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I set the bowl of vegetables back on the table and placed a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. I’d be curious, too, if you’d been gone for almost ten years.”
He smiled at me before glaring daggers at his mom. We both knew she was digging, but I was trying to be cooperative for Lincoln. I grabbed the bowl of mashed potatoes as I answered her question, “Well, I graduated with honors from Duke, then was able to get my dream job in my field. I’ve been very successful career-wise, but something’s always been missing since I left.”
I glanced over at Lincoln, who smiled at me. My cheeks heated as I directed my attention back to serving myself potatoes without spilling them.
“Sounds like you’ve done well for yourself,” Mr. Bennett commented.
I shrugged, the heat in my cheeks intensifying from his praise. “I’ve tried. But there are some choices I’ve regretted.” I reached under the table and found Lincoln’s hand, linking our fingers together. “And I just want to apologize for everything that happened with Piper. I wish I would’ve handled the situation differently, and I’m sorry for hurting all of you in the process.”
Lincoln squeezed my hand. I darted my eyes to his, giving him a soft smile. I was thankful for his support as I tried to make peace with my demons.
I directed my gaze to Mr. Bennett, who nodded at me. Then I glanced at Mrs. Bennett, who frowned with tears in her eyes. “I don’t agree with the decisions you made. You broke my son’s heart, and although he’s forgiven you, it’s going to take time for me to fully accept your apology. But I also realize we’ve been given a gift with this second chance with Piper, and I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to be in her life. And if that means making peace with you, then so be it.”
I smiled. It wasn’t exactly the outcome I’d hoped for, but it was better than I’d expected. I’d take what I could get.
Mrs. Bennett dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, then clapped her hands together. “All right then, let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
As we ate, we talked about Piper, the farm, and my work assignment. There was hardly any tension as we chatted and laughed, and I was thankful for how dinner was going. I’d been so worried that the night was going to be a disaster, so I was relieved, to say the least.
After dinner, we had some of Mrs. Bennett’s peach cobbler and ice cream before heading out for the night. When we got in the truck, Lincoln and I locked eyes.
“Did that really just happen?” I asked in disbelief.
Lincoln chuckled. “It did.”
I shook my head and laughed. “I can’t believe it.”
The truck rumbled to life. “Well, believe it. You definitely deserve a few drinks after that.”
“I’m not gonna argue with that.”
Lincoln drove us into town to the same place I’d ran into Beth at. We went inside and sat at the bar, then waited for the bartender to take our order.
Lincoln smiled at me. “You excited for tomorrow?”
That was an understatement. “Beyond excited. The days seem to drag on and on. I feel like it’s never going to get here.”
He patted my knee and chuckled. “I know the feeling.”
The bartender came over. We both ordered a beer and waited as he grabbed two bottles from the cooler and popped the tops for us.
Lincoln raised his beer. “To us.”
I clinked his bottle with mine and smiled. “To us.”
After a few more beers, Lincoln took me back to my hotel. He walked me up to my room, then leaned against the doorframe as I scanned my key card.
I bit my bottom lip as I opened the door. “You wanna stay with me?”
He leaned in, pressing a kiss on my lips. “Do you really have to ask?”
I giggled as he picked me up and carried me inside, kicking the door behind him.
I anxiously rifled through my clothes in the hotel closet, trying to figure out the perfect outfit to wear for my day with Piper and Lincoln. He’d left earlier that morning to prepare for her visit while I’d slept in.
I frowned. I needed something practical yet cute, but nothing seemed to fit my criteria. After a few more minutes, I huffed and settled on a pair of jeans and a blue tank top since that was Piper’s favorite color.
I hadn’t been horseback riding in years, but I remembered that jeans were the best option for comfort and durability. I put my hair up in a high ponytail, applied some light makeup so I wouldn’t look like death, then grabbed my purse and rushed out the door.
