Hollis grins up at me from where he sits with our son. “Might look a little familiar.” He winks as I survey the light blue convertible model car they put together. Much like the one we drove off in after we got married, although ours was pink.
“I love it, baby.” I press a kiss to the top of J’s light brown hair. “You did such a great job.”
“Thanks, Mommy.” He concentrates on the car before looking at Hollis. “I think that bumper’s a little crooked, though.”
My husband’s eyes narrow as he surveys the car. “Hmm.” He leans in close and speaks in a hushed voice. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
J grins, one bottom front tooth missing. “Deal.”
The doorbell rings, and our son practically vibrates with excitement. “Uncle Grant’s here!”
Feet pitter-patter on the hardwood floors, and a little voice calls out, “Uncle Grant!”
I turn and scoop up our four-year-old daughter, Ella, propping her on my hip. She grins at me with that gap between her top front teeth, her blonde hair tumbling around her sweet face.
I hold out a hand, and J fits his in mine. “Let’s go see your uncle, then.”
“Yes, ma’am!” they say with such eagerness it has both Hollis and me chuckling.
Although Hollis will be away at a car expo next week, thankfully, once he returns, he’ll be home for a month before he has another one overseas. It’s hectic, but we make it work. I manage the marketing aspect for the business, which allows me a flexible schedule so I’m able to volunteer in J’s classroom and at Ella’s preschool.
My mother and I are still not on the greatest of terms, but we’re at least speaking—mainly on birthdays and Christmas when we call her. Her refusal to fully accept me and my choices, as well as the man who makes me the happiest woman on earth, has been a bitter pill to swallow. It’s unfortunate, but in the end, she made the decision to not be a prominent figure in our lives.
Things between my stepfather and I remain stilted. After Hollis revealed the truth about Roy being his biological father and the offer of money to keep that fact secret, I lost so much respect for my stepfather. Afterward, the letter I’d stumbled on in Mrs. Barnes’ sewing room all those years ago made much more sense. It had been meant for Roy.
We’re blessed, though, because Grant, Stephanie and Tommy, Grandpa Joe, and Uncle Johnny spoil our kids rotten with love, which helps to take away some of the sting of my mother and Roy being absentee grandparents.
Grant is seeing a nice woman, and though I’m not sure if it’ll go anywhere, I’m thrilled for him. He’s a wonderful friend and loves our children to pieces. He and Hollis have grown close, which I initially expected to be awkward. But when I asked my husband about it, he said, “We both love you—just in different ways.” Then, in typical Hollis good-hearted fashion, he added, “I reckon he needs us—people who don’t expect anythin’ from him.” And that was that.
Our little ones barely allow Grant a chance to greet us, instantly chattering with their uncle about everything that’s happened since his last visit. Our dear friend takes it all in stride, indulging them with unmistakable affection on his face.
When our sweet boy darts off to his room to grab his newest favorite model car to show Grant and Ella rushes to hers to grab her favorite fairy tale for him to read to her, it allows him a quick moment to catch up with Hollis.
I lean against the doorway watching the two men, their conversation so natural. Something Grant says has my husband tipping his head back on a laugh, his dark beard framing those familiar lips I love.
While I watch Hollis chat with Grant, my husband so comfortable and undeniably confident in his own skin, I can’t help the surge of pride at how far we’ve come. We’ve successfully moved on from being those two people reeling from the mental and emotional wounds of inadequacy and self-doubt that had plagued us for years.
Hollis’ eyes suddenly catch mine, and that secret smile graces his lips. The one that’s only for me. The one that silently says, I love you.
And I’m reminded yet again, even though it took us a while to get our lives sorted, I did the right thing in choosing Hollis Barnes.
There’s a saying that sometimes beginnings are hidden in what we’re certain is the end. And in our case, it’s true.
We may have gotten our happily ever after, but that doesn’t mark the end for us.
It’s the most beautiful beginning.
“To be someone’s first love is extraordinary, but to also be their last is exquisitely magical.”
—Unknown
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About the Author
RC Boldt enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.
RC loves hearing from her readers at [email protected]. You can also check out her website at http://www.rcboldtbooks.com or her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rcboldtauthor for the latest updates on upcoming book releases.
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Acknowledgments
This book ended up going through edits right when I had something unexpectedly happen: I had to undergo emergency eye surgery to fix a detached retina as well as a few other issues. Without having my vision restored, I suffered from brutal eye strain in my good eye and had to have my husband (who’s typing this as I dictate to him) step in and help with things he had no idea about. Talk about a crash course!
Massive thanks to my editing and proofreading “fairies”, Tamara Mataya, Editing 4 Indies, Diamond in the Rough Editing, Deaton Author Services, and Judy’s Proofreading Services; to my assistant Melissa, my publicist Nina and the team at Social Butterfly PR, and my close author friends who have helped me out while I’ve been unable to read and be online to post to social media.