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The spunky older lady wrapped an arm around Ava’s waist, lowered the vase to the ground with her free hand, and pulled Ava in the opposite direction of Finn’s grand exit. “It’s good to see you too, sweetie. Let’s catch up when we don’t have an audience.”
Dean stood, and together, he and Emilie helped Ava and Gail off the stage. When Ava struggled, Dean threw her over his shoulder and carried her, kicking and screaming, to a private back room, away from the crowd’s whispers. Ava’s sobs quieted to breathless whimpers. The room went eerily quiet.
Emilie and Gail led Ava to a chair where she collapsed and leaned forward, nearly toppling off the seat.
Gail grabbed her in time, grunting as she pushed Ava back in the chair. “You’re too old for this. Almost didn’t come today, but I thought something like this might happen.”
Ava lifted her head to glare at Gail. “You did? How thoughtful of you.” Her voice was thick and full of sarcasm. “I thought you gave up on me long ago.”
Emilie and Dean took a few steps back. Gail moved a chair closer to Ava and sat down.
“Well, I guess I did, too. But a mom never really gives up on their children. I was always thinking about you and hoping you’d eventually make good choices.”
Ava slumped further in her chair. “Some good choice I’ve made. Dumped at the altar. Nowhere to go.”
Gail hesitantly reached for her hand. “This is going to be hard, but it’s not like you haven’t got someone to turn to. I’ve always been here.”
That was their cue. Dean took Emilie’s arm and led her away, both ladies not even looking up as the door opened with a click.
It was quiet as they walked to the front of the hotel where they waited for their truck at valet parking. The wedding party was everywhere, laughing and talking as if nothing happened. Sharon was all smiles, graceful to anyone who walked by her.
“Emilie and Dean,” Sharon said, gripping and shaking their hands. “Thank you for coming. I’m so glad things turned out the way they did.”
Emilie’s jaw tightened as she studied the woman. “It’s good you’re concerned about everyone but your son. Even if he did do something that pleased you, don’t you know him well enough to know it was a hard decision for anyone to make? He could use your support.”
The woman’s sly smile slipped from her face, and her eyebrows knit together. A few seconds later, she fled to the nearest elevator, not even stopping as family passed her.
“You’re something special.” Dean slipped an arm around Emilie’s waist as they moved to the entrance to wait.
“I am sad for Ava, but I think it’ll be for the best.” She took his hand, sending his heart racing once again. “About what you said to me earlier…”
Fear curled around his lungs. Saying anything about marriage that early had been a mistake.
“I want to be sure how I feel before I make that commitment. I’d never want to leave you at the altar. Can we give it some time before you ask again? Every moment with you has been a gift. You make me feel safe in a house I’ve hated for so long. You make me laugh, even in the most serious, dreadful situations. You fill me with hope and make me want to stay in Danvers forever.” She squeezed his fingers. “Our chemistry’s not half bad, either. I guess I want to test the waters more, just to make sure this is not beginner’s luck.”
Hope fluttered in his stomach. Before his chances had seemed so small, but now her words filled him with confidence. Not a second of their time together had been a waste, and he had all the time in the world. “I’m glad to hear it.”
29
Emilie
Emilie answered the phone, a bit out of breath. “Emilie’s Dance Studio.” It was a week before the Christmas recital, and she’d been running back and forth from dress rehearsals to answering questions from anxious parents.
She panted as another parent expressed their concerns about when and where to be at the performance. She talked them through the plan as patiently as she could then hung up the phone.
A tap sounded on the office door. Dean poked his head around the corner. He lifted a cup and a bag. “Your favorite hot cider and apple fritter.”
Her stomach growled in response. She laughed as she took the bag. “How did you know I haven’t eaten?”
He raised his eyebrows and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Lucky guess.”
His skin was cold and refreshing against her hot, sweaty mess of a body, and she pulled him in close to capture all his goodness in one hug.
He laughed and buried his face in her shoulder. She tried squirming away, but he held her in place. “I’m all sweaty.”
He leaned against her. “And I’m freezing. I haven’t gotten warm since getting on the boat this morning.”
She dug into the bag and ate hungrily. “How’s the catch?” Winter months were usually harder for fishermen, but Dean kept his team busy, making connections and signing contracts with local restaurants and grocery stores.
