Page 13 of State of Grace

“Do you do all the cooking?” Blake laughed as she finished off her eggs.

“Only if we want to eat.”

“But you own a restaurant.” She playfully bumped her shoulder against Isla’s.

“I do, but I also employ the best chef in the state.” Isla picked up her plate and scooped her leftover eggs onto Blake’s plate along with another piece of bacon. “Here, you need to eat. You barely ate your dinner last night.” She narrowed her eyes at Blake. “You don’t like seafood, do you?”

“Not particularly.” Blake grimaced as she stuffed a forkful of eggs into her mouth.

“Blake,” Vera whined, “you have to tell me if you don’t eat something.” She seemed panicked that she had made something her company didn’t like. “I would have made you anything you wanted. I hope you know that.”

“I do, but I didn’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense,” she waved a dismissive hand at her. “You’re not a bother. You’re family.”

“Although the two can go hand in hand.” Isla winked at Vera, who rolled her eyes in response. She rested her hand on Blake’s shoulder. “Thank you for breakfast, love. I’m going to take a shower. We can head out whenever you’re ready, Blake.”

“Ok.” Blake finished her breakfast quickly and picked up her empty plate, but Vera held out her hand for it.

“Guests don’t do dishes.”

“I thought I was family.”

“Shut up and give me your plate.”

Handing her plate to Vera, Blake surprised both of them by giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before retreating to her room. Blake changed into jeans and yet another concert tee as she made a mental note to either invest in new clothes or have Salem send her some from her wardrobe at home. Clearly, Blake’s haphazard packing had resulted in nothing but jeans and concert tees.

Blake had managed to pack a pair of Asics, though, and she laced the sneakers up on her feet. Opening the bedroom door, Holly greeted her by rubbing her silky fur along Blake’s legs in an attempt to receive pats, which Blake willingly gave her. She knelt to the retriever’s level as the dog covered her face in sloppy wet kisses.

“Good morning to you too. Have you been for your walk yet?” At the w-word, Holly’s ears perked up as she trotted over to the back door and looked back at her. Blake followed her and snapped the red leash onto her collar before opening the backdoor. Growing up, Blake had never owned any pets, but if Holly was any indication, she’d missed out on a lot there as well.

Heading out into the early morning light, Blake took in the serenity that the farm offered. A gentle breeze blew through the trees, creating a soft rustling sound as they walked along the worn dirt path. Smells of honeysuckles and fresh-cut grass mingled together to create a fragrance that instantly made Blake calm. Holly pranced back and forth from one side of the path to the other as she investigated each stick and leaf in her way.

“I see you’ve found a walking buddy.” Isla’s voice startled her, and Blake felt as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t have been. Whirling around quickly, Blake was nearly tangled in the leash as Holly ran toward Isla. “It’s ok that you took her. She loves her walks.”

“I can see why.” Blake nodded around the farm. “It’s gorgeous out here.”

“It’s home.” They walked side by side a few feet down the path before Isla spoke again. “So, I wanted to say something before we start our day of bonding. Vera’s words,” Isla laughed as she held up her hands, “not mine.”

“I was about to say.”

“But seriously, Blake.” Coming to a stop, Isla waited for Blake to stop walking and turn toward her before she finished her thought. “I wanted to tell you that I am glad you are here. I’m so glad that you are home. I know you didn’t grow up here, but I would like you to see this as your home now. If you want.”

Blake nodded, unable to say anything at that moment.

“And I want you to know that if at any time today you are overwhelmed or want to come back here and chill out, I need you to know that’s ok.” Isla nodded as Blake did the same. “I want to introduce you to my friends around town, but I want you to know it’s because you are my daughter. Not because you’re an actress or anything like that.”

“I get it.” Waving a hand at Isla, Blake smiled to let her know she understood. “Besides, I wouldn’t think Moonflower Cove would be a place where a mass of fans would ever gather to meet me anyway.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised,” Isla said with a laugh. “There are many people in town who watch the show, but there are only a handful of people who know you are my daughter. Of course, most of those figured it out based on our resemblance and not from me telling them. Not that I am ashamed you are my daughter.” She quickly tried to backtrack. “I’m proud of you, Blake.”

Blake put a gentle hand on Isla’s shoulder as she smiled at her.

“I know, Mom.”

Excitement and relief played out on Isla’s face like a movie screen. Blake hadn’t called her ‘mom’ since she’d been back in town. She’d avoided calling her anything because she wasn’t sure what to call her.

“It’s been so long since I’ve heard you call me ‘mom.’”

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