Page 39 of Beneath Southern Stars

There’s a set of murmurs from the girls as I pull the top Ana suggested from the back of my closet. It is really pretty and understated. My mood already improves as we have this girl-time. I’m happy they insisted on hanging out tonight. With my outfit chosen, we file into the living room to have a slice of cheesecake and catch up on their lives. While I was wallowing, I was a less-than-attentive friend.

The girls slip on their shoes and gather their things when Steve, slow on his protective duties, alerts us to someone on the front stoop. He’s bouncing and barking like someone with a doggie treat is on the other side. I start laughing when I hear a familiar set of swear words.

I open the door to find Uncle Freddy fumbling with his bags as he fishes for what I assume are his keys in his pocket.

“What are you doing here?” I shout as I shoo Steve back into the house and grab one of the bags from my uncle’s hand.

Struggling through the door, he dumps the bags in a heap on the floor. “Last I checked I live here. Did you evict me while I was gone?”

He follows me into the kitchen where the girls all greet him with hugs as they filter out of the house. Ana pauses at the door and comes back to give me a hug.

“I know these last few days have been difficult, but I believe it’ll all work out how it’s meant to. If you need me tomorrow, give me a call. Otherwise, I’ll see you at the dance.”

She shouts another goodbye to my uncle before shutting the door. Her words seemed to have an undertone that has me concerned, not about myself but my friend. She’s lived in Magnolia Grove only a short time after ending a toxic relationship. Her healing process has been more complicated than most of us will ever understand.

“Something I said? The ladies didn’t need to leave.”

I wrap my arms around my uncle, taking in his familiar scent and comforting embrace. It was lost on me how much I missed him. He takes these trips often, but so much happened in the short weeks he was gone. It feels like I’ve led a completely different life in his absence.

“I missed you, Uncle Freddy.”

“Oh honey, I missed you too. Apparently, I also missed out on some happenings in your life.”

Groaning I release him and throw myself on the couch nearby. He chuckles and follows me, taking his usual spot on the recliner. Steve hops in his lap, turning a few times before settling down. I guess we all missed one another.

“Who did you see?”

“Stopped at Mimi’s on my way into town for a snack. Hawaii is great and the seafood’s fresh. But not a fried catfish to be found. I needed a taste of home.”

Uncle Freddy doesn’t press and lets me talk about the Jubilee before mentioning Ryan or Pepper. He responds in exactly the way I need. The occasional question, but for the most part he lets me word vomit. When he moved back to help care for me after losing my parents, I often shared the more personal obstacles with him instead of Gran. Sure, I confided in her about things only a woman would understand, but when it came to my fears and life choices, it was Uncle Freddy I sought counsel from. This is no different.

“Do you love this man?”

I shrug. In truth, I don’t know. The emotional part of me screams “yes” but the scientific part of my brain refuses to accept it’s possible. Insta love is what you see in the movies and read in a book. Not that this was instant. Both Ryan and I were cautious of the other. It was Pepper who brought us together. Sweet girl, I wonder how she is. It’s taken all of my willpower to not engage in Ryan’s messages. I want to hear about their days. To make sure Pepper is still talking. Find out if she loved the flower pancakes.

I’m unaware of the tears falling until a box of tissues usually next to the recliner lands in my lap. I laugh and blow my nose.

“It doesn’t matter. The cards were stacked against us from the beginning. He has a life in Nashville, and my life is here. I love Magnolia Grove.”

“Kid, this town loves you right back, but it’ll live on without you. I know it’s a scary thought; you didn’t love being away for college. But I think part of that was still working through the loss of Gran and Grandaddy. Losing them so close together and only a few years before you left for school. It was a lot all at once.”

Tears continue to fall, and I wipe them away. My cries turn to sobs as the reality of his words hit their intended target. Have I hidden in Magnolia Grove because of my grief? I didn’t love city living those years I was at college, but that doesn’t mean they were that bad. Could I move to Nashville? My businesswould require some adjustments but there are probably more opportunities for growth there than here in coastal Alabama.

“This is my home,” I choke out.

Uncle Freddy moves from his chair to sit next to me, his arm around my shoulders. Even as I utter the words, I know they are an excuse to admit how I feel. I miss Ryan and Pepper. I was more myself in every moment we shared. The simple nights around the house felt complete.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Laney

I’ll never admitthis coat is stifling. I’m living my best holiday movie moment in this red coat with the large belt tied at my waist. Of course, I’m dripping with sweat because, although the temperature dipped into the low forties, we have enough people in attendance at this outdoor venue, plus standup heaters, that the temperature is at least sixty within ten feet of a heater.

The residents of Magnolia Grove have shown up in their holiday best and it’s great to see everyone having fun while supporting a good cause. All signs of the buffet dinner have been cleared and people are now mingling and bidding on the silent auction items or dancing. Couples are two-stepping around the dance floor as the band belts out a familiar classic, and I’m even tapping the toe of my boot in time.

Uncle Freddy holds court near the bar with a group of his friends, no doubt telling tall tales of his adventures. Everything about this evening has gone as planned, even if Lucy has gone a little overboard with the decorations and lights. You’d think the band was performing on a much bigger stage.

“Laney honey, you’ve outdone yourself.”

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