23. Beck

“ A ll my adult years, I thought I had three daughters and never dreamed I’d be the mother of the groom.” Beck looked up at her handsome son, one hand on his broad shoulder, the other in his as they danced in the center of the Coquina Café. “Look how life surprises you, huh, Kenny?”

“We have Ava to thank for getting us together,” he said, still unable to suppress the smile that he’d worn since the moment Heather had appeared at the back of the church a few hours earlier.

“And we can thank your mother, Janet,” Beck said. “God bless that woman for keeping my name and sharing it with Ava. Otherwise…” She shook her head, slowing her feet a bit and maybe losing the rhythm to You’ll Be in My Heart , the song the DJ told them was popular for mother-son dances. “We wouldn’t be here right now.”

He studied her for a long time, his smile finally waning. “We were both raised by women who weren’t our biological mothers,” he mused. “I guess you’ve thought about that before.”

“Many times,” she said. “Different circumstances but, yes, similar. And we turned out okay, huh?”

He didn’t answer right away, still holding her gaze. “I think you know I loved my mom with my whole heart and soul,” he said gruffly.

“Everything I’ve ever heard about Janet and Jim Gallagher was wonderful. Ava still talks about her grandmother with nothing but love.”

He nodded. “Great woman, truly. But I want you to know something, Beck.”

She held her breath, sensing she was about to get an emotional squeeze from whatever her son, a man of few words, was about to say. “Yes?”

“I love you as much as I loved my adoptive mother.”

She bit her lip to stop the tears.

“I mean it,” he said. “I know I got here with a bit of a chip on my shoulder?—”

She laughed. “It didn’t last long.”

“How could it in the face of your unrelenting love?”

“Oh. Kenny. I loved you and Ava from the moment we met.”

He gave her hand a squeeze. “I just want you to know that I may have had one mother for the first half of my life, but you have stepped in with grace and class for the second half. Thank you for that. And thank you for giving me Janet and Jim as parents. They were a brilliant choice.”

She took in a deep breath and lifted her hand from his shoulder to wipe a tear as Phil Collins finished his ballad. “Well, we’ve hit every cliché here. The most popular cheesy song and you made me cry.”

He leaned over and hugged her as applause broke out from the tables around the restaurant dining area that had filled as the guest list swelled from fifty to much closer to eighty. Beck hadn’t even talked to everyone there yet.

Kenny gave her a sweet twirl and another hug.

“You’re going to be a wonderful husband,” she whispered into his ear.

“Only because I have a perfect wife,” he countered.

They separated and Beck walked toward her table, seeing that Andy Monroe had taken her seat, chatting with Lovely.

“See? You see?”

She turned to find Maddie and Ava, both looking splendid in gorgeous dresses, doing their teenage girl quiet-clap like they did when they couldn’t contain their excitement.

“See what?”

“Don’t look!” Ava scooted two steps to the side, blocking Beck’s view of the table.

She laughed and looked from one youthful and excited face to the other. “What am I not supposed to look at?”

“Lovely and Andy!” Maddie exclaimed in a breathy whisper. “Match made in heaven, thank you very much. My idea.”

Ava shot her a look.

“It was,” Maddie insisted.

“Maybe,” Ava conceded. “But look how happy she is, Grandma Beck.” She shifted her head an inch so Beck could see her mother smiling and nodding with Maddie’s grandfather.

Was she happy? In the week or so since Eddie left, Lovely’s laughter certainly seemed to be rare, and her smiles seemed forced. But only someone who knew her as well as Beck did would notice that.

“I’m telling you,” Maddie said, taking another glance. “This will heal her broken heart.”

Then again, maybe everyone could see that Lovely was hurting. “Oh, girls, I don’t know if?—”

“Ladies and gentlemen!” The DJ’s voice broke into the conversation. They turned to look at him on the small platform in front of the dance floor Jessie had installed, turning the Coquina Café into a reception venue.

Heather and Kenny stood arm-in-arm next to the DJ. “After the mother of the groom dance, we traditionally have the bride and her father.” As he took a breath, Beck’s heart dropped. Didn’t he know Heather’s father wasn’t here? That would be Jessie and Josh’s father, too, who was notably absent and distant from that family. “And Heather has asked to have that dance with Andy Monroe.”

At his name, Andy sat up straighter and everyone looked at him. He gave a soft laugh and said something to Lovely, slowly standing and making his way through the few tables to the dance floor.

Smiling, Heather walked out with her hand outstretched, the two of them lightly embracing for a poignant moment. How sweet of Heather to do that, Beck thought.

“Let’s go talk to Lovely!” Ava said.

Beck glanced at her mother, seeing just enough pain in her eyes to know that a chatty fun “convo” with the matchmaking teenagers might not be what she needed most.

“Why don’t you let me talk to her?” Beck said gently. “If there’s any interest, I’ll let you know.”

“Of course,” Ava said.

“But be sure to tell her he’s really, really nice,” Maddie said. “And he plays pickleball!”

Smiling at that, Beck threaded tables and chairs, taking the seat Andy had just left next to Lovely.

“You looked like you had fun with Kenny,” Lovely said. “Good song choice.”

Beck nodded. “He made me cry. And you looked like you were enjoying your conversation with Andy.”

One brow flickered. “He’s very nice. He did not make me cry, and after this week? That’s a win.”

“Oh, Lovely.” Beck leaned in, hating the ache in her mother’s voice.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she insisted. “It’s just weddings, Beck. They make a woman…long for things. Speaking of, Oliver just went to the men’s room but he’ll be?—”

“Lovely.” Beck put a hand over hers. “You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to miss him so much.”

Her eyes shuttered. “I have no control over it, Beckie. It’s like I’ve been…gutted.”

“You should go see him,” Beck said. “Go see what California is like. See the ranch, the winery. Meet his grandchildren. What’s stopping you?”

She looked at Beck, a storm of emotions in her bottle-green eyes. “I’d love to say it’s our business or this family or my desire or something as simple as the cost.”

“What is it?” Beck pressed.

“Fear. I’m afraid I’ll never come back. I’m afraid I won’t be able to leave him.”

“Lovely!” Beck crooned. “If you feel that way, then you have to go.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head, turning to watch Heather and Andy share a warm dance to a slow country song.

Beck followed her gaze, her stomach tightening for how unhappy Lovely really was.

“I take it Maddie and Ava planning your wedding to Andy Monroe is a waste of time,” she said, hoping to lighten the mood. “No chance?”

Lovely smiled, then released a heartfelt sigh. “I had no idea what chemistry was, Beckie. I didn’t know it was fire and soul and as good as chocolate and better than a warm bath after a long day.”

“Sounds like you’re the one writing song lyrics now,” Beck teased. “But I know what you’re saying.”

Just then, she spotted Oliver coming toward her with a woman a few steps behind him.

“Oh.” Beck sat up straighter. “I didn’t know Serena McFadden was here.”

Before Lovely could respond, they reached the table and Beck rose to greet the other woman, who was resplendent in a fuchsia dress with a matching netted hat perched on her head.

“I had no idea you were coming,” Beck said, giving her a hug.

“Neither did I, but I’ve been dating a firefighter who’s friends with Kenny, and he asked me to be his plus one,” she explained.

“And I convinced her it would be fine to come over here and talk to you,” Oliver said, then leaned closer to Beck’s ear. “But you’ll still say no.”

Beck frowned, gesturing for Serena to take one of the empty chairs at the table. “Why wouldn’t you talk to me?”

“Because this is your son’s wedding, and I don’t want to discuss business. Plus, I know the answer already.” She pointed at Lovely. “Did your daughter tell you she turned down a lot of money for Coquina House?”

“She did,” Lovely said, smiling at Beck. “And I agree, you can’t put a price on my childhood home or our booming business.”

“And this buyer still won’t let go?” Beck asked, smiling at Serena.

“Someone else has contacted me about buying the place, but no official offer.”

“Our answer will never change.”

Serena cocked a brow. “She threw around a number that was quite high. Like, stupid high. Do you want to know?”

For a moment, neither one of them spoke. Beck was about to give a resounding, “No!” but then she saw something in her mother’s eyes. Pain mixed with…hope. Hope that could become a reality if they sold the place and freed her from all obligations.

“Sure,” Beck said. “Doesn’t hurt to hear a number.”

“It’ll hurt to hear this one,” Serena joked. “’Cause it starts with a three and ends with a lot of zeros.”

Beck’s jaw dropped. Lovely’s eyes widened. And Oliver smiled.

“I know the answer,” he said. “But I thought you should know just how valuable the property is. If we want to take out a business loan and expand or put in a pool. There’s a lot we could do with that kind of equity.”

Or…buy out Lovely and free her to move to California? Beck glanced at her mother, who just gave a sweet smile.

“I don’t care if the first number is a ten,” Lovely said. “Or if there are more zeros than I can count. Coquina House is not for sale.”

The words flooded Beck with an emotion she didn’t quite understand. Not that she wanted to sell Coquina House, or use even that equity to make it bigger or better. She just knew that if Lovely were free…she might be happier.

And all Beck wanted in the world was for her mother to be happy.

“All right, family members!” The photographer cruised over to the table and gestured to them. “We’re getting family dance photos. Let’s make this fun!”

“That’s my cue to leave,” Serena said, standing and blowing them kisses. “Do the hokey pokey or something super cringe! And I’m sorry to barge into this event with business. Love ya!”

She headed off while they stood, something churning in Beck that she had to know. She had to.

“You go,” she said to Lovely and Oliver. “I’ll meet you in a minute.” Snagging her evening bag, she hustled toward the fast-moving target of pink curves. “Serena!” she called. “Hang on.”

The other woman turned and blinded Beck with a smile. “Second thoughts?” she asked with her dark brows high.

“No, no. I just…” She came closer and took Serena’s hands. “I want to know the name of the buyer. Is it confidential?”

Serena let out a sigh. “Of course it is.”

But Beck’s gut was on fire. “Please. It would…help.”

“Beck, I just?—”

“Is the buyer in California?” she asked on a hunch.

Serena’s reaction told her the hunch was right.

“Eddie?” Her voice rose as she thought of the only person who might have that kind of money.

“Jazz,” Serena whispered. “And you did not hear that from me.”

Jazz? Why? “Thanks, Serena.”

As the other woman walked away, Beck turned to see her family—all her daughters, grandchildren, and the ever-growing clan gathering on the dance floor with much hilarity. Still acting on impulse, she slipped out the side door to the empty veranda, bathed in the moonlight that sparkled on the water.

Making sure she was alone out there, Beck pulled out her phone and scrolled for Jazz’s number, pressing the talk button.

“Beck!” Jazz’s voice filled her head. “Wait. Isn’t tonight the wedding? What’s up?”

“I’m at the wedding, Jazz, and you won’t believe who’s here.”

“Not my father, I can tell you that. I just left his ranch and he’s one unhappy camper. Who is it?”

“Serena. My Realtor. Apparently, she’s dating a firefighter friend of Kenny’s.”

“Huh. That’s… Oh, boy. I’m in trouble with my big sister, aren’t I?”

Her heart shifted at being a big sister, reminding her that this woman was family—maybe not as close as the one dancing inside, but still family. And she had a good heart.

“I’m confused,” Beck admitted. “Why would you throw a monkey-wrench into the works like that?”

“I didn’t mean it to be,” she said. “For one thing, I miss that heavenly little island. It was good for my soul.”

“You can visit anytime. You could get a place here. But…mine? And Lovely’s?”

“I just thought maybe you didn’t want to sell to a stranger. But family? I knew Serena would tell you it was me if you pressed.”

“She did,” Beck confirmed.

“I thought it might interest you,” Jazz said. “With that kind of cash, you’re free. And so is Lovely, who might…come here and fix my poor Pops, because his heart is shattered.”

Oh, she hated that both of them were so miserable. “I don’t think this is the answer.”

“No, probably not, but I’m a problem-solver by nature,” she said. “I try everything until something works.”

Beck stared at the silver streak of moonlight dancing on the water, inhaling the salty and familiar air.

“I don’t think this problem can be solved,” she finally said. “Not unless one of them is completely prepared to walk far, far away.”

She heard Jazz’s slow, sad sigh. “I know.”

“Is he writing music?” Beck asked, thinking about her father’s well-being almost as much as her mother’s.

“He’s writing, playing, singing, and producing,” she said. “It’s what he calls…a sea change. So, in that regard, Lovely brought him back to life.”

“She’s painting, too. But I don’t?—”

The sliding glass door opened, and Ava stuck her head out. “Everyone’s waiting for you, Grandma Beck.”

“I’ll be right there, honey.”

“You better go, Beck,” Jazz said. “I hope you’re not mad about me contacting Serena. It was a desperate attempt to make everyone happy. Including me.”

“Come to Coconut Key anytime, Jazz,” she said. “Bring Mel and her family and, of course, Eddie.”

“Someday,” she said. “Someday soon, I hope.”

They said goodbye and Beck tucked the phone back into her bag and hustled toward the door.

The DJ had We Are Family blasting and the entire Foster-Sanchez-Frye-Ames-Bradshaw-Gallagher-Monroe clan was arm in arm, dancing and singing in the middle of the dance floor. Slightly apart from them, Lovely swayed with baby Rebecca in her arms, tears threatening as she watched the joy of her family.

Beck crossed the room, her own eyes misty, her arms outstretched as she hugged her daughters and kissed her grandkids and squeezed her son and sons-in-law and all the people she loved so very much.

Clapping her hands and singing the words, she sidled next to Lovely, who held a protective hand over the baby’s head.

“You sure?” Beck mouthed.

“I’m not leaving,” Lovely said simply. “Not for love or money, Beckie.”

Or, in this case, both.

Lovely leaned over and kissed the baby, stepping away from the mayhem to let the younger people dance and sing.

Oliver slipped an arm around Beck, gave her a kiss, and brought her into the group photo as they all belted out the only words that mattered: We are family!

They sure were.