Written in the Stars Page 20

  “Are a thing,” Grace provided for her tongue-­tied mother. It was rare to witness Becca Gordon flustered, and Grace thought it was cute that her mother was blushing bright pink.

  “A thing?” Becca nodded hard. “Yes, I do suppose...a thing is a good way to put it.” She motioned to the brick-­paved patio at the side of the bistro. “Come have a chat with me, darling. You can spare your mum a few minutes.”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Of course you do,” Becca said in her polite way, but she really meant no, you must tell me what’s going on.

  “Okay.” Grace nodded, not only because she really needed to talk to her mother but also because it would buy her more time before she headed down to the brewery. They sat down at a teak bistro table beneath a pretty violet-­striped awning. Mattie had an abundance of flowers overflowing from window boxes, and the view of the river was simply gorgeous. “It is really so pretty here,” Grace said, and Becca nodded her agreement. “There’s just something about a marina and boats, you know?”

  “You really aren’t very good at attempting to beat around the bush.”

  “I thought I’d give it a go.” Grace leaned forward. “So tell me about your thing with the handsome, helpful fishing guide.”

  “He is a bit handsome, isn’t he?” Becca waved a dismissive hand. “But we’re just, you know, hanging out,” she added quickly. “That kind of...thing.”

  “Right. He was totally going to plant a kiss on you and then remembered I was standing right there, and he had a maybe-­I-­shouldn’t moment.”

  “No, he wasn’t.”

  “Mum...”

  “Hey, you’re just as rotten at changing the subject as you are at beating around the bush. This is about you, darling. We’ll talk about me later.” She folded her hands, leaned back in the chair, and waited.

  Grace closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. “I don’t know where to begin.”

  “Are you in love with this boy?”

  Grace thought about denying it, but her mother would see right through her. “Yes,” she answered softly. “I suppose I am. I mean, I’ve never felt this way before. I must say, it’s a bit overwhelming.”

  “And does Mason love you?”

  “I...I think so.” Grace rolled her eyes up to the light blue sky and studied the puffy white clouds, thinking one looked just like Winnie-­the-­Pooh. “I thought he wanted me to stay here in Cricket Creek,” she said absently.

  “Why would you think otherwise?”

  “By the way he treated me this afternoon.” Grace frowned up at the sky. “He did everything in his power to push me away. Why would he do that to someone he has feelings for?”

  “Open-­house jitters? You’ve been with me at fashion shows when I’m going crazy. Maybe you need to cut him a bit of slack.”

  “Mum, you’re the queen of making excuses for men who don’t deserve it.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Becca looked at her for a long moment and then inhaled sharply. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t ever—­and I do mean ever—­want you to be talked to or treated in any other way than with the utmost respect. Did he disrespect you?”

  Grace shook his head. “No, never, but he just let me know how much he hated the Broomstick Brewery logo and said that I forced the whole thing upon him.”

  “Did you?”

  Grace raised her hands skyward. “I didn’t think so...but maybe a little bit. But this is what I’m good at. Drawing in a demographic that’s being ignored in the marketplace. And I know I’m spot-­on. Women—”

  “Gracie, you don’t have to explain. But don’t you get it? This was his dream, and you swooped in and took over. This all happened very fast, and his head is probably spinning.”

  Grace gasped and flattened her hands against the table. “Um, I swooped in and saved the day, I’ll have you know.”

  “Something Mason had to swallow his pride for him to allow you to do.” Becca reached over and patted Grace’s hand. “Put yourself in his shoes, or should I say boots?”

  “He had an excellent product, but no feasible marketing plan.”

  “Mason probably didn’t know he needed one.”

  “Mum, the market is saturated. Just like with cosmetics. You have to stand out! Do something clever. Smart.”

  “Oh, darling, I agree, but that’s not the issue here. His beer is named after witches and he doesn’t like it. He’s probably been too busy to even think about it until today was suddenly here.”

  “Well, it’s too bloody late to go back now.” She toyed with the tail of her braid, close to tears that she didn’t want to spill. “I wish to hell I’d never gotten involved.”

  “As you said, it’s too late now.”

  Grace groaned. “I know. Now what am I going to do?”

  “Are we talking about the brewery or Mason?” Becca asked gently.

  “The brewery!” Grace raised her hands skyward and then shook her head so hard that her braid flipped back and forth. “No, you know what?” she asked, with more than a little heat behind her words, but didn’t pause for an answer. “If I hadn’t been at the right place at the right time for Mason, he was going to likely go under. And even with my investment, if not marketed well and promoted in the right way, in the end the money wouldn’t have mattered. So like the logo or not, it was necessary, so I refuse to feel guilt. Sod that!”

  “And you shouldn’t. I wasn’t suggesting fault on your end, only shedding light on how Mason might be feeling right now.”

  “And, Mum, I wanted to help. After all, Mason is Mattie’s brother. But I’m not going to not make the most of my investment either. He’s just going to have to get over himself.”

  “Oh, darling, I think he can do that.” She pressed her lips together and gave Grace a level look.

  “You have more to say...so say it.”

  “All right, then. I think Mason’s worried that he won’t be able to get over you.”

  Grace ran her hand over the smooth teak, trying to keep her tears in check. After clearing her throat, she said, “And that’s why I shouldn’t have gotten involved with Mason in the first place. I knew it was a mistake, and because we’re having this discussion, it only proves that I’m right...or wrong, depending how you look at it.” She took a shaky breath. “I knew it was bloody stupid. What’s wrong with my brain these days?”

  “Ah, Gracie, we can have control over lots of things in life, but not our feelings. You can fight what’s in your heart, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s there. You can’t stop yourself from loving...from caring.”

  “I understand, but I should have never given in.”

  “And let love win?”

  “No! Now I’m one hot mess, and I don’t have a clue what to do about it.”

  “You could move here, you know. After selling Girl Code, there’s nothing to keep you living in London.” She pointed to the view. “And Cricket Creek is a lovely town with a lot to offer. Sports, theater, shopping, restaurants; not to mention everyone you care about is here. At least for now.”

  “No doubt, but you know I could never settle down in one place.”

  Becca shook her head. “I don’t know that at all, and quite frankly, neither do you.”

  “Mum...come on, now,” she protested, but her mother merely shrugged.

  “Sometimes the things we believe about ourselves are the furthest from the actual truth.”

  “Did you read that from a fortune cookie?” Grace joked because her mother was hitting way too close for comfort.

  Becca smiled. “No, but worth putting in one, I’d say. Actually, it’s from experience.”

  Grace mulled that over while she watched a delicate sailboat glide across the water. Rusty, Mason’s Irish setter, ran across the lawn chasing a bird. “Poor thing, he’s never going to catch th
at bird.”

  “Ah, but it’s in his nature to give it all he’s got.” Becca pointed to Abigail, his little beagle-­mix lady companion, who sat in the grass watching Rusty, waiting for his empty-­handed return. “I see them frolicking around the marina all over the place, even up by me. I know he belongs to Mason, but he can’t seem to leave Abigail’s side, and so he stays down here most of the time. Look at them. So very different, and yet inseparable.”

  “Mum...” Grace shot her mother a look. “What are you getting at?”

  “Just an observation.” She pressed her lips together and then lifted her chin. “Okay, I’ll just come right out and say it. Different like you and Mason.”

  Grace tapped her cheek and then arched an eyebrow. “Hmm, country boy and city girl like you and Jimmy?”

  “Changing the subject again, are we?”

  “I’m curious about you and your thing.”

  “Oh, Jimmy and I are more alike than what you might imagine. And, darling, don’t forget that your mum came from working-­class London.”

  “So do you think there’s a chance for you two?”

  Becca glanced away, as if not willing to be in the hot seat. But she surprised the hell out of Grace by looking at her and nodding. “You know what? He might not think so, but, yes,” she said firmly. “Yes, I do.”

  “You don’t say.” Grace leaned back in her chair, a bit stunned.

  “I think I just did,” Becca said with a slow smile. She splayed a hand across her chest. “Oh wow, Gracie, I do believe I’m...in love.” Her eyes widened a fraction, and then she laughed with pure delight. “Can that be so?”

  Grace’s heart pounded with joy. “Of course! So...so what are you going to do about it? Tell him?”

  “Oh heavens, I dunno. Isn’t the man supposed to say those three little words first? And isn’t it far too early for such sentiments?” She looked at Grace and shook her head. “And when did this discussion become about me?”

  “Just now,” Grace said and smiled at her mother. “And it’s about time that you thought about yourself and your happiness.”

  Becca’s eyes misted over and she put a hand to her mouth. After a hushed moment, she looked over at Grace. “I do believe you’re right.”

  “Mum, for the record, I don’t think any of those rules apply anymore. Didn’t you just say that you can fight it but not change what’s in your heart?”

  “Well, this discussion certainly took a turn I didn’t expect.” She said it lightly, but there was a punch of emotion behind her mother’s admission.

  “No, I think you needed to tell me. I want you to be happy, and you should follow your own advice.”

  Becca brushed at a tear. “You know what? I think that holding Lily just opened up my heart to look at my life from a different angle and to embrace love again.”

  “Then, go for it.”

  “Ha, I’ve never been good at following my own advice.”

  “But you’ve never followed rules either.”

  Becca smiled. “Ah, so true,” she said, but then her smile faltered.

  “What, Mum?”

  “There’s something in his past that he’s not telling me. Something that caused pain, I’m afraid.”

  “Ask him. Whatever it is, you need to know before you can go forward.”

  “I did. I suppose he will tell me when the time is right.” She looked at Grace. “Now back to you.”

  “After that bombshell?” Grace heard her phone ring and knew it was going to be Mason. She was right. She silenced her ringtone.

  “Mason?”

  “Yes.” She almost smiled.

  “Are you going to answer him?”

  “I’m going to ignore him and give him the cold shoulder at the tasting party.”

  “And what good can that do for anybody, you included? Some sort of misguided satisfaction? What if he says he’s sorry and has been a wanker?”

  Grace laughed. “He won’t say wanker.”

  “Jackass.”

  “Douche bag.”

  “Oh how horrid.” Becca grimaced. “Okay—­well?”

  “I’d cave in, of course. Why do you think I’ve been avoiding him for the past couple of hours?”

  “You need to be at the event, Gracie.”

  “Um, yeah, and maybe he should realize the hard way that I need to be there.”

  “He already knows that, darling. This isn’t about him wanting you to stay. That’s a given. This is about you thinking that you need to leave.”

  “I don’t think it. I know it. What’s that old saying about a zebra not being able to change its stripes, or something like that?”

  “Oh, that silly saying doesn’t hold water with me. Love changes things, Gracie. I know you’re thinking of me and Rick and me and your father. Funny, but I used to view those marriages as failures, but they were part of my journey.” She tapped her chest. “Part of what made me who I am right now. I don’t have regrets, really. Changing the past would mean I wouldn’t have my three lovely children and my adorable Lily.”

  “Did you love Rick?”

  She looked off into the distance for a moment. “Madly.”

  “So what went wrong?”

  “I resented his absence. I guess you could say that I was jealous of his music. Perhaps if I’d gone on the road with him like he asked, he wouldn’t have gotten out of control and he would have bonded with Garret early on. I didn’t say that I didn’t make mistakes. We all do. But I don’t have regrets. Does that make sense? Besides, we can’t change the past anyway, so what good does it do to dwell upon it?”

  “You’re right.” Grace nodded. “What about Dad? Did you love him?”

  “Oh, I thought so. Marcus was so very different from Rick, and I suppose that was the initial attraction. Instead of a wild rocker, I had a buttoned-­up businessman. But as you know, your father loved making money more than spending time with his family. Pity, really. He’s missed out on a lot. I just don’t think he was meant to settle down. Marcus does love you and Sophia in his own way. And Garret too, really. He just doesn’t know how to be a father. We grew apart early on and stayed together out of...convenience, I suppose.”

  Grace felt icy fingers of fear slide down her back. “Sometimes I’m afraid I’m like him.”

  “You’ve never worshipped money, darling. Far from it.”

  “But what if I can’t settle down?”

  “Maybe you need to give yourself the chance to find out.”

  “And break Mason’s heart in the process?”

  “It sounds like it’s a risk he’s willing to take. Now, get down there and have fun. I’m going to watch Lily so that Miranda can attend her son’s big night. Are you okay with that?” she asked, and stood up.

  “Of course.” Grace pushed her chair back and gave her mother a hug. “I love you so much.”

  “And I love you, Gracie. And I am also so very proud of you. Not just of your achievements, but of the lovely person you’ve become. I’ll be here for you, whatever you decide.”

  “I always know that I can count on you.” She tilted her head and chuckled.

  “What?”

  “Wouldn’t it just be something if we all ended up living in a small town in Kentucky?”

  Becca tossed her head back and laughed. “Yes, indeed, it certainly would. And it’s charming here. Now, go meet your prince at the witches’ ball.”

  “Oh, I don’t plan on making it easy on him. If he wants me, he’s going to have to work really hard.”

  “That’s okay. Makeup sex is the best.”

  “Mum! I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “Well, you know what? Maybe I’m a bit tired of being so prim and proper. I think I’ll buy me some cowboy boots, let my hair down, and live a little.”

  “You’re a gra
ndma now.”

  “All the more reason. I’m not going to live forever.”

  “Mum!”

  “Will you quit saying that like I’m some kind of loony toon?”

  “Then stop talking about sex and dying.” Grace stuck her fingers in her ears.

  Becca laughed. “It’s so fun getting you riled up.”

  “Why does everyone say that?” she sputtered, but then laughed. “I don’t have answers for this crazy life of mine. But you’ve made me feel much better.”

  Becca cupped Grace’s cheeks. “It was easy when you all were children and I could fix things with a lollipop and a hug.”

  Grace kissed her mum’s cheek. “You’re here and that’s enough, but I’ll never turn down a lollipop or a hug. Okay, I’m off to the party. Wish me luck.”

  “Somehow, I don’t think you’ll need it, but good luck anyway.”

  Grace blew her mother a kiss over her shoulder and gave her one last smile, but her heart skipped a beat as she walked over to her car. After all of her boasting about how tonight’s event would be the talk of the town, she’d have egg on her face if Broomstick Brewery flopped.

  After starting the engine, she squeezed the steering wheel for a moment, and then put the car in drive. Well, she was about to find out.

  17

  Shameless

  ALL NIGHT LONG AT THE PARTY, GRACE KEPT SLIPPING away from Mason like quicksilver, almost as if she had some sort of superpower. Every damned time he got within arm’s length of her, she managed to elude him, and he damned well knew it was on purpose. Mason tried catching her eye, called her phone, and at one desperate point considered following her into the ladies’ room. He stopped when he got an odd look from a patron and gazed at the witch’s sign on the door as if in surprise. “That was close,” he said, and walked across the hallway to the warlocks.

  And of course Grace looked gorgeous...no, stunning, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by every male in the room. Mason wanted to drape his arm around her shoulders and stake his claim, but that was damned difficult when he couldn’t get close to her.

  Laughter and music filled the taproom. Mattie’s food complemented the ales, which flowed from the taps as fast as Danny, Colby, and Avery could pour. The tasting by any standard was a huge success, and Mason and Grace should have been sharing this success together. Why he had the meltdown earlier had him so pissed off at himself that he could hardly see straight, and it had nothing to do with the ale he’d consumed.