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“She’s not worried that you’ll get hurt?” Holly asked softly.
“I think my family is worried about that, but they trust my judgment.” And they knew this was something I had to pursue. If this didn’t work, it wasn’t from my lack of trying. I couldn’t control what Holly did. I just hoped she’d stay this time. “What about your mom? Did you tell her about us?”
Holly nodded. “She’s cautiously optimistic. She’s encouraging me to move on, to forgive myself.”
“We agree on that. I’d like to see your mom again. I missed her.”
“That would be nice. I’ll suggest it to her.”
Holly and her mom were a family of two, and I liked to spend as much time as I could with them at mealtimes and watching TV in the evening. It seemed so quiet compared to my family, and although it worked for them, I worried they were lonely.
I plated our food and sat next to Holly to eat. “What about your dad? Have you seen him recently?”
Holly’s entire demeanor changed. “It hasn’t been the same since I confronted him after the miscarriage. I asked how he could leave for long periods of time and not see his child. I know I’m an adult now—”
I reached over and touched her thigh. “You still need your parents’ love and acceptance.”
Holly smiled, and I covered my hand with hers. “What did he say?”
“He was mad. Said I didn’t understand his need to roam. How he couldn’t stay in just one place, no matter who was there.”
I winced. “Ouch. That had to hurt.”
“I was used to him leaving by then; I just wanted answers. I wanted to know how he could do it. I’d had a child and lost it, and I couldn’t imagine treating my baby with such callousness. He asked why I was acting like I was when I used to be so happy to see him.”
“You were a kid. You didn’t know any better.”
“I have a feeling he stays away now because I’m not thrilled to see him. I feel numb when he comes, as if I’m protecting myself from the pain of him leaving again. It has gotten easier, and it helps that I have no expectations of him.”
I turned my hand so that our fingers interlaced on her lap. “You can expect things from me. I’m always going to be here for you. I have no plans to leave.”
Holly blinked back tears. “That means a lot to me.”
“I know you’re worried about us, but I have every bit of faith that we’re meant to be together.” I didn’t say that we would stay together, just that we were meant to be. Those were two different things in my mind. I could know that in my heart, but that didn’t mean that Holly did.
I set my fork down and turned on my stool until my legs surrounded her. “I’m here for you, for us. You can count on me.”
She didn’t respond, but when I lowered my lips to hers, to seal my vow with a kiss, she didn’t pull away. I’d keep showing her until she believed it.
For the rest of the week, Holly worked on painting ornaments and making icicles. When she had free time, she experimented with different glass shapes. She still struggled with birds but was able to make a heart. The glass was tinted pink.
“That would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. You should bring it to family dinner and show Mom and Marley.”
“You think they’d want it for the shop?”
“They’ve said they want to sell items year-round, but maybe it’s something you can add to your portfolio for museums and gift shops.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Holly said, her eyes lit with excitement.
I was pleased that she was more open to the possibility of expanding her business. I think it was Marley’s belief in her that boosted her confidence more than anything. But deep down, I think she needed to feel she was worthy of success and of a relationship with me.
Until she dealt with that, she wouldn’t be fully able to connect with me or succeed in her professional life. But I kept those thoughts to myself.
Holly probably wasn’t ready to hear it, and it wouldn’t do any good until she was. I enjoyed the time we spent in my workshop and our evenings at the cabin. We reheated the food Mom stocked and ordered pizza. It was domestic and easy, and I loved everything about it.
“I wish we could stay home tonight.”
“It’s family dinner.”
