Page 93 of Love in Riverbend
The bushes outside our home are lit with colorful lights and there’s a freshly cut large tree in the living room. Every day, Molly makes more decorations, and I may have gone overboard on the presents that will be under the tree on Christmas morning.
“I think I’m going to be sick to my stomach,” Kandace says as we wait for our guests to arrive.
“You’re fine,” I say. “They’ll love you and Molly.”
“We’ve been living here since early November. If your parents really wanted to meet me and Molly, they would have been here sooner, before the holiday.”
Taking a deep breath, I confess. “Mom has wanted to come to Riverbend since I first told her. I told her no.” I shrug. “I wanted time with you, Kandace. I didn’t want them to interrupt what I wanted to build.”
“She wanted to come?”
I nod.
“She doesn’t hate me?”
“No, of course she doesn’t hate you.”
“Your dad?” she asks.
“He’s good.” I reach for her cheek. “They know I’m happy.”
Her blue eyes shine as her head tilts to my touch. “So am I. I’m so very happy.”
The doorbell chimes.
“They rang the doorbell,” Kandace says.
“It’s what people do.”
“My parents don’t.”
I laugh. “No, they have our garage door code programmed into their cars.”
“Well, usually that isn’t a problem.”
Yeah, I’ve tried to block out Randy’s visit while Molly was at school, and Kandace and I were… occupied.
Kandace smooths the skirt of her dress and looks up at me. Taking her hand, I brush her cheek with a kiss.
Together, we go to the front door.
As soon as I open it, my parents step inside as the cool air mingles with the heat. I barely have a chance to do more than welcome them before Mom comes forward and hugs Kandace. The embrace lasts longer than I would have thought, but when Mom pulls back, she has tears in her eyes.
“Kandace, thank you.”
Her eyelids flutter. “For…?”
Mom looks at me and back to Kandace. “Making Dax happy. It’s the best feeling as a parent to know your child is happy.”
Kandace grins. “He makes me happy. He always has.”
“When do we get to see our granddaughter?” Dad asks and he shivers. “Next Christmas, you should all come down to Florida. Hell of a lot warmer.”
“Let me take your coats,” I offer. “Where are your suitcases?”
Mom shakes her head. “We have a room in Washington. You don’t need us here.” She turns to Kandace as she shrugs off her coat. “Dax says you’re busy at Quintessential Treasures and that you’ve made some changes. I’d love to see the store.”
“I’d love to show you.”
