Page 26 of Return to Rosewood Beach

Vivian smiled at her daughter for a moment, her heart warming with gratitude. “I know you can help me. You’re amazing at this kind of thing. I’m so glad you’re here with me.” As soon as the words had left her mouth, she regretted saying them. Julia was only there still because she had lost her job, and Vivian didn’t want to feel happy about her daughter’s misfortune.

But Julia smiled at her and nodded. “I’m glad I’m here too. All of this is so much more important to me than my job ever was.”

Vivian placed a hand on her heart, touched by her daughter’s words. She knew how much Julia’s career mattered to her, so the fact that the family business meant even more to her meant a great deal to Vivian. For a few moments, both of them were quiet, lost in their own thoughts.

“You know,” Vivian said softly, “if you ever want to talk about what happened at your job, I’m here to listen.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Julia smiled at her and then heaved a long sigh. “Oh, it just all feels so ugly in hindsight. People here in Rosewood Beach would never do that kind of thing. People are too cutthroat in the city, always looking out for themselves.”

“What do you mean? What kind of things did they do?”

“I got lied about—there was a woman at my job back in New York who didn’t like me and told my boss things about me that weren’t true. I guess I could have been a better team player, but she took one little truth and then turned it into a whole big lie.”

Vivian nodded sympathetically. “Deceit is usually like that. The truth gets twisted. Either because people’s emotions are keeping them from seeing clearly, or because they’re being devious on purpose.”

“Yeah. I guess she was upset, but she must have known she was lying about me in this case. Anyway, my boss didn’t ask for my side of the story and I got fired. I just… I feel so betrayed on top of everything else. I thought they respected me there.”

Vivian pressed her lips together, feeling a wave of sadness for what her daughter had been through. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Don’t let it make you feel like any less of a person. After all, there could have been all kinds of other things going on that you don’t know about. Maybe it was more about budget cuts than they made it out to be. And besides, you don’t want to work for people who would treat you like that. You know your worth, and I know your worth. You want to be somewhere where your employers know it too.”

Julia smiled at her mother, and there was a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there a moment before. “Thanks, Mom. You’re right. That makes me feel better about everything.”

“I’m glad, sweetheart. You can always talk to me, you know? No matter what.”

Julia nodded and leaned forward to give her mother a hug. Vivian’s heart warmed, feeling glad that she could be strong for her daughter even while Julia was also being strong for her, supporting her in the midst of the bleak discovery of Frank’s gambling habits.

“I know, Mom. Thank you.”

“Of course. You know I’m always here for you.”

Vivian held her daughter tightly, grateful that whatever was coming next, they were in it together.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Julia stepped back from the mirror, inspecting the way she’d done her hair. It was half-up, allowing a great deal of it to toss around her shoulders. Her blue eyes blinked back at her curiously. For whatever reason, she looked strange to herself today, as if she was changing into someone else. She seldom wore her hair down, but it was more than that. There was a new kind of energy in her body that she didn’t recognize.

I guess this much upheaval will do that to a person, she thought with a wry smile.Then again, I may just be sensing my nervousness.

She was getting ready for her date with Cooper, and she’d been trying to stifle butterflies about it all day. Even though the man himself made her feel calm and at-ease, the prospect of going on a date with him filled her stomach with jitters and her mind with questions.

She stepped out of the bathroom, going to look for her mother. She was getting ready for her date in Vivian’s house, which made her feel a little as though she was in high school again. She’d moved into her old room after the funeral, and although it felt a little odd to be staying in her childhood home again, in many ways it was comforting.

It was important to her that Vivian wasn’t alone in the house while she was getting used to Frank not being there. Now that the funeral was over, Vivian had more time on her hands, and Julia didn’t want her to be spending that time alone in an empty house.

She was making her way into the kitchen when the front doorbell rang. Her stomach immediately filled with butterflies, even though one quick glance at the clock told her that Cooper wouldn’t be arriving for another half an hour.

She made her way to the front door, and as soon as she opened it, a grin appeared on her face.

“Well, well, well.” She pursed her lips as she took in the sight of Hazel and Samantha. “A couple of traveling salesmen. Can I help you?”

“Sales ladies, thank you very much.” Samantha grinned back at her, holding up a large Tupperware container. She stepped inside the house and Hazel followed her. “And what we have here is free. Cornbread muffins for Grandma.”

“Oh, that’s her favorite.” Julia’s heart was warmed by their thoughtfulness. “That’s so sweet of you both.”

“No problem at all. We love to cook and bake. And we want to make sure she has as little stress as possible in the days ahead.” Hazel smiled, but there was a troubled look in her eyes. Julia could tell that her sister was still worried about the pub’s finances, as she herself was. “We also made her this chicken casserole—I made it once before when she and Dad were over at our place for dinner, and I know she loves it.”

“Well, I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. And those muffins smell absolutely incredible.” Julia smiled at her sister and her niece. “Let’s go to the kitchen and get the casserole in the refrigerator.”

The three of them started to troop toward the kitchen, and Julia caught Hazel eyeing her with a suspicious gleam in her eyes.

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