Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Audrey stared down at her carefully organized suitcase, frowning and running through lists in her brain.
“I have all my toiletries,” she muttered.
“And enough clothes. And makeup. And money. And a notebook. And my laptop. And sunglasses in case we go walking. And a winter hat. And an extra pair of gloves. And perfume. And sunscreen in case we go walking. And an eye mask in case I have trouble sleeping. And vitamins.”
She shook her head, feeling a little frazzled but mostly thrilled.
She’d been preparing for her trip with her mother all day, making reservations in Boston and packing her suitcase.
Since they’d made the decision to go to the business conference so last-minute, there was a lot to do all at once, and it was a little overwhelming.
Still, she always liked traveling, so she enjoyed making the preparations.
I feel a little daunted by the idea of a business conference, she thought as she zipped up her suitcase and lifted it off her bed.
She would still have to put more items into it right before they left—such as her toothbrush, which she still needed—but for the most part, she was finished packing.
She set her suitcase down next to the armchair that rested in front of the fireplace in her room.
I haven’t been running a business for all that long, and I do feel a little like an imposter.
But hopefully this conference will make me feel less like one.
She smiled, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of going to the conference with Elaine. She’d packed all her most elegant business clothes, and she was looking forward to dressing up and learning more things that could benefit The Birchwood House.
She glanced at her watch and let out a little squeal.
She’d gotten so wrapped up in preparing for her trip that she’d lost track of time.
She needed to leave in just ten minutes for her date night dinner with Evan at Brasserie Belle.
She was still wearing sweatpants and an old sweatshirt with rabbits printed on it!
She changed in a flurry, slipping into a black dress with long sleeves, black ankle boots, and a long burgundy sweater-vest. She threw on a silver necklace and hurriedly applied lipstick and a little blush. She stepped back from her mirror, turning from side to side, and sighed with triumph.
I look great, she thought. Phew. Time to go.
She put on her coat, hat, and gloves and grabbed her purse.
As she made her way downstairs, she could hear the sound of guests talking and laughing in the parlor, and she had a feeling that Puddle was entertaining the guests again.
She grinned, thinking to herself that she was loving the little dog more with every passing day.
She slipped out the front door and made her way to her car.
She didn’t have time to walk to the restaurant anymore, and it was too cold outside for that anyway.
As she drove, she heard her stomach growl loudly.
She was famished after her long day of preparing for the trip, and she was eager for a glass of wine and some gourmet French cuisine.
She stepped inside the restaurant and saw Evan sitting at a table across the dining room. She made her way toward him, thinking to herself that he looked incredibly handsome in his gray suit and navy tie. As soon as he saw her, he stood up with a huge smile on his face.
“Hi, sweetheart,” he said, kissing her when she reached his side. “You look beautiful.”
“Hi. You look very dashing tonight yourself.”
He chuckled. “I wanted to make a lasting impression on your memory before you go off on your adventure,” he teased. “That way you have an incentive to come back.”
She laughed and patted his cheek. “I couldn’t imagine not coming home to you. Even if you weren’t this heart-throbbingly handsome.”
They sat down across from each other, and she noted with delight that he’d already ordered her a glass of Sauvignon blanc. She took a sip, reveling in the fresh, heady taste.
“How are preparations for the trip going?” he asked.
“We only just found out about it, what makes you think I’m preparing already?” she said, cocking a brow.
He gave her a knowing grin. “I know you too well to think that you haven’t gotten a head start on putting things in order. Besides, you get a certain look when you’ve just spent hours brainstorming and accomplishing things. You have that look right now.”
Her heart warmed, and she felt a surge of gratitude for the fact that he knew her so well. She laughed. “You’re right—guilty as charged. I spent the whole day packing and making reservations and planning. We should be just about all set, but it was a bit of an overwhelming day.”
“I’m sure you handled it beautifully,” he said.
She smiled at him, her mind drifting to the way she’d felt not that long ago, when she’d first gotten divorced and she’d felt scared and anchorless. She hadn’t known what her life was going to look like, and she’d been afraid of feeling alone and unhappy.
I can hardly believe things turned out as well as they did, she thought with a happy sigh. Things could be so different right now, but they didn’t turn out the way I feared. I’m so glad I had the courage to move forward and take risks.
“What are you thinking about?” Evan asked her with a smile.
She reached across the table and took his hand.
“I can hardly believe that not long ago I was trying to figure out what to do with my life as a newly divorced woman. And now I’m going to a conference because the business that I started with my mom and daughter is booming!
After I got divorced, I expected to struggle.
And I did struggle, but I succeeded too.
It feels so good knowing that I was able to pick myself up and move forward with my life. ”
Evan squeezed her hand and looked warmly into her eyes.
“I’m so proud of you, Audrey,” he told her.
“You’ve fought for your future like a warrior every step of the way.
You had the gumption to make a life for yourself after heartbreak, right when most people would have kept their hearts closed off to new and risky things. ”
“My heart did try to stay closed,” she said, shaking her head. “When we first started dating, I was so anxious. I tried not to be, but it was like my body was scared no matter what I told my brain. But I pushed through it, and I’m so glad I did.”
“See? That’s what I mean about you being a warrior.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “I’m so grateful you were willing to take a risk on us.”
“A risk that has paid off more than I ever could have dreamed.” She nuzzled her nose against his before pulling back to meet his eyes.
“And it’s all been getting easier one step at a time.
I don’t know what I would have done without you, or Michelle, or my mom, though.
Getting through hardship without a good community is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
” Her expression clouded as she thought about Penelope, who was going through the dark journey of divorce.
She wanted to be there for her friend in the ways that Elaine and Michelle had been there for her, but she worried that Penelope was keeping everyone at arm’s length.
“What’s the matter?” Evan asked, noticing the shift in her expression almost immediately.
She smiled at him reassuringly. “I’m okay—I’m just thinking of Penelope. She’s going through her divorce right now, and I just want to make sure that she has the support she needs.” She shuddered. “Divorce is an awful thing to go through. I hope that Penelope can find hope in all this.”
“I’m sure she’ll be all right. She’s got you and Harper and Michelle to support her. You three are steadfast and encouraging. And you’re especially equipped to help her right now, since you know what she’s going through. I’m sure you’re going to be a huge help to her.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. You’re right—I’m just worried that she’s going to stay closed off and not let us care for her in the ways we’re hoping to.
Back before she made the decision to divorce Robert, she hardly talked to me.
I’m worried that whenever she’s in pain, she’s just going to retreat into herself. ”
“Well, you can’t make her decisions for her, but I’m sure if you sit down with her and tell her how much you want to be there for her during this time, she’ll listen. I know you’ll do all you can for her, and hopefully she lets you support her as much as you’re hoping to.”
Their food arrived, and they continued to talk while they ate the delicious meals.
Audrey had ordered filet mignon, and Evan had ordered cordon bleu, both of which were absolutely delicious.
They gave each other forkfuls of each other’s dinner, and Audrey vowed to order the cordon bleu the next time she was there.
“How’s the newest member of your family doing?” Evan asked with a glint in his eyes.
“Just darling.” She sighed. “I love the way she looks up at me in the morning. I would think that I’m definitely her favorite person in the whole world, but she looks at everyone that way. She’s a total sweetie pie.”
“How is she behaving? Any disasters?”
“Well, she did have an accident in the downstairs hallway, but that wasn’t too hard to clean up.
” Audrey shook her head, chuckling. “And she started gnawing on one of my shoes, so the toe got a little chewed up. But she’s learning what ‘no’ means, and so far, she’s eager to please, so it was a good teaching moment. ”
Evan laughed. “Well, that’s good. Not a favorite pair of shoes, I hope?”
“Oh, well, I did really love them, but they weren’t too expensive and I’ll just buy another pair. They’re leather ankle boots, so maybe I’ll turn the chewed pair into gardening boots.”
“There we go. You’re very resourceful.” He winked. “Are you looking forward to the trip?”
“So much!” Audrey began to gush about their itinerary and the excitement she felt about going to Boston, which was one of her favorite cities. “I know my mom and I are going to have a great time. And I’m so excited about everything we’re going to learn. Onward and upward!” She laughed.
“Onward and upward.” He lifted his wine glass. “To Puddle, the business trip, and The Birchwood House.”
“And to our relationship, and to continuing to bravely take steps forward together,” Audrey said.
Evan’s eyes started to shine when she said it, and she knew that he was just as excited about their blossoming romance as she was.