Page 68 of When You Smile

Charlie laughed and pulled Taryn’s outside arm around her waist so they could drift off together. Just as sleep was seconds from claiming her, she heard Charlie murmur, “That’s one way to deck the halls.”

Taryn felt her shoulders start to shake. More laughter.

She had a feeling their life was going to be full of it.

* * *

Charlie had no idea how her time in Dyer with the Ross family had gone by so quickly. In many ways, it felt like she’d arrived on their doorstep just hours ago, ready for the Christmas Eve party, rather than the week it had been. In other ways, she felt like she’d been a part of their family for years, which was a testament to how warm and welcoming they’d been. The four of them had played Codenames and spades around the kitchen table. They’d tried two new restaurants that had opened recently in town, and on New Year’s they’d celebrated with a fancy dinner at the golf club where the Rosses were members.

The next day, Charlie would be heading back to Hillspoint ahead of Taryn to prepare for her final semester and attend various departmental meetings for the two classes she would teach. It was hard to believe that, in just a handful of months, she’d be off in the world, likely living in another city, and trying to find a way to pay the bills. Her heart still hoped that all would work out with Broadland Rhodes and she’d actually be living her dream life in New York. Her interview was scheduled for February, which meant she’d know soon enough.

She glanced back at the warm bed where Taryn still slept with the sheet to her waist and her bare back facing Charlie. She smiled at the expanse of dark hair across the pillow behind Taryn. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of watching her sleep, while at the same time always impatient for the moment she’d wake up. Taryn, she’d come to find, liked her sleep and could stretch the hours into midmorning before ever lifting her head. Charlie, more of an early riser, slipped out of the guest room in search of coffee. Martie was seated at the kitchen table with a hot mugful of the good stuff along with a lemon poppyseed muffin she’d baked fresh the day before. The whole place still smelled wonderful.

“Good morning, Charlie.” Her smile was sweet. “What can I make for you?”

Charlie pulled her shoulders to her ears. “Oh, nothing at all. I’ll just pour myself some coffee and join you for a muffin if that would be all right.”

“That would be wonderful. Tad and Taryn are never up this early, so it’s a treat to have some company.” She’d used a knife to cut her muffin in two, which made it much more manageable. Charlie smiled because she was learning a lot from Martie Ross this week. She couldn’t remember being hugged as many times as she had been since arriving. It had done something remarkable to her soul.

The sun was just coming up, casting a warm glow over the backyard and the melting snow. She sat down next to Martie and stared out at it. “This is a beautiful spot this time of morning. Do you sit here every day?”

“I do. There’s something about the quiet of the early hours before the rest of the world wakes and the hustle and bustle starts. It helps me find my peace and organize my thoughts.” She took a sip from her Mom Fuel mug, thoughtful. “When we were worried about Tad and his prognosis, this was the spot where I would gather my courage to face the day ahead.” She smiled but her gaze fell promptly to her plate, emphasizing the weight of the memory.

Charlie covered Martie’s hand with her own. “I’m so sorry that you all had to go through such an ordeal. He seems to be so much better.”

“He has good days and bad days. But overall, I’m thrilled with his progress.” She turned to Charlie. “I was sad to hear that you lost your mother. Before Taryn told me, I had no idea we’d lost her so young. She was a true light, and I see that reflected in you.”

Charlie swallowed the painful lump that always seemed to arrive when the subject of her mom’s passing crept in. “Thank you. I miss her every day. She was always…” She paused to find the words because talking with Martie brought forth the emotion on full blast. She had a hunch it was because Martie made her feel comfortable and supported enough to allow it. “My bright spot. My dad wasn’t the greatest, but I had my mom, you know? And she had me.” Martie’s eyes were soft as she listened. “I still haven’t gotten used to a world where I don’t have her.”

“You have me,” Martie said, leaning in and meeting her gaze. “I’m not Deirdre. Definitely not as glamorous and probably not as funny. But if you and Taryn are as real as I think you are, I’ll be your mom, Charlotte.”

Tears sprang into Charlie’s eyes at the overwhelmingly sweet sentiment. The fact of the matter was that Martie and Tad had treated her like she belonged from the moment she walked in the door.

“Thank you,” were the only two words her voice had the strength to manage. Her hands shook when she stood to accept the embrace Martie offered. She let herself be squeezed and loved and taken care of. It felt like water where there’d been a desert for so long.

“Oh, now I’m getting teary, too,” Martie said.

Charlie laughed. “Contagious, I’m afraid.”

“What’s contagious?” They turned to see Taryn in the living room coming toward them, looking like the cutest sleepiest person ever. She touched her bed hair and squinted. “Did you guys have muffins without me?”

“I’ll get you a muffin, baby,” Charlie said. She took her hand, led her to the couch, kissed her temple, and sat her down. “You just take your time waking up.”

Martie pointed at Charlie as she passed. “That one’s a keeper.”

Taryn smiled and nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”

The day was a nice one. She and Taryn took a drive together and ended up at the playground at the edge of Taryn’s neighborhood before coming home. As they sat side by side on a bench, children playing on the playscape nearby, Taryn turned to her.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

Charlie attempted a smile but it never quite blossomed. Her heart hung heavy. “I’m trying not to think about it.” She turned to Taryn, met her gaze, and held on. “This has been the best week, and I mean that.”

“Charlie, you should know that I’m falling for you so hard.” Taryn looked up at the sky, cloudy today and overcast.

“You’re not alone,” Charlie said, sliding her arm around Taryn’s.

“Really?” Taryn asked, turning to look at her. She searched her eyes as if needing that confirmation.

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