Waterfront Weddings (25 page)

A tear trickled down her face. “Let’s go.”

He pulled some cash out of his wallet and put it on the table then stood and held out a hand to her.

They walked slowly to his truck.

He paused before he opened the passenger door. “We’ll be okay. Right?”

She nodded. “Hope so.”

He pulled her tightly to him and inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo.

A
shley listened as Summer filled her in on the events of the weekend. “What do you think changed his mind about counseling?”

Summer shrugged. “I have no idea. Rose. His daddy’s condition. Having time to think.” She sighed. “Honestly, I don’t care who or what the catalyst was. I’m just thankful he wants to give it a try.”

Ashley had been surprised when Summer started the day by telling her something personal. Since Luke had moved to the boat, Summer had started to open up more. It was almost as if she’d been letting things build up inside her until she couldn’t help but let them out. “Me, too. I know I saw a counselor after my divorce. The thing that helped the most was for me to talk through my feelings. It sounds like that’s what y’all need, too.”

“Luke’s never been much on sharing the way he feels. I think that’s one reason why he writes songs. They help him express things he can’t say out loud in conversation.”

Ashley doodled on a pad in front of her. “He’s that way even with you? I mean, I can see that he might not be all touchy-feely with other people, but I figured it was different where you’re concerned.”

Summer chuckled. “I wish. Just getting him to say, ‘I love you,’ is a big deal. He usually says ‘Me, too,’ or something like that.” She sighed. “I
know
he loves me. But it would be nice to hear it verbalized every now and then.”

“I guess that doesn’t come easy to everyone.” Ashley couldn’t help but think of Justin. He might be the exact opposite of Luke in that regard. Justin wasn’t afraid to express himself.

“So how about you? Have you gotten over the age difference with Justin yet?”

Ashley shook her head. “It’s more than the age difference. I mean, that’s the driving force behind my uncertainty. But then there’s that awful feeling of vulnerability that goes along with letting someone into your life.”

“And you’re not ready for that?”

Ashley didn’t know if she’d ever be ready for that again. “I love spending time with Justin. But he seems like he’s ready to jump in with both feet, and I barely have a toe in the water. You know?” She sighed.

“So how did it go the other night? Did you tell him that you couldn’t see him again?”

Ashley shook her head. “Not exactly. He’d had a tough day.” She explained about Samantha and Colton. “And then he wanted to know what I thought he should do. I could tell he was implying that his decision to take on more responsibility for Colton would impact me. It’s kind of flattering that he’d even take my feelings into consideration. Except that it adds another dimension to the situation.” She sighed. “Because then I would be involved with Colton’s life, too. And then if things didn’t work out or whatever, that’s one more hurt to add to the pile.”

Summer frowned. “It still seems like a lot of excuses to me. Are you sure you’re not just looking for a reason to write him off in order to protect yourself?”

“No. At least I don’t think so.” Ashley rifled through some papers on her desk and refused to meet Summer’s gaze. Maybe her friend was right. Were the qualms she had about Justin legitimate? Or was she just scared of getting hurt again?

Justin wasn’t used to carrying around so much anxiety. But between trying to figure out what to do about Colton and trying to guess what was going on inside Ashley’s head, he was a basket case.

He’d spent Sunday afternoon talking to his parents about the situation with Samantha and Colton, and they’d been very supportive. He was supposed to talk to Samantha tonight, and he had no idea what to expect.

“I’m not going to pray for Samantha to agree to Colton living with you,” Mom had said. “Instead, I’m going to pray that the situation will work out according to God’s will.”

Justin liked that outlook. Some people might think it was crazy to have that kind of faith. But he couldn’t imagine living any other way.

He pulled up in front of the townhouse and thought about what he wanted to say. He’d decided that either way, he’d make the best out of the situation. And even if Samantha was firm in her decision for Colton to live with her mama, Justin knew he’d still get to hang out with the little boy often.

He closed the door on his pickup and walked up the sidewalk to the townhouse. He rapped on the door and waited.

The door swung open, and Samantha stood on the other side. She smiled. “Come in. But please excuse the mess.” She ushered him inside.

Boxes in various stages of being packed were piled around the living room. He stepped over two boxes labeled K
ITCHEN
and sat down on the couch. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m ready for a fresh start.” She knelt on the floor next to a bookshelf and began to stack books in a box.

“Can I ask you something?”

Samantha looked up. “Sure. What’s up?” She set down the books and looked at him with tired eyes.

Justin sighed. “I’m here about Colton. Have you told him that you’re leaving him behind?” It broke his heart to think of Colton feeling unwanted.

“Look, it wasn’t an easy decision.” Samantha picked at a loose cuticle. “But I think it’s the best one for everyone.”

“Do you see this as a permanent arrangement?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. I guess it depends on how Mama does with him.”

“So you realize that she might not be able to care for him forever?”

Samantha narrowed her eyes. “Of course I do. It’s just that. . .” She trailed off. “Carl doesn’t like Colton too much. I mean, Allison is his own flesh and blood, so he dotes on her. But Colton gets on his nerves. You know how much energy he has.”

Justin had suspected as much. “And this is your chance to get out of here and start over as a family.”

“Well, yeah.” She buried her face in her hands. “Honestly, sometimes I think it would’ve been better for all of us if I’d have given Colton up when he was born. I never feel like I give him what he needs anymore. Allison ends up getting my attention, and he has to do his own thing.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “And then I start to feel like I must be the worst mother in the world.”

Samantha had always been plagued by insecurities about her mothering skills. That was one of the reasons Justin had gotten so involved in the first place. When Colton was newborn, she’d been terrified she’d hurt him somehow. Justin had ended up doing a lot of bottle and diaper duty as a result.

“In light of that, there’s something I want you to think about.” He took a breath. “I’d like for Colton to live with me.” He leveled his gaze on her. “Permanently.”

Her eyes widened. “No way. You don’t mean that.”

He nodded. “I’m serious.”

“But he requires a lot of attention. I mean constantly. And soon he’ll be in preschool, so there’ll be all that stuff to contend with.” She narrowed her eyes. “Why would you want to do that? Don’t you think it will mess up your life?”

Justin rarely got angry. But with each word she spoke, he felt his blood boil. “I know he needs attention. And I don’t mind giving it to him. And contending with stuff like preschool and T-ball and homework wouldn’t be an imposition, because I love him and want what’s best for him.”

Samantha’s head dropped. “Sorry. I can’t fathom someone voluntarily choosing that life.”

He stood. “I know I don’t have a claim to Colton. But I want what’s best for him. If you decide that’s being raised by your mama, that’s fine. But if you think he’d be better off with me, my offer stands.” He turned to go.

Samantha walked him to the door. “Would it be just a trial basis?”

“No.” He paused in the doorway. “Colton doesn’t deserve to be some kind of guinea pig that lets me figure out if I’m ready for the responsibility. If I didn’t think I was ready on a permanent basis, I wouldn’t have offered.” He turned to go.

“Wait,” she called, following him down the sidewalk.

He turned to face her. “Yeah?”

“You’re right.” She gave him a tiny smile. “Colton would be better off with you than he would with anyone else. Even me. You’ve been there for him when no one else was.” She bit her lip. “He’d be lucky to have you.”

“No. . . I’d be lucky to have him,” Justin said.

She smiled. “Maybe you’d be lucky to have each other.”

“Then it’s settled?”

Samantha nodded. “I’ll talk to Mama about it tonight. I think she’ll be relieved. But you’ll take him to visit her, right?”

“Of course.”

“And I’ll want to see him when I come to town to see Mama.”

Justin nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.”

He waved good-bye and climbed into the truck. He’d tried to tell himself he was going to be okay no matter the outcome of the conversation with Samantha. But the relief that washed over him now told him that only one outcome would have satisfied him.

He didn’t know how it would go when Colton moved in. But he knew that with his parents’ help and lots of prayers, they’d be fine.

S
ummer tossed a rawhide chew onto Milo’s dog bed at the shop. He’d seemed depressed this morning, so she’d decided to bring him to the office.

She sat down at her desk and flipped open her planner. As she turned the page to today’s date, her heart dropped. The words Due Date written in bold jumped out at her. She shut the planner tightly and sat back in her chair.

How had she forgotten?

“Morning,” Ashley said. “You’re here early.”

Summer looked up. “I’m supposed to meet with Jennifer St. Claire tomorrow.” She shrugged. “You know how picky she is. I was trying to put together a couple of possible itineraries for her out-of-town guests.”

Ashley nodded. “Yes, being overprepared is the best bet where Jennifer is concerned.” She smiled. “Otherwise she’ll start trying to take over, and everything goes downhill from there.”

Summer managed a smile. It was silly to be so upset over a date that didn’t mean anything anymore. But telling herself that didn’t take away the sorrow.

“You okay?” Ashley asked. “You look pale. Do you think your blood sugar is low or something?”

Summer shook her head. “I probably just need some sunshine.” She turned her computer on. “I might walk down to Marion Square later on and get a little sun.” The historic square was a gathering spot for college students, tourists, and businesspeople who worked along nearby King Street. She’d spent countless hours there as a teenager, watching college boys play Frisbee or football. Now that her office was within walking distance, it was a favorite place for an outdoor lunch or quick afternoon break.

“Sounds nice. I’d offer to go, too, except that Justin is supposed to drop by around lunchtime. It’s our final meeting about the website.” She sank into her office chair. “But if you happen to stop in at Cupcake, I’d be glad for you to bring me a sample.” The little bakery across from Marion Square was one of their favorite places to go for an afternoon pickme-up.

“Of course.” Summer glanced up from her computer. “And I hope things go well with Justin.”

A shadow crossed Ashley’s pretty face. “It’s strictly business.” She shrugged. “At least mostly.”

A little before noon, Summer grabbed her purse. “I’ll be out for a little while. But I have my phone if you need me.”

Ashley nodded. “Okay.”

She headed North on King Street, lost in thought. She considered calling Luke but thought better of it. He was at work. Besides, he probably wouldn’t realize today had been her due date anyway.

“Summer,” a voice behind her called.

She turned to see Jefferson hurrying toward her. “Hi.”

He grinned as he reached her. “Sorry to sneak up on you. I went by your office, and your assistant told me where you were headed.” He chuckled. “Of course I had to really turn on the charm to get her to tell me.”

“I’ll bet. I feel certain that once you found yourself in the presence of a beautiful blond, the charm automatically turned on.”

He laughed. “You’ve got me there.”

She rolled her eyes, certain that Jefferson had laid it on thick with Ashley. Thankfully she was too suspicious to fall for any of his lines. “What did you need? You in the market for an event planner?”

“I was going to see if you wanted to grab lunch.”

She furrowed her brow. “I’m not hungry. I’m actually on my way to Blue Bicycle Books.”

“Oh. Well then, will it annoy you if I tag along?”

She wanted to be alone for a while to sort things out in her head. But if she said that, Jefferson wouldn’t leave her alone until she explained why. “I’m going to browse around the bookstore and then maybe pop over to Cupcake for a treat. I doubt that’s the way you want to spend your lunch hour.”

“You underestimate me. I happen to love books
and
cupcakes. So it’s a win-win.”

They walked in companionable silence the rest of the way.