“I’ll tell you what,” David said as they made their way out of the church. “I’m ready to buy a second home here.”
“Really?” Mauve asked.
“We want to be with family, especially since I plan to retire and enjoy life with your mom. We could spend part of the year here. Christmas. Summertime. Or whenever.”
Cynthia was watching Mauve’s face. “What do you think, honey?”
Mauve looked down at her feet, clearly trying to control her emotions. Her voice shook when she said, “I’m not sure. Things are kind of up in the air for me right now.”
Mother and daughter locked gazes. Cynthia gave a little nod. “Yes, well, you get that sorted out and then we’ll talk some more.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Jason turned to Mauve, and, to his horror, she had started to cry. Cynthia wrapped her arms around her daughter as the restof them looked away. Except for Jason. He watched it unfold in front of him, helpless, and wondered what in the world was going through Mauve’s mind.
David put his hand on Jason’s shoulder. “C’mon, let’s go wait outside. Give them a moment.”
Jason nodded, following David out to the parking lot. They stood under the stars near David’s car, not saying anything for a moment. Jason buttoned his jacket against the cold.
“You want some advice?” David asked.
“Sure.” He held his breath, waiting for whatever judgment was about to come out of the man’s mouth.
“Don’t take Mauve away from here. She’s part of a community. She belongs here. You know that, I think.”
“I do.” He reached into his coat pocket and brought out the box with the ring hidden inside its tufts. “I’m going to ask her tomorrow. And I’m going to show her plans for a house I’m going to build for her on my family’s property. And I’m going to turn down jobs and be super picky about what I do so I can make a family right here with the woman I love.”
“I’ve spent most of my life working,” David said. “I missed a lot. I’m glad you’re not going to make the same mistakes I made.”
Jason looked up at the stars, wondering if his mother was up there watching over him. “I know it’s rare to find what Mauve and I have. I’m finally getting that through my thick head. I’ve decided, there’s nothing I won’t do to keep her.”
“Good man.”
Mauve and Cynthia were making their way toward them. Jason peered closely at Mauve. She seemed lighter. Less emotional. Whatever her mother had said had dried up the tears at least. It was now his job to make sure she didn’t cry again. Ever.
On the way home,under that vast Vermont sky, Jason reached over to take Mauve’s hand. “Can I have you all to myself tomorrow? I have a surprise for you.”
She looked over at him, her eyes glittering in the light of a passing car. “I have a surprise for you too.”
“I’ll pick you up at noon.”
“I’ll be ready.” She turned to gaze out the window, a little sigh making the glass foggy, as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
He would fix it. Tomorrow.
16
MAUVE
Mauve sat at her kitchen table with her mother, both with steaming mugs of coffee before them.
“I did it. I wrote my resignation letter last night,” Mauve said, sliding a piece of paper toward Cynthia. “What do you think?”
Her mother read it quickly, eyes widening. “So you’ve made your decision?”
“I have. I’m going to move with Jason to L.A. I know this messes with your plans to buy a place here, and I’m so sorry about that. I would have loved to spend more time with you, especially if we have a baby.” Her eyes filled. “But I can’t let him go, Mom.”
“Don’t worry about us. We’ll follow you wherever you go.”
