Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Kara walked into the kitchen from the back screened-in porch with a basket full of blooms. “I think this should do it. The tables and chairs are set on the porch with linens, votives, and flowers in case anyone wants to sit outside.” She set the basket on the counter.
“I just have to find a few more jars or vases for these, and we should be set.”
“Check the hutch and the pantry,” Dahlia said.
“Great.” She opened the weathered green door. “How about this one?” Kara held up her gran’s blue and white vase.
“Perfect,” she said with a quiet voice. A piece of Gran and Pop would be with them today.
“I still can’t believe Daisy surprised you with that portrait of Lil and that it came in time,” Kara said, filling the vase with water.
“I know, it’s pretty great. She’s pretty great. I wish she were here,” Dahlia said, feeling her heart shrink like a raisin.
“We’ll take lots of video for her,” Kara said, looking over her shoulder.
“I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come last night. It was so nice to have an extra set of hands this morning.”
“Happy to, but are you sure loverboy didn’t mind?”
“Gosh, no. He did his own thing. Plus, I needed some girl time. It was fun to have a sleepover, just like the old days when we took turns sleeping in each other’s rooms. By the way, thanks for the advice on the job situation.” She grabbed her hand. “I desperately needed a sounding board.”
“Did you decide anything?” Kara asked, putting her hair in a ponytail.
“No. What if I let go of this job in Charleston and things fall apart?” Dahlia leaned over the counter, her palms holding up her head.
“Well, no one can tell the future. But you two are solid. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t at least give this a fair shot.”
“Anyone home?” A sexy echo came from the hallway.
Dahlia looked wide-eyed at Kara and mouthed. “Do you think he heard?”
Kara shrugged.
“Hot food coming through,” he said, balancing three big trays. “Where do you want it?”
“The bar is good,” Dahlia said, moving the basket of flowers to the sink.
“I can help,” Kara said.
“Cool, I just have a few more trays and sternos. They’re in my back seat.”
“Right-o,” Kara said.
Dahlia leaned up and gave Noah a well-earned kiss. “Thanks for picking all of this up. The lemon chicken smells incredible,” she said, eyeballing the food. “Will Gretchen come by later?”
“She’s hoping. Sundays are unpredictable, though,” he said, walking backward toward the front door again.
“These aromas are making my mouth water,” Kara said, carrying a tray and an insulated bag of goodies. “I think Tony and I are going to have to make a special trip to Shelter Island.”
“You’ll love it. The Hive has a great vibe.
And you haven’t met Gretchen yet, but I think you’ll hit it off.
” Dahlia smiled, pulling out the plates.
She could see them all being good friends.
She was in awe of how far she’d come since arriving in Southold just four weeks prior. “Hopefully she’ll come by later.”
“This is the last of it,” Noah said, setting the food down. “The place looks great. You two have really worked your magic in the last twenty-four hours.”
“Girl power.” Kara cackled.
“Lil’s painting makes this place come alive. It’s like the place was sleeping before, and now it’s awake.”
Dahlia leaned into him, and they both gazed at the wall in awe. “I love that.”
“Yeah, me too,” Kara said, her eyes wet. “Geez, Noah Sterling, who knew you were so poetic.”
Kara was in the shower, Noah had gone home to get changed, and Dahlia was washing the last of the dishes.
The cooler morning temperatures gave way to a stickiness comparable to a hot summer day in the south.
The breeze from the bay gave just enough relief, but Dahlia was now questioning whether everyone would melt without air conditioning.
Dahlia was scrubbing the pan with vigor when she heard the front door creak and footsteps in the hallway. “Ugh,” she said under her breath. She wasn’t ready for guests. With the sink water running, she yelled, “You’re early!”
“I should hope so,” a youthful voice said.
Dahlia’s nose tingled, and tears flooded her eyes.
She knew exactly who it was. She threw the sponge into the sink and turned around.
Heat radiated through her chest, and her heart skipped more than a few beats.
Her cup runneth over, as Lil would say. She hugged Daisy with all her might and then pulled back, holding her arms. “What on earth are you doing here?” Dahlia asked with a permanent wide grin.
One that could only come from a surprise visit from your only child.
One you hadn’t seen in months. “Are you eating? You look thin.”
“Noah booked me a flight. And yes, I’m eating very well. None of that processed crap anymore.” She looked around. “Wow, this place looks so … colorful.”
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, Mom, it is. Aunt Lil would love it.” Daisy’s eyes widened in shock at her own words. “Gosh, I don’t even know what to call her now.”
“Yeah, it’s going to take some getting used to. Baby steps are good.” She hugged her again. “I still can’t believe you’re here. But wait—Noah flew you out?” Dahlia’s voice rose to a bright and perky level.
“Kara gave him my number,” Daisy said, pulling off her backpack.
“She knew you were coming?”
“No, it was a secret. If she knew, she’d surely tell you.” Daisy raised her brows playfully. “I couldn’t take that chance. I think he made something up about following up about the portrait.”
Dahlia stood there with an inward gaze. She couldn’t believe he would do that for her. For them.
“Mom, I’m so sorry.” Daisy pursed her lips together with a watery gaze. “I want you to be happy, and he’s clearly crazy about you.”
She cupped Daisy’s freckled, round face. “Oh, Daisy girl, don’t worry about any of that. I’m just so happy you’re here. Let me look at you.” Dahlia twirled her like when she was little. “This is the best gift ever.”
“I’ve held off from making this speech long enough,” Dahlia said nearly two hours later, leaning against the hallway wall.
“Who’s Gretchen talking to?” Kara asked.
“Penny, the producer who told me about Gene.”
“Ah, could there be a love connection happening over there? They look pretty cozy.” Kara playfully nudged her arm. “Maybe this house has special ‘love’ powers to bring people together.”
“You know what? Now that I think about it, I bet Lil is up there playing matchmaker.” Dahlia’s smile grew as she glanced over at her picture and the wall behind it.
It all sounded crazy, but was it? Lil being up there being a champion for love made perfect sense.
She felt a soft tickle of a breeze on her neck.
Goosebumps ran along her legs, and she could only come to one conclusion. Lil was there.
“It’s time.” Dahlia looked at Kara, then at Daisy sitting on the arm of the sofa.
“You got this, girl.” Kara squeezed her hand.
Dahlia blew out a long breath, watching Harry settle beside her.
“Can I have your attention?” The conversation began to lighten, and the room full of strangers suddenly felt familiar.
She saw Hank and his wife Jean, Lil’s friends from the garden club, and her students, ranging in age from twenty-two to almost fifty.
She saw the man she loved, leaning against the door frame, gazing at her.
The tension left her body as she scanned the room.
It was a stark contrast to when she first arrived, and the house was cold, stale, and lonely.
“Shh, everyone, let Dahlia speak.” Hank, Lil’s former handyman, hollered, which was followed by a whistle from Daisy.
All eyes were on her as she stood in the hallway.
Dahlia’s heart raced as she pulled the crinkled piece of paper from her pocket.
“I want to thank you all for coming. As I look out at your faces, I can’t help but feel tickled that the reason we all came together was for Lil.
As friends and students, you all knew how special she was, but there was so much more to Lil than met the eye.
” Dahlia heard the front door creak open.
She glanced to her left and saw a tall, dapper, white-haired man dressed in a beige linen suit with a cane shuffle in. It was Gene. Dahlia’s heart swelled; at that moment, she felt complete. She hadn’t realized how lonely she’d been for never letting anyone in.
Gene smiled, nodding graciously for her to continue.
Dahlia wiped her eyes and smiled back at her grandfather.
She couldn’t believe he came. Yes, part of her initially feared his arrival, knowing she would eventually come to need him in her life.
And loving family meant losing them. But she was no longer scared.