Salty Kisses by Judith Keim

Author:Judith Keim
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Quail Publishing

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

LIVY

Livy turned to her mother. “Shall we go to Gracie’s for breakfast? That’s always a treat.”

Her mother hesitated. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather sit by Gran’s pool and have a cup of coffee and, as a special splurge, one of your cupcakes.”

Pleased, Livy said, “Delightful. Go ahead. I’ll check in with Billy Bob and bring you cupcakes. The coffeemaker at Gran’s is easy and ready to go.”

“Okay, sweetheart. After hearing the horrible story about Wayne, I just want to spend as much time with you as possible.” She kissed Livy’s cheek. “I love you so much, and I’ll always be grateful to Austin for helping you through a difficult time.”

“Me, too,” said Livy. “That’s why I don’t want to push him into anything. If the time comes when he asks me to marry him, I’ll be ready. But neither of us should push him.” Livy’s voice held a gentle warning.

Her mother said quietly, “Yes, I understand that.”

“Thanks.” Livy looped a hand around her mother’s arm as they left the beach.

###

Later, Livy joined her mother by the pool, happy to be together. She’d come to understand that though her mother sometimes seemed distracted, and her brothers competed with her for her mother’s attention, love and support was there for all of them. Her mother’s reaction to the news about Wayne was a perfect reminder that she cared.

After a while, she took a moment to go to her bedroom and call Austin. He picked up right away.

“Hi, Livy. What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to join my mother and me for lunch at Gran’s house,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve got a call into Shane and another into a man I’m thinking of doing a project with.”

“Okay, I understand,” said Livy. “I’ll be driving my mother to the airport this evening around five o’clock. If you get a chance to say goodbye to her that would be greatly appreciated.”

“I’ll try,” said Austin. “I really like your mother. Were you able to tell her about Wayne?”

“Yes,” said Livy. “I think I’ve made great strides in dealing with the issue. I told her all about your help, and I know she wants to thank you for that.”

“Okay, then I’ll see you later.”

Livy spoke softly. “Love you.”

“Me, too,” said Austin, leaving Livy feeling a little unsettled. Maybe it was her imagination, but he seemed a little more distant.

Warning herself not to get trapped by insecurity into creating ideas that might not be true, she headed back to the pool and her mother. Austin, the poor guy, had a lot on his plate.

###

Livy was delighted that both Brooke and Charlotte agreed to join her mother and her for lunch. It was a simple affair with salads, iced tea, and cookies for dessert. Sitting around the kitchen table at Gran’s house, conversation flowed, stopping for a few laughs now and then, as they recalled family stories about Gran and John.

“My mother has always done things her way,” said Livy’s mother. “Sometimes her actions

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