Page 24 of Starting Over with You
I am free.
Sadie moves her hand into mine as Missy squeezes my other, and I don’t even recognize my voice when I ask, “Am I crazy for being thankful it all happened?” I’m met with silence, both their gazes on my face as they watch the tears spill down my cheeks. When they don’t answer, I continue. “I hate him for what he did to me, but I’m happy with how it ended. I stood my ground, I protected my boys and set them up for life. Yeah, it was at the cost of years of my life and happiness, but I still have my boys, and I have tomorrow to make it whatever I want it to be.”
“You have us,” Sadie adds.
“And you’re not crazy. You’re incredible,” Missy tells me, her voice thick with emotion. “And he didn’t deserve you.”
People always assume it was hard not having a mom growing up, but I didn’t need one, not when I had Missy and Sadie.
Sadie lets go of my hand and slaps hers together, the echo getting lost in the trees and valley before she yells, “Now, let’s go party!”
CHAPTER
NINE
Dean
Most days, I love living in a small town. Everyone knows everyone. When someone is in trouble, people step up to help, and I hardly ever pay for a coffee.
I tip my chin toward the table where the Belles sit in the middle of Noelle’s Nibbles, the town’s local coffee shop. Not only does Noelle, the owner, make sick-ass treats, she also makes the best coffee. Plus, it looks like Santa’s reindeer took a huge jolly dump in this place. It’s the middle of summer, yet I feel like I’m going to step outside and it’ll be snowing. That’s how good the ambiance and tasty treats that Noelle creates make you feel.
The Belles—Kitty Winthrop, Fable’s granny; Jett’s great-grandma, Bea; his grandma, Hazel; and his momma, Maggie—all sit together with a treat and a tea in front of them. I could tease them for being out past their bedtimes, but they did just buy me a coffee, so I’ll let them be. Noelle sends me a bright grin that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I’ve known Noelle for a long time. Like everyone else, we grew up together, and after her parents passedten years ago, I’ve tried to look after her. One glance and I know something is up.
I lean in, hoping no one hears me as I ask, “You okay there, Noelle?”
She nods, but that smile she sends me is only a mask. “Yeah, just tired.” She leans in. “Big Seb got a bit lost last night.”
I draw in my brows. “What? Why didn’t you call?”
Noelle lives on a small plot of land between the Reindeer Rumpus Ranch and the mountains. Her parents’ house, now hers, is basically in Sebastian Lawson’s backyard. Her daddy and Big Seb were best friends, and when she lost both her parents, she moved in to her family home. Big Seb is a force to be reckoned with, a huge personality and a loving but stern man. Unfortunately, his mind isn’t what it used to be. He’s got early-onset dementia.
My voice is lower as I lean in even closer. Big Seb doesn’t want anyone knowing the truth. Thinks it’ll ruin his business and doesn’t want people feeling sorry for him. “I talked to Little Seb last week. He said things are finally settled, and he’ll be coming into town next week.”
Noelle’s eyes widen a bit, and her cheeks turn bright red. She has had a huge crush on Little Seb since we were kids, and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason she hasn’t ever had a relationship.
Can’t judge her.Same, sister.
We’re two like souls in that matter.
“Big Seb didn’t tell me that, but he was real off last night.”
I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “Call me.”
She nods, her eyes full of gratitude. “I will.”
I give her a wink that has her giggling, and I grin back. I know the effect I have on women, especially when I’m clean-shaven with only my lip sweater on display. I turn to look over my shoulder, and I see Bea eyeing me. Her eyes are full of appreciation and trouble. She’s pushing ninety and still a damn menace.
“I tell you what, Dean Moore. I don’t know how you fight fires in those tight little cargo pants.”
I snort at that, shaking my head as the whole shop breaks out inlaughter. I’m not embarrassed, though. No, I know she’s only picking at me. “What do you expect? All that working out I did with Jett has me packing two hams in these pants.”
More laughter ensues, and I take it as a win when her face matches her bright-pink hair. Bea winks, and I flash her a wicked grin as I hold up my cup to thank her. But then Hazel says, “Well, when you split ’em, you know who to come to.”
Her words are teasing, but she’s undressing me with those eyes of hers. Little cougar. I smile graciously. “Yes, ma’am. I do.”
The Belles all shoot me man-eating grins that sweet older ladies shouldn’t have. “I tell you what, it’s a crime no one has locked you down,” Hazel announces, and I snort.
“Ha! You all know I’ve got my hands full.”
