“I don’t know what any of you are talking about,” said Eddie, turning toward his son, then looking directly at Jen. “But I do know that she’s a keeper!” He paused a moment before saying, “Be fair now, Jennifer. You told us you ‘sing a little.’ Is that what you call a little?”
“Yup,” she said, nodding. “It’s a wonderful hobby. I enjoy it maybe because it’s not my job. And…in all modesty…I guess I’m pretty good at it.” She immediately felt heat creep up her neck. Her own fault. Since when did she compliment herself?
“Pretty good? You’re great!” Doug’s praises had her blushing harder.
“Lisa and I used to….” She stopped herself, glanced apologetically at her sister.
“I forgot. Sorry.”
The server appeared and removed the salad plates before Helen spoke up.
“About the music — I imagine it’s soothing after dealing with all the hard cases you must have. Homelessness, child protection…gosh, what area are you in?”
Jen ignored her family’s stupefied expressions and glanced at Doug in appeal.
He leaned toward his parents. “Let’s step back a bit. You may have concluded that Jen’s a social worker, but if you think back, she never claimed to be. What she said was, ‘I help people, particularly with budgeting.’ You both assumed social work was what she meant.”
“Oh.” A pink tint stained Helen’s face.
“Well then, why the mystery? What do you do for a living?” Eddie’s confusion
reinforced his wife’s.
Jen took a deep breath. “I do help people,” she said. “Just in a different way. I help them manage their money.” She waved toward the door. “In a building not too from here. Fidelity Investments.”
The silence around the table was broken by Eddie’s deep laughter. “Financial consultant! Oh, boy.” He pointed at his son. “Good work. I said it before, this one’s a keeper. You picked a real winner who’ll help you stay out of trouble.”
##
His father’s words crashed against Doug’s ears and tore his last nerve. He flew to his feet and loomed over the man. “You listen up, Ed Collins, and listen well.
You may not believe this, but I’m making a good living as a playwright.
“And as for Jennifer, she was a keeper from the first moment I saw her. From the time she was eighteen. From the time I read her first essay and saw into her heart. She’s not only smart, she’s beautiful inside and out. Why do you think I came back to Boston? She’s everything I want and everything any sane man would want for a lifetime, would want for…a wife.”
His voice dropped to a whisper, and he spun toward Jen. Tears were running down her cheeks, and he caught them with shaking fingers. “Oh, my God, Jen. I love you so much. I wanted it to be romantic, on a cruise, or at the beach, but—”
He gazed blindly from side to side, unfocused on everything but the woman in front of him.
“Jennifer…” he whispered like a prayer, “will you…”
“Yes! Yes!” Her arms came around his neck and in the tiny space between tables he picked her up, never breaking his glance until he kissed her—-finally—before lowering her to the ground.
He felt her arm around him while she sought her sister’s eyes across the table.
But Lisa and Mike were already coming over, hugging, kissing, shaking hands with him.
“Welcome to the family,” said Mike. “I couldn’t be happier…because Jen is happy. Make sure she stays that way.”
Doug studied the other man’s features. His last words carried more concern than threat. “I will do my very best.”
“Despite the legal definitions,” Mike continued, “I’ve been in loco parentis since she was sixteen….”
“Thank you for that,” said Doug. “It couldn’t have been easy, but you did a magnificent job. She’s perfect.”
“Now that’s a man in love!” Mike laughed and gathered his wife to him. “Looks like we have a wedding to plan.”
Lisa stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband. “You mean, Jen and Doug have a wedding to plan.”
“Plan is the word,” said Doug, shaking his head. “You’re off the hook on this one. But who knew that Maguires would be…”
“Perfect,” said Jen. “Good memories here, and you just added to them.”
A deep voice added, “You should thank me, son. Without me, you’d still be hemming and hawing.”
“Get the duct-tape,” sighed Doug.
“My father can be…ah…trying at times.” Evie leaned over to kiss Jen. “I’m so glad about this. Doug’s never looked happier. And that you’re right here in town is great. If I ever have five minutes again…”
“Absolutely,” said Jen, glancing at Lisa. “We know how to do sisters, don’t we?”
“We certainly do. Welcome to the family, Eve.”
Maybe if the best-laid plans often went astray, they left room for the unexpected events to work out well. Doug had no complaints as they made their way to the Charles River Esplanade for the concert. Jennifer’s hand was snuggled in his, and he supposed they had a pair of dopey smiles on their faces.
“Hey, Jen?
“Yes?”
“Independence Day, huh?”
Her delightful laugh sprinkled the air, and Doug wanted to capture it forever.
And he would. With the rough patches behind them, the road ahead would no doubt be smooth.
Chapter 13
Jen had never been happier. The weeks since the momentous holiday weekend seemed to fly by and all too soon, summer was in her rear-view mirror. Emily came home from Tanglewood, the twins drove back to Florida and their junior year at school. Mike’s NFL season had started, and baby Brianna continued to grow and thrive while her big brother, Bobby, started pre-school. Most importantly, Doug’s new play would be premiered in a week.
To his dismay, she’d started a scrapbook for his work, cutting out the print ads and printing out the on-line ads promoting The Sanctuary. Sitting at her kitchen table on the first Sunday evening of September, she adhered the latest promo onto a page in the album.
“The boys used to keep a scrapbook for Mike when they were little,” she said.
“Maybe they still do. Or maybe Lisa’s taken over. It kept the kids focused on something fun.”
“It’s keeping you focused on nonsense,” he complained. “One sample ad is enough. Let’s hope you’ll have some good reviews to save soon.”
The poor guy was as jittery as a bride the day before her wedding. She smiled, then stood to give him a kiss, sneaking a glance at the vintage emerald ring on her finger. A gorgeous piece that fit her perfectly. The family connection to Doug’s grandmother wasn’t lost on her either. The man had simply loved his grandma.
