Chapter 31
Thirty-One
Whitney sat looking out the window as they drove away from Uncle Blake’s farm. It had been hard to see him so weak.
The long weekend at the lake house had started off on the right note. Dad didn’t torture Matthew like she’d feared, and by the end of the weekend, they were off fishing on their own. All-in-all, it was probably the best family trip they’d had in a long time.
Everyone unplugged and relaxed for a change.
When it was time to leave, Whitney and Matthew got on the road early. As they drove, he reached over and placed his hand on her leg. “Thank you for including me. This has been a really special trip. I love your family.”
“You fit right in. I learned a very important lesson.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“If I’m ever blessed with children, there will be a tarp involved on their first birthday party with a cake. Chloe had that cake everywhere.”
“It must feel good to squish cake in your fingers. I’ve seen pictures of that before.” Matthew raised his hand from the steering wheel, making a claw-like action. “We might have to try that.”
“Thank goodness Carina didn’t dress Chloe in that pretty outfit we bought as the placeholder gift. That would have been a total wreck.”
Traffic was light driving back home to Richmond.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed family until this weekend,” he said. “I felt part of this one.”
“I can’t imagine not having my folks around, and it’s hard to imagine you not being around too. You are quickly becoming a part of this family, and I still can’t get over Uncle Blake being the one to handle your patent and remembering it.”
“Crazy coincidence.”
“Or that six degrees of separation thing. Maybe it applies to more than just viral videos and magic engagements.”
“I was serious about coming with you to visit Uncle Blake. He deserves to have family around in this last part of his life. It was sad to know he’s out there all by himself. It’s beautiful, but with just a hired nurse to take care of him, it seems so lonely.”
“I know. I want us to make that happen. He loved you. We can clean up the apartment over the barn and stay there overnight. It’ll give us a little privacy. With the nurse living in the house now, that would be weird to stay there.”
They’d been at Matthew’s house a couple of hours when Whitney’s phone rang.
She reached to grab it from the table. “It’s Carina! I bet they’re home.” She pressed the button. The video call came up on her screen. “Hey!” She turned the phone to Matthew, who waved and said hello.
“Eyes on the road, Matthew,” Carina scolded.
“I’m not even driving. We’re in my living room.” Matthew turned to Whitney and teasingly said, “She is bossier. You’re right.”
Whitney turned the phone back on herself. “I never said that.”
“You probably did. So, what? It’s true, but you are trickier.”
“Me?” Whitney tried to look innocent. “Whatever do you mean?”
“You are a terrible actress,” Carina said. “Don’t quit your day job.” Carina bounced Chloe on her hip. “Look where we are. It’s me, and Chloe and Daddy and Allie.”
“Hi, Whitney and Matthew,” Allie waved frantically. “They love it!”
“We do! I cried,” Carina said. “I never cry. You know that. Matthew, I cannot believe you turned a painting into a whole wall right here in the house.”
William leaned into view. “I have an original Matthew McMahon. Pretty sure our property value just spiked. Thank you!”
“Hey y’all,” Whitney interjected. “I painted some of it too. I did the sky.”
“Only because I coerced her into helping, but she did rock it.”
“I really thought the sky was the best part.” Carina’s accent was heavier when she got emotional. “We love this, and it will be so special to Chloe as she grows up. I am blown away.”
“I’m so glad y’all like the surprise.”
“The best. I had to call and tell you. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Whitney. No, wait… yoga first. Tomorrow is Monday.”
“I’ll be there.”
Whitney put her phone on the console. “We did it.” She held her hand up and Matthew high-fived it, then laced his fingers through hers.
He leaned over and kissed her. “You know that painting you asked me about the first time you were in my studio?”
“Yes. The unfinished one from Maymont. The one in the park.”
“It was a very special place I shared with my dad way before I took you there. I think I know how I’m going to finish it now. You helped me finally see the big picture.”
“Am I in it?”
“Definitely.”
She swallowed a lifetime of hopes, knowing they’d just come true.
There are no rules that apply to the law of attraction. True love finds you all on its own, in its perfect time. It can happen anywhere, anytime, and often when you least expect it…
Even in the pouring rain.