Diane looked at Julia and fidgeted with her cup.
“Can we talk for a minute, honey?”
“Of course.” Julia shifted her weight on the stool and turned to give Diane her full attention.
“I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. I’ve been spending a lot of time with your father.”
Julia gave Diane an easy smile. “I think that’s great.”
“He met my mama and the rest of my family. He’s even started coming to church with me on Sundays, to hear me sing in the choir.”
Julia hid her surprise at the thought of her father in a church.
“When Dad asked if he could bring you to my wedding, I knew things had to be serious.”
“I love him.”
Julia’s eyes widened. “Wow. Does he know that?”
“Of course. He loves me too.” Diane smiled tentatively. “We’ve been talking about the future. Making plans . . .”
“That’s great.”
“It is?” Diane’s dark eyes searched Julia’s.
“I’m happy he’s with someone who loves him. As much as I don’t want to bring Deb up, I’m sure you know they were together for a long time. Nothing seemed to come of it. And I really didn’t like them as a couple.”
Diane was quiet, as if she were mulling something over.
“Your dad and I are talking about making things permanent. I want you to know that when we do that, I won’t try to take the place of your mama.”
Julia stiffened. “Sharon was not my mama.”
Diane placed a comforting hand on Julia’s arm. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not sure what Dad has told you about her, but I’m guessing it isn’t much.”
“I’ve let sleeping dogs lie. When a man’s ready to talk, he’ll talk.”
Julia sipped her coffee in silence. She didn’t enjoy talking or thinking about her mother, who died during Julia’s senior year of high school. Sharon had been alcoholic and indifferent for most of Julia’s life. When she wasn’t indifferent, she’d been abusive.
“Grace was like a mother to me. I was closer to her than to Sharon.”
“Grace was a good woman.”
Julia searched Diane’s expression and saw hope in her eyes, mixed with a slight anxiety.
“I’m not worried about you becoming my stepmother. And if you and Dad get married, I’ll be there.”
“You’ll do more than be there, honey. You’ll be one of my bridesmaids.” Diane wrapped her arms around Julia, hugging her tightly. Eventually, she pulled back, dabbing at her eyes with her fingers. “I always wanted a family. I wanted a husband and a home of my own. I’m forty years old and finally all my dreams are coming true. I was worried about how you’d feel. I wanted you to know that I love your dad so you’d know I’m not with him for his money.”
Julia gave her a puzzled look before both women began laughing. “Now I know you’re kidding. Dad doesn’t have any money.”
“He’s a good man, he’s got a job, and he makes me happy. A woman finds a man like that, who’s fine to boot, she holds on to him and doesn’t worry about the money.”
Before Julia could respond, Tom joined them. When he saw Diane’s wet eyes, he strode over to her.
“What’s all this?” His hand went to her face, swiping the tears away with his fingers.
“Diane was just telling me how much she loves you.” Julia offered her father an approving expression.
“Is that so?” His voice sounded gruff.
“Not that you’ve asked, but you have my blessing.”
He looked down, his dark eyes meeting his daughter’s.
“Is that so?” he repeated, his tone softening.
Tom wrapped an arm around both women before pressing a kiss to the tops of their heads.
“My girls,” he whispered.
A short while later, Julia said good-bye to Diane and her father. She’d thought that perhaps they were living together, at least a few nights a week, and was surprised when Diane explained that they weren’t, out of respect for her mama, whom she lived with.
Now Julia began to understand why Diane was in such a hurry to get married and have a home of her own.
After dessert was served, Richard Clark sat on the back porch, drinking Scotch and smoking a cigar. The air was cool and quiet. If he closed his eyes he could almost imagine his wife, Grace, coming out the back door and settling in the Adirondack chair next to him.
Heaviness overtook his heart. She would never sit next to him again.
“How are you?”
Richard opened his eyes to see his daughter-in-law, Julia, sitting in the nearest chair. She’d tucked her slim legs up under her and was wrapped in one of Gabriel’s old cashmere cardigans.
Richard switched his cigar to his left hand and moved the ashtray so it wouldn’t bother her.
“I’m well, how are you?”
“I’m okay.”
“Dinner was great,” he offered. “Really exceptional.”
“I tried to replicate some of the dishes we had in Italy. I’m glad you liked it.” She leaned her head back against the chair, staring up at the dark sky.
He tasted the Scotch again, sensing that something was troubling her. But not wishing to force a confidence, he was silent.
“Richard?”
He chuckled. “I thought we’d agreed that you’d call me Dad.”