Page 62 of Promise

Mom leans forward, stretching her hands across the table to pat one of mine. “That’s good, honey. That’s so good.”

I hum and lift my drink, taking a sip of something lemony and sweet, refreshing even. “Hibiscus?”

“My secret.” She winks, neither confirming nor denying her ingredients. Then she sits up straighter, “You know, honey. Having reservations is totally understandable. You’ve had a lot happen in just a few short weeks. Mirabelle arriving. Dart returning. Finding out you are still married.”

She pauses and glances at my hands around the clear plastic cup. “It would also be understandable to have walls up. To protect yourself.” She makes a soft fist and taps at her chest. “But don’t let those walls be so thick that someone can’t get in. See how beautiful you are. How much love you have to offer.”

I nod, glancing down at the plastic straw standing out of my cup.

“Dart and you . . . you remind me so much of your father and me.”

My eyes burn at the mention of my dad. Dart was close to him. Dad always had a soft spot for Dart.

“A little bit of the bad boy trying to be good,” she says.

I chuckle, never having that impression of my parents.

“And we both knew Dart loves you. He needed someone like you to love him back.” She catches my gaze. “Strong. Stable. Driven.”

“But did I drive too hard?” I lower my voice, fidgeting with the straw. “I think I might have pushed him away.”

Mom sighs. “I think what might matter more is that he’s back. Is he planning to stay?”

That word probably comes back to me. His racing career is probably over. I still didn’t know what that meant.

“I don’t know.”

She smiles in her motherly way. I wonder if I’ll wear the same expression with Mirabelle one day. If I’ll impart wisdom and offer advice to her with patience like Mom.

“Only way to know is to ask. Or maybe what you need to do is keep enjoying one another as you are. Kiss the toad again, see how much of a prince he can be.”

“Mom.” I laugh.

“Keep talking to each other. But don’t forget to step back and allow a little fun in between.” She wiggles her brows before pressing up from the table and rounding it for the bookshelves at my back.

She’s become quite the expert on romantic affairs, or so she thinks, with her collection of novels for sale. She dispenses the books like dating advice. Or couples’ therapy, apparently.

“Here. Take this one.” She hands me a book with a pretty cover. A couple in a mountain setting.

“What’s it about?” I hesitate, although I almost always take my mother’s suggestions for romance reads.

“Second chances. Reunited lovers.” She wiggles her brows. “And falling in love again.”

“Mom,” I groan.

“Stranger things have happened. But there is nothing better than love.” She squeezes my shoulder.

The bell over her door tings, and our discussion is cut short as she steps behind the counter, while the customer steps forward.

“Love you, Mom,” I call out, holding up my drink. I lift the book next. “Thanks for the book.” I stand and situate the stroller. Mirabelle is awake but staring at the toy dangling from the handle.

“Love you, too, baby. Both my baby girls.”

19

[Trinity]

I’m in the kitchen, putting a pre-made bottle in the fridge. The room is dark except for a light over the stove. Dart is out at another baseball game. It’s been almost a week since our kiss. I’ve had a lot to think about lately. The things Dart and I have revealed and shared. The advice Mom gave me the other day.