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Iwasn’t usually the guy who had to cut in on other guys to get a dance partner, but I was about to do it for the second time tonight.
By the time Chloe and I got back to the reception, things were starting to wind down. The cupcakes had been decimated by a guest list full of sugar hounds. The line at the bar was gone, down to a dwindle of one or two. The deejay had slowed down the music, and Faye was currently dancing with her oldest son, Mason, a decent if somewhat uptight guy.
“Hey, Holden,” Mason said as I walked directly up to them, my intent to talk to them likely obvious.
“Mind if I dance with your mom?” I asked.
“I’ll let her decide,” he said with a hint of a smile.
“Of course,” Faye said. “I’d be delighted. I’ve had so many handsome dance partners tonight I’ll be spoiled.”
“Thanks,” I said to Mason as he bowed out.
“No dips. She has a heart condition,” he said over his shoulder.
I took her hand and put my other one on her side and quickly got what I wanted to say in order in my head.
“I wanted to apologize,” I said as she watched me expectantly, patiently, like only a woman who’d raised five rambunctious boys could do.
“I don’t know of anything you have to apologize for,” she said, her tone warm.
“I’ve been sort of a putz all night as I tried to get my head on right.”
“You’re doing just fine, Holden.”
I laughed. “You make it tough to apologize, ma’am.”
It was her turn to chuckle. “No ma’aming, please. I’m Faye.”
“Will you be changing your name to Henry?”
“I plan to. Will you have a problem with that?”
“No.” My answer came quickly and easily. “You make my dad happy, Faye.” I nodded toward him over at the side of the dance floor, talking to two of his friends, his smile a mile wide as he watched me dance with his new wife.
Faye followed my gaze and blew him a kiss.
“He makes me happy too. He’s a wonderful man.”
“Sounds like you two made the right decision then,” I said lightly. After a few more sways to the slow beat, I added, “Just to level with you, it’s weird to see him with someone else. But I’ll get used to it.”
Faye touched my cheek lightly, then returned her hand to my upper arm. “I’ll never try to take the place of your mother, Holden.”
I nodded.
“I’ve had a little experience with sons, and I’ve found, even as grown men, they sometimes still need a mom’s input. I’ll be honored to be that if you ever want it, but that’s for you to decide.”
I nodded again, my throat a little clogged up with emotion for some reason. She seemed genuine and noninvasive, respectful of my needs and, even more, respectful of my mom. I shouldn’t be surprised. I’d had no reason to think she’d be any other way, but the affirmation brought me a measure of relief.
“Thanks,” I said and gave her hand a light squeeze. “Your boys are lucky to have you.” They seemed to know that—all five of the North guys doted on her in their own way. Maybe it was because they’d lost their dad too early. I’d do anything to have my mom still alive.
“It’s the other way around, I assure you. And I feel fortunate to have you four Henry kids as a part of my life now too. What a big, loud group we all make. It does my heart so much good to be surrounded by all these amazing young people I get to call my family.”
Next thing I knew, my dad was on the dance floor with Chloe, and when they came near to us, he beamed at me, then winked at his wife.
It was true—I’d not seen him this happy for years. Since before my mom had died. If this woman was responsible for that—and I was one-hundred-percent positive she was—then I was all in favor. How could I not be? Chloe was spot on when she said I still had my memories of my mom, just as much today as I had yesterday. Faye North Henry couldn’t change that, and I understood now she wouldn’t want to.
When the song ended, I hugged Faye, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “My wish for you and my dad is to have years and years of happiness together.”
