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“Which one of your brothers is getting married?” Mom asked Talon.
“Knox. He’s the second oldest. He started dating Sarah, who is a single mother, over a year ago now.”
Mom smiled. “That’s wonderful. I’m sure it will be a beautiful wedding.”
“Sarah and Knox asked me to make glass hearts for the decorations,” I added.
“Is that one of the things you make with your kiln?” Mom asked.
“That’s right. I’ve been playing with different shapes, but I haven’t been able to master the birds.” I had a feeling those were the ones that would be the best. If only I could do it.
“Whatever happened to what Marley had planned for you?” Mom asked.
“I sold a ton of ornaments when she showcased them in one of her videos. They were just hanging on the tree in the background, but her followers loved them. The only problem was keeping up with production. I had Talon’s family helping with shipping.”
“That’s a good problem to have.”
“I’m grateful for everything the Monroes have done for me.” I drank the ice water to soothe my dry throat.
“Isn’t that a seasonal business, though?” John asked, and I sensed that he had an interest from a business perspective.
I nodded. “I’m working on branching out, getting into gift shops and museums.”
“Is that a thing you could do? It sounds like it would be difficult,” Mom said.
“I don’t think Marley knows the meaning of that word. She’s working on it. She said they’d be interested in the glass bird ornaments if I could figure them out. So that’s what I’m trying to do. I’ve just been so busy with the holiday orders, and now Marley wants me to paint the inn.”
Mom paused. “Oh? I didn’t realize you did things like that.”
“I’ve never painted an image with the intention of selling it. I never thought my painting was good enough. But Marley wants me to give it a try. She believes in me.”
“I believe in you, too. If you want to do it, you will,” Mom said.
“Thanks.” It had always been us. She was my rock. My support system. How would that change now that she was dating John? I didn’t begrudge her the chance to live her life, to travel and have fun. I just wondered how it would affect me.
While we finished eating, talk turned to events around town.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Mom asked when we were alone in the kitchen, cleaning up.
“I thought I’d spend part of the day with Talon’s family. They’re planning a big family dinner, and Talon mentioned something about seeing Ember open presents in the morning at Sebastian’s house.”
“That sounds nice. I miss when you were little, and how excited you’d be to open presents.”
I smiled fondly at the memory. “It’s a wonderful time of the year.”
“I was hoping you’d come over for breakfast. We could spend some time together.”
My brow furrowed. “John won’t be here?”
“He’s planning on coming over later in the day. I thought it would be nice if it was just the two of us.”
“That should be fine. I’ll just check with Talon.” Would this be how things were from now on? Would John eventually move in, and I’d have to share my mom? I knew other kids did that growing up, but I’d never prepared for that possibility.
“What do you need to check in with me about?” Talon asked as he came into the room with John.
I wondered what they’d talked about in the living room. “Mom wants to have a girls-only brunch tomorrow morning.”
Talon nodded. “That’s a great idea. I’m going to Sebastian’s to watch Ember open presents. I think Heath and Marley are coming, too.”
