“It doesn’t matter what we think,” Mac said, drawing my attention and everyone else’s. “Bonnie’s a grown woman and she knows what’s best for her.”
Warmth flooded the tiny cracks in my heart. It meant a lot that my sister, who’d been hovering and overbearing at times since my separation, was supporting me in this.
Then she went and said, “Plus, it couldn’t hurt for you to have a little fun for once. And that man looks like he’s capable of providing it.”
Larry cackled.
Sighing, I gave Mac a pointed glare that she ignored, grinning widely and blowing me a kiss.
Conversation resumed, my family loud and opinionated once more.
Without really meaning to, I watched these people who’d loved and supported me throughout my life, and wondered how Jack might fit in.
My eyes caught on Corie, the newcomer, who’d been warmly welcomed and seemed comfortable with her new surroundings.
Would Jack fare as well? Or would so much togetherness be too much for someone who’d never had an extended family? Would the well-meaning nosiness put his back up, or would he be comfortable after a time? I could picture him in the background, quiet and watchful. Maybe out on the deck helping my dad or uncles or Will man the grill. But I could also imagine himchipping in, letting my aunt or mother direct him in the kitchen, charming them all the while.
It didn’t matter. We weren’t—we weren’t like that. Things were casual and straightforward. You didn’t force your hookup to spend holidays with your family. That had a way of complicating matters.
So I put any daydreams or imaginings out of my mind and focused on wrapping up the popcorn balls.
“You okay?” Becca asked quietly from where she’d joined me, already snipping lengths of ribbon and stacking them neatly at my elbow.
“Of course,” I said, swallowing awkwardly.
“Because you don’t owe anyone an explanation about you and Jack. If you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
Becca was a rare bird. She was sweetness and light and had fit in seamlessly with the Clarks, despite having a completely different experience with her own family growing up. Maybe that was why. She’d fallen in love with my family right along with my cousin Will. That sort of love was something she’d been missing, and we’d been happy to provide it.
I appreciated her kindness and comfort. She would have likely kept my secret for as long as I wanted her to. And I was grateful for that, too.
“I know,” I assured her. “But it was silly to hide things, and I was doing it for the wrong reasons. It doesn’t really matter what this town thinks of me. If they’re going to judge me for moving on, then they might as well just go ahead and get it over with. Their opinions aren’t the ones that matter anyway.”
Becca grinned. “Amen.”
Everyone pitched in, and we finished up our Halloween prep pretty quickly. I spent the next hour chatting with my family and eating copious amounts of dips and desserts. I took some time to get to know Corie and learned about her freelance photography business.
It was a good night.
Made that much better after I climbed in my car and pulled out my phone.
Jack: Okay, hypothetically, if I decided to contact Eloise Carter and agree to hand out candy tomorrow on Main Street, would you be interested in joining me?
I smiled and started typing.
Me: Hypothetically, I would be amenable.
I’d planned to help out at the Grandpappy’s tent, but they didn’t really need me. It would be a low-key evening as long as they didn’t run out of treats. Two people could easily handle the booth, and there would be way more than enough Clarks present and accounted for.
Jack: You sure you don’t have plans?
Me: There’s nowhere I’d rather be than in costume with you in front of Magnolia. Surrounded by candy. Don’t forget that part.
Jack: Costumes?
I huffed an incredulous laugh.
Me:It’s Halloween. Of course, costumes.
