“Emily gives you a run for your money, that’s for sure. I can see her pushing you into the lake.” She chuckled.
“How’d you know swimming was her idea?” he joked.
Mom chuckled. “I know how she is.”
Jake grinned while he recalled splashing her in the lake. And how good she looked with her clothes clinging to her and her long hair cascading down her back and dripping on the dock. His heart skipped a beat.
Dude, she’s your friend! Knock it off!
“She’s never been afraid to challenge you. I’ve always loved that about her.”
Me too. Along with many other things.
Jake stacked the glasses on the top shelf of the dishwasher and tried to cool the temperature inside his head.
“When are you going to see Claire again?” Mom asked.
“Don’t know.” He kept his eyes focused on the dishwasher.
“Jake,” Mom said, and he busied himself with adding the serving platters. “Look at me.”
He blew out a long sigh and faced her.
The concern in her blue eyes pricked his heart. “I can tell you and Claire are having problems.” Her face was solemn. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
Mom patted his cheek. “Honey, you’re almost thirty. You might want to start thinking about settling down. Especially if you want to start a family.”
Jake let out a slow breath. “I hear you, Mom. Right now I’m focused on the orchard.”
“Don’t let life pass you by. That’s all I’m trying to say.” Her eyes reddened as they began to pool with tears.
Oh no.
“Your dad’s heart attack made me realize how—how precious life is.”
He touched her arm. “I know.” His voice was gravelly.
She cleared her throat. “That’s why you need to get married, son.” She clasped her hands together. “Your dad’s health is fragile. I know a wedding and some grandbabies would lift his soul so much.”
Jake pressed his lips together. “Listen, a wedding isn’t on my agenda right now. But maybe Ally will get married first and give you and Dad some grandkids.”
Mom wiped her eyes. “We almost lost your dad.” Her voice sounded thick. “I’m so afraid of losing him. We’ve been together thirty-five years.”
Ugh.
Seeing his mom cry was too much. He tried to swallow back the guilt clogging his throat.
“You and Claire have been through so much. You can’t give up on her now. She was your rock after your dad’s heart attack.”
He agreed that he and Claire had history. But a future together? He wasn’t so sure about that.
Mom turned her attention to stacking the containers of leftovers in the refrigerator. When the shower stopped running above them, an idea hit him.
He added a detergent packet to the dishwasher before starting it.
“I need to go look for something,” he told his mom.
