Feels Like Home (Southern Bride 5)

“No! Mom, I need you at the table with Annie. Someone has to make sure…gossip doesn’t start.”

“Right. Okay. Then we should invite Ida and Pearl. No one would dare talk about Anson with this mother and grandmother there.”

I nodded. “That’s true.”

“I’ll call them both and take care of inviting them.”

Suddenly my nerves got the best of me. “Who else can we invite?”

She laughed. “Bristol, you grew up in this town. You have a ton of friends still here. Invite a few of them.”

I blew out a breath. “Right, right. My mind is a little foggy right now.”

“Is everything okay?”

I was not the type of woman who broke down and cried. Okay, I was when the time called for it. Hallmark movies, sad commercials. The ending of Pride & Prejudice. The fact that I was on the verge of bawling again didn’t make me feel so great. Clearly, I’d have to add Anson to my list of triggers.

“I read all the dedications.”

“To?”

I rolled my eyes. “The ones on Anson’s albums.”

“Ohh,” she said as recognition hit her.

“Have you read them, Mama?”

I wasn’t sure why, but I held my breath as I waited for her answer.

“No, Sweetheart. I never have. Your father and I refused to buy the albums to show our support. But we did buy the songs on Apple Music. I know he hurt you, but…”

With a smile, I sank back down onto the sofa. “No, I’m glad y’all did. I know Drake did as well, and he swears when he sees Anson he’s going to hit him.”

She chuckled.

“What made you read them?”

“He asked me if I had.”

“I see.”

I sighed. “Mama, I’ve been such a fool. He wrote me these beautiful songs and dedicated all of his albums to me. But a part of me struggles with how he just left me behind. He didn’t think twice about leaving.”

“He might ask you why you didn’t go to Nashville.”

My head dropped back onto the sofa, and I stared up at my ceiling.

“I don’t know what to do. One minute I want to throw my arms around him, and the next I want to…I want to…”

“Punch him?”

“Yes. And kick him. Slap him. Pull his hair.”

“That never changes, Sweetheart. I want to do all that to your father on a weekly basis.”

I chuckled then felt my chest tighten with an overwhelming sadness. “I miss him, Mama, but I don’t know if things could ever be the same for us. I don’t know how it would work. But my heart, God, it felt like it was physically aching when I saw him earlier.”

“Oh, Sweetheart. All you can do is leave it up to fate.”

“Fate,” I whispered softly.

“Have faith it will work out, Bristol.”

I was going to need a lot of faith over the next few days.

“Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight?”

With an internal groan, I replied, “I can’t. I’ve got Bunco tonight.”

My mother laughed.

“You laugh, but it was you who got me stuck in this mess!”

“I believe it was Ida who got you stuck in it. Who’s hosting tonight?”

“MaryLou.”

“I highly doubt that. She’s sick.”

I stood and walked to my room. I needed to change and head on out soon. “Mindy will know where it’s at tonight. Better go get ready. I love you, Mama.”

“Love you too. Do you want me to put together a few menus for the event with Annie?”

“I think we’ll just use our tried and true afternoon tea menu.”

“Sounds good, Sweetheart. Have fun tonight!”

“I will. Love you!”

I was actually looking forward to the Bunco group tonight. Anything to get my mind off of Anson and how confused I was feeling.

Anson

“ANSON, SWEETHEART, WILL you move these three tables over here? It’s such a beautiful night, I think we need to be outside.”

Grams stood on the back porch and pointed to three tables that were closest to the house.

“What’s going on tonight?” I asked.

“Well, it’s Bunco night. And it was supposed to be at MaryLou’s house, but she’s not feeling well. So it’s going to be here.”

I lifted a brow in question. “Bunco?”

“Yes, it’s a dice game.”

“Is there money involved?” I asked with a smile.

With a laugh, she replied, “Yes, but it’s for women only.”

Granddad walked out onto the deck. “I hope you’ve got your poker skills up to level, Son. It’s poker night.”

Grams turned and stared at Granddaddy. “That’s this Saturday?”

He nodded.

As I moved the tables, I felt my phone going off in my pocket with one text message. Then another. Then another. I ignored them as I moved the last table into place.

“Irwin! It’s Bunco night.”

“I know, that’s why I scheduled poker for tonight, my love.”

“Don’t you my love me. I swear I told you it was going to be held here tonight instead.”

He frowned. “You didn’t, or I would have reminded you it was poker night.”

My gaze bounced between the two of them. I couldn’t wait to see who won this round.