Page 95 of Ashes of the Past
My stomach clenches as I see the way he tenses at my response. He nods slowly.
“I don’t mind.”
“I know, but you should get there early and spend extra time with your family. We’ll be all right.”
He nods and walks away. I can feel Olivia’s eyes on me, but I turn around so she can’t see my face.
My baby girl is so perceptive. I can’t let her look in my eyes or at me because I am not good at keeping my emotions off my face.
“Why don’t you go get cleaned up and get ready so we can head into town?”
By the time Olivia and I arrive at the party, the house is already buzzing with kids running around and laughter echoing from the backyard. She darts off toward Ava immediately.
Joanne greets me with a warm hug and a knowing smile.
“I’m so glad you guys made it,” she says.
“Of course. Everything looks great. Do you need help with anything?”
“You’re a guest,” she says with a smile. “You’re not doing anything. Besides, Mom has overtaken the kitchen and everything else. She won’t let you lift a finger.”
I look over to see Jack throwing a football with Bret. My stomach does that stupid little flip it does as I watch his muscular body move with ease as he throws and catches. He and Bret are deep in conversation, laughing as they talk.
“You’d never know he was in the hospital not long ago,” I murmur.
Joanne laughs and shakes her head. “He’s stubborn as a mule. I told him to sit down, but he refuses. Maybe he’ll listen to you.”
I can feel her eyes boring into me. I move uncomfortably.
“He’s not going to listen to me.”
“I heard about Savannah’s little show last night,” Joanne says, her voice laced with amusement.
I close my eyes and sigh. “I was hoping that news wouldn’t travel so fast.”
Joanne chuckles. “Honey, in this town? You should know better.” She studies me for a moment, her eyes twinkling. “WhatI don’t understand is why you didn’t tell me you were going on a date with my brother.”
Heat rushes to my face. “It happened really fast. And Olivia doesn’t know. I don’t want to confuse her or… complicate things.”
Her expression softens. “That’s understandable, but I have to tell you, I’m thrilled. Jack needs someone like you in his life.”
Before I can respond, Mrs. Renfrew walks into the kitchen and perks up at the sight of us. “Oh, Brynn, I was just saying to Joanne the other day—I hoped this would happen.”
“You know, too?”
“Who do you think told me? She heard about it at church this morning.” Joanne laughs. “See? You’ve got mom’s stamp of approval.”
I can feel how bright red my face is in this moment. I’m overwhelmed and embarrassed, but mostly a little scared that if the adults are talking about it, then so are the kids, which means this conversation with Olivia will have to happen sooner rather than later.
Am I ready for that?
Just then, Jack walks into the room, and before I can even process the moment more, both his sister and mother wrap him in hugs.
“I’m so happy for you,” Mrs. Renfrew tells him. “You be good to her.”
“I knew this was going to play out this way,” Joanne says proudly. “I told you she was a good one.”
I hold my breath. I half expect him to get annoyed or roll his eyes, but he just grins, his eyes locked onto me.
