Edith’s gaze narrowed. “The two of you were in love.”
She nodded. “Deeply in love.”
“And now it all makes sense.”
Ella tilted her head, confused. “What does?”
Edith waved her hand, dismissing her question. “Finish your story. What happened between you and Maverick?”
Ella had started this conversation, intending full disclosure, but her chest tightened with fear because she didn’t want this wonderful woman to look at her differently. “My father decided to move the family back to Meridian. It was a last-minute decision, and it happened quickly.”
“I remember,” Edith said. “Very quickly.”
“I didn’t drive, didn’t have a cell, so I had no way to contact Maverick. I wrote him a letter.”
Edith didn’t say anything, clearly waiting for Ella to add more.
She couldn’t. Her throat grew tight, constricted enough she was struggling to draw in a deep breath.
“What did the letter say?” Edith asked, when Ella fell silent.
She swallowed hard, then cleared her throat, failing to answer the question fully. “I just said I couldn’t see him anymore, that it was over.”
Jesus. Shewishedthat was all she’d said.
Edith’s expression was pensive, and it was obvious the older woman knew there was more to it than that. Ella wasn’t sure what Edith saw on her face, but it must have been disturbingenough that she let Ella off the hook without any more questions.
Unfortunately, her emotional state wasn’t enough to completely save her.
“You’re still coming to dinner,” the woman announced, rising from the couch, making it clear she was accepting no excuses.
“But I think?—”
“It’s time to stop looking backward, Ella. Move forward.”
Gigi had said something similar when Ella told her about Maverick, insisting that wallowing in past regrets only stole precious time from the present.
“Fine,” Ella sighed, rising as well. “I’ll go upstairs and get ready.”
Edith smiled, reaching out and grasping her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Good girl.”
An hour later, Ella found herself stepping out of the back seat of Manny’s car, taking in the beautiful large farmhouse that served as a B&B six days of the week. According to Edith, Claire, Maverick’s mom, didn’t book guests on Sundays, patrons leaving by eleven in the morning, with no one else arriving until Monday at the earliest.
Edith said that allowed Claire at least one day off a week and ensured that the family could gather together for this regular meal.
Ella wiped her palms on her slacks, nerves getting the best of her as she followed Manny and Edith along the path to the large wraparound porch. It struck Ella as strange that she’d never been to Maverick’s childhood home, given how much he’d meant to her. Then she realized she’d never met his parents, either.
Her apprehension grew.
This is a mistake.
When she and Maverick were in school, the only part of the farm she’d ever seen had been Hideaway cabin. And then, acouple weeks ago, she finally got to see the winery, when she and Edith shared a bottle of wine in the tasting room.
Edith must have sensed her anxiety, because she slowed her steps until Ella caught up to her. Linking arms with her, they climbed the stairs together. Edith made it seem like she was an elderly woman seeking support, but Ella knew it was actually the dear woman’s way of making sure Ella didn’t run for the hills.
The front door opened as soon as they reached the top and an older man, who had to be Maverick’s father, greeted them.
“Welcome!” Rex said with a wide smile, taking a step back so they could enter the house.