Chapter 2
Ellie Hearst sat at a long table, surrounded by family and friends, truly happy.
Her eyes went to Shonda, the oldest of her three children.
Such a beauty. Tomorrow Shonda would be marrying Marshall, who sat beside her at the rehearsal dinner.
He was a doctor and a fine young man. Ellie couldn’t be prouder.
Turner picked up her hand and squeezed it. Turner, who’d been part of her life for so many years she sometimes took him for granted, Turner who lately had seemed interested in her as more than just a friend.
And how did she feel about him?
An image of her ex-husband appeared unbidden in her mind, his deep brown skin, chiseled features, and strong body seeming to haunt her to this day.
You have to stop thinking of Mac.
He’d been gone almost as long as he’d been in her life.
At her son’s urging, she’d finally persevered and officially gotten a divorce, though her international lawyer had been unable to locate her now ex-husband in France, and they’d had to publish her intention to divorce him in all the local papers instead.
It was as if he’d simply vanished, and their life together had been a dream.
She shook her head to clear it. This day was about Shonda and Marshall and their love for each other. They were starting a new life as husband and wife. It was a time for celebration, not self-pity and recriminations.
Ellie enjoyed the evening, sampling too much wine and taking pictures of her beloved children.
Callie would be a bridesmaid, Lewis a groomsman.
It would be a day to behold. She paid the bill and let Turner lead her outside into the humid night, surprised to find Shonda waiting for her. “Mama? Can I talk to you?”
“Of course.” Ellie left Turner and stepped several feet away with her daughter. “Is something wrong?”
“Were you and Daddy happy together before he came back from the Navy?”
Ellie jerked her head back. “What brought this on?”
“I remember you being happy. Did I imagine it? Or is that memory real? Were you and Daddy happy together at first?”
“Of course we were. I wouldn’t have married him otherwise.”
“Marshall got really drunk at his bachelor party.”
Ellie laughed. “I’m sure he did. What’s this all about, Shonda?”
“How do I know Marshall isn’t going to be like Daddy? How do I know we’re going to make it, that we’ll always love each other as much as we do today?”
Ellie took Shonda’s hands in her own. “You don’t, sweetheart. You can’t possibly. But just because your father and I didn’t work out doesn’t mean the same thing will happen to you.”
“Marshall drinks way more than I do. More than most of his friends. I don’t want to marry a man who isn’t going to be there for me.” Her voice held a panicky edge that concerned Ellie.
“Honey, Marshall is not your father. He is not the same man.”
Shonda shook off her hands. “I know that.”
“So what is the problem? Are you getting cold feet?”
“Feels like my whole body is freezing.”
“Shonda, if you don’t want to go through with this wedding…”
Her voice trailed off, and into the silence her daughter demanded, “Then what? What happens if I’ve changed my mind?”
“Have you changed your mind because you don’t love Marshall, or because you’re afraid your life could end up like mine?”
Shonda’s lips tightened, and she shook her head. “Forget it. Just forget I said anything.” She walked away.
“Shonda,” Ellie called after her.
Shonda held up a hand, but didn’t turn around. “It’s okay, Mom. Everything’s okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Ellie watched as Shonda walked to the parking lot and got into her car. After a second or two, Turner came back to stand by her side. “Is everything all right?” he asked.
“I think so. She just has cold feet.”
Turner took her hand again. “Let’s walk for a bit,” he suggested, leading her toward a spot overlooking the waters of the Jacksonville reservoir. “It’s going to be a beautiful wedding, Ellie.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
She bumped his shoulder companionably. Shonda would get over her worries and the wedding would go off without a hitch.
Nothing could ruin this night for her, the joy she felt for her daughter and the possibilities for the future.
It was time for her to look forward. To stop looking back.
To live her life for herself, instead of for the woman she used to be.
He brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss. “I love you.”
She stopped walking and turned to him, half surprised by his words, half not.
He chuckled. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know.”
“I think I did.”
“And?”
Her heart rate picked up speed. “You know I enjoy your company, Turner. I’ve never really considered that we might become more than friends.”
“I’d like you to consider it now.” He got down on one knee, the world suddenly spinning for Ellie. “Ellie Hearst, will you marry me?”
“Turner, I…” she stammered, at a complete loss for words. Why was he doing this now, of all nights?
Did she love this man? She liked him, certainly. But love was another matter altogether. If she was being completely honest, she couldn’t believe he’d sprung this on her the night before Shonda’s wedding. “I’ll have to think about it and let you know.”
He stood. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.” He kissed the top of her head.
An image of Mac appeared in Ellie’s mind, and she closed her eyes on a sigh.