Page 101 of When Ellie Falls in Love

“You presume correctly.”

“What’s with the hat?” Isla asked the question Ellie was wondering.

“I suggested we have themed nights this summer but no one else wanted to. So I’m doing it on my own.”

“Of course you are,” Isla chuckled as Dylan passed her a cup of ice cream over the counter, followed by Ellie’s. They paid at the counter then found a booth near the window to eat. “So, what movie is playing tonight?”

“Twister.”

“Great movie.”

“Helen Hunt’s in it, so of course it is.”

“That used to be a make-out movie for me and Mama.”

Ellie laughed as she took a bite of her ice cream. “Isn’teverymovie for you two a make-out movie?”

“Well, yes,” Isla’s eyes sparkled as she talked. “But that came out when we were first dating, and it was the first movie we saw in theaters together as a family.”

“Mason went too?”

“Of course.” She chuckled to herself at the memory. “We basically knew then that Mason was gay.”

“How so?”

“As soon as Helen Hunt came on screen, your sister goes, ‘oh she’s hot.’ Mama and I couldn’t keep ourselves from laughing.”

“That tracks for all three of you,” Ellie laughed.

“Indeed. So maybe this will be your andSadie’smake out movie too.”

Ellie sank in her seat slightly as she tried not to smile. Which, of course, she failed at.She had to admit that she hadn’t planned on watching much of the movie. But it was best not to share that with her mom right now.

“So,” Isla’s tone became serious, “Mama told me what you two and Eden talked about the other night.”

Again, Ellie sank in her seat as she looked up at Isla. She was fully prepared for a lecture, but was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t get one.

“I know Mama’s already told you this, but you’re a smart kid. A smart youngwoman,” she corrected herself with a dramatic wave of her hand. “I’m not here to question your judgment or lecture you about not having sex.”

Ellie looked around the restaurant to make sure no one was listening to them. It was one thing to have the conversation at their kitchen table, but in public? She suddenly felt everyone was listening to what they were saying.

“Hey,” Isla waited until she had Ellie’s full attention again before continuing. “All I ask is that you keep the communication open with us. We’ve always kept it open to you. So don’t ever forget, Mama and I are here for you. Always. Okay?”

“Okay,” Ellie mumbled as she sat back up in her seat. Across the table, Isla reached out and put her hand on Ellie’s arm.

“I love you, Ellie.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

As they finished their ice cream, they chatted about the birthday party plans they had for that Friday. Ellie and Brayden were turning eighteen, which was a moment not to be missed in the Mackenzie household. Although she had no idea exactly what was being planned, she knew Sadie was going to be there and that alone made Ellie insanely happy.

“Are you excited about shadowing Mama this week?”

Ellie had asked Vera a few days ago if she could shadow her at work to see if maybe the medical field was for her. Vera had, of course, jumped at the opportunity and found a day that would work for them. She was in the office that day, which meant no delivering babies. Which was just fine with Ellie; she wasn’t sure she was ready for that yet. Instead, she’d lucked out where Alexis had an appointment and would probably be cool with Ellie being there, so it was a win-win.

“I’m nervously excited. I think it’ll be fun.”

“Well, I can tell you she’sveryexcited about it.”

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