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When she next appeared, she stopped in front of Lawson and stated, “Mommy got me a new dress, too, see?”
Nora’s nickname for Evelyn had never been more accurate. Evelyn’s hair was done up in a braided style with a low bun—her red bow perfectly placed. The red dress she wore was long-sleeved and draped a couple inches below the knee, the skirt speckled in glitter. She wore white tights and a pair of black shoes, and she looked the picture of Christmas.
“You look beautiful, pretty girl.”
“Thank you,” she said, giving her dress a twirl.
While it took a couple extra minutes before they were ready to make their way out the door, they arrived at the church with a few minutes to spare before the mass began. When Lawson walked in, holding Evie against his chest with one arm, his free hand clasped around Nora’s, he’d never felt more content or certain that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
It had been a long time since she’d been to a Catholic mass, but it was just as she’d remembered—even down to the pew. TheSteeles sat in the same one for so many years, she was surprised their name wasn’t engraved on the side of it. Much like her first mass, Lawson was there to guide Evie through the service, whispering explanations and instructions with great patience. Evie, clearly out of her element, followed along with quiet curiosity. When the service was over, they followed the crowd out into what was the beginning of a cold, sunny afternoon.
With Evie still sticking close to Lawson, asking questions she’d likely been keeping at bay for the last hour, Nora saw it when Gale broke away from Keaton in order to come say hello. Living in the same small town, they’d seen each other plenty over the last six years—but this was different. Nora on Lawson’s arm gave Gale a freedom she was perceptive enough to know she didn’t have in any other circumstance.
Breaking up with Lawson had meant breaking up with his parents. Steele and Jay had been the exceptions in the split, their shared friend group making it so. But Gale and Keaton were much more than friends to Nora. When she was a teenager, they were the adults who opened up their home on nights when she needed it the most. They were an example of stability and tradition, both of which she was able to experience from a front row seat they provided. Sundays, birthdays, holidays—so long as she was with Lawson, she was one of them and always welcome. But as soon as she broke-up with their youngest boy, everything changed.
Nora-Jean knew it wasn’t that they turned their backs on her. The crux of the matter was, it would have been entirely too painful for everyone if they’d tried to hold on to something that was broken. It was exceptionally apparent when Nora got pregnant. For years, she imagined having children with Lawson and leaning on Gale as the exact opposite of everything Earlene was. When that wasn’t how things played out, every time shelonged for the advice of a mother-in-law, it was like she felt the breakup and the consequences of her actions all over again.
Gale knew the reality of the situation as well as Nora, which is why it was no surprise when she came and wrapped Nora in a big hug before so much as sayinghello. Her embrace saideverything. In turn, Nora held on tight, hoping her arms said just as much.
“Welcome home, sweetheart,” she finally whispered.
Nora couldn’t speak, the knot in her throat robbing her of her voice. Instead, she held on tighter, sealing her eyes shut in an effort to keep from crying.
“Gale, darlin’, it’s cold out and we’ve got a little one to think about,” interrupted Keaton gently. “We’re all goin’ to the same place, anyway. Let’s head on over to the house.”
“Oh, al’right,” she said, letting Nora go.
Keaton caught Nora’s eye and gave her a wink that brought a smile to her face and eased the knot in her throat.
“Table’s not been the same without you. Lookin’ forward to havin’ you back.”
“If y’all don’t stop, I’ll never make it through today without cryin’,” teased Nora.
“On that note,” interjected Jay, “let’s go grub.” As she spoke, she walked by them, headed for the parking lot.
Steele and Mitzi were right behind her—Mitzi taking a second to flash Nora an expression that clearly communicated:oh-my-gosh-this-is-finally-freaking-happening!This made Nora laugh, giving her emotional whiplash. She knew she’d be happy but exhausted by the end of the day.
“You ready?” asked Lawson as Keaton led Gale toward their vehicle.
Smiling at her man, Nora simply nodded in reply.
At Evie’s request, they listened and sang to Christmas music the whole way across town. When they arrived at the familiarturn that would take them down the Steeles’ driveway, Nora glanced at Lawson inquisitively as he passed it.
“I know it’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure that was the turn.”
“I want to show you somethin’.”
Ten minutes later, they turned into a clearing. More than anything, it looked like a field in the middle of a bunch of trees.
“Where are we?” asked Evie, peering out the window.
Nora-Jean understood where they were before Lawson turned down the music and replied, “We’re gonna live here one day.”
“Where? In the grass? We’ll be cold.”
Lawson chuckled, and Nora watched as he sought out Evie’s gaze from the reflection of the rearview mirror. “No, pretty girl, not in the grass. I’ll make sure we have a house, first.”
This made Evie gasp. “A whole house?”
