“I love you too,” she replied.
Maverick sighedand rubbed his eyes wearily. He’d managed to keep every memory of Ella at bay for well over a decade, but now that they were returning, they were bringing back that powerful, overwhelming feeling.
All the pep talks in the world weren’t going to change a thing.
The love he’d felt for her all those years ago was still there. And no amount of time or anger or denial or pain was going to change that.
So…maybe it was time to stop trying.
Chapter Six
Ella grinned as two small children darted in front of her and Edith, racing toward a booth, both bragging that they were going to win the huge stuffed toy hanging from the side of the tent. Gracemont hosted a huge Fourth of July celebration each year, complete with rides, food trucks, carnival games, a small parade down Main Street—which had just ended—before winding down with a fireworks display once darkness fell.
“My goodness. Can you believe this heat?” Edith asked.
Ella may not have experienced Virginia in the summer for the past fifteen years, but that didn’t mean she didn’t remember the stifling humidity of July and August. “Yes,” she replied simply, her answer causing Edith to cackle.
Edith fanned herself, only looking slightly sheepish. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I still complain about it. Every damn summer.” She’d warned Ella last night to rest up, as they had a full day ahead of them. Though Edith’s house was close enough to the fairgrounds, she said they could go home for a wee siesta this afternoon if they wanted.
Ella had only been allowed to attend this event once when her family lived in Gracemont. It had been the last summerthey were here, and Dad had given them permission to attend because their church was hosting a booth that year in an attempt to raise money for a new organ. Ella, Martha, and Mom had sat behind a folding table, selling cookies, cakes, and pies in their bake sale. Dad had forbidden her and Martha from walking around the rest of the fairgrounds, reminding them they were there as volunteers for the church and nothing else.
Manny, who’d stopped to chat with someone, was a bit breathless when he caught up to them, pointing to a nearby food truck. “Are you gals hungry? I was thinking I might pop over there to grab one of the gyros.”
Edith stopped and gave her nephew a pointed stare. “You had a caramel apple at the parade.”
Manny scoffed. “A mere appetizer.”
“And the bag of popcorn?” Edith asked.
“Popcorn doesn’t count as food,” he said, grinning widely. “Too light and fluffy.”
Edith wasn’t deterred. “It was covered in butter.”
Manny leaned toward his aunt, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s a holiday, Auntie. No counting calories on holidays.”
Edith rolled her eyes, but with amusement rather than annoyance. “If that’s true, then every day is a holiday in your life.”
Manny didn’t bother to deny it. “Because I am a blessed man. So I take it that’s a no on the gyros?”
Edith looked scandalized. “Good Lord. Of course it’s not a no. I love those things. Best part of the carnival.”
She and Manny both looked at Ella, who shook her head.
“As delicious as they might be, I think I’ll pass. I’ve actually got my eye on a big cup of those boardwalk fries everyone we pass is eating.”
Edith patted Ella’s arm. “Good choice. Manny and I will grab the gyros and meet you in the pavilion. They’ve got giant fans setup in there, so perhaps we’ll find a table close to one that will provide us some relief.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Manny and Edith had just stepped away when Ella’s phone pinged with a text from Martha. It appeared the silent treatment from her sister had officially come to an end. Since that initial text from Martha over a week ago, her sister had reached out a couple more times. So far, their communication had been casual, surface-y topics, like Martha finding the dip at Trader Joe’s and sending her pictures of the flowers growing in her garden.
Ella was supposed to have flown home yesterday. She hadn’t told Martha that she was extending the trip. Probably because she was too busy tiptoeing around on eggshells, trying not to say anything that might make her sister stop talking to her again.
Her eyes widened when she read Martha’s text.
We’re having a cookout this evening for the Fourth. Elijah bought a bunch of fireworks. The boys miss you. Want to join us?
Ella read the text twice more, certain her eyes were playing tricks on her.