“You’ve always had a voice.”
“No, Mom. I’ve always gone along with yours. Grandpa’s will gives me power. Van’s encouragement has given me the strength to assert it.”
Mr. McGrath offered me his hand. “Mr. Sherman, my daughter is my single greatest joy. Keeping Wade afloat has been my greatest struggle. I don’t know you, but if you’re sincere, I hope you’re right, and in a year, we can be one family.”
Releasing Julia, I shook his hand.
Julia went to her mother and offered her a hug. “Bye, Mom. I’ll be in touch after the first of the year.”
Mrs. McGrath hesitated. “I don’t want to leave you here all alone.”
“I’m not alone.”
“I do my homework too,” Butler announced.
All eyes turned to him.
“If you have something to say,” I said, “we’re listening.”
He spoke to Julia. “You want information, I’ll send you information.”
“If you have something to say,” Julia repeated, “say it. I’m done with this fake reconciliation.”
“Sherman is lying to you,” Butler said. “Dad has known him since before his name was Sherman.”
“I’m well aware of his name change,” Julia said. “That isn’t news.”
Mr. McGrath motioned to Butler. “It’s time that we leave.”
After a few more tense goodbyes and Butler whispering something to Julia, she and I stood in the entry and watched as all three got back into the SUV. I wrapped my arm around her. “You did wonderfully.”
Her smile beamed up at me. “Because I knew I wasn’t alone. You were here with me. And my dad actually listened.”
“You are a powerhouse, Julia. I believe in you.”
Julia
Back in the kitchen, I reached for the oven mitts and opened the top wall oven, removing the turkey breast. The second oven contained the casseroles to complete our holiday meal.
“What did Butler whisper before he left?” Van asked.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. Let’s celebrate. My parents are gone and this is our first Christmas.”
Van’s smile returned. “The first item on that list definitely deserves celebration.”
As I arranged the dishes, Van pulled a bottle of wine from the rack and brought down two glasses. My mind was on what Skylar had said.
I knew I shouldn’t give Skylar or his ideas the time of day, but what he’d mentioned wasn’t new. It was something I’d already wondered about. It was also the subject that Mrs. Mayhand had commented about, saying that some questions were better not asked.
Van handed me a glass of wine and lifted his own. “To our guests leaving.”
A smile curled my lips as I stared at him, deep into his emerald eyes, and brought my glass to his. “To us being alone.”
Our glasses clinked before we both took a sip.
A few minutes later before we had the opportunity to sit, our food plated and wine glasses refilled and on the table, Van reached for my hand. “I want to tell you every day that you amaze me because you do.”
“I didn’t make this meal.”