Never Far Away (The Never #2)(35)
“So, then it’s true?” Susan asked and Ella could see a small smile was playing across her lips.
“What’s true?” Ella asked, confused.
“That you fell in love with him at the beach?”
“Yes,” and a rush of air followed as Ella finally released some of the tension she’d brought in with her. “I fell in love with him at the beach, and I fell in love with him again in Portland, before I remembered him. I would fall in love with him over and over again, I’m sure. Although, I think we’d both rather that this time it stuck.”
“You’ve been seeing each other in Portland?” Her mother’s eyes flicked between her and Porter.
“Yes, Ma’am. I’m sorry if you feel like I went against your wishes. I just couldn’t stay away from her any longer.” Porter said, sounding like he was bracing himself for an onslaught of anger and argument.
“Obviously, you can understand, given the circumstances, we made decisions based on what we thought was best for Ella,” her father began. “It was a stressful time for everyone involved.”
“Daddy, I know why you and Mom made your decisions. Porter and I are just hoping now that I remember everything and know with everything inside of me that I love this man, that you will give us your blessing to be together.” Ella’s parents looked at each other and seemed to communicate silently, something that can only come with years of marriage. Ella could only hope that one day she and Porter could boast about how long they’d been married, and give each other looks that communicated entire thoughts.
Ella’s mother walked over to her and pulled her into a hug.
“All we want is for you to be happy and healthy. Porter proved himself to us at the hospital and every day since.”
Ella pulled away from her mother and saw her father shaking Porter’s hand. Her father leaned into Porter, said something quietly near his ear, and she saw Porter nodding in affirmation. Everything worked out the way she had planned and she could almost see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, a point in her life in which she was happy, with a man who truly loved her, and thriving.
Her father informed them dinner was ready and served on the deck. When they walked outside they were seated and surrounded by food. Ella’s mother had a tendency to over prepare.
They were deep into the meal, enjoying casual conversation, her parents trying to get to know Porter a little better, when the conversation shifted back to Ella.
“So, Ella, getting your memory back must have been a little strange. Have you remembered anything surprising?”
“Not really, but it definitely is strange. I remember the robbery and the shooting, which is a little scary, but mostly I’m just remembering little things that might seem inconsequential to most, but it’s makes all the difference in the world to me now.”
“Like what, Honey?” Her father asked.
“Well, for instance, before the robbery I had been thinking about expanding the store and opening a second location.” She glanced over at Porter instinctually, looking for the support she knew he’d supply. Of course he knew what she needed and laced his fingers with hers, squeezing her hand gently.
“Well, that’s a wonderful idea, Ella. You’re store does so well and you’re so good at what you do. A second store would be a good investment,” her mother gave her a genuine smile. “Would the second store be in Portland? Oh!” Her mother was suddenly very excited. “East side or West side?”
“Well, actually,” Ella gave Porter another look, trying to absorb all the strength she could from him. “I think I’m going to open a store in Salem.”
“Salem?” Her mother asked, confused.
“Yes. It’s a decent-sized city and I don’t want to be too close to the other store, otherwise I will drown the market. I have to build them up separately to make sure they can survive independently of each other.”
“But Salem is so far away,” her mother sounded honestly upset.
“Susan, it’s only an hour,” her father added. Ella gave him a grateful smile for his subtle show of support.
“I was farther away when I was at college,” Ella stated.
“But the plan was always for you to come back. Why are you running away?” Ella put her fork down on her plate and took in a deep breath, trying to calm the agitation that was threatening to take over.
“Mom, I’m not running away. I understand that this must be shocking for you, but you should try to be happy for me. I’ve spent the last two months lost, roaming around without direction or purpose. Now, I finally feel like I’m back to a place in my life where I can move forward. I can’t open another store here, Mom. It just wouldn’t be smart. I don’t need you to like my decision, but it would be nice if I felt like I had your support.” Her mother’s eyebrows were furrowed with worry and the lines around her eyes were deepening the longer she contemplated Ella’s plans.
“What are you going to do down there all by yourself. You’ll be lonely, Ella.”
“I’ll be there with her,” Porter answered. Ella’s chest filled with warmth knowing that he had taken it upon himself to break the news to her parents about their plans to live together. She squeezed his hand and rubbed her thumb along the top of his knuckles, all of a sudden wishing they were by themselves and just spending time holding each other in bed, instead of being here with her parents.