The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(84)

“He is?” I ask, taking the macaroni and cheese out of the oven.

She nods, smiling over at him. He stands with Caleb, his brother, Dad, and Seda. His hands are on her shoulders, and she’s looking up admiring him. It stirs something in me, seeing Seda look at him like that. Their bond has grown naturally, and I know Seda loves him as much as she does Caleb and me.

Thelma and Cynthia sit at the table, watching everything with keen eyes. The two little gossips. We wanted to invite them over, though, because they’ve sort of turned into extended family.

“You make him happy.” She sets out the green bean casserole. We’re lining everything up on the counter buffet style so people can plate themselves and sit in the dining room.

“He makes me happy.”

“I’ve only ever wanted my boys to be happy. When … well, when Forrest died, I worried I’d lose Thayer. A parent’s grief has to be unimaginable, and I worried he might take his own life. I’m thankful that he’s still here, that he’s doing as well as he is, that he’s found love. Seda too, she’s such a blessing. An amazing girl. You’ve done well.”

“You don’t … you don’t hate me for keeping her a secret?”

Elaine gives me a soft, motherly smile. “Us mothers will do whatever it takes to protect our babies, so I understand you were only doing what you thought was right. But the past is the past. Let’s not dwell on it. Not when we have such a beautiful life to live.”

We finish setting out all the dishes and call everyone over. Winnie and Binx toddle over as well, hoping to snag some scraps from the floor. Once everyone has their plates we sit down to eat.

Caleb ends up on my left with Thayer on my right. Seda opts to sit by Laith who I think has quickly become her new favorite person, probably due to the fact that he’s basically an adult man child and has no problem playing with her.

Thayer clears his throat. “I … uh … I wanted to say some things before we start eating.” Everyone quiets, and Laith sets down his fork, trying to pretend that he doesn’t have a mouthful of turkey at the moment. “I’m really glad that we’re all here together. It means a lot to be sitting down with all of you. I’m thankful to Salem,” he squeezes my hand beneath the table, “for giving me a second chance and for becoming my wife. I’m thankful to you, Caleb, for … well, for a lot, actually, which probably sounds so strange to you, but … yeah.” He trails off, clearing his throat. “Mom and Dad, you two have always been a strong presence in my life, showing me how to be a strong, kind-hearted person. Laith … you suck. Thelma and Cynthia, thank you for joining us for dinner and always being willing to lend a helping a hand. And Seda, I’m so proud to be your father. You’re the brightest little girl I know. I’m so lucky.” He looks around at all of us. “So lucky.”

“Since I suck and all, I’m going to be the one to say it, you’ve turned into a sappy fuck.”

“No cussing in front of my kid,” Thayer growls at his brother.

Seda just giggles, not at all fazed by it.

Thayer shakes his head, his eyes meeting mine.

I look from him, to all the people gathered around us. Our family might be unconventional to some, but for us, it’s perfect.





CHAPTER 52





SALEM





The New Year comes and passes. In a blink it’s March and the opening of my bakery. To say I'm nervous is an understatement. But as I stand outside looking at the building that was once my mother's antique shop, I can't help but feel a little proud. I think she would be proud of me too. She worked hard to make this place her own, and I've done the same to make it mine.

“There’s one last thing it needs,” Thayer says from beside me.

We’re due to open at noon, and more than a few townspeople have already stopped by to wish me luck and give me flowers.

“What is it?”

“Hold on,” he says, jogging over to his truck.

He returns with a metal sign. It's carved with the name of my shop. In an elegant script font, it says: Sunshine Cupcakes.

I gasp. “It’s beautiful. Did you make this?”

He sets it down, going back to grab a ladder. He’s thought of everything.

“I did, with help from one of my guys. He does welding on the side as a hobby so I asked him to help me out with this.”

He grabs the rest of his tools and gets to work securing the sign where my mom’s once was. The spot was bare since I hadn’t found a sign I liked yet. Leave it to Thayer to fix that problem.

When the sign is secure, he climbs back down and we stand on the sidewalk, taking it in.

“You did it, Sunshine.” The pride shines in his eyes. “You found your calling.”

I did. I guess, ironically, I found it a long time ago and I didn’t want to see it.

Maybe all along, my mom knew what I was meant to do. Perhaps that's why she kept asking me to bake with her. In those final weeks, I would have given her anything that she wanted, even if it meant setting foot in the kitchen and baking cupcakes again. Mothers have a way of always knowing what we need before we do. I suppose in a way this was her final gift to me. And maybe she hoped too that I would keep the shop.

I hope wherever she is, she's happy. I hope she's looking down on us, smiling at me right now. More than anything, I hope she's proud. I miss her so much every day. Even after I moved away, we talked on the phone multiple times a day. I always knew that no matter what, my mom had my back. She was strong even when she thought she was weak. And I know she didn't think that she was worth admiring, but I always looked up to her.