CHAPTER TWO

Caroline emerged from the car like a swan parting from its reflection on the water, arms outstretched for an embrace. But her gaze dropped to the dirt beneath her gorgeously tall heels, and she hesitated, a frown creasing her powdered cheeks. "I can"t possibly walk in this with, with these..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the air thick with expectation.

April watched the scene unfold, the familiar pinch of frustration knitting her brow as she crossed the distance between them, navigating the mud with practiced ease. The hem of her pants collected the evidence of country living, a testament to her new life away from concrete jungles and courtroom battles.

The smile April offered was well-rehearsed, a mask of affection that avoided the frustration brewing in her chest. Caroline"s presence here, at the heart of April"s reclaimed freedom, felt as bothersome as the bumps on the unpaved ground.

Though April loved her mother, she knew that complaining was Caroline's favorite hobby. She was constantly unhappy about something and made sure to let everyone know. Even if it was dirty in the countryside of the island.

As if summoned by duty, Jackson approached with his warmth radiating against the cool autumn air. His arms wrapped around Caroline, a gesture of welcome that bridged the divide between old worlds and new beginnings. Yet, as he turned to retrieve the luggage, her voice latched onto him with the tenacity of a thistle. "Be careful with the dress, darling."

Jackson nodded, his hands already reaching into the vehicle"s depths to extract the suitcases that seemed excessive for just a weekend away. He maneuvered each piece with the patience of a man accustomed to the delicate balance of nature and nurture, his fingers grazing a garment bag with the reverence reserved for sacred things.

From a distance, April observed, the weight of the garment bag in Jackson"s grasp reflecting the heaviness she felt in her own heart. The mother of the bride dress was probably extremely nice, as her mother wouldn't wear anything that wasn't flattering and expensive.

In this moment, April saw exactly how different she'd become in her time out here. While her mother walked beside her in shoes that cost more than her entire outfit, including the nice work pants that Jackson had suggested for her.

Sunlight glinted off Caroline"s pearl necklace as she turned to face her daughter, the lines around her mouth softening into what could be construed as excitement. April, caught in the tangle of emotions that her mother"s presence always seemed to evoke, held her breath and waited. There was an air of expectancy between them, like the stillness before a storm—or perhaps, the quiet hope of a rainbow.

"Darling," Caroline began, her tone laced with a feigned casualness that seemed the opposite of the sharpness of her forthcoming words, "I do hope this one works out better than the last."

The shock rippled through April. Her lips parted, a single word escaping before she could rein in her reaction. "Mom!" It was a casual protest, a plea, and a reprimand all at once, but Caroline merely offered a nonchalant shrug in response, her smile unwavering.

April"s gaze flickered past her mother, seeking refuge in the gentle swaying of the willow trees that lined the driveway. She knew that her mother was joking, but it was hard to take the comment lightly, given the situation.

Since April first moved to the island, she'd been trying to work on her mother's lack of awareness of her ‘silly little comments' where she was ‘just saying' or ‘simply voicing her concern'.

April spent several months in strained conversations trying to bridge the gap between her mother joking and making inappropriate comments.

Yet, as April looked back at her mother, the hope this weekend might mark a turning point grew in April's chest.

While there would probably be no held tongues, no words unsaid from her judgmental mother, April was glad she was here. There were positives about Caroline, too. Like the way she was always there for April, trying to be better.

Guiding Caroline through the threshold of the family home, now a quaint bed and breakfast, April braced herself for the inevitable onslaught of her mother"s grievances. She knew there had to be a thousand problems, and she was going to hear about each one.

"Absolutely barbaric," Caroline muttered under her breath, eyes scanning the room with a familiarity, searching for anything out of place. She let out a huff that fluttered the wisps of hair around her face, the tale of her travel trials spilling forth like an unwelcome breeze through an open window. "The airport was pure chaos, children wailing at every gate, and then the car rental—would you believe they gave me that tin can outside when I specifically requested something bigger to hold my gown?"

April absorbed the complaints with a practiced smile, her gaze softening as she led her mother to the sitting room. The plush armchairs beckoned, and she gently steered Caroline towards the most inviting one, a gesture both comforting and strategic. "Let me make you some tea," she said, her voice threaded with warmth.

In the kitchen, April selected her mother"s favorite blend from the cupboard. The tea leaves rustled against each other, a soothing sound amid the clink of porcelain and the gentle hiss of the kettle. She cradled the teapot in her hands, feeling the familiar weight and curve of it, a touchstone in the midst of brewing familial storms.

As the water reached a rolling boil, April poured it over the leaves, watching as they danced and swirled in the pot. Her thoughts drifted to the pending arrival of Jackson"s family—the laughter and boisterous tales that would soon fill these rooms. She imagined the two families colliding, a symphony of loud personalities and well-meant mayhem.

A deep inhale filled her lungs with the aromatic steam rising from the cup. Exhaling slowly, April contemplated the delicate balance she would need to maintain over the coming days. With a quiet resolve, she resolved to infuse calm into every cup, every conversation, hoping the tranquil blend could soothe even the fiercest of spirits, aka her mother.

Carrying the prepared tray back to the sitting room, April set it down before Caroline with a gentle clink of china against the wood of the side table. In this moment, with the scent of tea mingling with the sea air drifting in from an open window, April fortified herself. She would be guiding her family to safe harbor.

The earthy scent of brewed tea had just begun to settle when the tranquility of the room was shattered by the roar of a truck engine. The windows seemed to rattle in their frames as music, loud enough to rival a rock concert, erupted outside, slicing through the fabric of the quiet afternoon. April"s pulse quickened; she recognized that song anywhere.

With measured steps, she navigated the maze of furniture, her heart syncing with the heavy bass that penetrated the walls. Caroline"s face pinched in disapproval from the plush armchair where she sipped her tea. "What on earth is that racket?" she muttered, peering over the rim of her china cup with a furrowed brow.

Jackson appeared at the end of the foyer, his dark hair tousled, a question in his eyes as he silently offered support. April"s gaze flitted to him, conveying a wordless plea for patience. She could feel the weight of her mother"s glare as Caroline pressed again, "April, who is it?"

Stepping closer to the door, the thumping of her heart now competing with the throb of the music, April drew in a breath and released it slowly, steadying herself against the impending storm. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal of the doorknob. "It"s Dad," she admitted, the words barely audible over the relentless beat.

April"s breath caught in her throat as the familiar figure of her father, Richard, came into view through the windshield of his truck. His head bobbed to the rhythm, an irrepressible grin spreading across his face as he belted out the final verse of the song with a gusto that matched the blaring music. With a flourish only he could muster, he twisted the keys, cutting the engine and restoring peace to the air around the house.

Her fingers still gripping the doorknob, April stepped onto the porch, the warmth of anticipation tingling in her chest. She opened her arms wide as Richard clambered out of his vehicle, his presence alone seeming to fill the space that had been occupied by sound moments before. Their embrace was a collision of past and present, the years melting away in the fold of their tight hug.

Richard pulled back slightly, his barrel chest expanding with a deep, infectious laugh that rumbled from his core. April took in the sight of him, her eyes tracing the contours of his physique—a paradox of strength and leanness. The muscles under his t-shirt flexed casually, testament to a life of spontaneity lived more outside than in. His jeans, faded from sun and wear, hung on his hips, comfortable and familiar, the fabric softening around his movements.

April felt a flutter of nerves as she stood there with her father, his energy undiminished by time. He was exactly as she remembered—unapologetically loud and larger than life. Yet beneath the bravado, she sensed the same eager affection that had always been the bedrock of their relationship. Richard"s presence was a whirlwind, unpredictable and exhilarating, and April braced herself for whatever lay ahead in this gathering of so many different personalities.

April guided Richard up the short, worn steps of the porch, her hand light on his elbow. Jackson stood at the doorway, his dark hair tousled by the breeze, eyes slightly widened as he took in the robust figure approaching. Richard"s gaze swept over Jackson, sharp and assessing, before a crease formed on his sun-leathered face, blossoming into a grin.

"Jackson," April said, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension, "this is my dad, Richard."

Richard extended a hand, engulfing Jackson"s in a firm shake that seemed to ripple with unspoken conversations. Jackson"s shoulders tensed, a subtle shift as he glanced towards April. She gave him an imperceptible nod, a silent promise that everything was as it should be.

The moment lingered until Richard released his grip, clapping Jackson solidly on the back—a gesture resonant with approval. The lines around his eyes softened, and for a fleeting second, April glimpsed the father she remembered from her childhood—the one whose rare affirmations felt like hard-won trophies.

"Place looks great, April," Richard boomed, his voice carrying across the open air. He swept an arm towards the expansive property, his expression earnest. "You"ve done good, real good."

"Thanks, Dad," she replied, warmth seeping through her at the unexpected praise.

A cool draft whispered past them as footsteps clicked against the hardwood floor inside the house. Caroline emerged, her elegant silhouette framed by the doorway, her stance rigid and poised. She paused, eyes narrowing faintly as they landed on Richard. A curt nod passed between them, laden with the history of a thousand unsaid words.

"Hello, Richard," Caroline"s voice sliced through the air, each syllable precise and cool.

April observed the two of them, the tension coiling in the space that separated past from present. Her mother"s presence brought a new gravity to the reunion, a reminder of the delicate balance April hoped to maintain throughout the weekend.

As Richard turned to acknowledge Caroline, April exhaled slowly, bracing herself for the intricate dance of family dynamics about to unfold.

The air, tense as a tightrope, vibrated with the silent standoff between Caroline and Richard. April watched her mother"s lips press into a thin line, the faintest twitch in her cheek betraying the effort to maintain composure. Richard, for his part, seemed oblivious to the chill, his attention focused solely on the room. April wondered if it was an attempt to not look at Caroline's judgment after facing it for so many married years.

April shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her gaze flitting between her parents. She now envied her fiance, who was busying himself by collecting the luggage and moving them into her parents' rooms.

The years had stretched between her mother and her father, thick with unspoken regrets and missed opportunities. Each glance, each subtle movement was a language they all understood but none wished to speak.

She turned her attention inward, imagining Georgia"s arrival as the saving grace that might dilute the potent mix of personalities. Her daughter"s helpful nature could be the counterbalance to Caroline"s sharp edges and Richard"s boisterous charm. A buffer against the coming storm.

Her grandparents both loved her very much. Georgia had a great relationship with both Caroline and Richard. But Caroline always had a special place in Georgia's heart. Which made April hopeful that when she arrived, her mother would be able to remain calm.

Until then, April stood here in the uncomfortable silence, unsure of what to say to make everything better. The quiet was suffocating, like waiting for the explosion of a grenade thrown close to home.

And she wasn't sure when this one was going to go off.