Page 46 of Beach Vibes

Beth nodded, encouraging her friend to continue.

“Teddy would like to meet you and Rick. You’ve already met me, and he’s feeling a little left out.”

Teddy her brother. The massage-therapist-slash-acupuncturist who was a widower with three children. Before her mind could go in dark directions and start making assumptions, she reminded herself how badly that had worked out last time. She was going to meet Jana’s brother with an open mind and only see the good in the situation.

“It’s way too soon for that,” she said with a smile. “But you’re right. I’ve already met you, which sounds strange, but I get what you’re saying. Sure. Let’s do it. Then we will all have met.”

Jana relaxed in her chair. “I know this is all a little unusual, but thanks for agreeing. Once it’s done, we can return to our regular lives.”

“I can’t remember if you told me how long ago Teddy’s wife died.”

Jana thought for a second. “It’s been nearly five years.” She frowned. “I didn’t realize it had been that long. But I was pregnant with Linnie when she passed. Time goes so quickly. Anyway, it’ll just be the four of us. Dex will take the kids.” She laughed. “They’re all terrific, but having them join us means we won’t get a second to just talk. They can be a handful and very loud.”

Four was a lot, Beth thought. Growing up it had just been her and Rick, and her brother had been more interested in reading or being on his computer than interacting with anyone.

“I’ve checked with Rick,” Jana added. “He can do this Saturday if that works for you. Or is it too soon?”

Beth’s gut response was that she wanted more time, but even as she thought that, she wondered why. It wasn’t as if she had a pressing social calendar. Better to get the meeting behind her so she could undo all her Jana mistakes and start fresh on her…on her…

Once again she was forced to acknowledge that she genuinely had nothing to look forward to—not in a personal way. No date, no concert, no summer weekend away with friends. Wow, did she need to figure out how to find a life.

“Saturday is perfect,” she told Jana. “I can’t wait.”

A true statement. And come Sunday morning, she was going to have a serious talk with herself and figure out a way to have more in her small world. She was capable and knew how to be successful. She had Jana back as her friend, and that was an excellent start.

10

“Is this a date?” Magnolia asked as she arranged radishquarters on a small platter. She spoke without looking up from what she was doing, as if the answer didn’t matter.

Jana reached for another washed radish and quartered it. “No, sweetie. It’s just adults getting together. Beth is my friend from the food bank. I know her brother Rick, so they’re coming over for dinner. Your dad has never met Beth before. It’s not a date.”

Because Teddy hadn’t been out with anyone since Valonia’s death—something Jana had been thinking about since realizing it had been nearly five years.

As if reading her mind, Magnolia said, “He’s been alone a long time. That’s not good. He needs someone.”

“Have you been listening in on conversations again?” Jana asked, her voice teasing.

Magnolia flashed her a grin. “Some, but I remember when we went to the child psychologist after Mommy died. I remember what she said about moving on emotionally. She said healthy people fall in love again and that someday our dad might want that. She said Mommy would always be our forever mom but it would be good for us to have another woman in our lives. That role models were advantageous.”

Jana gave a little prayer of thanks that her brother had been together enough to get his kids into therapy after the tragic loss. They’d all been in shock and not dealing with the emptiness.

“Advantageousis a pretty big word,” she said. “I’m impressed.”

“I’m an impressive sort of girl.” Magnolia’s smile faded. “I have friends whose parents are divorced, and they date. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s not.”

“I think you can trust your dad to find one of the good ones, should that ever happen.”

“I know, but I’m wondering if it’s ever going to happen. I remember Mommy the most. Atlas remembers some, but Orchid doesn’t at all. She was too young when Mommy died. She needs an older woman to look up to and learn from. You and I can only do so much.”

Jana had moved on to slicing peeled cucumber for the veggie tray they were having as an appetizer. Now she set down her knife and hugged her niece.

“I love you so much,” she said, thinking Magnolia was one amazing kid.

“I love you, too. I know you said Rick is a friend, but he’s really your boyfriend, isn’t he?”

Jana groaned. “More listening in when you shouldn’t?”

Magnolia laughed. “Maybe a little. I won’t say anything to Linnie. She’s still pretty young. I know you want to be sure before you introduce him to her and us.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think I’m going to like having a boyfriend. I don’t get the point.”

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