then hugged her back. “Thank you.”
He shrugged. “It needed doing, and I could do it, so I did.”
Tessa released him, all but his free hand. She squeezed his fingers and looked him in the eyes. “I’m really proud of what you’ve done and what you’re doing. I hope you know that.”
A blush rose on his cheeks, and he looked away. “It’s just a new lock.”
“Not what I meant, and you know it.”
Devin packed his tool into a little zipper bag and turned. “I’m really sorry for what I’ve put you and Dad through since Mom died. I used her death as an excuse for a long time. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Tessa nodded. “You shouldn’t have,” she agreed. It was the sincerest and most deeply personal thing he’d said to her in years, maybe ever. Maybe he was just completing one of his steps toward sobriety, but something in his eyes said he’d meant every word. “But I forgive you.”
His shoulders relaxed, and he wrapped her in a tight, engulfing hug.
They stood like that for a long moment before he pulled away. Tessa let him decide when it was enough. She’d hold him forever if she thought it would keep him safe. Some big-sister instincts never die.
She went inside to find her dad. She hadn’t expected to resolve anything with Devin today, but she had.
Because another aspect of being the heroine of her story might also mean accepting that she can’t be responsible for everything and everyone she loved.
Being a heroine to herself meant accepting help.
“Hey, sweetie,” her dad called from his recliner in the living room.
She pushed the disturbing memory of him falling to the kitchen floor from her mind. “Hey, Dad.”
Tessa told him about the event happening that night and all the juicy details he’d missed at the rehearsal.
She caught his contagious smile and laughed with him.
She held his hand. Then she held her breath.
She didn’t want to ruin a perfect moment, especially when she didn’t know how many more she’d have with him, and everything was going so well right now. Wasn’t it selfish to ruin that?
“What’s on your mind, hon?” he asked. “You sound good, but you look worried. What can I do to help?”
She batted away unexpected tears, took a steadying breath, and did the brave thing. “I’m mad at you,” she said.
He laughed, but the smile quickly faded. “Why? What happened?”
Tessa shook her head. “I’m not upset at this moment, but I have been for a long time. Since Alice died, maybe longer.”
His bushy gray brows knit together. He struggled to sit taller in the chair, but she set her hand on his, cueing him to relax if he could. He’d recently had a heart attack, after all.