The Magnolia Cafe(34)

“It’s happening, all right. I’m counting the days. The girls are getting excited about moving into our new house, too.”

“Nathan is too, though I think he’s a bit sad to be leaving the house he grew up in and all the memories there with his dad.” Jenny’s heart pounded when she realized what she’d said. “I’m sorry. That was thoughtless. I mean with Joseph.”

“It’s okay, Jenns. I know Joseph was a great dad to Nathan. Nothing will change that. Not even finding out I’m his biological father. It’s all going to take time. I don’t care that he thinks of Joey as his dad, I just hope he starts to think of me as his dad, too.”

“I think he already does. You two seem to be getting closer. Just yesterday he was saying he wanted to talk to you about which science courses to take next year. Honestly, he’s always been interested in law, like his grandfather. I mean Joseph’s dad.” There, she’d done it again. It was hard to retrain her thinking. She sighed. “Anyway, now a days he talks about possibly looking into premed when he goes away to college.”

“Really?” Clay flashed a huge grin like a kid who’d been told he was getting just what he wanted for Christmas.

Jenny laughed. “Not to say he won’t change his mind. But I think he does need to take an extra science class or two next year to see if that interests him. He’s already talked to his advisor about moving some classes around.”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow. You two are still planning on dinner at Mom’s, right?”

“Yes, we’ll be there. I hate that Greta is going to all that work.”

“Oh, she loves to cook big meals and have family around. She does consider you family, you know.”

“She’s always been like a mom to me.” Jenny thought back on the years in high school when she was dating Clay. They’d hung out at Greta’s house all the time. Greta had always been so welcoming and accepting of her. So different than at her house. Her father had not liked Clay one bit and had gone so far as to tell Clay that he’d disown Jenny if Clay kept seeing her. The beginning of the end for them. Until, miraculously, they’d found each other again seventeen years later and it had all worked out. Not that her father was pleased now, either. But she was a grown woman now, and really didn’t care what a judgmental, grouchy old man thought. Her mother was pleased though, and that meant a lot to Jenny.

Her thoughts circled back to the wedding and the vague sense of unease. She shook her head. Wedding jitters. That must be all it was.





CHAPTER ELEVEN





Hunt was going to ask her.

No, he wasn’t.

Yes. Yes, he was. If he could just get up the nerve. What was the worst thing that could happen? Keely said no?

She won’t say no, will she?

“Earth to Hunt. You’re just standing there looking off into space. We need to get going or I’ll be late to my shift at the cafe.” Natalie poked his arm. “What are you thinking about?”

“Whether to ask Keely to go away with me for the weekend. I got a quick photography assignment down on the gulf coast. Documenting some small towns that rebuilt after that series of hurricanes came through.” Hunt tilted his head to one side, then back again. “I think it would be good for her to get away. Katherine has learned so much about the business in the last month. If you and Becky Lee help her, I’m sure she could run the cafe for a few days, don’t you think?”

“I’m sure Katherine could do it, and, of course, we’ll help. I guess the big question is whether Keely will be able to let go of the control long enough to give her sister a chance. I know Katherine has told me she wants to do more.”

“I think it’s hard for Keely to look at Katherine with new eyes. To see the woman she’s become. She seems very capable.”

“She’s a quick learner, that’s for sure. She already knows so much about the business, though I’m sure some of it is from growing up with the cafe being owned by her parents. But she told me she’s taken over payroll from Keely. She’s been learning inventory, too. She is so excited when she talks about the running of the cafe. I think she has a real knack for it.”

“Well, I’m hoping Keely will give her a chance to run it for a few days.”

“Hoping she’ll go away with you, you mean.” Natalie grinned at him.

“That, too.” He felt a wave of heat wash over his face.

“Hunt Robichaux. I do believe you have a crush on her. I knew you’d been going out a few times, but look at you. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you interested in someone.”