The two of them laughed.What a difference, Kristine thought. Her mother guarded that secret so carefully for so long. It was freeing to have it out in the open now.
“So, Mom, do you really love Conlan?”
Amy smiled with a glow in her eyes. “I really do. He’s the one I’ve been waiting for. He’s thoughtful, generous, intelligent, and handsome, and he has a sexy accent to boot.”
Kristine believed her. “I’m really happy for you, Mom.”
“And how about you? Are you really in love with Jayce?”
Kristine thought about the night on the boat. He was exactly as her mother described. Thoughtful, generous, intelligent, and handsome, and even though his Boston accent wasn’t sexy, the rest of him certainly was. His temporary immaturity could be forgiven. It was the result of sacrificing himself for the good of others. All because she was determined to go through with her plan, and he wouldn’t let her do it alone.What an idiot I was.
“Without a doubt. I found the right man for me too.”
Amy hugged her, and she returned the loving gesture.
“So, why don’t the two of you share our wedding date?”
Kristine laughed. “Isn’t it enough that you’re sharing it already with Rory and Amber?”
“The more the merrier,” Amy said with an animated grin.
Kristine smirked. “We’re still getting to know each other and have a lot of things to work out. But I appreciate your holding off until August so Jayce can at least attend as a guest. A human guest.”
“Well, the invitation is there. You two can decide what to do about it later.”
Kristine remained quiet. Even if Jayce agreed, at this point he was still a little kid and didn’t really know what he was agreeing to. She’d have to wait until he had his adult brain and power of speech so they could discuss it rationally as a couple.
“Let’s not count on that. I’d rather focus on you and your special day. What are you going to wear?”
With a wistful, faraway look in her eyes, Amy described the designer gown she had seen in the Vera Wang window. It was long, silky, and sleek. It would hug her curves and, hopefully, not upstage Amber. “I think I’ll have it made in aqua. Conlan loves the color of my eyes.”
“That sounds perfect. And where are you planning to live?”
Amy turned to her with enthusiasm. “Didn’t I tell you? We found out the baseball player and his wife who own the apartment building next door to the B and B are expecting baby number two. They’re moving to the suburbs, and since everyone in the building is paranormal, we’d fit right in!”
Kristine’s brows shot up. “You’re renting the penthouse? Can you and Conlan afford that?”
She laughed. “With ease. Conlan will be importing Arish whiskey to sell on this side of the pond, and I’ll be teaching acting at Emerson College. The drama department is right down the street!”
“Really? When did you apply?”
“Yesterday. They just had an instructor quit at the end of last semester, and they jumped at the chance to have a real Broadway actress and professional coach take her place.”
“That’s fabulous! I had no idea!”
After another hug, she wondered what the penthouse looked like on the inside. Outside, a lot of floor-to-ceiling glass was visible, and it looked very modern. In fact, it stood out in the old Boston area as if a spaceship had landed on one of the roofs. “Are you going to bring all your Hummel figurines to the fancy new place?”
“Maybe not. I doubt they’ll fit in with the decor. But there is some storage in the basement.”
Amy looped her arm through her daughter’s. “We haven’t had a lot of time for just the two of us to sit and talk. I’m glad we have this long train ride in order to catch up.”
Kristine could have done without the commuter train stopping at every Connecticut town of any size along the way, but it was nice to have her concerns for her mother’s well-being put to rest. Now if she could just figure out an amenable arrangement with Jayce. Sadly, she doubted their cards would fall into place as easily as that. One of them was going to have to sacrifice everything.
