Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
COME AWAY WITH ME
TULLY
The drive up to Windy Harbor feels entirely different than the last time I came.
My hand rests on Lola’s thigh the whole way, her laughter filling the car every time I crank the music louder or point out another funny landmark.
She’s wearing a soft gray sweater dress that shows off her shoulders, with thigh-high black boots, looking cozy and sexy at the same time.
“Are you sure you’re ready for Thanksgiving with my entire chaotic family?” I ask, squeezing her leg.
“I can’t wait.” She grins at me, her eyes all lit up.
My heart’s been on overdrive for days, much longer than that, really, now that she’s back in my life. I still can’t believe she’s here, with me, even as I run my hand up her leg.
We pull onto the long drive that winds through pines toward the lake, and the house comes into view, Lake Superior glittering cold and endless behind it. Lola’s breath catches.
“Oh my God, Tully,” she whispers, leaning forward. “This is gorgeous. Oh wow, the resort’s right over there.”
I grin, killing the engine. “In the winter, you realize how close it really is.”
She steps out and just stands there for a second, taking it in.
“This house was the last home my mom designed. She loved to mix French provincial with coastal cottage, and you’ll see she went crazy with that here. The place is huge, but she made everything feel warm and intimate.”
Before I can kiss her neck like I want to, the front door bangs open and out spills the circus. Kevin leads the way, running toward us, and then he’s a flurry of white as he twirls himself silly. When I bend down to pet him, I hold my hand out for Bill too, and he trots over, leaning into me.
“Two good boys,” I tell them. “Yes, you are. Oh yeah, you like those scratches, don’t you?”
Grayson barrels into me, hugging my waist. “Hi, Uncle Tully!”
I hug him hard, and he waves shyly at Lola. “Are you taller again?” I ask him.
“Yep.” He laughs. “Dad says I’m getting taller every day.”
“He’s right.”
“Hey, you guys,” Noah says.
Camden’s right behind, Juju tucked under his arm, both of them grinning wide. Hugs all around, then Dylan appears next, with Chloe perched on his hip.
“Ooo, I like your turkey,” I tell her.
She beams, patting the turkey handprint painted on her cheek.
“Auntie Goldie gave it to me.”
“Good job, Auntie Goldie.”
Dahlia reaches Lola, giving her a hug before reaching for me.
“Good to see you guys,” she says.
Goldie and Milo are last, and she throws her arms around me and Lola at the same time, nearly knocking us over.
“You’re here!” Goldie squeals. “Finally! Lola, you look amazing. Come in, come in—Dad and the grandmas are about to lose their minds waiting.”
We find Dad at the kitchen island, carving what looks like three different birds. He washes his hands and gives us a huge hug. His sleeves are rolled up, and he’s wearing a knitted apron, his birthday gift from Grandma Donna.
“It’s good to see you, Lola. So glad you were able to make it today. Welcome to our madness.” He chuckles. “Son, you’re looking awfully chipper.” He grins at me and pats my face, leaning his forehead to mine. “Good to see you so happy,” he says softly.
“Love you, Dad.”
Grandma Nancy and Grandma Donna are at the long farmhouse table, arguing good-naturedly over whose stuffing/dressing is better while they set out silverware.
Grandma Nancy calls it stuffing, and Grandma Donna calls hers dressing.
Then the doorbell rings again, and it’s Juju’s grandpa and uncle, whom everyone has taken to calling Papa Hector and Uncle Hal. Their arms are loaded with pies.
I introduce them to Lola, and they turn on the charm.
“Lola, what a lovely name,” Papa Hector says, shaking her hand. He turns her hand over to see her tattoo of a small moonbeam with intricate flowers inside. “Just lovely.”
“Thank you,” she says, smiling warmly at him.
Uncle Hal steps in front of Papa Hector. “My turn,” he says, taking Lola’s hand and kissing it. “Is this guy treating you all right?” he asks, tilting his head toward me.
Lola laughs. “Yes, he sure is.”
“Okay. But if he gives you any trouble, you let me know.”
“Oh, stop your flirting, you old coot,” Grandma Nancy says, tsking behind him.
He turns and winks at her. “You jealous, Nancy darling?”
“I am not jealous, and I am certainly not your darling!” she huffs.
“Nancy, my darling pumpkin, you sure look beautiful this fine Thanksgiving day,” he says, undeterred.
She harrumphs, but I think I see a little smile threatening to peek out. “Go sit down before you hurt yourself with all that sweet talk nonsense,” she tells him.
“Oh! Oh, hold on a minute!” He fumbles in his pocket before pulling out something green with a flourish, and then he hangs it over their heads. “Look what I came across!”
Grandma Nancy looks up with a frown, crinkling her brows. “What in the world is that?”
“It’s mistletoe!” He smooths it out. “Got a little smooshed in my pocket, but it still works.”
“Oh, it does, does it?” She puts her hand on her hip and stares him down.
He puts his hand on her waist and steps forward. “I believe so,” he says in a low voice.
We stare at them with bated breath.
And then he leans forward and gives her a quick kiss on the nose. I expect her to scold him and wave him off, but instead she chuckles and pats his cheek.
“You are the unruliest of men,” she says.
I laugh under my breath.
“You’ve got that right, darlin’,” he says.
And then Grandma Nancy sees us watching and walks away quickly.
“Sorry to ruin the moment, Uncle Hal,” I say.
“I think she’s softening, what do you think?” he whispers.
I laugh. “I think you might be right.”
In the meantime, Papa Hector has made a beeline for Grandma Donna, and I hear him say, “Donna, you are glowing brighter than the lake at sunrise,” his voice all gravel and honey. He hands her a bakery box like it’s a bouquet. “It’s that apple crisp that I know you like.”
Grandma Donna blushes bright red and pats the top of the box. “That was very thoughtful. Thank you, Hector.”
Lola nudges me with her elbow, and when I look at her, she whispers, “They are so cute!”
“Cute and persistent,” Juju whispers, rolling her eyes but laughing.
“Got room for two more?” Ava walks in hand in hand with Erin.
Erin’s free hand stretches up to the sky with flair. “The party has arrived.”
They hug everyone, and Erin reaches Lola and me last.
“You don’t even resemble a wet noodle today,” she says, tilting her head up when she sees me.
“I thought it was a wet puddle.”
“Same difference.” She waves me off and sits down.
Lola’s hand finds mine under the table as we all settle in.
She’s watching everything—I know we’re a lot.
Our household was always a loud one, and with significant others and kids being added all the time, it’s overwhelming in the best way.
I love the chaos, but I keep checking in to see if she’s okay, and she hasn’t stopped smiling.
We have all the good stuff. Both grandmas try to ply me with green bean casserole and Lutheran Jell-O, and I am a no-go on either of those dishes, but everything else is top-notch.
“Oh! Who made the Lutheran Jell-O today?” Milo asks.
“It was me,” Grandma Donna says quietly, peering around to look at him.
“It’s delicious!” He looks around at me and my siblings like No, really, it is. “It has mandarin oranges in it,” he says emphatically.
That generates a little buzz, and we all give it a go. It starts out great…
“Grandma!” Goldie says, taking a bite. “This is so—” She pauses, and her expression changes, her eyes widening. She starts chewing really fast and swallows, taking a long drink of her water. “What was that?” she hisses under her breath.
I subtly cough into my napkin and spit out whatever I just came across.
Grandma Donna smiles, tickled to share. “I thought throwing a little shrimp in there would be fun. A little tropical touch to our chilly day.”
Goldie shoots daggers at Milo.
“I hadn’t gotten to the shrimp yet,” he says apologetically.
The stories get louder with every glass of wine. Hal praises Grandma Donna’s Jell-O like it’s a work of art, while I overhear Hector telling Grandma Nancy that she’s the reason the lake stays so blue.
I have got to start taking notes from these fellas. Their game is strong.
Grandma Nancy pretends to be exasperated, but she laughs harder than I’ve seen in years.
Lola eats slowly, savoring every bite, her knee pressed to mine. “This is such a delicious meal,” she says. “My mom always orders our Thanksgiving meal from one of our really nice restaurants, and it’s good, but it doesn’t touch this.”
“We do have an award-winning chef in the family,” Dad brags, grinning at Camden.
“I only brought one dish,” Camden says. “We have a family of good cooks, as you can see.” He grins at Lola and then turns to look at Juju. “And we’re about to add another amazing chef to the family. Sooner than you think.”
Everyone starts talking at once.
Dad taps his wineglass. “Are you trying to tell us something, son?”
“Juju and I have decided we don’t want a long, drawn-out engagement.” Camden glances at me. “Tully, I looked at your schedule. Do you think you could make it back for a wedding a week from Sunday?”
“Uh, if you say I’m off, then absolutely.”
Everyone laughs.
“What about everyone else? Think we could pull that off?” Juju says, leaning forward to look at everyone.
“Are you kidding? We will be there!” Goldie says.
Juju shimmies in her seat. “Okay, we’re gonna have the best party!” Her eyes meet Lola’s. “I hope you can come too, Lola. Please say yes if it’s at all possible.” Her eyebrows lift expectantly.
“Oh. Really?” Lola touches her neck. “Thank you. I’d love to!”
When there’s a lull, she turns to me, eyes shining. “This is…I don’t even have words. Your family is incredible.”
I brush a strand of hair off her face. “I always knew you’d fit right in.”
Her smile wobbles. “You think so?”
“No question,” I say, leaning over to kiss her.
My family is obnoxious, and they all start dinging their glasses with their silverware. So I give them what they want and kiss her longer…until they’re saying, “Get a room!”
Later, after more pumpkin pie than I need and a heated game of Dog-opoly, Lola and I slip out to the back deck. The lake is dark and restless under the moon. I pull her against me, my jacket open so she can burrow into it.
“Thank you for today,” she murmurs into my chest. “For letting me be part of it.”
I tip her chin up and kiss her. “You’re the best part of it.”
Inside, someone cranks the music, and laughter spills out. Uncle Hal’s voice carries, declaring he’s going to dance with Grandma Nancy.
Lola laughs against my lips. “Romance is taking over Windy Harbor.”
A throat clears, and we turn to see my dad peeking his head out the door. “For some of us,” he says, chuckling. “I was just checking to see if you’d like in on a game of Bananagrams. I heard you saying you like that one, Lola.”
“Ooo, count me in,” she says, her eyes lighting up.
“Excellent, and the Mustangs game just began,” he adds. “They’re looking really good out there.”
This might be my favorite day yet.
After the game, the fire’s dying down to embers in the big stone hearth, casting long, lazy shadows across the living room. Everyone’s sprawled out. The kids are asleep, and all of us are a little drowsy.
“How have you been feeling, Dad?” I ask.
We try not to bombard my dad with this question too much, but his health still weighs heavily on us.
“Things are great,” he says. “My doc is happy with how I’m progressing.”
All of us breathe a collective sigh of relief.
I hate dropping any negative news now, after such a great day. But I told my family I’d keep them up to date on anything Wade or Marcus might find out, and I’m leaving tomorrow for a game in Chicago, so this is my chance.
“Hey, guys, I’ve gotta talk to you all about something,” I start, voice low. “I hate to kill the vibe, especially tonight. But I wanted to talk about this in person.”
Dad sets his glass down. Goldie straightens. Even the grandmas lean forward a little.
“So far, nothing sticks directly to Daniel, but Wade is certain he’ll find it.
He’s found the property management companies that owned Lola’s first two buildings and is looking into them more deeply.
It’s obvious Daniel is involved, but his personal trail is pretty clean.
Except things keep circling back to one name. ”
I inhale sharply and just say it.
“Bruce Granger.”
The name lands like a stone.
Dad’s jaw tightens.
Dahlia lets out a bitter laugh, and Dylan rubs her back, checking to make sure she’s okay.
Erin’s also squeezing Ava’s hand. I hate hurting them with this news about their dad.
I filled Lola in on some of it on the ride here this morning, and she was shocked at how much Dahlia and Ava had gone through with him.
“Of course he’s involved,” Dahlia says, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry, Tully. It seems that there’s no end to the destruction my dad is willing to cause.”
“I wish I knew more, but it seemed significant just seeing anything tied to him at all.”
My dad groans. “That man will play dirty until he’s put behind bars.” He leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Maybe in trying to bring Daniel down, we’ll find something to pin on Bruce too.” He looks at Dahlia and Ava apologetically. “I’m sorry, girls. I hate to say that.”
“Please don’t be.” Dahlia shakes her head. “At this point, I’ll be relieved if that day ever comes.”
“He might be the middleman,” I finish. “Or more. Since he’s gotten away with things for so long, maybe he thinks he’s invincible…but he’s been sloppy in places.” I look at Lola and pull her in closer. “I hope we can get to the bottom of it. Marcus seems sure that they will.”
“You guys just stay safe,” Dad says. “I don’t want you to be fearful, but Bruce is getting more unhinged the older he gets.
After he torched Dylan’s shop in California, I want my kids as far away from that man as humanly possible.
Tell Marcus to call me. I can probably fill him in on a few missing pieces where Bruce is concerned. ”
I nod. “That’s a good idea. Thanks, guys. Hopefully, the dominoes are about to start falling.”