Page 86 of Meet Me at the Grand

But she would never have guessed a week ago that she’d be here with two coffees, waiting for Mom to show up.

All week long, her conversation with Aunt Elise had banged around inside her head. She’d tried to ignore her aunt’s suggestion that forgiveness was the only way forward. Had even protested it at first.

Of course, she had said she’d do anything.

Butthat? “How can I possibly forgive the person who started all of this?”she’d asked.

“In God’s strength, that’s how.”Aunt Elise had locked elbows with Dani, patted her arm, and resumed their stroll as if Dani hadn’t just had an emotional breakdown. “And remember. You aren’t doing it for her—though I know she will greatly benefit from it. You’re doing it for yourself. There’s nothing worse than bitterness to break a heart into pieces. And besides all of that, it’s what God requires of us.”

“Some might say He requires too much.”

“He sent his son to die for you, Dani. The least you can do is die to your own self-perceived right to hold a grudge against your mom. Especially when that grudge is killing you on the inside. He just wants you to be free.”

Free. What would that feel like? Dani had tried to shake the thought off all week long, busying herself with work. But then she’d think of Liam and her desire to have her family together again. And she’d realized that even if she somehow managed to get everyone back here, there was a lot of forgiveness that was going to have to take place.

And it had to start somewhere. Might as well be with her.

A lone figure trudged up the park pathway, her shoulders hunched against a breeze that only served to bolster Dani—to remind her that she was not alone. Her Heavenly Father was here, in her heart, all around her, in the people of this town. Whatever happened right now with her mother or tonight at the meeting or even beyond that, with the hotel and the revival of the island, Dani would never be alone again.

She placed the coffees on the bench and stood. Waved at her mother, who was now only a few feet away. It had been eight years or so since Dani had seen her in person, and though Becky Jonathon was still beautiful and poised, there was an emotional heaviness surrounding her that hadn’t been apparent to Dani before. Maybe because she hadn’t wanted to see it. Or maybe the choices Mom had made had finally caught up with her.

With a deep breath, Dani finally spoke. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, pumpkin.”

The term of endearment swaddled Dani’s heart and squeezed. Neither woman moved, though something in Becky’s expression told Dani she wanted to wrap her daughter up and never let go. But she’d lost that right.

Still, what right did Dani have to hold it against her if she was truly sorry?

Then again, maybe she wasn’t sorry. Maybe she didn’t know how she’d wounded Dani. And there was a difference between forgiving and forgetting. Dani had had another long talk with Aunt Elise about that last night, and her aunt had explained that godly boundaries were a good thing. That if she bared her heart to her mother and her mother stomped on it, or didn’t accept responsibility for her actions, Dani could still forgive her without allowing her to continue to trample her feelings.

Still, Dani prayed for strength to say what she’d come here to say—and to hear what she longed to hear in return.

But if it didn’t happen, she’d be okay.

Dani coughed, turned, picked up the coffees, and handed one to Mom. “I hope you still like it black.”

“I do.” Mom took it between her gloved hands, inhaled the scent of the still-warm brew. “Mmm.” Then she took a sip and sighed. “Nobody makes coffee like Jill. I’ve missed it.”

“Then why didn’t you come back for it?” The words were out before Dani knew it—and tinged with more hurt than she’d intended.

Mom studied Dani, frowning. “I was ashamed of leaving it in the first place. Knew I didn’t deserve to have it in my life anymore. It was too good for me.”

Uncle Seb had been right. But despite her fears, Mom was here. And for now, that was enough.

Dani chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Maybe it felt all the more abandoned because you didn’t even try. Maybe it felt like you didn’t care about it anymore. That you were happier with your mainland coffee.” It was ridiculous to continue speaking of things metaphorically, but it was easier than saying the truth.

“Oh, honey.” Mom took a step closer, then hesitated. Clearly, she didn’t want to overstep or scare Dani away. “I was such a fool to think that anything but Jonathon Island coffee would satisfy.”

Dani’s throat went dry, and she hugged her own coffee to her chest. “It’s really good coffee.” Then she started to laugh, because how silly was this conversation? Silly, but healing too.

In a flash, her mom set her own cup back down on the bench and moved toward Dani, her arms open. Waiting. “It’s amazing coffee. And I’m so sorry it took me so long to tell it—to tell you—how much I love it. How much I love you.”

“Mom,” Dani breathed, rushing into her mom’s arms, releasing tears she’d held in for so long.

“I’m so sorry, Dani girl. Can you ever forgive me?” Mom finally pulled away and brushed the tears from under her daughter’s eyes. Her own glistened too. “I know I ruined our family. I threw it all away because…well, I can’t even tell you why, and it doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter. And someday, maybe someday soon, I’d like to dissect all of that. We have a lot of conversations to have, a lot to catch up on. Some of them will be hard.”

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