“And…we wanted to find a place that had a guest house. For you,” Maddie said slowly, and then seemed to hold her breath.
This time her mother looked up with wide eyes. “Really? You…you want me to move with you?”
They both nodded and Knox knew his girl was about to get emotional again, so he took over. “We really do, Mrs. C. It’s important to both of us that you be close by. I know that Raleigh isn’t too terribly far, but…family is important,” he said gruffly, and realized that he meant it. “We know it’s a lot to ask and it may be difficult, but now is kind of the perfect timing with…”
“I know,” she said quietly. “I know.”
“We’ve been looking,” Maddie chimed in. “It’s not an easy request to meet. I don’t want to move you someplace where you wouldn’t be happy or to a place that doesn’t meet your needs.”
“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to stay in this house for as long as I have,” her mom said. “And Nora has been a blessing to me. To all of us.” She paused with a soft gasp. “What about Nora?”
“I’ll be right there with you,” Nora said as she walked into the room with a tray of iced tea for everyone. “You know my family is scattered all over the country, so I’m good with packing up and trying someplace new.”
Her mother looked around. “I have a lot of memories in this house. It was the first place I lived on my own in my life. After the divorce…well…it was nice to be able to pick out things for myself and have the garden.” Glancing over her shoulder toward the French doors, she sighed. “I think a new family might enjoy it.” Then she looked at Knox and Maddie. “Maybe I could have a garden at the new house?”
“Of course you can!” Maddie told her. “We would love it. I always thought your garden would be the perfect place for tea parties and special occasions. I wish we had done more of that.”
“Well,” her mother said with a sly grin. “I can think of at least one special occasion we can have here before we move.”
And that was how they were finally able to pin down plans for a wedding.
“Do you think we can make it happen? Truly?”
Knox was already pulling out his phone. “I happen to know a great group of wedding planners. Whatever we need, they’ll make it happen.”