Page 12 of By Your Side
My family was chaotic, messy, and occasionally scandalous—but it worked. Mostly thanks to my grandparents, who refused to let the sins of their oldest son be passed down to the next generation. Grandpa always said he wouldn’t live in a world where his five granddaughters didn’t know each other. So, through “gentle” persuasion and a lot of stubbornness, he made sure we became a family.
I was the oldest granddaughter. Piper was next—we shared the same mother. Lucy and Cara were the same age, born to different mothers. My father was married to Lucy’s mom while cheating on her with Cara’s mom. Eliza came after. Dad left Lucy’s mom for hers, and they were still married and living in Portland. Probably pretending none of this ever happened.
Everyone in Honeybrook Hollow knew my dad was a serial cheater, but this was the kind of town that wouldn’t say it out loud unless you were new and asked the wrong question. However, people loved my grandparents and us girls, so the scandal faded into lore and eventually became a story about resilience—or at least, a testament to stubborn family bonding.
Piper was curled up on a blanket, feeding her new boyfriend, Ren, strawberries like he was royalty. But I wasn’t about to tease her. Ren was my divorce attorney; he was as tough as nails and brilliant. He was steady, loyal, kind, and precisely what Piper needed in her life. When I realized he was single, I set him up with her so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. It was in the top five of my life accomplishments as far as I was concerned. With my three kids and sticking it to Eli being the top four.
Lucy was off somewhere with her boyfriend, Spencer—Hunter’s youngest brother—probably making out behind a tree. And Cara and Eliza were by the firepit, roasting hot dogs and arguing about whether cappuccinos were acceptable at weddings or if only champagne and sparkling cider were appropriate. “Discussing” (arguing about) dumb stuff was their favorite hobby.
Two-thirds of my kids were around, too. Noah was in Portland at culinary school, probably cooking dinner for his girlfriend. Briar was in a lawn chair, scrolling with her usual vaguely offended face. Lark was under a tree nearby with a book, but she kept glancing at her sister instead of reading. The girls were acting odd. Which immediately put me on high alert.
Briar was tough, mouthy, and fiercely independent. She was also dramatic and stubborn, and I loved that about her. Lark was quiet and studious, but even more stubborn. And when the two of them were pretending not to be having a conversation, something was definitely up.
I cracked open a Diet Coke and took a long swig, watching them with narrowed eyes.
Grandma leaned in like she was about to deliver state secrets. “I saw Hunter in town the other day. He’s still as handsome as ever.”
“Oh my god.” I choked on the soda. It went up my nose and everything. “Are you serious right now?”
She handed me a napkin, entirely unbothered. “I’m just saying. You two used to be thick as thieves.”
“We still are,” I said, dabbing at my face. “He’s just?—”
“A man who shows up when you need help. Fixes things. Looks at you like you’re more than just tired bones and stubborn pride.”
I stabbed a baked bean and gave her my bestplease stop matchmakingglare. “You’re very nosy. Are you aware of that?”
“I’m old,” she said, totally unrepentant. “It’s the only hobby I have left.”
“We’re not talking about this.” I resisted the urge to tell her Hunter had asked me to dinner. She would shit a brick and then double her efforts.
“You’re both finally single at the same time.” She pushed with a wink. “Wasn’t it his birthday the other day? I heard you brought him muffins. Next year, bake them yourself. I’ll give you my grandmother’s recipe. I mean, you could do worse than a handsome man like Hunter.”
I could do worse. And I had. Exhibit A: my ex-husband.
“You heard, did you? From Eliza? The damn muffin.”
“Of course. She keeps the family abreast of all the pertinent news in town.”
“That’s it,” I declared. “Coffee Cabin has lost my business. It’s official.”
“Okay, sure, you can’t resist our mochas, and everyone knows it. All I’m trying to say is it’s time to get out there again, honey.”
“Nope. Not worth it. I’m choosing to die alone,” I said. “The plan is to adopt a few cats. One kid is already out of the house. The other two are teenagers. Piper and I have a date next week to go caftan shopping. My future is set.”
“We’ll see,” she tutted. “You just need more time.”
“Yeah. Like,allof it. All the time for the rest of my life. Men are not worth the trouble.”
“You know that’s not true. Look around this yard. Good men are everywhere.”
I rolled my eyes and shoved a forkful of beans into my mouth with extra flair.
“I’ll let it go,” Grandma said sweetly. “For now.”
I watched Briar and Lark again, narrowing my gaze. Briar was now whispering to her sister behind a strategically placed napkin. Lark looked miserable and totally guilty.
I got up and made my way over, planting myself between their chairs like a one-woman truth commission.
