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“What?”
“Cleaned up a site?”
“No, why? Have you?”
“I did it all the time.”
He shouldn’t be surprised that yet another family member hadn’t even noticed how differently Ted treated him.
“Look, should I hire this guy?”
Jake scowled. “Why are you asking me?”
“Because I don’t know what happened between you and Allison, but she’s all upset about you hanging out with this Hannah, who happens to be this guy’s wife, who you fought in the grocery store.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
Josh took a bite of his eggs. “This whole thing with Allison is making Veronica upset.”
“Sorry, man, but we were not good for each other.” Jake shook his head.
“I’d be careful,” Josh warned. “That guy seems off.”
Jake didn’t need anyone to tell him that. And if that was what Josh really thought, why was he even considering hiring him?
Josh looked at his phone. “I’ve got to get going. Do you mind sticking around for the bill?” He threw down some twenties on the table.
Jake hesitated as his siblings got up to leave. The morning sun felt good, and the view of the river was nice. But his nerves were jittery as he thought about the christening.
Was Hannah aware of Troy’s newfound enlightenment?
He almost felt for the guy. If Hannah was his wife, he’d certainly never let go, and he’d never be able to walk away from his daughter. The fact that Emma was one of the happiest teenagers he had ever met showed what kind of a mother she was.
When he got home, he spent a long time getting ready. He pulled out a new razor, dabbed on an expensive aftershave his mother had given him for a Christmas gift, and wore the suit he’d picked up for Victor’s funeral.
He walked, carrying a card with a check, and picked some wildflowers on the way, just like Olivia had commanded. Cars and trucks were parked all up and down the road near the farm.
When he walked up the drive, he saw the enormous event tent and heard people talking and laughing and having a good time. Music played from inside. Just as he walked up the drive, Maggie came outside and saw him.
“Jake! You made it!” She gestured with an empty pitcher. “Everyone’s in the tent.”
He nodded, looking down at his flowers, feeling suddenly foolish for bringing them to a Christening.
Inside, he saw the usual faces from town. Every Boudreau and Gunderson, kids running everywhere. He saw Pastor Phil and some other familiar faces from church, even his school Principal, Mr. Studer.
It wasn’t until a slow song started to play that he saw her. Hannah stood at the other end of the tent with Olivia and Jesse, holding Mae in her arms. She wore a blue dress that brought out sparkling color in her eyes. Her long silky hair flowed down her back. He wasn’t sure if she saw him, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
He went straight to her with the flowers in his hand. She looked up as he approached. The right side of Olivia’s mouth quirked up and she plucked Mae out of Hannah’s arms. She and Jesse excused themselves.
“These are for you,” he said.
“For me?” She looked confused.
“Yes, for you… neighbor.” He smiled.
Chapter 8
Hannah had never felt so happy in all her life. Being part of the ceremony, seeing Emma in her new dress, the beautiful surroundings, the music, and Jake’s look sent her spinning with joy. She knew she looked good, especially in the outfit Olivia practically forced her to borrow. The blue dress fit her perfectly, accentuated all the right places, and she felt sexy for what felt like the first time since Emma was born.
