Page 72 of Where It All Began
“Calls it the Beautification Committee,” Elvira put in.
“Just what I need. One more responsibility,” Phoebe groaned. But in Blue Moon, civic duty was the law of the land. And there was no way she’d say no to the woman who cleaned up partially digested pie on her kitchen floor.
“It’s probably going to end up like Tupperware parties. Lots of gossip and wine and appetizers,” Elvira said. “I’m joining.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound too bad. And I could use a little time away from my army of adorable assholes. I mean, I love them more than anything in this universe, but sometimes I just want to drive away and never come back.”
Hazel laughed. “I know exactly how you feel. Sign me up for this Beautification thing.”
Elvira topped off everyone’s mugs.
“Phoebs, you’re doing a great job. Your boys are wonderful people. Wonderful people with terrible haircuts, but still. You and John are doing it right.” Hazel said, sipping her coffee. She wasn’t one to wear her feelings on her sleeve, which made the words even more powerful.
“Be proud. They’re going to grow into fine men,” Elvira predicted.
Chapter Twenty-Six
2004
One of Phoebe’s “fine men” was strutting around her kitchen like a peacock on a summer afternoon. Beckett hadthe look.
Her little boy was sixteen years old and enjoying his junior year of high school. She should have seen it coming. Especially when he asked to borrow her SUV last night.
Damn that Moon Beam Parker and her teenage breasts, Phoebe cursed.
Great. Now she had to add “sanitize the backseat” to her lengthy to do list in between bookkeeping clients.
Beckett picked up the coffee pot whistling cheerfully.
“What are you doing?” Phoebe demanded.
He shrugged. “Felt like coffee this morning.”
“You don’t drink coffee. You drink hot cocoa and soda and Gatorade.”
That Pierce smirk played upon his lips. Oh, hell. Was that ahickeyon his neck?
“Does Dad need help today? I can give him a few hours before Carter takes me into town. I’m taking Moon Beam to the movies.”
She nodded, trying not to choke when he mentioned Moon Beam’s name. “That would be great.”
“Did you talk to Dad about your proposal?” Beckett asked, reaching for the pitcher of cream.
“Not yet. I want to go over it one more time.”
“Mom,” he laid a hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger. A farmer’s market in the park is a great idea, and the sooner you bring it up to Dad, the sooner we can get Mayor Nordemann to bring it up at a town meeting.”
Phoebe’s heart ached. Beckett was such a good, solid boy. He was as invested in Pierce Acres and Blue Moon as John was and for all the right reasons. He loved fiercely and dreamed big. And now her little boy was having sex. God, she wasn’t ready to go through this again. Carter at least had hidden it better. It had taken Phoebe nearly a week to pry the truth out of him.
Jackson, her baby, strolled through the door. At fourteen, he was still more boy than man. He was outgoing like she was but had an artistic side that reminded her so much of John. She’d caught him writing in notebooks this past summer. And just like his father, he’d refused to let her read anything he’d written.
At the moment, Phoebe wanted to hug him until he promised to never outgrow her.
“Morning, Ma,” he said, giving her a peck on her cheek and rummaging for fruity-o’s. Yes, she’d hang on to Jax as long as he’d let her and save him from the Moon Beam Parkers of the world.
John, dressed for a day in the fields, waltzed in next. “Morning, my brilliant wife.” He said, pressing a very non-platonic kiss on her mouth. Beckett hadn’t been the only Pierce enjoying the expression of biological urges last night.
Phoebe pointed at Beckett, her frown fierce.
