Reaching out, I turned the key to start the car. I quickly backed out and headed to my parents. This vacation could be amazing… if only I was worthy of the woman I’d just seen for the first time in ten years.
It had been two days since I arrived in Cape Luella. My mother had been all smiles but otherwise pretty much left me to my own devices. However, it was the calm before the storm and I now stood in a light-weight suit along the wall of the party room which was my mother’s pride and joy. She loved giving parties and had spared no expense on the space.
Lights were glowing down on me and I felt the heat rising only to be blasted away by the arctic-temperature air conditioning. Hors d'oeuvre were being passed around the room by staff dressed in simple black slacks and white button-up shirts. If we were back in the city, I’d be forced to wear a tux and the staff would be in a much fancier and more uncomfortable uniform. At least Mother was kind enough to allow us to dress for the climate.
My hand absently rubbed at my neck and tugged at my collar.
“Stop fussing, you look perfect, Harrison,” my mother spoke from my left and I jerked in surprise.
“You know I’ve never been comfortable in large gatherings,” I replied and dropped my arms to my sides.
“Then, it is best I start introducing you,” Mother smirked at me and turned to walk away.
“Mother?” I called out and she stopped to look back at me.
“Yes, dear?”
“What are you doing?” I glared at her because my stomach was already queasy and my heart was sinking to join it because I think I now understood what tonight’s get together was about.
Scanning the assembled guests, I noted plenty of older couples, a few single friends of my parents, and several young women who were all staring at me with open interest.
Fuck! Mother had thrown me a ‘debutante ball’.
At twenty-eight and a man, I wasn’t sure I fit the mold as a debutante, but I knew that essentially that was the idea behind tonight. It was basically a ‘find Jack a wife’ party.
I rubbed my face and let out a deep sigh as I followed my mother. I knew there was no getting out of the situation I’d allowed her to put me in. I would have to meet all of the eligible bachelorettes, then talk to a few and probably dance with a few before I could sneak away.
“Hello, ladies,” my mother’s voice snapped me from my thoughts. “This is my son… Harrison.” Mother turned and motioned me forward.
“Hello,” I greeted with a nod as I clasped my hands behind my back to keep them from fidgeting.
“Hello, I’m Lisa Hollings,” a blonde greeted with a huge smile. “This is my cousin, Amber Hollings.” She waved to the timid girl beside her – I felt her pain, being in a room full of people gave me hives.
“Harrison,” my mother poked my side. “Lisa asked you a question.”
“I’m sorry, my thoughts are on work. It’s not easy to leave it behind for a vacation,” I muttered in apology.
“Funny, that’s what Lisa was asking you about, dear.” Mother laughed and I knew it for the fake one it was. “She wanted to know about your business.”
In the briefest possible terms, I explained about my company and then mother dragged me to the next group of giggling young women. Women who had taken advantage of the open bar, so mother moved us on to the next introductions quickly.
Relief filled me when Mother finally left me with instructions to select a young lady. I had no intention of selecting anyone. I knew who I wanted. And, maybe that’s why I slipped out and wandered down the beach in search of a wispy memory.
Blowing the loose strands of hair out of my eyes, I moved a few items to the shelf below where I was searching. Something shifted and a box slid forward. I barely caught it in time.
“Naiva, sweetheart?” My mom called from the door to the kitchen.
“Back here, mom,” I yelled as I fought with the box – I was searching for the bulk container of cinnamon as the container at the work table had run out.
“Liam, she’s here, darling,” I heard mom yell into the dining room.
A few minutes later, my parents entered the kitchen while speaking in hushed whispers.
“We should have told her already, Liam,” I heard my mom hiss as they reached the work table where I was currently getting back to making cinnamon rolls.
“Told me what?” I asked.
My parents turned to stare at each for a few moments before turning worried gazes in my direction.
“What’s wrong? Are one of you sick?” My heart began to race and I felt my chest tighten as worry for the two people I loved the most rushed through me.
“Oh, of course, sweetheart,” Mom exclaimed before running around the worktable to pull me into a hug. “It’s nothing bad. Well, at least we hope you’re as happy as we are about it.”
“We have news for you, Naiva,” Dad said in his deep voice.
I loved the sound of my dad’s voice. It had a slight accent from being raised by his grandparents and parents who had all been originally from Great Britain. Sadly, I’d never met any of them as they died before I was born. My last grandparent passed away only a few months before I was born.
“Naiva, what do you think?” Mom asked as she held me tight.
Shaking my head, I looked at her and then my dad before answering, “Sorry, I was distracted, can you repeat what you said?”
“We’ve sold the bed and breakfast.” Dad’s words hit me like a brick wall and I let out a gasp as I reached up to cover my mouth.
Tears burned at my eyes but I blinked them back. The hopeful look on Mom’s face helped
