Chapter 13
SATURDAY
WEARINESS EDGED ON the borders of Taylor’s mind as he raced home to get ready for tonight, but it was a good feeling of accomplishing something worthwhile.
He hoped with everything in his soul that tonight would be the best night Juniper Valley had ever seen.
At the same time, he understood that the more successful tonight was, the more likely that Chelsey wouldn’t want to leave her home.
Maybe he could convince her to at least visit the Orient with him sometime.
As Taylor dressed, he thought of the different side of Chelsey Hooper he’d seen over the last few days. She carried herself differently, like someone who was used to being in charge and directing people. At the same time, she was respectful and kind.
Did she like the same things now as she did in high school?
Yes, on the tater tot pizza and yes on chocolate—he’d seen her eating chocolate Kisses like she had a monetary investment with them.
She wore blue a lot, so it was a good bet she still liked that color.
But Taylor found himself more interested in the new sides of Chelsey Hooper.
How had the loss of her mom shaped her? Who did she date in the past and what long-term relationships had she been in?
Taylor glanced in the mirror. Should he wear the suit he’d come home in?
Or his khakis and white button-down shirt?
If he remembered correctly, Dad had a few strawberry-themed ties in his closet.
He picked the most obnoxious one with a grin.
He was going to knock Chelsey’s socks off.
He noticed she dressed in comfortable, running-type shoes and non-wrinkle shirts and slacks for work, so he assumed she’d wear something similar, only a little dressier for tonight.
“Taylor? Are you home?” Mom called from somewhere in the house. “Do you want to get some dinner before the auction?”
Taylor smoothed his hair as he made his way down the stairs from his childhood bedroom. “I’ll grab a sandwich.”
“Nice tie.” She folded her arms and looked him over. “You’re going over to help with the auction, aren’t you?”
Taylor ducked his head, but he was sure she saw his huge grin.
“Are you going to be a bachelor?”
His head shot up. “No way. And please don’t either of you Compton parents meddle tonight.”
His mom waved him off. “I’d never.”
“Yes, you would. And so would Dad. Remember prom?”
“What? It was just a few decorations.”
“You had the whole backyard lit up. The tables were loaded with food and flowers.”
“And your dates were properly impressed.”
“They were, they were.” Taylor remembered Chelsey’s reaction to the transformation of his yard. Her eyes were wide, her mouth forming a perfect O. He’d plucked a pink rose from the middle of the table and tucked it behind her ear before kissing his cheek. “You made it magical.”
His mom smiled. “You’re sweet to say that.”
They walked through the mudroom, and she opened the garage door for him. “You should bring Chelsey over for a visit before you leave town. It would be fun to have young people in my kitchen again.”
He pulled his mom into a hug. “You’re still young to me.”
“That won’t get you out of inviting Chelsey over. You two need to sit down over a good, homemade meal and talk.”
Taylor smoothed an eyebrow. “She already told me she didn’t want to talk.”
His mom patted his cheek. “Every girl wants to know she’s the most important person to the boy she’s still in love with.”
Chelsey was still in love with him? “How—”
“Moms know these things.”
Taylor gave her a deadpan look. “Sometimes moms know too much.”
“Follow your heart.” She handed Taylor a brown paper sack. “Oh, and I grabbed Chelsey’s favorite pastry to help sweeten her up.”
“Meddle much?”
She waved at him as she headed back inside. Taylor had an uneasy feeling about tonight. Should he stay home and out of the way? Was that cowardly? But Chelsey needed him, and he wanted to talk to her. Tonight might be the last time he had the opportunity. She couldn’t run from him tonight.