CHAPTER 10
GRACE

“So, how do you feel about how things went yesterday?” my mother asked.

“I feel really good about them. Harper’s never taken to someone like she took to Ryan,” I said.

“That’s good. I’m glad she likes him.”

“Why do I get the feeling this is leading into you still not liking him. Even though you were belly-laughing by the end of dinner?”

“You know me. You know I’m a good judge of character, you said so yourself. But I’m still concerned,” she said.

“Why can’t you let go of his past, Mom?”

“It’s not about his past, sweetheart. He’s hiding something.”

“We all have secrets,” I said.

“Look, you wanted me to meet him and I did. And yes, he’s a fun man to be around. And yes, he is a good man. But that doesn’t mean he does good things. There’s something about him that doesn’t sit right with me.”

“I think you’re still judging him,” I said.

“You can believe whatever you want. I raised you to be independent and to not have to rely on anyone. But you wanted me to meet him, so there’s my analysis based on the time I spent with him.”

“Thanks. I guess,” I said.

“If you say he’s different, then I trust your opinion.”

“I hate to cut the call short, but Harper’s begging me to go outside,” I said.

“Give my granddaughter a kiss for me.”

“Will do, Mom.”

Harper wasn’t begging me to do anything, but I didn't want to be on the phone with my mother any longer. Why couldn’t she see past his upbringing? Why couldn’t she see him for the man I saw? I didn’t know what she had against him, but I wasn’t going to deal with it any longer. I had really enjoyed the time I’d spent with him so far and watching him interact with Harper yesterday had been the highlight of my life for the past few years.

I wasn’t going to give that up over a feeling my mother had.

“Mommy, is Mr. Ryan coming over?”

“No honey. It’s just you and me tonight,” I said.

“Could we ask him to come over?”

“I think we should give Mr. Ryan a night to himself, don’t you think?” I asked.

“Then can he come over?”

“Sure. I’ll ask him if he wants to come over soon,” I said with a grin.

“Mommy?”

“Yeah?”

“Does Mr. Ryan like to color?”

“Actually, yes. He does,” I said.

“Could we see if he wants to come over and color?”

I giggled and nodded my head as I scooped Harper up into my arms. I pressed kisses into her cheeks and blew air onto her stomach. I tickled her neck and spun her around until she was laughing hysterically. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was panting for air as the two of us collapsed onto the couch.

“Mommy?”

“Yeah honey?”

“I like Mr. Ryan.”

“I like him too,” I said.

“Does he like me?” she asked.

“I’m sure he does,” I said. “He seemed to really enjoy going down the slide with you.”

“That was so much fun! And the swing. He pushes me higher than you do.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed your time at the park with him.”

“Can we go again today?” she asked.

“Sweetheart, Mr. Ryan isn’t going to come over today. But maybe in a few days, he could come back again.”

“Aw, man.”

“I know. Momma’s so mean,” I said.

I cuddled with my daughter on the couch as I turned on the television. Her favorite cartoon was on and she started singing along with the opening lyrics. I kissed the side of her head and thought back to yesterday, recalling how perfect it had been and how natural it had felt to be with him.

Part of me wished it would happen again, the three of us at the park and enjoying dinner together.

My mother could leave her attitude at home, though.

A knock came at my door and Harper jumped off the couch. She raced to the door as I yelled to her, telling her not to open it by herself. But she yanked it open with her eyes wide with hope.

Then she sulked off when she saw it was Amy.

“That was the worst welcome ever,” she said.

“She was hoping you were Ryan,” I said.

“Mommy won’t let him come over today,” Harper said.

Amy’s jaw was unhinged with shock.

“Okay. Clearly I missed something. Why is she bummed that I wasn’t Ryan?”

“Ryan met Harper and my mother yesterday. He came here to pick me up, then we went to go get Harper and we went to the park. Within an hour, she was talking with him. Full-fledged conversations. They were going down the slides and swinging together. Throwing rocks off the bridge—”

“I couldn't get her to say two words to me for the longest time!” Amy said.

“She really took to him,” I said with a grin.

“What did your mother think?”

“She’s still judging him based on what he was like as a teenager, but she’ll get over it,” I said.

“So that didn’t go well?”

“You know, it actually didn’t suck. She was rough with him in the beginning, but Ryan was a sweetheart. Kept complimenting her and calling her beautiful. He told me to stop getting on her about how she was reacting because she was being a mom, too.”

“. Good job, Ryan.”

“Yeah. And after we got back from the park, we pulled into the driveway with my mother standing on the porch. She came over with her key to cook dinner for all of us,” I said.

“So—that wasn’t a complete intrusion?”

“It was at first. But she warmed up to Ryan and they were laughing together by the end of dinner.”

“And she’s still weird about him?”

“You know my mom can’t let go of things. She’ll come around eventually,” I said.

“How do you feel about all of this? Those are some serious steps in a small amount of time.”

“Save me the lecture, my mother already gave it to me. A few times, actually.”

“No lecture here. I’m the queen of whirlwind romances,” she said. “But still—introducing him to the kid? How do you feel?”

“Yesterday was—perfect. It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m feeling really good about where things are headed,” I said.

“No weird feelings?”

“Nope. Nothing like that.”

“Not even an inkling?”

“Amy, he’s not the same guy,” I said.

“I’m not saying he is. But this is a little fast.”

“You said you were the queen of whirlwind.”

“I’m also chronically single and don’t have a kid.”

“I know what’s best for my kid. Okay?” I asked.

“Hey, I’m not arguing with you. I think you’re still in the honeymoon phase, though. I want to make sure you two are okay,” she said.

“I’m not worried about anything. I know Ryan better than any of you guys do. This is a good thing.”

“Then if you say it is, I’m all for it. Now, who wants pizza?” she asked.

“Let me guess. You already ordered it.”

“It might possibly be here in ten minutes,” she said.

“Pizza?” Harper asked.

“I got extra pepperoni just for you,” Amy said.

“Thanks, Auntie Amy!”

Harper threw herself at my best friend and wrapped her up and the biggest hug I’d ever seen.

“There we go. Better late than never,” Amy said.

“I’ll go set the table and get us some drinks,” I said.

“Or we could eat out here and watch a movie,” she said.

“Movie! Movie! Movie!” Harper said.

“Between you and my mother I’m never going to get this child raised properly,” I said.

“We live to make your job harder. Come on. I’ll go get the T.V. trays.”