“I really don’t want to talk about it, okay?” Alexa asked, sounding like she meant it.
Cara narrowed her gaze. “One of these days I’m going to figure out why you won’t let me in when it comes to talking about romance. You sure don’t mind digging into min
e.”
“You deserve to be happy in a relationship, Cara.”
“So do you,” she reminded her friend.
“We don’t always get what we want,” Alexa said softly.
And Cara merely nodded, knowing truer words had never been spoken.
Cara and Mike were on the way to the movies in a multiplex about twenty minutes away from Serendipity. They’d just started out when his cell rang and his mother asked if he’d come over.
“I’m with Cara,” he said into the speakerphone.
“Bring her along!” Ella immediately said, no hesitation.
Cara’s chest tightened. She appreciated how the Marsdens always made her feel welcome and not like an outsider. Sometimes she felt more a part of their family than her own.
“Do you mind?” Mike mouthed to her so his mother wouldn’t hear.
“Of course not.” She smiled to reassure him.
About half an hour later, they were gathered in the family room of his parents’ house with Erin and Sam, waiting for Ella and Simon, who were upstairs.
“Any idea why we’re here?” Mike asked his siblings, who sat around his parents’ family room with them on a Friday night.
Erin shook her head. “They just said they wanted to talk, but not to panic, it wasn’t bad news.” Her brows crinkled in confusion.
“Okay, so we’re all in the dark.”
“At least it smells like we’re getting dessert,” Sam said with a grin.
Erin rolled her eyes. “Can you think about something other than your always empty stomach?”
Personally, Cara agreed with him. The delicious aroma of coffee brewing scented through the house, making her hope there was some kind of cake to go along with it. But she didn’t say anything, merely glanced at Sam, and they both laughed knowingly.
Mike, whose arm was around her shoulder, tightened his hold. Cara tried not to be too pleased by the unnecessary proprietary display. Instead, she focused on Kojak. The little dog had made himself at home in her lap, and she petted the fluffy white head, wishing she were able to get a dog of her own.
“What’s with that look?” Mike asked.
Cara couldn’t help but smile at how well he read her. “Kojak’s cute. I wouldn’t mind a pet, but my shifts are too long. It wouldn’t be fair for an animal to be alone all the time.”
He eyed her with a funny expression on his face, but before she could question him, Ella and Simon walked into the room, their arms linked together. Their show of unity wasn’t just an act. Anyone who’d grown up in Serendipity, who’d been to town events Simon had presided over as chief, who’d attended gatherings with this family, knew that Simon and Ella’s love was steady and real. Illness had only strengthened the bond, and Cara envied them the life they shared—sickness and all, she’d give anything for a love that enduring and real.
“What’s up?” Sam asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Erin stared at her parents, her eyes wide and her expression curious.
Mike feigned relaxation, but Cara felt the stiffness in his arms and knew whatever their pronouncement, it was as important to him as to his siblings.
Whether they were being deliberately dramatic or not, the next few moments of silence dragged on endlessly.
Simon and Ella smiled at one another with love, then turned that gaze on each of their children, causing Cara a moment of discomfort. “I should go and let you all talk,” she said, suddenly feeling like an outsider who didn’t belong.
She started to rise, but Mike held on tight while Simon stepped forward. “Nonsense. If anyone has a right to hear this news along with the family, it’s you.” He smiled warmly at Cara and she drank in his words, relaxing back beside Mike on the sofa.