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It took the man some time to answer her question, making her question whether it had been a good idea to perpetuate the serenity of the moment by talking.
“I moved back here nearly twenty years ago,” he finally spoke. “I came here with my wife and three-year-old daughter, but sadly, only one of those two relationships has remained intact.”
Jo waited for him to continue. Daniel looked over at her before quickly averting his eyes. “I’m divorced.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jo replied, unsure of what else she could have said in such a situation.
“So, your mother tells me you’re a chef,” he changed the conversation.
Jo blinked, surprised her mother had spoken to him about her. “Oh, yeah… yes. Sous chef actually,” she informed him.
“What was it like working in the city?” he asked, interested.
“Busy.” She laughed. “It was great, actually. I’ve always loved being in the kitchen, and the opportunity I had to be second in command at such an upscale restaurant was just…” She couldn’t find the words to express her feelings. “I also did a little catering on the side, so when I say I was busy, I mean I was almost wrung out.”
“Sounds remarkable,” Daniel countered. “I hope I’m not making a conclusion based on a false assumption here, but seeing as you’re here, back in Oak Harbor, maybe you could help me prepare for your mother’s sixty-sixth birthday party coming up,” he offered.
“Really?” she asked wide-eyed. “Of course. I would love to, and I promise I won’t get in your way.” She gave her scout’s honor. At this, Daniel chuckled heartily.
“What’s so funny over here?” Andrea asked as she plopped down on the other side of Jo.
“Daniel was just asking me to assist him with making Mom’s birthday dinner,” Jo told her sister.
“That’s great,” Andrea replied, pleased.
“Cora,” Andrea called out to her sister, grabbing her attention. “Jo’s gonna help prepare Mom’s birthday dinner.”
“That’s great news,” Cora replied, disentangling herself from Jamie, then headed over to her sisters.
“I’m sure Mom will appreciate it even more.” Cora smiled down at her baby sister in appreciation. Jo returned her smile.
“And what about me?”
The sisters turned to their cousin, who stood looking back and forth between them in expectation.
“Thank you for agreeing to take time out of your busy schedule to make and decorate Mom’s cake, Kerry,” Cora appeased their cousin.
“Aww, shucks, you’re going to make me cry.”
Cora chuckled before pulling her into a hug.
“Now that that’s settled, we need to make sure that our girls show up for this party because… it might just be Mom’s last,” Andrea spoke solemnly.
Jo felt her heart constrict with dread, and the hole in her chest widen a little more.
