Page 93 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

She pulled me into another embrace as Old Mrs V appeared and said, ‘Let the rest of us show our appreciation too!’

Miss Cheri gave a flippant wave at her friend and backed up so Old Mrs V and Silvio could give me their own hugs. Mrs V’s skin was still too pale for my liking, but Ford did say it would take time for her to feel better. Tessa and Manny and the girls were next in line. They handed me another bouquet and gushed about the show. Lou even mentioned she might try out for the next one, which made Manny beam. Beck and Torran waited eagerly behind them.

‘That was seriously the best children’s performance this town has ever had!’ Beck crowed.

Torran gave me a smile but she still looked a little green. According to Beck, the morning sickness was now afternoon and evening sickness too.

‘Pipe, you never cease to amaze me. What you did with that show. With the kids. Pure brilliance.’ The way my brother beamed at me with pride shook the last of my fears away. For years I’d wanted him to give me that kind of look. The one that said I’d made him proud. Achieved something that made him want to tell everyone I was his sister. As if he could sense my emotion, he plopped a kiss on the top of my head and whispered, ‘Mom and Dad would be thrilled.’

That did it. The tears streaked down my cheeks and Torran playfully swiped at his shoulder. ‘This is her big night. Don’t make her cry.’

‘They’re good tears,’ I said through a choked laugh.

A line built up behind them, and they reminded me I’d agreed to come to the house next week for dinner. Once they were gone, Barb and Susan gushed about how Autumn was the perfect Mary Poppins. How her voice was angelic. The rest of the town filtered through until a single person was left waiting.

Ford looked at me with such awe that I almost burst into tears again. He stalked straight for me, lifting me up and spinning in a circle.

‘That show was pure fucking magic. The kids were having so much fun… and Dex.’ He shook his head. ‘That kid is going places.’

‘I hope he keeps pursuing theater. He really does have stage presence.’ I waited a beat, too afraid to ask my question but I had to. ‘Did his father show up?’

‘No.’ He couldn’t hide the steel in his voice. ‘I sat with Rachel. Before the curtain fell, she was texting him. He made an excuse about not having money for gas to get here. Told her to pass along a message to Dex that he was sorry.’

‘Dammit,’ I bit out. ‘That kid deserves better.’

Ford linked his fingers with mine. ‘He does but taking on this role boosted his confidence. We’ve talked a lot about him doing the thing he loves. That his father’s choices should not affect how he lives his life. Which is a subject I know something about.’

I gave him a sad smile and he shrugged.

Near the bottom of the stage stairs stood a group of preteen girls, whispering and staring into the wings.

‘Wonder what that’s about?’ I said.

‘They’re waiting for Dex. I overheard them saying how cute he was.’

I pressed a hand to my mouth, stifling a laugh. ‘He’s going to love that.’

‘Yeah, he is.’ Ford lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my skin. ‘What else is there to do besides clean up?’

‘Maisey probably needs help with the costumes.’

He pulled me in for a hug and his woody scent washed over me. I wanted to hold on to this moment, knowing we wouldn’t have many more.

As we clung to each other, a person in the audience cleared their throat.

Ford spun around and took a step back. ‘Mom? What are you doing here?’

In a silky white blouse and navy-blue pantsuit, Mrs Foster was dressed more for a power lunch than a children’s theater performance.

‘Your friend here said she was directing a show. Thought I’d come and watch.’

His gaze darted around the theater. ‘Is Dad with you?’

‘No. It’s poker night at the club,’ she said with a snip. She took two bold strides forward and stopped below the stage. ‘Miss Townsend, I’ve seen theater in New York, London, Montreal, even in Paris.’ She sniffed. ‘Tonight, I expected to be wholly underwhelmed, but those children…’ She pressed her lips thin as if suppressing a smile. ‘They were magnificent, and I would assume that’s a credit to you.’

‘Thank you, ma’am.’

‘I was wondering if I could steal my son away for a minute?’

‘Oh, sure,’ I replied, still stunned she’d offered me a genuine compliment. ‘I need to go backstage and help with the costumes. Ford, I’ll see you in the square later?’

‘Yes, you will.’ He kissed my cheek and made his way down the side stairs.

I had no idea why Mrs Foster was here, but the way she walked with the posture of a military commander said it wasn’t for a reason that could be good.