Sand Castle Bay (Ocean Breeze) - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,92
her disapproval of our past is true.”
“Oh, it’s true,” he admitted with obvious reluctance. “I’m not going to let them ruin this for us, Em. We’ll all have to find a way to coexist. And I think the sooner we do, the better.”
“Meaning?”
“B.J. wants you here for his Halloween play. I think you should come.”
“That’s next week,” she said, trying to envision how she could juggle her schedule to make it work. She owed it to Boone to try. To B.J., too.
“Can you do it?” he pressed. “Maybe I can keep the peace by offering them a chance to keep B.J. over the weekend and you and I can have some time alone.”
Emily laughed. “There’s that optimism I love. You’re using B.J. as a consolation prize.”
“No, I’m not,” he protested. “We’ll all be getting exactly what we want. It’s a win-win.”
“And you don’t think Jodie will store that away as fodder for her suit if she ever files one against you? She’ll tell the court you couldn’t wait to get rid of your son so you could spend time with me.”
Boone sighed. “I see your point. Okay, no sleepovers for B.J. or for you and me, while you’re here,” he said, sounding resigned. “Please, Em, come anyway. I need to see you. I need to remind myself that what we have is worth fighting for.”
She heard the frustration in his voice and knew she needed to find a way to be there, if only to be supportive. “Let me see what I can work out.”
“But you will find a way?” he pressed.
“I will find a way,” she assured him. “But I am going to expect one very big reward, even if we have to hide in the walk-in freezer at Castle’s.”
Boone finally chuckled. “I’ll keep you warm.”
“Never doubted that for a second,” she said. “I’ll have my schedule by the time we talk tomorrow.”
“Love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said, even though there were times, especially lately, when she was having more and more trouble figuring out if love was nearly enough to make their complicated relationship work, especially with one person so intent on sabotaging it.
* * *
B.J. was bouncing up and down with excitement. “Grandma Jodie, are you sure I really look like a ghost?”
She chuckled. “You’re the most impressive, scary ghost I’ve ever seen,” she assured him. “Don’t you think so, Frank?”
“Absolutely,” Frank confirmed.
“Have you thanked Grandma Jodie for making the costume?” Boone asked. “And for helping out with the others for some of your classmates?” He had to give Jodie credit. She had pitched in to make the play a success by taking on a task that too many mothers hadn’t had time for.
“Thanks, Grandma Jodie,” B.J. said dutifully. “Mrs. Barnes said thanks, too. I gotta go. She’s waving for us to take our places. I’ll see you after, right?”
“Yes, and we’re all going out to celebrate,” Boone reminded him. “Keep your costume on. We’re going to take lots and lots of pictures.”
He hadn’t told him or anyone else about Emily joining them. Maybe that was a mistake, but he figured a surprise was the only way he was going to pull this off without a major upheaval. He was praying that B.J.’s presence would keep Jodie from doing or saying anything crazy.
Back in the auditorium, he spotted Cora Jane and Emily saving them seats on the aisle. “There are three seats over there,” he told Jodie, steering them across the room.
When Jodie spotted Cora Jane, she obviously guessed the identity of the woman beside her. She froze in place.
“Absolutely not,” she said, scowling at Boone. “How could you ruin this night for me?”
“Tonight isn’t about you,” Boone reminded her. “It’s about B.J., and he wanted Emily and Cora Jane to be here. He wants you and Frank here, too. Can we all manage to get along for his sake for just this one night?”
“Of course we can,” Frank said, casting a warning look at his wife. “I, for one, do not intend to miss my grandson’s play for any reason. Jodie?”
She sucked in a deep breath and followed him into the row of seats, placing herself as far from Emily as possible. Boone sat between Frank and Emily. His father-in-law leaned forward.
“Nice to see you, Cora Jane,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”
“It has been,” she replied. “Jodie, you’re looking good.”
Jodie remained stonily silent.
“I don’t think you’ve met my granddaughter, Emily,” Cora Jane continued as if nothing was amiss.