Page 112 of Nashville Cowboy
“Sorry. You seemed very involved with mixing that cake batter. I’ve been standing here two whole minutes.”
“You have? I just want this to be a perfect supper.”
Contrary to the banana cream pie that was Jackson’s favorite dessert, tonight she was baking Lincoln’s favorite. Angel food cake.
“I know you do, sugar. I have something to say and it’s very difficult for me, so you have to listen to me carefully.”
Eve stopped the mixer and turned to give Mima her full attention.
Please.
No more bad news.
She took a breath and steeled herself. “What is it?”
Mima took a deep breath. “I want you to go to Nashville with my Jackson.”
Eve snorted. “What?”
“Youhaveto go with him, sugar. Show him what you’re willing to give up for him, and he won’t ask you to do it.”
“Have you been talkin’ to my mother? I’m stayin’ right here. My mother needs me even if you don’t anymore. And Annabeth needs me. Next month she’s going to an Indie music festival and I’m coverin’ for her like she just did for me. Relationships are about compromise. And I live here, not in Nashville. Idon’twant to live there.”
“But you love him!” Mima said. “Maybe y’all could live half the year here, half the year in Nashville.”
“That wouldn’t work, either.” She turned the mixer back on.
Mima tossed her hands up and yelled over the raucous noise. “Young people! I broke my arm and been breaking my back to get you two back together and fix the foolish mistakes of youth. But you need to work with me here!”
Just then a truck pulled up outside and Eve wiped her hands on a dishtowel. Finally, she’d have someone to truly confide in. Someone who would understand. But not tonight. She’d save all her tears and angst for tomorrow. Tonight would be a coming home celebration.
Eve, Mima, and Daisy fought to get to be the first to hug the returning Carver newlyweds.
Chapter 37
“San Francisco is so beautiful,” Sadie continued, taking another bite of angel food cake. “We went to Alcatraz Island and took the audio tour, ate the best seafood I’ve ever had in my life, and we even went on a ghost tour in an old Victorian neighborhood.”
The farmhouse table was crowded tonight with the entire family. Jackson sat next to Eve, occasionally reaching for her hand under the table. Hank and Brenda had joined them, and they were seated next to each other.
“Eve, this feast is delicious,” Mima said. “You’ve absolutely outdone yourself tonight.”
“You have,” Brenda said. “Bravo.”
Hank quietly smiled and nodded his agreement while everyone else added their approval to the mix.
“Best damn meal I’ve probably ever had.” Jackson pushed back his chair and stood. “Eve? Need to talk to you. Outside.”
“Not this again,” Daisy said.
“Hush now.” Mima patted Daisy’s arm.
Choosing not to look at anyone, Eve rose, dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, and followed Jackson outside. She wasn’t frightened like she’d been almost a month ago. And to her, Jackson had never been someone to fear. She’d been afraid of his intense anger for her and for good reason. For a long time, she’d associated intense anger with physical pain.
But now, her heart ached. Just like it had on her wedding day when she’d had to let him go.
Jackson braced his arms on the wooden fence of the deck and looked out at the sun cresting the hill, a splash of orange and red. There was nothing more beautiful than a sunset in Hill Country.
“I bet they don’t have sunsets like this in Nashville.”
