“I’m sorry to spring this on you like this.”
“When can I meet this David?”
Before her mother could answer, the doorbell rang. Jason.
She had forgotten about him since her mother’s arrival. Completely.
“Are you expecting someone?” Cynthia asked.
“Yes, I am. Jason. He’s a friend of mine. A good friend.”
“How good?”
“As you said earlier, it’s a bit of a story. Can you stay here while I answer the door?”
“Yes, of course. Unless you want me to go back to the inn?”
“No, please stay.”
She hurried to the door. Jason stood on the porch with a brown paper bag in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. The moment he saw her face he set both down on the bench by the door.
“Hey. Hey. What is it?” He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“My mother’s here.”
“Your mother? Is here? Now?”
“She just—she just arrived. To tell me she’s divorced from my father. For eighteen months. And she’s reunited with her high school sweetheart, and they’re getting married.”
“Huh. Okay, well, that’s unexpected.”
“I should have known something was weird when she mailed me those ornaments.”
He scanned her face. Whatever he saw there made him reach for her hand. He didn’t say anything for a beat.
“Do you want me to go?” Jason asked.
“No. Come in. Meet her,” Mauve said.
He picked up the bag and the bottle and followed her into the kitchen.
“Mom. This is Jason Hayes. Jason, this is my mother, Cynthia.”
Her mother stood, smoothing her sweater as her gaze swept over Jason. “Oh my. Hello. I watch your show every season. I had no idea … that you were friends with my daughter.”
“He grew up here,” Mauve said, as if that summed everything up perfectly.
“Mrs. Callahan, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jason said, holding out his hand.
“Cynthia, please. It’s nice to meet you too.”
“I’m sorry I’m interrupting your visit. But I won’t stay.” He set the bag on the counter. “I picked up some soup and bread for dinner. I’ll just leave that here for you two.”
“That’s kind of you, but I can’t stay for dinner. David’s waiting at the inn.”
Jason and Mauve exchanged a glance.
“I’ll walk you out,” Mauve said to Jason.
