Three months and two days later
“I told you that you didn’t need to come back early for me,” Taylin said with a harrumph as she led the way to the kitchen. “I’d offer you some wine, but you’re out.”
“Out, out? Like all of it? Shit, Tay.” Jocelyn sighed as she moved around the kitchen of the home she hadn’t set foot in in months. “I need coffee anyway. It’s like one AM Russia time.”
“You got it. I’ll put on a pot now,” Taylin said, busying herself with the task.
Jocelyn hadn’t been joking with Mason when she said she was ready to move onward. They found the perfect loft in just two weeks, closed in another week—the benefit of paying cash—and moved in a week later. She’d had just enough time to put her stamp on their new place before boarding a plane halfway across the world.
They’d decided to spend a week in Iceland before traveling to Moscow. While there were many tourists, most were surprised that these countries had been the first choice for lovers, as they referred to her and Mason.
“I don’t want to talk about me,” Taylin said. “Tell me about the trip. Was it what you expected?”
“No,” Jocelyn said sternly. “I want to know why you’ve been living in my house the last ten days. Something has been going on with you for months now, and I’ve been a bad friend wrapped up in my own stuff.”
“Like hell you have. This is your story. I’ll get my own one day, and I know you’ll be there when that day comes. Now, tell me about this trip.”
Jocelyn leveled her eyes at the woman sitting across the kitchen island from her. The puffiness in her eyes was most certainly the result of days of crying, and it wasn’t a topic she could avoid any longer. But Taylin was stubborn, and trying to force her into talking wasn’t going to work.
“Fine. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” Jocelyn giggled, trying to lighten the mood.
Taylin rolled her eyes playfully, and Jocelyn was satisfied.
“It was better than anything,” Jocelyn said with a fond sigh. “I just don’t even know where to start. It was everything—beautiful, exciting, scary. Enlightening.”
“And how did you and lover boy do? Not sick of each other?”
“God no.” A tingle ran up her spine at the thought of her man.
Traveling in general could be stressful, and it wasn’t always perfect, but the imperfection made the trip. They bonded in a way she never imagined. Spending almost every waking minute together, handling the stressors that came up, the difference of opinions, had only made them a stronger couple. In her opinion at least. But she could tell that he felt the same.
“I mean, we had some things we had to work out, but it was good for us.”
“He’s a different breed for sure. Maybe I should try my hand at a younger man.”
Jocelyn raised her eyebrows at the comment. “Maybe you’re having a mid-marriage crisis? There was a point in my marriage with Cliff that he hit a rough patch. Work got to him and thinking about his purpose in life,” Jocelyn offered with hope.
“Oh yeah?” Taylin said with an eerie laugh. “During this rough patch did he have sex with men?”
“What!” Jocelyn managed, the surprise revelation knocking the wind out of her.
“Yep. I suspected he’d been cheating on me for a while, and I was right. But I never expected…” Taylin pressed her hands to her cheeks, and Jocelyn could almost see the inner battle her friend was fighting as she gathered herself together in true form. “I need a fucking distraction. I’m not ready to talk about this—think about this. Just tell me something…anything. A new gallery event? A girls’ weekend?”
Jocelyn’s heart sank in her stomach. She never in a million years would have expected this from a marriage that she thought of as strong, and it almost made her embarrassed to share her next news. But she didn’t have time to beat around the bush or wait for better timing. Rip off the damn bandage.
“How about a trip to Vegas?”
“A girls’ weekend!” Taylin squealed.
“Umm…sure, yeah.” Jocelyn winced. “And Mason…friends…some family…for a wedding,” she continued.
She stretched her left arm out, presenting the simple engagement ring on her finger, answering Taylin’s questioning look.
“You’re getting married,” Taylin said, her jaw dropping, and a twinge of regret hit Jocelyn’s heart.
“I’m…I’m…sor—” Jocelyn wanted to apologize for the poor timing, but her friend burst up from her chair.
“Are you kidding! I’m so happy for you…both of you!”
“You mean it?”
“Come on. Just because my marriage is ending doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for you. I’ve never seen you like this. You’re a new woman, and I love her too!”
“Well, then this next question should be easy. Will you be my maid of honor?”
“Yes! For a second time,” Taylin teased. “Oh. My. God.”
“What?” Jocelyn paled.
“I was thinking about how much prettier our dresses can be this time around,” she quipped.
“Hey, those were the height of fashion at the time. And besides, this wedding isn’t going to be an event like the last one. We’ve decided we want something small. Maybe twenty guests.”
“Fine. But I’m planning the bachelorette party, and this time you’re old enough to drink!”
“That devious grin on your face isn’t reassuring.”
* * * *
“Taylin is excited to plan the bachelorette party,” Jocelyn said, reaching her arm across the center console of the car, clasping hands with Mason as he drove down the interstate.
“That’s good news, I think.” He smirked with a sarcastic tone.
“You think?” She rolled her eyes at him. “And like Preston isn’t chomping at the bit to plan yours, in Vegas nonetheless?”
Mason’s lack of response was all the answer she needed. But she didn’t care; she trusted him, but it was still fun to give him a hard time. If he’s gonna dish it out, he better be able to take it, she mused.
“So, how much longer until we’re at your parents’ house?”
“Not much longer.” He winked.
It was the same response he’d given the last three times she’d asked, but the four hours they’d already spent in the car was starting to feel like an eternity of anticipation. She was eager to meet his family. Well, his parents. He’d explained that his brother Keith was stationed overseas, and his brother who lived on the coast, Levi, was going to have to wait to meet her in Las Vegas due to his work schedule.
In all honesty, it wasn’t the brothers she was most concerned about, not even his dad, but the dreaded mother-in-law to be. She was sure to have an opinion about the relationship. Even a lack of opinion still said something.
As always, Mason assured her that his family was going to love her, and she sure as hell hoped so. They’d fought so much to get where they were today; it would be nice to not have another battle.
Mason met her father when they returned home from vacation. Mason had proposed on top of a mountain somewhere in Siberia, but he promised that he would ask her father for her hand. While a traditional mindset, it wouldn’t have changed her answer. Her father was more than happy about the upcoming nuptials and graciously gave his approval. Sadly, he wasn’t well enough to travel. She’d offered to have a nurse help him Skype, so he could watch the ceremony, but he laughed it off. Technology wasn’t his friend, but she promised to bring a video for him when they got back.
“All right, it’s just down this road.” Mason squeezed her hand.
Her heart raced. “You’ve told them about us, right? Warned them?”
“Warned them?” he asked, appalled. “Of course I’ve told them about us. Babe, we’ve been over this before. It wasn’t an issue for your father, he just wants you to be happy, and it’s the same with my parents.” Mason paused as he pulled in the driveway. “We’re about to get married, so I say this with love, but you have to get over this. It’s time to let it go.”
Jocelyn swallowed the hard lump in her throat from the honest words. She did need to get over it. She’d already cared too much about what their friends thought, spent too much time crying over the struggles they’d defeated. If she went in there with low confidence, it was going to say more than her age. She wanted them to see that she was the right fit for their son, and he deserved a woman who could match his spirit.
Letting out a quick breath, she flipped her hair over her shoulder before she spoke. “You’re right. I’m ready now.”
She was rewarded with a heart-melting smile as he quickly exited the car, coming around to open her door. Slipping out of the car, she was happy she’d forgone her typical dresses for this occasion as jeans were clearly a must. Mason wasn’t kidding when he said he’d grown up in the country. The house sat on a couple acres of land, with few neighbors in the area. It was a breathtaking sight—the tall grass and flat lands surrounded by large hillsides dressed in various colors of green trees. She’d made the right decision to bring her camera.
A cool hand weaved fingers between hers and Mason led her to the door, where they were met by a welcoming committee that she assumed were his parents.
“Mom, Dad,” Mason said, letting go of her hand, greeting his family with a round of hugs.
Jocelyn hadn’t expected the embrace from the older redhead, Janet. Mother-in-law.
“It’s so nice to meet you, dear,” she said, pulling back, holding on to Jocelyn’s upper arms as she assessed her.
It was slightly intimidating, but it didn’t appear to come from a place of maliciousness, and her kind eyes helped ease Jocelyn’s anxiety.
“It’s great to meet you too. Thanks for having me.”
“Of course,” Ian said with a smile, gesturing for them to come inside.
Walking into the large, ranch-style residence, Jocelyn took a moment to study the family home. It was decorated beautifully with a rustic feel, a grand fireplace, and pictures of Mason and his brothers at various ages hung on the walls. A twinge of heartache poked at her; she missed her mother, and was perhaps a little jealous that she didn’t have siblings to experience life with. The saving grace of the poor thoughts was that with this marriage she was gaining a family, this loving family. Now she only hoped that they accepted her as easily as Mason assured her they would.
“You guys got here a lot sooner than we expected. How was the drive, son?” Ian asked.
Janet rolled her eyes at the dull conversation. “You two catch up. I’m still working on dinner. Jocelyn, I could use a hand if you’re up for it.”
“I’d love to.” Jocelyn nodded.
Mason gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before she followed the woman to the kitchen.
“Can I offer you something to drink? Water? Coffee? Or, I’m having wine.” She winked.
“That’s an offer I won’t refuse.” Jocelyn smiled warmly.
The redhead bustled around the kitchen, pulling down a glass. “I hope white is okay?”
Jocelyn nodded, and Janet poured her a hefty amount of wine before topping off her own.
“Here’s to family.” Janet raised her glass, clinking it against Jocelyn’s.
“So, what can I help with?”
“Actually, I have everything under control. I thought it would be nice for us to get to know each other. Besides, I couldn’t let you sit out there and be tortured by the conversation of those men. They’ve always been good at having healthy debates about everything.” She laughed.
“Thank you.” Jocelyn chuckled. “So…I think I’m ready for the interrogation,” she teased nervously, hoping offense was the best defense.
“Nope. Not my style. Besides, Mason’s gushed about you for months. I kind of feel like I already know you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Actually, no. I’m glad he prepared you.”
“Prepared?” Janet put her hand on her hip and shook her head before she continued. “In the middle of all the wonderful things he’s said about you, he did mention there was an age difference, but you can’t help who you love. But…is it terrible that I’m happy you’re not nineteen or twenty?” She smirked.
A lump formed in Jocelyn’s throat and emotion started to build in her eyes, but she was determined to not fall apart. The kind words and reassurance that his family was okay with everything was more than she could comprehend.
“Come here.” Janet waved her in for a hug. “I think we’re going to be good friends. He loves you, and so do we,” Janet said before releasing the embrace. “I do have one request, I guess a typical mother-in-law thing…”
“Sure?” Jocelyn asked, taking a drink of her wine.
“It would be great if I could get some grandbabies at some point.”
Jocelyn choked on her wine, trying like hell not to spit it all over the place.
“Everything okay in here?” Mason asked, entering the kitchen.
“Yes, dear,” Janet said, kissing him on the cheek. “Why don’t you show Jocelyn to your room,” the woman said as if nothing had happened.