Julia's Journey (A Coming Home Again Novel Book 2) (20 page)

Ana rolls her eyes and says, “They’re famous models.” She
looks over at us. “I must say, you two are a lot more gorgeous in person. I
don’t know why magazines ads want models to look so emaciated.”

“Leave the customers be, Ana. Where’s Jake?” Leah hands her
friend a glass of tea while cradling the baby with one arm. You can tell she is
a baby pro.

She sighs dramatically. “He’s outside with your husband,
checking out that massive RV like they are in love with it. Now I guarantee the
fever is
gonna
set in, and there won’t be anything we
can do about it.” She huffs out.

“Did Jake settle in his office yet?” Leah asks her. It seems
like another personal conversation, so I sit here and listen anyway. I love the
comforting banter of their southern voices—although Leah’s twang seems to be
more rubbed on due to time and not born with it.

“Yep.
He took Crowley’s old one and they are putting Matt in
Crowley’s grandma’s office.”

Leah looks over at me and politely fills me in. “My husband
owns a small law firm across the street.”

“He keeps shipping his friends in to work with him, but I’m
not complaining. That’s how I met my husband.” Ana smiles at this and I do too.

Greyson leans over and whispers in my ear. “She’s as prissy
as you.”

Ana takes a sip of her tea and tells me, “You have to come
next door and let me play dress up with you.”

I wasn’t expecting that. The uneasiness must show on my
face, because Leah tries to clarify this, too. “Ana owns the designer clothing
boutique next door. Please agree to let her, that way she might leave me alone
for a while.”

Ana pipes in. “It
ain’t
my fault.
I’m five foot nothing. I need long legs to get the right impression of my
designs.”

“Sounds fun,” I agree. And it does. I could use a
distraction.

“Sounds like torture to me,” Greyson whines as he finishes
up the muffin.

“I can call Crowley and have him show you a country boy good
time, while Ana and Julia play dress up,” Leah offers as she clears our dishes.

“Oh that sounds perfect,” I answer for him.

He fishes out his wallet and says, “All right.”

By the time he pays and gets back from the restroom, an
antique pick-up truck pulls up with Crowley driving. The back of the truck is
loaded down with a bunch of towhead kids. Greyson breaks out in a grin and
heads out the door after muttering a quick goodbye in my direction. I watch as
he pulls his hat on backwards and
launches
himself
over the side and into the back of the truck, then they drive off. I sure hope
they return him.

“Let’s go,” Ana says with a grin of her own.

“Just let me go check on my dog first,” I say. I hate
leaving
Fifi
alone.

Ana follows me over without me asking. I check on my little
fur ball and Ana pulls her out of the carrier without permission. I don’t care
though. Her directness is fun.

She loves on
Fifi
for a few
minutes while she checks out our trip collage on the fridge. “You two look like
you have been on one grand adventure.”

“That we have.” A smile pulls at my lips as I scan the
pictures. One of my favorites is a selfie I snapped of us under that apple tree
in Georgia. That was such a peaceful day. I’m looking at the camera and Greyson
is looking over at me thoughtfully.

“Grab the carrier and we’ll bring this precious girl over to
the shop,” Ana says, bringing me back to the now.

I do as she says and we set into dressing me up for a better
part of the day, after we swing back in and pick up little Isabella from Leah.
Ana has an assistant grab us turkey wraps from Lulu’s for lunch and we just
keep going through her beautiful clothes.

“You’re a size two,” she states.

“For now,” I answer. “Do you think I can grab a few size
fours, also?” I ask hesitantly.

“I think size four would be better suited for your height
and frame,” she comments as she looks me over.

I scan over my body in the mirrors. “You think?”

“Absolutely.
You and Leah are around the same height. She’s a size ten
and
look
at how fabulous she looks.”

“She does,” I agree. I could never think to allow a size
ten, but Leah is so graceful and slim. It makes me wonder what I
really
look like. I don’t think the
mirror tells me the same story it tells others that look at me. I press my
hands to my upper sides and feel the ribs protruding. No, there’s no way I’m
seeing clearly.

The day has been such fun, and I end up purchasing five bags
of new clothing. I can just see Greyson’s eye roll now. Giving
Fifi
sugar, aka kisses and hugs, before placing her and the
bags in the cool RV, I skip back into the café.

I spot a little gray-haired lady with a baby in her arms at
one of the tables. The baby has white curls and I have no doubt this baby
belongs to Leah. The little lady looks up at me as though she know who I am.
“Hey, sweetheart.
Come have a seat with us.”

She is just the sweetest looking woman, so I give no thought
about joining her. I think Greyson’s friend-making skill is rubbing off on me.
I feel so at ease with all these people here.

“You’re Lulu,” I say proudly.

“You’re Julia,” she says back, and we both laugh.

Leah brings me a glass of tea and places a kiss on the
baby’s head before hustling back to the kitchen.

I look around and notice the place is empty of customers.
“Where’s everyone at?”

“It’s past closing time. They’ll be back tomorrow,” Lulu
assures me.

I find this odd because it’s only three in the afternoon.
To each their own,
I guess.

“So you babysit while Leah runs the café?” I make small
talk, hoping Greyson will get back soon. It’s the longest we’ve been apart in
months. I already find myself missing him.

“We take turns.
actually
. We split
the work week. It’s important for this little one and the others to have their
mommy time.” Lulu places a kiss on the baby’s cheek.

I look away. “I wouldn’t know about any of that. I was
raised by nannies and more or less raised myself.” I fiddle with a piece of ice
in my glass. “I don’t think I did a very good job.” I’m shocked to find myself
confessing to this stranger, who doesn’t feel like a stranger at all.

“Looks to me you turned out just fine,” she says as she pats
my hand.

“Looks can be deceiving.” I try to force a smile, but my
lips refuse.

“Oh, I just bet God has blessed you greatly.”

I don’t disagree with that, but say, “I don’t think God
likes me very much.” I think back over all of my choices—drugs, alcohol and men
in excess. I feel right ashamed.

“I guarantee there’s times God don’t like me very much
either,” she says as she bounces the baby on her knee and hands her a little
rattle toy. “But don’t ever doubt the fact that He always loves you.”

I keep my focus on the little girl as I mumble, “I’m not so
sure about that.”

“Who’s someone you love more than anything?” Lulu asks.

“My little sister,” I answer without hesitation.

“Well, I just bet there are times you don’t like her very
much, but you’ve never stopped loving her. Have you?”

“True. She deserves the best life possible.” I feel my eyes
prick with tears and try to think of a way to change the subject.

Lulu pipes back in before I can find one. “That’s exactly
what God wants for you too, sweetheart. Close your eyes for me and think of the
one thing that makes you completely happy.”

I do as she says and an image of Greyson under that apple
tree appears instantly, finally making me smile. It surprises me. I open my
eyes and look over at this wise little lady.

She smiles back at me and says, “That image is a treasure
from God. Now I suggest you seek it with all your heart and never let go.”

The front door opens and our little conversation concludes.
I look over and see Crowley walking in with an army of children following
behind him. They all say a polite hello before scurrying to go help their mom
close up. I look back nervously for Greyson.

“Your feller went to change.
He sort of
fell into the river.
He’ll be over in a minute,” Crowley says with a
grin that lights up his whole face.

“You best be treating your company nice. Please tell me you
did not push that boy in the river, Crowley Mason,” Lulu says sternly, causing
me and this guy to laugh at her.

He pulls his baby girl into his arms and plants kisses all
over her chubby face, causing her to squeal. “I didn’t push him in. Your
grandson did.” He nods his head toward the tallest boy.

“CJ, that
ain’t
polite, young
man.” Lulu scolds him, but there’s laughter in her voice.

“Daddy dared me.” CJ points his finger towards his daddy and
we all laugh.

“Greyson was leaning over the side of the dock, looking at a
fish Jessup just caught. It was too tempting.” Crowley laughs. “Don’t worry,
Lulu. The rest of the time we were perfect heathens... I mean
angels
.”

Lulu reaches over and pops him on the arm. I have to admit,
I’m falling in love with these people.

“The guy seemed pleased with it. He swam around and even
jumped off the tree rope several times, Ma Lu,” another boy answers.

“I believe you, JC,” she says as she gets up and wanders
into the kitchen.

Greyson finally comes through the door. I feel like I can
breathe again. He smiles over at me, but goes directly for the baby.

“Hand her over and I’ll forgive you for having your boy
shove me in the river,” he advises Crowley.

Crowley hands her over with a smile and Greyson introduces
himself. “Hello there, little lady. It’s nice to meet you.” She grabs his nose
and
gurgles
some response. He sits down with her and
sets out in a conversation with her. The other kids occasionally come over to
talk with him about something during the next stretch of time. No one seems to
be in a hurry to conclude the day at the café. I like how it’s all so laidback.

Greyson Stone is just something else to watch, I must say.
They all act like he’s their dearest buddy. The twin girls bring him a tea and
a leftover sandwich. He happily teases them about him catching more fish. They
tease right back, saying they didn’t want to show off. All I can do is just sit
in amazement at this scene.

A little guy who I’m guessing is around the preschool age
perches himself on the seat beside me, stealing my attention instantly. He has
a white mop of curls like his mom and gorgeous eyes just like his daddy’s. He
keeps smiling up at me without saying a word.

“Hey there,” I say warmly.

He just keeps grinning. Leah walks back out of the kitchen
and smiles over at him. “Gabe, have you made a new friend?”

He keeps on smiling and nods his head. I can’t help myself,
so I give in and run my fingers through his soft curls.

“Don’t go stealing my woman,” Greyson says with a grin and
winks over at me.

This challenge causes the little guy to reach over and grab
my hand. We all let out a rowdy chuckle at his boldness.

“Enough flirting with our new friend.
How about we head home and go swimming?” Leah suggests, and
the entire Mason bunch enthusiastically heads to the door.

“You remember the way to the house, right?” Crowley asks
Greyson.

“Yep.”

“Well, come on then. You can help me clean the fish while
the rest swim.”

We all head out after this. Greyson maneuvers the RV down
this country road and turns into a place called Big Oaks Plantation.

“This is their house?” I ask, surprised.

“Oh yeah.
Wait till you see the place. It’s incredible,” Greyson
says, and boy is he not kidding.

The RV creeps down this long drive that is lined with
ancient oak trees and leads us to a glorious three-story white plantation home.
I would have never guessed these down-to-earth people live in such a grand
place. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

“It makes sense for them to have such a big place with that
whole bustle of children. Can you imagine?” I say in awe as Greyson pulls
behind the mansion. I’m stunned silent again when the back of the place opens
up to the river. I tear my eyes from that and spot a giant pool underneath a
charming veranda. These people have it going on.

“They’re a fun bunch. You should have seen those kids
teaching me how to fish. They all have their own poles and everything.” Greyson
is just smiling away, and I see the longing in his gaze as he watches the Mason
crew rush over to us. They pop in the back and all start talking at once.
Little Gabe climbs in my lap, and I find myself choking up over the sweetness
of it all.