September
ON A BRIGHT late summer afternoon, Nana came home. Mom and Dad were there to help her unpack her suitcases. “I can’t get over how clean your house is,” Mom said as Brett and I helped Nana up the front steps.
“I would hope so,” I said. “I spent hours cleaning it.”
“You? Mindy, I’m impressed.”
I just smiled and said, “Nana’s worn off on me.”
It had taken a few extra days, but I’d convinced Carly that Nana could safely return to her home. No conservatorship, no assisted living. Joss was only too happy to quit her position with Vaughan and live with Nana while attending nursing classes. “It’s great experience,” she said, “and I love your grandmother.” And of course I would be checking in on Nana frequently now that I’d be moving into Brett’s guesthouse.
That’s right: good-bye, River Junction. Good-bye, Super Fa—rt and Mucha Bucha. I was staying in West Portsmouth. True, my commute to work was going to be longer, but that was a small price to pay for living in such a beautiful place with the man of my dreams. The town had grown on me, and now that I knew where everything was, I no longer dreaded shopping at the general store.
“One more step,” Brett said. He was holding Nana’s hand while he wrapped one arm around her back. “We’ll have to build a ramp.”
Nana didn’t complain about that, because she was back in her house again. I’d never seen her look so happy. “I’m home.” She hobbled through the front door. “It looks just the way I left it.”
“And no more ladders, Mom,” Dad said. “No gardening. No mowing the lawn.”
He continued to list all of the things Nana wasn’t allowed to do, but she simply looked at me and rolled her eyes. I covered my mouth so Dad wouldn’t see me smirking. “I don’t think Nana has to worry about any of that, Dad. Maybe we’ll plant a small garden together in the spring.”
My grandmother had spent a lot of time alone, and I was ashamed of that. But it was never going to happen again. Bree and Mira were going to be right across the street in the cottage, and they were more than happy to help Nana with anything she might need in exchange for free housing. Bree was opening up her own Lit Chick business, and Mira would be helping Sorelle with the inn now that Vaughan was moving out.
Oh, right: Vaughan was moving out. After Bree, Mira, and Joss had promptly quit, she’d come crawling back to Brett. “Do you still want to buy my lease?”
He was a better person than I was, because I would’ve laughed and slammed the door in her face, villain style. But Brett had kept his cool when she’d shown up at his door. “Tell you what, Vaughan,” he’d said. “I’ll pay you a dollar.” And she’d actually taken it.
Now, as we stood in Nana’s house, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a dollar bill, and handed it to Brett. He frowned. “What’s this for?”
“I’m reimbursing you,” I said. It was my family, and my pride. I liked taking care of things myself.
Sorelle had big plans for the old inn. “You realize there is no banquet facility within thirty miles?” she said. “This would be an amazing place for weddings!”
She was right, but still. “You don’t have any experience with that.”
In reply, I got a knowing smile. Sorelle didn’t have experience with anything, but that had never stopped her from taking a job. She would be great.
I helped Nana get comfortable on the couch. Once she was settled in, I gave Mom and Dad a hug and a kiss. “Sorry, we’ve got to run.”
“That’s okay, sweetie.” Mom pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’m so proud of you, Mindy. I’ve never seen Nana so happy.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I was pretty proud of me, too. But I couldn’t dwell, because we were heading to the airport.
I hurried out the front door. Brett was waiting by his car when I came outside. “Ready?”
“I should ask you,” I said. “You have everything you need? Or do we need to stop at home?” Home. Calling it that still gave me a thrill.
“All set.” He held open the passenger’s-side door and I climbed inside.
Brett liked to drive. It was part of his chivalrous streak, and I indulged it. I could have done worse. As we headed toward the highway, I held his hand. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Same.” He kissed the back of my hand. “It’s going to be a long two weeks.”
We were making some changes in our lives because that’s what you do when you’re in love. Brett was heading to Seattle for some meetings and to clean out his condo. He was moving to West Portsmouth permanently, but he’d be traveling back and forth to Seattle as needed. “Is it going to be hard to move out for good?”
“Seattle? No. I’ve thought about buying a company plane. Then I could come and go whenever I want to.” He squeezed my hand. “It’s harder to leave you.”
I loved him.
The drive passed too quickly and then we were at the airport. He pulled into a lot and parked so we could switch spots. I waited until he’d pulled his suitcases out of the trunk before I wrapped my arms around him. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll be home before you know it, beautiful.” He kissed me sweetly on the lips. “And I got you a present so you don’t get lonely.”
Uh-oh. “It’s not alive, is it? Because Beau just started to like me, and he’ll lose his mind.”
Brett kissed my nose. “It’s not alive. I promise.”
“Will I like it?”
“I hope so.”
One more kiss, and then he left. I waited while he crossed the street, because I knew that he would turn around. He did, and I waved. Then I waited until he was inside before climbing back into the car and driving away.
It would be okay. I knew it would. I had convocation the next day at school, and then I’d be busy finishing my classroom setup. I’d missed my teacher friends, especially Lettie. I still hadn’t seen pictures of her peach bridesmaid dress. These were all things that would keep me occupied until Brett returned. But still, I missed him. That’s what it was like to find the person you couldn’t live without.
By the time I came back home, I was feeling okay. I’d have Sorelle over for dinner and we’d have a bottle of wine from the cellar. I’d almost forgotten about the gift until I entered the kitchen and saw a silver package sitting on the counter. I smiled as I opened the card. Something to keep you company. Happy first day of school.
Beau weaved himself between my legs as I tore into the package, throwing the paper to the floor. He batted at it and rolled it across the floor. Inside was a plain brown box, but I knew. I just knew. I gently lifted the lid, my heart pounding. I’d never asked Brett for anything but his love, but I must have mentioned these.
A perfect pair of canary-yellow Louboutin pumps. They were exactly what I’d wished for, and I would love them forever.