Page 19 of Forget Me Knot

He hums in understanding, and I feel it down to my toes.

“He was a baker, too, so I guess it’s in my blood.” I echo his earlier sentiments.

“What does he do now? Are your parents local to Honey Hill?”

I knew he’d ask, but I have that weird moment of guilt knowing he is about to feel really uncomfortable when I tell him about my family. I rip the proverbial band aid quickly.

“Actually, both my folks passed away in an accident eight years ago. I moved to Honey Hill this winter to be closer to Emory and my niece, Molly.”

“Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry, Dinah.” He wraps an arm around me and pulls me closer, all the better for me to get a good whiff of his spicy cologne.

“Thank you. It was hard—it still is. But both my parents were Christians, and I am too. I have peace knowing exactly where they are.”

He nods his understanding, and I appreciate that he doesn’t seem to need to fill the quiet between us with more apologies. Sometimes, when someone grieves, just allowing them to talk about their loved ones in their own time is the best offering. It’s something I learned all too well in the long days and months following my parents’ deaths, and something I implement when it comes to Emory—on the days or anniversaries she wants to talk about James, and then on the days she doesn’t.

Before I know it, Jackson’s leading me towards the building hand in hand. I let my free hand wrap around his forearm, leaning into him naturally.

“So, you’re amazing at baseball but not a professional baseball player. And I know you own at least one rental space. What do you do otherwise?”

“I’m an entrepreneur. I’ve got the flower shop, help manage the equipment store when I can, and mostly deal in rental properties in the local area. It keeps me really busy.”

“That’s awesome. And you get to work with your brother. That must be cool.”

I don’t know why my mind keeps drifting to Jack while I’m on a really great first date with Jackson. I suppose the donuts did more damage than I realized. Jackson hesitates but says a quick, “Yeah, it’s definitely never boring,” before directing me to a picnic table waiting for us with sodas, hot dogs, Cracker Jacks, and grape flavored Big League Chewing Gum in the center.

“Baseball food.” Jackson looks bashful as he holds out a hand for me to sit before sliding into the bench beside me.

It isn’t long before we’re laughing over how much Big League Chew we can fit into our mouths without drooling and we’ve finished off the hotdogs and sodas.

“Who do we have here?” A woman’s voice flits towards us.

Jackson jumps from his seat and greets her and the man beside her with a hug. “Hey, y’all! We were just about to come and find ya.”

The man, who can only be Jackson’s father, slaps his hand on Jackson’s shoulder then throws it out to greet me. I’m looking at a flash forward of Jackson, and it is not a bad future to behold. The elder Jones’ hair is graying but thick and wavy like his son’s. His eyes, that same bright hazel, are framed by smile lines that make him seem like an old friend.

“Gary Jones. So nice to meet you…?”

“Hi. I’m Dinah. Dinah Knot.” I shake his hand then get pulled into a hug by Jackson’s mother.

“Aren’t you just a doll?!” She squeezes me so tight it brings tears to my eyes. I’m embarrassed but not shocked. It’s been a long time since a mom has hugged me so hard and so well. I guess I’m still feeling a little fragile after the anniversary. When she pulls away she grips my elbows, holding me in place. “And you’re just gorgeous! Honey”—she turns to Jackson—“she’s gorgeous!”

“Oh, I’m aware, Mama.”

I feel the flush flood my face. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“Oh, no. No. No.” She gives my elbows a squeeze. “You call me Shelly, okay? I insist. We’ve heard all about you, not from this man, mind you—he’s a mystery—but from the siblings and the town and of course—”

“Charlie?” I offer.

“Of course, Charlie. She always manages to get the inside scoop before the rest of us.” She winks. “I’m just tickled to finally meet you, Dinah. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of those famous pretzels I’ve heard about. And Charlie mentioned ya might enter the Badger Bites Competition? That is wonderful.”

“Um, yes. I hope to. I don’t have extra employees at the moment, aside from one of my friends from culinary school who’s agreed to help me out from time to time, so we’ll see. My time is kind of limited, but the shop is doing well so far. So…” I shrug, a little embarrassed with her attention and praise.

Shelly wraps her arm around my waist and squeezes me. “Well, of course you should enter. You’ll be a triumph!” she declares with all the confidence in the world. “And we’ll just have to put out the word for some help for ya. Right, Gary?”

“Sure will.” Gary nudges his son’s arm and gains both our attention. “Your brother and sister are inside workin’ on inventory for us. Y’all wanna pop in and say hi when you’re done here?”

Jack is here? My belly leaps into my chest. I’m not sure I’m ready to see him again, and I'm not sure why my heart is suddenly racing.

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