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Cora
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2022-10-26 14:20:22Related chapters
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
I managed to keep my cool at the playground, although only by the grace of God. We had stayed for about two hours and then wandered down the street to grab an early dinner. I was shocked by how easily James and Legend had fallen into a groove. He'd never indicated a desire for children, yet seeing him with the little redhead made it obvious he was a natural. Luckily, Gwendolyn—or Dottie, whatever her name was—focused on James and Legend and left me to myself to stew over her reappearance in my life. Legend monopolized the conversation, telling James everything he'd ever done, all his favorite foods, favorite color—blue, favorite superhero—Green Lantern, and anything else that came to mind. I interjected where I could without disrupting the flow of the conversation, but mostly, I watched in disbelief. I witnessed a side of my husband I'd never seen and met a version of my grandmother I wasn't aware existed. And I wondered why she hadn't been that loving with me when my parents had
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
Oh crap, so this was how he planned to lay things out—just dump it all on the table and then sort out the pieces. It was the same way he put together a puzzle—zero logic or planning. James was not an outside-edge-first kind of guy, and he never looked at the picture on the box. No part of this scenario could go well. If I thought I could hold my breath during the entire revelation, I would, just so I didn't miss a single word. It was a sadistic kind of anticipation that my husband wouldn't fare well in. "This morning? What on earth took you so long to get here?" she asked as she passed mugs and dessert plates around the island in the kitchen. This was where his plan came to a grinding halt. I loved my husband, but when it came to matters of the heart, he didn't take calculated risks—he went all in with everything he had. It was part of what made him such an amazing man and incredible lover—although, I didn't get the impression Brock and Susan Carpenter were going to be
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
I left my shoes at the house in favor of strolling on the beach barefoot. The sand was warm between my toes, and the waves licked it away as quickly as I took another step. I loved the dark blues of the sky just after the sun had gone down and the moon had taken its place. The ocean rippled with peaks of light, while the water appeared black. And the shades of indigo that turned onyx as they rose off the horizon reminded me of Van Gogh's Starry Night. It was picturesque in a way that belonged exclusively to Geneva Key and one of the few things I adored about this town. James hadn't been given much longer to process this news than I had, but he had a couple days, and he seemed to be faring far better. I wanted to meet him at the place he was mentally, yet making that happen wasn't as easy as clicking my heels together. Since arriving in Geneva Key, my parents' death and what followed after had hung heavy in my mind and on my heart. I'd never been close to my grandparents, and the o
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
"You ready to go, buddy?" James appeared as excited as Legend was when we got to Dottie's door. I was too surprised by her new address to say much. She'd given it to James this morning when he called to arrange a time to get Legend. It was nothing like the home she and Owen had shared. We only stepped foot inside the foyer, but it was cozy and welcoming. There was no staff, she didn't have ten thousand feet of unused space, and there were pictures everywhere. I couldn't imagine what had happened to take her from the life of luxury that was prevalent when I was around to upper-middle-class suburbia now. Just as we were about to leave, I met her stare and saw that same thing I'd witnessed yesterday, something similar to regret, although I still couldn't imagine why. And once again, it wasn't the time or the place to question what all had changed since I left Geneva Key, or why she hadn't been this attentive when I'd needed her most. So instead of poking the bear, I gave her a
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
"James, your parents are here. And they brought lunch." I propped Legend on my hip like I'd done it a thousand times in the last five years and pointed at the huge picnic basket Brock held at his side. It had been the plan, but seeing the size of the basket, I wondered if they'd packed enough food to feed us for days instead of just one meal. "Why don't you take Legend up there, and I'll get the floats." I had forgotten all about the tube and raft that had drifted a bit when we hopped off them. James rounded them up while we climbed out of the waist-high waves and back onto stable ground. When I put Legend down, he pulled on my hand and clutched it tightly. "Who are they?" he asked as he pointed under our umbrella. He hadn't shown an ounce of fear with James or me, yet suddenly, his trepidation was front and center. "Those are your grandparents. Are you excited to meet them?" I'd raised the tone of my voice half an octave to try to convince him there was nothing t
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
I walked to the coffee shop from the Carpenters' house. It was only a few blocks and helped to expel some of the nervous energy I'd accumulated since last night. I had zero desire to do this, but I was grateful she'd suggested a public place. It would force me to maintain my composure. I hadn't realized until I saw Gwendolyn just how much pent-up aggression I harbored for her. Somehow, I'd convinced myself over the years that I was as aloof as she was. I'd allowed myself to believe she wasn't capable of anything different. That's what my dad had told me all my life, so I didn't think it was me she avoided. Clearly, that wasn't the case—she was capable of loving someone besides my grandfather…just not me. When she joined me promptly at nine, I had a cup of coffee in my hand. I waited to order breakfast in case I had to make a quick exit. I had enough cash for what was on the table and a tip, and if I ordered food, I'd have to use a card to pay. This seemed like the most logical pla
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
I walked until my feet hurt. Geneva Key wasn't huge, yet by the time I'd made it from the diner to the edge of the island, I felt like I'd climbed Mt. Everest in sandals. She infuriated me; everything about her just rubbed me the wrong way. I should have figured she'd try to paint my dad out to be the villain when he wasn't here to defend himself. When I finally removed my sandals and started to make my way back to the Carpenters' house—via the sand instead of the sidewalks—each step lessened the frustration I felt toward my grandmother and brought me a tad bit closer to understanding. She was my only option for answers. There was no one left who knew anything about my parents. I either gained what information I could from her, or when she passed away, it would be lost forever. I tried to believe I'd be able to discern the truth from lies, but it had been a lot of years since I'd heard my father's voice or held my mother's hand. I wasn't sure I'd recognize the difference be
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Unexpected Arrivals Cora
It had taken a few days to iron out details with Neil about the business. Most of what he did was by phone and computer anyhow, so the clients weren't aware of the difference. The one who picked up the slack was Neil, although he hadn't hesitated to do what was needed. There were only a few weeks left before Legend started school, which also meant, we only had about a month to decide whether we were staying in Geneva Key or going back to New York. Neil couldn't manage the business this way forever. "Hey, baby," my husband cooed into my ear just before he wrapped his solid arms around my waist and pulled me in close. "What are you looking at?" I pointed at his mother and Dottie down on the beach with Legend. Never in a million years did I imagine I'd be standing on the island watching James's son play in the surf, much less with Susan and my grandmother. "Just thinking how ironic it is that she was never able to be a grandparent to me, yet she's so amazing with him." "May
Last Updated : 2022-10-26
Latest chapter
Unexpected Arrivals Legend
I missed my mama every day. She told me she'd have to go to heaven first, but I hadn't really believed her. Or maybe I didn't understand what that meant. Everything she told me had been true. My daddy came to take his turn when hers was over, and he brought Cora. My mama hadn't been able to tell me much about her except that she would love me. And she'd been right. Daddy and I played when he'd get home from work, but Cora was my best friend. We made scrapbooks together and told stories about our mamas, and when I wanted to cry, she didn't treat me like a baby. She held me, and she cried, too. I knew she was sad here, even if she never told me, so I took her out every day looking for a friend—not for me, for Cora. And every time I saw a shooting star, I gave Cora my wish. When I started school, I met lots of kids. My teacher said they were friends—but I didn't think if someone bit you or hit someone else that made them a friend. I thought it made them mean. Maybe Cora should t
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
Chapter 71: Cora"So when do we get to meet the little urchin?" Neil was excited to meet his best friend's son. "Cora's grandmother is bringing him home around lunch." "How's that going, Cora?" The concern on Neil's face was endearing. "Really well. It's not going to fix itself overnight, even so, I think we're both trying. And that's about all we can do right now. Legend makes it a lot easier." "Does anyone have any idea why his mom gave him such an…odd name?" Hannah had chosen her words carefully as not to offend James, but he'd wondered the same thing. "We haven't asked." I wanted to. However, with everything else going on, it seemed to be at the bottom of the list of things to question. Before the conversation of namesakes could continue, the front door flew open as the doorbell rang. Gwendolyn tried to respect the Carpenters, while Legend had already made himself at home. "Daddy, look what Dottie got me." He flew through the foyer and into the b
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
Having joint custody of a young child was exhausting. We weren't obligated by court order to give Gwendolyn any time, but Legend loved her, and it gave me an excuse to spend time with her out of perceived obligation. I didn't have to admit I was anxious to get to know her or that I had questions. I didn't have to tell her I'd done nothing besides think about all the ways I'd missed out over the years. I got to use Legend as an excuse to have lunch with her during an exchange or walk on the beach while he played in the waves, or sit on a park bench when he climbed on a jungle gym like a monkey. And each opportunity opened the door to a relationship I'd never imagined I'd have, much less crave. Day by day, I realized what I would have missed out on had I not given her the chance. And I tried not to dwell on all I'd lost in favor of all I had to gain. "I'm going to miss you tonight, buddy." Legend was tall and lanky, much like the pictures I'd seen of James at his age, and he gave th
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
"So your father was Chelsea's dad, but she never met him, which makes you Legend's aunt and stepmother? And Gwendolyn, or Dottie, is not only your grandmother; she's my son's great-grandmother? For a Chase, that sounds awfully reprehensible and totally preposterous—not to mention, a tad trashy." I couldn't tell if he didn't buy it or he was so dumbfounded that reality hadn't quite hit him. So I stood there with my arms crossed over my chest, my hip cocked to the side against the dresser, and a death glare on my face while I blinked slowly in his direction. He continued to move about our room getting ready for bed, and still, I said nothing—waiting for it to register. When he finally stopped, presumably because I hadn't made a peep, I pursed my lips and raised my brow, daring him to make another joke. "Baby, what do you want me to say?" He patted the mattress next to him, but I remained firmly planted. "I can't begin to wrap my mind around any of the twisted pieces in the puzz
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
I wandered aimlessly across the island. Although, the years of blame and weeks of turmoil with Gwendolyn at the forefront subsided. Eventually, I had to end up back at the Carpenters', nevertheless my mind was a disaster. The farther I walked, the more muddled I became. I'd cried more in the last two hours than I could remember in the last two years. Tears didn't bring clarity, only a headache. I couldn't imagine how I'd tell James that Legend had a fifty percent chance of having Huntingtons, much less suggest having him tested. Moreover, I couldn't figure out why we would want a death sentence for a child we'd just met. If there wasn't a cure, then why live with that looming overhead. It made no sense to me, but it wasn't my choice to make. Legend wasn't my son—not biologically anyway. James and Gwendolyn would need to be the ones to make that decision. I didn't envy either in that choice and wished I could fix it with a hug, since that was about all I had to offer. When th
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
"Was she sick when she got pregnant?" "Yes. Although, I doubt James even realized it. She had tremors in her hands, and at that point, she wasn't comfortable driving because every once in a while, she'd get turned around. However, most of her symptoms were easily masked as fatigue or clumsiness. And she wasn't around James much before he left town. The disease didn't progress drastically until Legend was about three." "How could she have ever thought she could raise a child alone?" The part of me that had been grateful to Chelsea for the gift she'd given us had turned to rage. "I can't imagine being so selfish knowing she was going to die and that child would have no one." "He had me. The same way she always had. And in her eyes, that was a great life." "Explain that to me. How did my dad go from knocking up her mom to you being the grandmother to her that you never were to me?" "Would you like some more coffee, dear?" I could tell that was her way of try
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
I made it to the end of the driveway before curiosity got the better of me. I shouldn't care what she'd meant by so did they, yet each step I took got harder as the sentiment echoed in my mind. I stopped and stared at the sky, cursing God for giving me a heart that made me unable to let those three words go. "Ugh," I groaned to no one. Nothing she could say would change anything. Still, for some reason, I couldn't walk away. It was like not picking up the next book after a major cliffhanger. I had to have the truth, even if the ending sucked. My shoulders dropped in defeat, and I pivoted on the ball of my foot to head back to my grandmother's porch. Each time I lifted my foot, taking me closer to her front door, I cringed inside. "Get the information. In and out. You don't have to make friends with her or even peace. Just find out her side and go." Talking to myself in my head was one thing; doing it out loud took my irritation to a whole new level. I sounded like an i
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
When the door finally cracked open, I was met by a face I wanted to love but couldn't figure out how. "I had hoped you'd come by at some point. Please, come in." She ushered me through and straight into her home. "Is everything all right with Legend?" Gwendolyn asked as she pointed me toward the couch. "Oh yeah, he's fine. He and James went to the park." "Would you like some coffee?" Coffee indicated I'd be here a while. It would also give me something to do besides fidget with my hands and pick at my fingers. "That would be nice, thank you." She made her way to the kitchen, leaving me on the couch. "Your father was a big coffee drinker, although, I don't recall your mother ever liking it much." I smiled at the memory. My love of the drink had indeed come from my dad. "She didn't care for it, but I used to steal sips of his when he wasn't looking." It had slipped out before I realized I was being civil. "Are you hungry? I have some muffins." "N
Unexpected Arrivals Cora
"How are things going?" I hadn't had much time to talk to Hannah since we'd left New York, and I missed my best friend. "Status quo. The real question is how are you holding up?" The concern was evident in Hannah's tone. "Honestly, I'm struggling, but not with what you'd expect." "Oh yeah? Insta-mom has been a walk in the park?" She giggled. "Hannah, he's awesome. You're going to love him. He looks nothing like James, but it's uncanny how similar the two are. I'm completely gone for him." "Then what's the problem, are you jealous?" "Of what?" I'd just told her how much I adored Legend. There was no reason to think I'd be jealous of his relationship with his dad. "The other woman," she whispered as if Chelsea were a secret. "You are aware she passed away, right?" "Yeah, but she still had your husband's child. And I remember how you felt about her when you were in France. This has to be like a giant slap in the face—her parting gift to you."
