Page 27 of The Sweet Part
Mackenzie gives me a gentle smile. “We just wanted to warn you, in a friendly neighborly way, that she’s a fierce mama bear, so tread carefully. Her mom radar is up ever since the wedding. She’s worried about the single-mom thing, you know? That Mason’s not ready for that kind of responsibility.” She shrugs. “Me, I say do what you want. I’m sure you’re making sure to keep Sophie out of things until you know if it’s serious.”
I stiffen at the subtle advice on parenting my daughter. “I’m also a fierce mama bear, which is why I’m not datinganyone. I want to be sure Sophie doesn’t get attached to someone who’s not sticking around. And the last thing I want is a relationship. I’m a widow. My husband died three years ago, we were very much in love, and the thought of someone taking his place feels like a betrayal to him.” My voice chokes.
“Oh, May, I’m so sorry,” Mackenzie says. “I didn’t know you were a widow.”
“Sorry,” Harper mumbles.
I glance toward the door, but neither of them seems inclined to leave.
“We should tell Aunt Madison about the widow thing,” Mackenzie says to Harper.
“Good idea,” Harper says. “Though I think the single-mom thing will still be an issue.”
Lord save me from nosy relatives.
“We’re friends,” I say. “That’s all. He stayed for dinner as a thank you for doing repairs on my place.”
They look at me skeptically. Next thing you know, I’ll get a visit from Mason’s mom demanding to know my intentions toward her poor sweet boy caught in the web of a single mom.
Mackenzie studies me with concern. “I’m sure being a widow is hard, but that doesn’t mean you should close yourself off to love forever.”
Harper snorts. “Says the woman closed off to love.”
“For this stage of my life,” Mackenzie says sharply to Harper. “Like you should talk.” They sure bicker like sisters.
In an attempt to end the bickering and shut down the conversation about Mason, I go with something I’ve often thought about. “They say you never get over your first love. I expect that will be true for me too.” Memories of Grandmom Maggie finding love again in her seventies come back to me. I push that thought away. WWMD doesn’t apply here.
“God, I hope that’s not true,” Mackenzie says. “If my first love is my last, then there’s no hope for me.”
“My first love was in high school,” Harper says. “Can you imagine still being with your high school boyfriend?”
“Yes,” I say quietly. “My husband, Rick, and I were high school sweethearts.”
“I am so sorry,” Harper says.
“So sorry,” Mackenzie says.
They start backing toward the door.
“It’s okay.” I’m used to people being uncomfortable when I talk about Rick and what I lost. I’ve come to terms with the loss. And part of him lives on through Sophie. He was an extrovert just like her.
“You do you, May,” Harper says. “See ya.”
“Bye.”
Mackenzie waves with a guilty expression.
They leave, and I shut the door, leaning back against it. That was just the shakeup I needed to get back to work. No more talking about Mason; no more thinking about Mason. Just life as usual. Geez, what a nosy family he has.
* * *
I actually got a decent amount done today. I found the perfect rug for the Tranquility suite and some curtains that remind me of a summer’s day, white with embroidered eyelets on the edges. Mom and Dad took Sophie to the toy store after brunch to get her another beginner jigsaw puzzle. Of course the toy store can take a long time. Sophie loves just about everything in there.
The front door opens with a flurry of activity and noise. My parents are back with Sophie. They have a key.
I close my laptop and welcome Sophie with open arms. She runs to me and gives me a hug. I sigh, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. She still uses the no-tear baby shampoo.
I pull back to look at her. “Did you have fun?”
