Page 30 of A Family Affair: The Vow
Was the guy serious? The frown and the dark stare said he was dead-on serious. Hadn’t Nate shared a few of Christine’s attempts in the kitchen with colorful commentary likedisasterandupset my stomach? Okay, he’d done it after a long day and maybe he’d been tired and—
“She’s a lousy cook and a worse baker.” The frowned flipped to a grin. “But I’ll take an upset stomach now and then and her refusal to never stop trying to perfect a damn muffin. I’ll take whatever she offers because it’s definitely worth it.”
Vic nodded, cleared his throat. It was way past obvious the man was knee-deep in love with his wife. What would it be like to feel that way about someone? To want to spend time with a woman even if it meant doing nothing, but doing it side by side—together? He wouldn’t know because he’d never felt that way, but there’d been that night three years ago, when he’d wondered. Nate sliced through his thoughts, straight to the person behind that night.
“You probably think she’s too good for you. She probablyisbut that doesn’t matter.”
No way was he touching that one. “Good to know.”
Nate didn’t push or poke around for more information after that. A slap on the back, a mutteredSee you laterand he was gone, leaving Vic to think about what he’d said, but most of all, what he’d left unsaid and all the spaces between his words.
17
Rae hadn’t been interested in small diners like Lina’s Café in years, opting instead for upscale restaurants and bistros that served small plates and martinis. When she first moved to Virginia, she’d been determined to fit in with the people at work, the ones who did not hang out in places that served fried eggs and coffee in plain white cups. Once she and Richard began dating, he introduced her to a whole other level of cuisine and class. The coffee must be fresh ground, the vegetables local organic, and the dinnerware must “pop.”It should complement the food and the person,he’d told her.
What did that even mean? She’d tried to question him a few times, received the you-have-a-lot-to-learn look and had stopped asking. Instead, she listened to him and bought into the belief that dressing in designer clothes, using eclectic dinnerware, and hanging out with people who were in literary book clubs would make her a better person.
The truth was, she was more interested in popular than better, and aligning herself with these principles transformed her into a selfish and self-absorbed person who didn’t have the time or the desire to consider another’s feelings or situation. She wouldn’t realize this until she lost her job and Richard dumped her. Who would have thought these would be two of the best bad situations she’d ever encounter? They forced her from her state of numb repetition, made herthinkandfeeland look at herself and what she’d become.
And who exactly was that?
A person she didn’t particularly like, that’s who...
Would anyone considerherkind, caring, and helpful the way they did Leah? Would they inquire afterherhealth and ask when she was coming back to Magdalena? Would they send get-well notes and baskets of goodies? Would they knit booties?
Probably not, but then wouldshedo anything for them if they were in a similar situation?
Probably not.
The return to Magdalena had been an eye-opener and she couldn’t pretend she wasn’t disturbed or aware that she’d have to make changes in her life or end up miserable, unhappy, and alone. The people here didn’t owe her anything, especially not kindness or concern, not when she’d never bothered to ask after any of them in all the years she’d been gone. Nor had she returned after her parents’ retirement party. She’d been so wrong to close off everyone but those who could help advance her career or improve her personal life. Leah had always told her everyone had their own story and should not be cast aside as irrelevant.The grocery store clerk has a story, too, maybe a really interesting one. Or maybe a sad one. But who knows what a kind word or a smile could do for that person?
Leah said a lot of things like that, but Rae had always blocked out her words and labeled them as time suckers and pointless. But her sister had been right. Rae had begun talking to Phyllis at Lina’s Café and once she learned there were grandchildren and the grandchildren had pets, she began inquiring after them, too. What she received in return surprised her. Smiles, laughter, and responses with thank-yous tucked inside, ones that warmed her heart and made her more comfortable to reach out.
Phyllis had a new husband named Lester who was a private investigator from Texas. But Phyllis wasn’t the only one Rae chatted with... Wanda Cummings shared her knee-replacement story and how she’d begun walking every day, a first for her. Doc Needstrom announced his plan to retire with his wife next year and move to Florida, near Rae’s parents.I heard it was the place to be. Warm, busy, welcoming.
She couldn’t remember all of the stories or all of the names of the children and grandchildren, but each day she made a point of talking to people. There were Ava and Law Carlisle who ran Sal’s Market. An unlikely couple from what she remembered but they certainly seemed perfect together, and they had a new baby. She’d run into Tess Casherdon the other day, married to one of the handsomest former bad boys in Magdalena. Tess and Cash had been through a rough time, but now they were happily married with children and a dog. If you saw them together, you could just tell they were meant-to-be. Rae had the opportunity to meet Christine Desantro at Lily’s housewarming party. Class act, ultrachic, beautiful—wife, mother, businesswoman—absolutely and totally in love with her husband. Nowthatwas an interesting story and talk about unlikely couples! Again, when you saw them together and listened to what they said to and about one another, you just knew they were destined to be together.
Destinywas a big word around here, and she could see where that word fit. Rae had run into Mimi Pendergrass, proprietor of the Heart Sent bed and breakfast and the town mayor. She remembered Mimi from years ago, with her spunk, her independence, and the ball earrings that bounced when she spoke.
Mimi approached her at Lina’s Café one Saturday morning, slid into the booth opposite Rae and reintroduced herself. Talk about energy and positivity. Rae invited Mimi to have breakfast with her and over blueberry pancakes and coffee, the woman told her about the honeymoon suite at the bed and breakfast and the lucky couples who’d used it.
She also shared the tale of the people who’d come from the city to Magdalena for one reason or another, reasons they didn’t always reveal, and ended up finding their very own destiny: Grant Richot, Adam Brandon, Grayson Westfield, Radford Keller. They were inspiring stories that made a person believe love and second chances really did exist.
Mimi’s blue eyes sparkled when she spoke of the men and women who’d found love and forever in Magdalena. “There are certainly some wonderful couples in this town, as well as others who used to live here but moved away. Still, they visit and when they’re here, it’s homecoming all over again.” Her voice shifted with emotion. “I think you’d like Nick and Delilah Borado. Now that’s a story with heartache built inside and mountains of problems, but it has the happiest ending.” Mimi proceeded to tell her all about the star-crossed couple, the secret marriage and forced divorce. The reunion years later, the undeniable attraction and the love that had never died. Oh, but there’d been a near disaster built on fear, withholding truth, and not opening one’s heart. The couple was long past that, married, happy, and talking about their future in this town. Mimi sighed, gave her a wink and a smile before she added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t start expanding the Borado name very soon.”
Mimi told her about the Bleeding Hearts Society, a group of kind-hearted souls who wanted to beautify the town and lend a hand to those in need. “There are all sorts of random acts of goodness and generosity strolling through this town throughout the year,” she said. “Soon we’ll have the Christmas drive and if you’re around for that one, you’ll witness the caring firsthand.”
Rae had no idea if she’d still be in Magdalena at Christmas. There were so many unanswered questions in her life right now, so much uncertainty... But she’d like to decorate a Christmas tree, listen to carolers, make sugar cookies, and gather with family. It had been so long since she’d been a part of that. The last several Christmases had been spent attending parties where she ate and drank too much and landed with an upset stomach and a hangover the next day.Ho ho ho.
Richard’s gifts were always over-the-top extravagant. Emerald earrings. A diamond pendant necklace. A ruby bracelet. They’d been exquisite and yet there’d been something lacking in the presentation. Yes, the foil wrapping was stunning, his smile gracious, but he appeared rushed and more interested in making sure she knew what a fine piece of jewelry the gift was, rather than how beautiful she looked wearing it or how much he had enjoyed selecting it for her.
Her mind was still on thoughts of Christmas and the town’s gift-giving generosity a few days later when Vic stepped into her office and mentioned O’Reilly’s Bar & Grille. “Any interest in checking out the Magdalena Giving Tree? It’s the main part of the Christmas Drive for needy families. Nate and Cash coordinated the event years ago and I joined in last year. There are seven or eight of us who get together and deliver gifts to families in need.”
Did the man give to everyone? “Really? How very kind.”
The dull blush crept onto his cheeks, and he shrugged. “Everybody needs a hand now and again. If you come to O’Reilly’s, you can see firsthand what it’s all about. Nick and Delilah have already set up the tree and they decorated it with cutout mittens marked with the gifts people are requesting. Most of the requests are for the kids, but Mimi does a good job of finding out what the parents might like as well. She gives us a few ideas and we add the suggestions to the tree. Christine Desantro’s got it all color-coded and charted on a spreadsheet. Very detailed and apparently much different from the early days of ‘write a name and connect it to a gift.’” He grinned, shook his head. “Or try to remember who gets what gift. It’s all mapped out thanks to Christine and Gina Reed. As for the wrapping, the Bleeding Hearts Society takes care of that.”
“I think it’s wonderful.”
