Beauty In The Details by Molly McCarthy

Author:Molly McCarthy [McCarthy, Molly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

15

Natalie awoke earlier than usual on Friday, giddy with excitement about her plans. She was headed to Bartlett Farm to pick out new plants for the garden at Danny’s, then she would get as many of them in the ground as possible before her date with Jack. Her heart quivered at the thought.

Bounding to the shower, she fit in a quick rinse before Carter awoke, planning for a more extravagant one when she finished her gardening. There was no use in getting all cleaned up if she was going to end up sweaty.

June arrived at nine a.m., right on time to pick up the baby. “Good morning, Natalie,” the older woman greeted her cheerfully. “And good morning to you too, little mister,” she added, plucking Carter up off the ground and tickling his belly as he screeched with delight.

Natalie got up to give Jack’s mom a quick hug. “Hey, June.”

June raised an eyebrow. “I hear you and my son are going on a date tonight.”

“Yes, we are,” Natalie said cautiously, unsure what Jack had said about it. She wasn’t used to sharing any details of her personal life with a parent.

To her relief, June responded, “I’m glad to hear it. You’re good for him, you know. He’s happier now than I’ve seen him in quite a while.”

“Oh,” Natalie said. “I’m glad. He makes me really happy too.”

“Good.” June’s broad smile tightened. “He hides it well, but Jack took Danny’s death quite hard.”

Natalie nodded. “He doesn’t talk about it much, and he changes the subject whenever I try to bring it up, but I can tell he’s still struggling.”

“Jack and Danny were thick as thieves as kids,” June explained. “I was always so thankful their friendship continued into adulthood. My other sons moved off the island after high school, and I was glad Jack still had someone who was like a brother to him here. Of course, Danny had his stint in the Navy, so he was gone for a bit, but that was before my youngest, Beau, graduated. This is the first time Jack hasn’t had one of his brothers or Danny around, and unfortunately, it’s the time when he probably needs them the most. He won’t talk to me. I think he’s afraid to dredge up any old memories of my husband’s death. I keep telling him I’m here to listen, but he’s so stubborn. That’s why I’m glad you two have been getting close. He needs someone he can just be honest with.”

Natalie’s chest tightened at the thought of Jack holding all that inside, but she was honored that June saw her as someone to confide in. “I hope I’ve been able to help him deal with it, even in some small way. I wish he did have his brothers around to talk to. Maybe he’d be more willing to open up to one of them?”

June cocked her head to the side. “Actually, I think you might be exactly what he needs right now. Jack has always feared showing weakness around his brothers.

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