“One in a million, at least,” Carina said.
“I guess we’re doing better at trusting the journey than we realized.”
“Yes, and thank goodness getting shishkabobbed was not part of the plan!” Carina made a face. “I’m so glad my path was just to fall in love with your big brother. Way less dangerous.”
“I’m dangerous,” William insisted.
“Sure you are, baby.” Carina rolled her eyes. “Well, Whitney, you’ve had a tough couple of weeks. I don’t even know how you had the energy to fall in love through all of this, but I think you did.”
“It feels like it. I guess only time will tell.”
“Go home and get some rest.”
“Oh, wait, there’s something else that I’m dying to tell you. William, your dreams came true today.”
“Mine?”
“Yep. Mom gave us the no questions or discussion speech, but Dad’s billboard is coming down this week. Apparently, someone said something about it at that event. It got back to him.”
William fist-pumped. “Yes!”
“I knew that would make your day. I love y’all,” Whitney said. “William, walk me out.”
William got up, and they walked out to her car.
“Thanks.” Whitney looked back. “Oh good. Carina’s not watching. William, I need your help. I have a surprise for Chloe’s birthday, but I kind of wanted to surprise Carina too.”
“Sure. What do you need me to do?”
She whispered the details in his ear to be sure she wouldn’t hear.
“She’ll love it. Yeah, I’ll take care of that for you,” William said. “And Matthew is coming to the party at the lake house, right?”
“Dad insisted upon it.”
“Things are going your way, Whitney. I hope this guy is the real deal.”
“We’ll see. Hopefully, Dad won’t bring a shotgun.”
“If you’re happy, Dad will be happy. As a father, I can say that with some confidence now.” William laughed. “It’s all good.”
Whitney got in her car and headed home, but instead of turning into the parking garage of her condo, she drove right on by toward the office. She pulled along the curb in front of the ice cream shop.
The mural was pretty, and she was proud of Matthew’s work. She could imagine him going through the motions, making it look so easy to transform the whole side of a building into a work of art.
She wanted to see him tonight, to thank him again, to lay in his arms and relax together, but she didn’t want to push too fast either.
Home was where she needed to be this evening.
A long shower did her good, loosening the tight muscles, and allowing her to, finally, really relax.
She slipped into a nightshirt and stretched out on the couch. Staring out the window at the clear night sky, she wished that Matthew was looking at the same stars with her tonight.
She lay in bed wide awake, so grateful for the turns her life had taken.
She couldn’t wait to take Matthew to the lake house. It would give him a chance to really get to know the most important thing in her life. Family. He could be a part of it.
Memories from the last few weeks danced through her mind as she snuggled against her pillow.
