Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,13

supply it. And then college.”

She tried to imagine a life where cold hard cash was the only comfort. Failed. As it sounded like it had failed Charlie.

They arrived at the bottom of the steps and crossed the street to the park, where Michael was already halfway up a tree.

Charlie put his hand on her arm, and she turned to him. “You probably already know this, but your son asked my blessing on asking my daughter to marry him.”

Winnie bit her lip. “I knew he was going to.”

“You raised him right. Thank you. I haven’t earned that in Katri’s life, so I’m humbled — honored — to be included in such a way.”

She angled her head and raised her eyebrows. “Did you give it?”

“I did. He’s a good kid. Sorry. Young man.”

Winnie laughed. “I can’t help it, either. He’s my son. He’ll always be a kid to me, even though I know he’s a grown man. One I’m proud of.”

“You should be.” Charlie hesitated. “Mr. Winnie would be proud of him, too.”

“Mr. Winnie had a name,” she said softly. “Alberto. Everyone called him Al.”

Charlie searched her face, nodding slightly. “I noticed you took off your rings.”

A flush she could not attribute to the cold November wind crept over her cheeks. “Dominic needed them. And maybe it was time, anyway.”

“Time?”

His voice was so quiet, she barely heard the word. “A woman can’t live in the past forever.”

“No.” He studied her, his face solemn. “I don’t suppose she can. Not someone like you. Full of life. Vibrant.”

Her? Vibrant? That’s how he saw her? She found herself captured by his gray gaze, noticing his clean-shaven jaw, his long nose, his lips...

Winnie jerked her gaze back to his eyes and took a step back. Just because their kids were involved and they’d be future in-laws didn’t mean she needed to get swept up in romantic thoughts.

Moving on didn’t mean forgetting Al and remarrying. It meant making a full life for herself so the house wouldn’t echo too badly when Michael finished high school, but he was only in eighth grade. Lots of time to build that life slowly. All she needed was a job, maybe. Or she could take some college classes and brush up on her marketing degree from nearly thirty years back.

It definitely did not mean falling in love, regardless of how strong and handsome and, and close Charlie Jalonen was.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to look toward the kids. “Oh!”

Dominic was on one knee in front of Katri, who was jiggling on the spot, her hands covering her cheeks.

Charlie turned, too, shifting somewhat closer to Winnie in the process. “He’s doing it, is he?” he mused.

“Looks like.”

Cheering, Brittany and Gabriella threw dry leaves in the air like confetti while Landon gave a piercing whistle. Michael stood to one side, arms crossed over his chest.

What was her youngest thinking? That his big brother was abandoning him forever? Winnie should be there for him. Help him process.

“It looks like we’re destined to see a lot of each other.” Charlie glanced at her with a grin.

Oh. And that. “You’re right. I guess we will.”

And exactly how was she supposed to feel about that?

Chapter Six

Good thing Charlie had been running regularly. Hiking back up this block-long steep staircase wasn’t for sissies. To be fair, Dominic’s family — Winnie’s family — also climbed it with ease. Most of the people he knew would have stopped for an extra breath by now.

Katri took his arm as they climbed.

Charlie knew exactly where Dominic was — the young man had his arm slung over his mother’s shoulders at the head of the group.

“Dad, I’m so excited! Did you see the ring Dominic gave me? It was his mom’s.” She squeezed his arm. “His parents had such a happy marriage. It feels like a good omen to wear it. I mean, not that I believe in omens.”

In other words, she wouldn’t have felt the same about acquiring Julia’s more elaborate set. Whatever had happened to it, anyway? His ex had probably sold it on eBay.

“You don’t mind not having a new ring, picked out just for you?”

“Not at all! Love isn’t about extravagance. This diamond is so meaningful. I only hope I can live up to what it represents.”

“Oh, baby. I only hope Dominic can.”

Katri smiled a secretive smile. “I’m not worried about him. Not even a little bit. He’s dedicated to Jesus and to me. He’s so totally amazing.”

At some point the veil would fall from his