Page 67 of Just One Spark

"I bet."I wasn't sure what to add to this conversation.I'd never been in a blended family before.I had my own share of experiences that had nothing to do with divorce.

Judy clapped her hands together."I'm so happy you're here.There are a few presents around here for you and Rowan."

Panicked, I asked, "Should we wait until he gets here to open them?"

"Who knows when he'll be here?That brewery is consuming his life right now."Judy rifled through the wrapped presents to find one."You haven't registered for anything yet, so I had to guess what you would like."

She set a stack of boxes in front of me.

I unwrapped them, revealing a set of dishes and glasses and fluffy towels."You didn't have to get us anything."

"You should have new things.If you don't like the patterns or the colors, I can return them for something else."

"These are perfect."The towels were a soft blue that would look perfect in Row's bathroom.And the dishes were white with one blue stripe.They were classic and would match any style of kitchen."Thank you."

She hugged me."You're welcome, dear.I'm so happy to have another woman in the house.For a long time, I was outnumbered."

"You're still outnumbered," Raymond said gruffly.

"Not for long.All my boys will find their significant others, and then women will be in the majority.Maybe they'll even have a few baby girls."Her expression was soft.Excitement shone in her eyes.

I didn't want to disappoint her.It was going to suck when our breakup became public.But there was no way to get around it.People would be hurt when it ended.

"Come into the kitchen, so we can chat."Judy led the way, and I caught Clara's gaze.

With a laugh, she said something to Beck, and she linked arms with me."Need some support?"

"Yes."

Clara frowned."It's too bad Rowan isn't here with you.Is he working?"

"He had to take care of something at the brewery this morning.He said he'd join us this afternoon.I stopped by to see my mother anyway," I said to take the pressure off Rowan for not being here yet.

Judy poured eggnog into a few mugs."He works too much.I hope you can get him to see that family is more important than running the business.Work is good until it interferes with your home life."

"I'm sure things will slow down once he sees that the brewery is successful."

Clara sipped the eggnog."When will that be?In three years?Five?"

I swallowed around the lump in my throat, because I wouldn't be around that long."I don't know."

Judy patted my hand."You'll be able to get him to see what's important."

Did she have too much faith in me?I hadn't been able to make my own father to put me above alcohol.

"You're always welcome to visit for a meal or just to chat.We love having you," Judy said.

"That's so nice of you," I said, meaning every word.

Judy nodded."I'm just so thrilled that Rowan is happy."

"He wasn't before?"I asked, wanting to know more about him.

"I'm sure he was content.But since he's been with you, he's been truly happy.It's great to see him in love.I can't wait for more of my boys to follow his path."

Was Rowan in love?Was this just a mother who wanted to see her son in love so badly that she was seeing things that weren't there?

Since our relationship had an end date, I hadn't given my feelings too much analysis.Whatever I felt for him, it wouldn't matter after next week.I was going to have to find a way to move on from him with my heart intact and not in tatters.That possibility was dwindling more every day.