AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They invited us,” Misha reminded her. “So, they must have wanted us here.”
“Or maybe they felt like they had to invite us.”
“I didn’t get that feeling, Mom.” Misha tried to give her a reassuring smile. “We don’t have to stay super long. Just try to enjoy our time here.”
Her mom blew out a breath. “I’ll try.”
It was taking some time for her mom to find her place in Serenity. The group that Eva had invited her to had become the first real connection that her mom had made. She’d gone the first time, uncertain about committing to it, but then she’d gone to every meeting since. Misha was so thankful that Eva had reached out and taken her mom under her wing.
They couldn’t just hang out in the car, so Misha opened her car door and got out, knowing her mom would follow. She unbuckled Ciara and got her out of her car seat, while her mom retrieved the diaper bag.
They hadn’t even reached the steps leading to the porch when the front door opened and Jay stepped out, his gaze finding hers without hesitation. The smile that came to his face made Misha’s heart skip a beat, and she walked more quickly toward him.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said as she reached him. He wrapped his arms around both her and Ciara, then took the baby from her. “Hey there, cutie.”
Ciara had developed her own feelings for Jay, and happily spent as much time as possible with him. The feeling seemed to be mutual, as Jay never failed to take Ciara whenever they arrived where he was.
“How are you, Denise?” he asked, giving her a one-armed hug. “You look very nice.”
Her mom glanced down at herself. “Thank you, dear.”
It had taken them both more time than it should have to decide on what to wear to the graduation party. Misha had finally texted Janessa to ask for some advice. Thankfully, since they’d communicated via text, she had no idea if the woman had laughed at her request. She hadn’t tacked an LOL on her suggestion that jeans and a nice shirt were fine, so Misha hoped she’d understood that this outing was a little nerve-wracking for them.
“Let’s head on in,” Jay said. “We’re actually eating out back.”
“I’m glad it turned out to be such a nice day.”
“Mom’s been praying for good weather all week,” Jay said as he led them into the house.
It was the first time they’d been to this house. Most of the time when they hung out with the Halversons, it was at Charli and Janessa’s place.
“This is very beautiful,” her mom said.
Misha had to agree. It wasn’t a super modern home, but it was clear that it belonged to a loving family. Pictures covered every surface and many of the walls. Misha would have loved to spend time perusing them in search of glimpses of a younger Jay.
“Denise!” Cathy came hurrying over to them. “Welcome! I’m so you glad you three could make it.”
“Thank you for inviting us.”
“Of course, we wanted you here. It’s a celebration!”
“Can I help you with anything?”
“I don’t like to put guests to work, but since you offered…”
“Put me to work,” her mom insisted.
Misha smiled as she watched the two women head into the large, bright kitchen. Now that she had something to do, her mom would relax.
“Let’s head out back,” Jay said. “I think we’ll just end up in the way if we stay in here.”
There were already a bunch of people gathered on the large deck at the back of the house. The whole area was set up for entertaining, with a wide covered porch that ran the length of the house, and beyond that, a large, tiered deck.
Janessa came over and tried to take Ciara from Jay, but the little girl grabbed hold of Jay’s shirt and wouldn’t let go.
“Seriously? You don’t like me anymore, Baby C?”
Jay chuckled. “I’m her favorite.”
