Page 8

ISLA

I found it hard to get to sleep after getting home from the bar. Then again, who wouldn’t? The whole night was surreal and great… and confusing, and… hopeful?

By the time morning comes, I wake up feeling worse than if I had been drinking all night.

In desperate need of caffeine and food, I find Mom set up in her recliner in the living room.

It’s her favorite spot because from there she can look out the back window toward her flower gardens–what’s left of them, anyway.

I try my best to tend to them but when time is scarce, and energy is too, some things do get waylaid… like the backyard.

My thoughts and wonderment about Case being in town fade away at the sad expression I catch her trying to hide from me. Something I know she does far too often lately.

Mom’s diagnosis didn’t come out of nowhere.

It was after a year of different symptoms slowly appearing.

She kept them to herself in the beginning, easy to do since I was living in Anchorage and not seeing her every day like I do now.

It wasn’t until Mom’s friend and neighbor, Betty, called to fill me in on her own concerns that I realized how serious the situation was.

Cue me taking leave from work and coming home for a while. First, we met with her doctor at the local hospital, and when it seemed like this could be serious and life-changing for her, I helped make arrangements at the flower shop before I took her back to Anchorage with me.

That was in July last year. A month later, her diagnosis was confirmed the same day I went in search of something and crossed paths with Case “Curious” Cooper.

As if sensing me, Mom turns her head, and I see a look in her eyes I recognize straight away. Today’s not a physical pain day, but more an emotional one. Where her body’s betrayal is weighing heavy on her mind.

Thankfully, I have today off work and now that I’ve seen she needs some happiness, I can’t think of anything better than spending time with my favorite person in the whole world.

“What do you think about gettin’ out and about today? The sun’s shinin’, the temperature’s up a little. I say it’s a perfect day for the Murray girls to hit the town.”

Her eyes brighten. “I’d love that, sweetheart. What did you have in mind?” She looks down at her slipper-clad feet. “Not sure how much mischief I can get into in these though.”

I blow her a raspberry. “None of that talk. There’s always trouble to get into if you so desire. I was thinkin’ about callin’ Birdie and goin’ to pick wildflowers on the mountain.”

Mom’s eyes are glassy as a slow smile takes hold, the expression lighting up her face. “You’re the best thing I’ve ever made, Lala.”

With a shrug, I grab a couple of travel mugs and turn the coffee pot on. “That’s because I was made and raised with love, Mom. Isn’t that what you’ve always told me.”

“Damn right.”

“Must be true then, 'cause my Mama ain’t no liar. Now, are you OK gettin’ yourself ready or do you want some help?

” Mom opens her mouth but I beat her to it.

“Before you get all stubborn on me and say no when you mean yes, take a moment to think about it. Wouldn’t you rather use that energy doin’ somethin’ you enjoy?

Like pickin’ your favorite flowers in your secret meadow that only me, you, Birdie, and the late great Riddles Cooper know about? ”

Mom cocks her head with a smirk. “When did you get so smart, Lala?”

“Another thing to blame on my Mama,” I reply, earning the laugh I so love to hear. “Let me message B and I’ll come to your room in a few minutes, OK?”

“Thanks, sweetheart. I really appreciate it–and you .”

“I know you do. And even if you didn’t, I’d still do it. Now off with you, Mother. I have a best friend to message and keep on task.”

Mom’s brows furrow. “I’d ask what you mean by that, but knowin’ you and Birdie Walker, that could me so many things.”

“How ‘bout I fill you in on the way to the mountain then? Deal?”

Mom’s eyes twinkle. “Deal.”

“He’s here? In Timber Falls?” Mom screeches from the passenger seat as we turn out of our street toward the middle of town.

“Yep. Walked into the Lair and almost tripped over himself when he saw me. Then he was so shocked he couldn’t talk.”

“Please tell me he came out of his haze and did speak to my girl? Because you’re a catch and any man worth your nugget of gold best be the type to talk to you.”

My mouth drops open as I focus on the road instead of staring at my mother. “ My nugget of gold? That’s a new one,” I say, giggling.

Mom sighs. “You know what I mean.”

“We talked…” I say vaguely.

When I don’t elaborate, she huffs. “ And ? This is like pullin’ teeth, I swear.”

“It was nice.”

“Nice is buyin’ a round of drinks. Nice is celebratin’ your best friend’s engagement–somethin’ you haven’t told me about yet,” she continues.

I smile. “It was sweet and romantic. I cried, Birdie cried. Hell, I think the mayor even got a bit misty-eyed.”

“That’s great . That girl has a big heart and deserves all the good things. But now you can tell me all about Case Cooper aka Mr. Curious.”

“Just curious, Mom.”

“I’m usin’ my manners. He’s Mr . Curious to me.” She smirks and crosses her arms in front of her. “And if you don’t spill, I’ll just ask Birdie when we get to the mountain.”

Now I’m the one sighing. “It was surreal. I wasn’t lyin’ when I said I never thought we’d see each other again.

Like, what are the odds?” I glance over at Mom and see her nodding along, a small smile on her face as she listens intently.

“He was just as surprised as I was, but it wasn’t until later in the night that we got a chance to talk. ”

Mom’s eyes light up. “ And?...”

I feel a warmth spread through my chest at her excitement. “It was... nice. Really nice.”

“There’s that word again, Lala. A man who you met for one night in Anchorage?—”

“That makes it sound more scandalous than it was, Mom.”

She scoffs and pushes on. “How’s this then, the man who made such an impact on you in one night that you haven’t been able to forget him, is now livin’ in the same town as you, and all you can tell me is that seein’ him again was nice .”

I chuckle, grateful for her teasing. “Okay, more than nice. It was like Anchorage was just yesterday. There was a little awkwardness to begin with, but I guess that’s to be expected.

He’s just Case, the same guy I felt a connection with last year.

He’s got the same depth, the same kind eyes, and comfortin' smile too. And just like when we first met, I felt that same pull to him that was just as impossible to ignore now as it was then.” I pause for a moment. “That’s strange, right?”

“I don’t think so, sweetheart. I think it means what you felt that night was real. Somethin’ like that should be cherished. Explored, even…”

I let her words soak in. She’s talking like seeing Case again is a sign. “You think Case and I were always meant to see each other again?”

“Can’t say for sure. I haven’t met the man yet.

But I’ve always believed that everythin’ in life happens for a reason.

Besides, if you learn anythin’ from the journey I’m now navigatin’, it should be that your health isn’t guaranteed and sometimes the best things happen when you take risks and follow your heart. ”

I spot Birdie’s truck parked on the side of the dirt road ahead of us and slow down to park behind her, spotting two heads in the cab instead of one.

Turning to Mom, I let the weight of her words settle in my chest. She always knows just what to say. Like when I didn’t want to leave her and Birdie to go study in Anchorage, she made me realize that it didn’t matter where I was because we’d always only be a phone call, a drive, or a flight away.

“What if we get to know each other better and it’s not the same?” I ask.

“Well first, I don’t think you believe that, otherwise you wouldn’t be askin’ me that question.

And second, whatever happens, you’ll always have that night together.

Nothin’ can take that away.” Mom reaches over and rests her hand on my leg, tapping her fingers so that I meet her eyes.

“But instead of thinkin’ negative, how ‘bout you imagine good things? What if it’s even better than before?

You can never answer life’s big ‘what if’ questions unless you take a chance.

And don’t forget, there is a matchmaking mountain spirit around these parts.

Maybe he’s here for a reason.” She looks out the front window and a knowing smile graces her lips.

“And somethin’ tells me, you’re not the only one wanting to take that chance.

Not if he’s the man standin’ next to Birdie right now. ”

My head snaps out the windshield and yep, standing next to the tailgate with my grinning best friend is none other than the man himself.

Mom moves to open her door. “Ready to take that chance, sweetheart? Because I need to know whether to introduce myself as his future mother-in-law?”

Now that gets my attention. “Mom!” I groan, but her laughter is all I hear, mainly because she’s already out of the car.