“She used to let me play dress-up all the time. I had a little box at their house. We all did, remember? Anyway, after she died all that stuff went into storage. My box of dress-up stuff was in the trunk of the Z28 when it came to me. These were inside it. I love them. If you ever want to wear them just say so. They’re meant to be shared.”

Julie hugged her. “Come to think of it, after the will was read, a box of books came. All my mysteries were in it. I bet Grandpa stored each one of our boxes. I like that.” She kissed PJ’s cheek. “Anyway, I love the bracelets but they’d look wrong on me. On you they’re perfect. Just like it’s perfect that you’re having so much success with work.”

That meant a lot. “Thanks for being so supportive.”

“Of course. I’m your sister. We need to meet, though. All of us. Shawn and I are having dinner tonight, like I said. He had a meeting with Fee today and wanted to talk about it. We’ll loop Jay in once I hear what Shawn has to say. He’s really upset right now. He and Dad are at odds.”

“Fee must be in heaven.”

“He is extra smug. But Dad has been keeping a low profile since the dinner. I think Mom is still punishing him. Which she should be. What he said was wrong. I told you this that night and I’ll say it again. You aren’t a failure. He was cruel to have said that.”

It had hurt. And it had made her ashamed of having worked so hard for his approval all her life just to have him slap at her in such a petty way. Like he had no idea of her value.

“I don’t know about meeting with you guys. I mean, I always want to meet for dinner or whatever, but I don’t know if there’s anything left for me at Colman. Especially now.”

“Hear us out when the time comes. You’re going to make your own choices and we all respect that too.” Julie looked at her watch. “I should go.”

PJ walked her sister out, hugging her and promising to call soon.

Asa watched her interact with his mother and knew he’d be getting two thumbs up from Pat later that night.

He’d told his mom and sister some of what had happened the week before, so it was extra nice that they’d been so welcoming and warm to PJ from the moment she’d walked through the door.

He’d brought women to his mom a few times over the years. Ellen, of course. His mom had been where Ellen was at the time, and a big part of why he’d married her was because he would have done anything to ensure his children didn’t grow up without a dad. Now, years later, he knew he could have done that even if they hadn’t married, but he didn’t regret his choice at the time or right then, as he watched a woman who’d taught him what bone-deep, forever love was listening to his mom tell a story about Asa’s childhood.

He hadn’t known you could feel this way about another person, and everything he’d done until the point PJ walked into his life had brought him right where he needed to be to cross her path when he was ready for her. So he couldn’t regret any of it.

“Help me bring in the good dishes.” Courtney nudged him out of his thoughts.

He rose and headed to the sideboard, where his mother kept what she called the good dishes. The set of china Asa and his sisters had given her about ten years before wasn’t actually that expensive or anything, but she loved it and brought it out on holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions.

PJ came in as he and Courtney were pulling out four place settings. “I’m supposed to tell you to remember the big platter.”

“She trusts you with that? Good sign.” Courtney gave PJ a thumbs-up and then thrust two stacks of plates her way. “Take those in; I’ll grab the platter.”

“Gotcha.” PJ carried the dishes to the table and began to put them out.

“I figured you’d be prissy,” his mother said to PJ as she worked.

Asa hurried up to see if he could prevent any more of those kinds of sentences.

Courtney snorted, grabbing his arm to slow him down. “She’s going to say whatever she wants to say. You know how she is.”

“If you had ever spent two minutes with PJ’s father you’d understand why I want to protect her,” he murmured to his sister.

“Mom isn’t that guy. She’s pushy and nosy and bossy, but she’s not mean. But you know what? I like you this way.”

Asa turned to face his sister. “What way?”

“Protective. That’s what way. Oh sure, even if she was just a friend you’d look out for her because you’re a good friend and it’s in your nature. But… with her it’s different. You’re different. You’re sweet. It’s more than fast driving and motorcycles and all that crazy stuff you do. Please don’t tattoo your face. That’s an aside. Back to my subject. Mommy and Lettie and me, we know you’re generous to a fault with people you love. I’ve seen you on dates. I’ve seen you with your wife. But you look at PJ like she’s part of you. You look at her and your face brightens. You want to take care of her. You think about how she’ll feel about this or that interaction. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

Asa nodded.

“Asa! I need that platter.”

“Sorry, Mom. Coming right up.” He turned, put the dishes he’d been holding on the table, and grabbed the platter, taking it to his mother.

“Thank you. I was just telling PJ I figured she’d be prissy. She laughed, though, so she knew what I meant. Don’t frown, it makes your nose look worse.” His mother looked back to PJ, who struggled against a smile. “Don’t you think that thing in his nose makes him look like livestock?”