Delores gave Mia a genuine smile. “I see how wrong I was in trying to force something that wasn’t there. He loves you, Mia. His stand against me proves that. I hope you never hurt him.”
“Never,” Mia vowed. Reva had gone off to wait on a customer. Becky stood behind Delores but she gave Mia an encouraging smile. It said be honest with Abel’s mother. Mia placed her hand on her stomach. “He is part of me and this child I carry proudly, Mrs. Ramirez. To hurt him would be to hurt myself. I want to be his partner in life. I want to console him when he is overwhelmed and share in his joy when he is happy. I will love him with my dying breath and beyond that. I promise.”
“Those words sound like a vow to me. All we need is a preacher.” Mia gasped and turned around. Today was a day for surprise appearances it seemed. Abel stood there looking suspiciously teary-eyed. Mia forgot he had said he would be stopping by for coffee. She blushed that he overheard her words, but she stood by them. “I meant every word, Abel. You know that. You are my heart and soul.”
Abel picked her up and hugged her, swinging her around. “God, I love you, Mia.”
He set her down and looked at his mom. He kept Mia close to him. “Hi, Mom. I was meaning to come by and talk to you later today.”
“No need, son. My eyes are open now. I was wrong and I apologize to you both.” Delores looked at Mia with sorrow and regret. “You have many supporters in this town, Mia. My children adore you. Even my oldest friend here let me know what a foolish old lady I was being.”
“You forgot stubborn,” Becky added with a smile.
Delores stepped closer to Mia. “I am overprotective even though all my children are grown. You are good for him. I am only sorry I didn’t see it sooner. Can you forgive a stubborn, foolish old lady like me? Can we start over and be friends?”
Mia nodded and stepped away from Abel. She hugged Abel’s mom, blinking back tears. “I’d like nothing better to have you as my friend.”
* * * *
Mia sat with Becky at the next book club meeting. They were having it at the coffee shop and it had been interesting to say the least. The last two weeks had been quiet and calm. The rumors had stopped now that everyone knew Mia and Abel were engaged. Mia worried that Jane had not given up so easily, but as long as Jane stayed far away from her she was willing to ignore Jane.
She just listened to the ladies talk about the book they had just read. Mia had promised to read the next one. It had taken place in the day of knights and castles. It had been very romantic from what Mia could tell.
“I wish my Harold would come riding on his horse and rescue me,” Betty Harness gushed, putting the book down and grabbing a home-baked cookie.
“From what, Betty?” another lady teased her good naturedly. “You have no enemies stalking you or trying to hold you for ransom. Your father is a roofer not a king.”
“True.” Betty laughed without being offended. “He could rescue me from piles of laundry and a sink full of dirty dishes once in a while, instead of spending his weekends snoozing on the recliner.”
Mia shook her head with amusement as the other ladies added their wishes.
“They are a crazy bunch but so much fun,” Stacy whispered in Mia’s ear. “I heard congratulations are in order, Mia. When is the wedding date?”
Mia showed off her ring proudly. She was still walking on air over how well things had worked out. She truly felt like part of the Ramirez family. “I’m not sure yet. I don’t want to waddle down the aisle, but it takes time to organize a wedding from what Jessy says. Abel is anxious and wants us to be married as soon as possible, definitely before the baby’s arrival.”
Becky leaned forward having overheard and winked at Mia. “It doesn’t have to take long, Mia. Valentine’s Day is just a month away. Why not then?”
Delores agreed happily getting on board with the idea. Mia saw a new side of Abel’s mother and she was grateful for it. Delores took her shopping outside of the town for maternity clothes. They had a wonderful time getting to know each other. “Betty’s husband owns the printing shop here in town. He can print out some simple invitations quickly.”
Betty nodded, liking the idea. “Becky can make the cake. Delores can take care of the food. Ethel Kensington can rent out the church rec room.”
Everyone was soon into it and had planned out the whole wedding just like that. Mia’s head was whirling with all the ideas they were discussing. Was it possible it could be arranged that quickly and easily? She didn’t want anything fancy. Abel already belonged to her in her heart.
“What do you think, Mia?” Becky asked, her eyes glittering with excitement.
“If Abel agrees to the date and my best friend Gwen can come then yes, sounds good to me,” Mia announced. “Jessy’s dress was amazing but I want something simple. A simple white lacy dress that doesn’t make me look like a snowball is fine with me.”
“I have another daughter, ladies. I am blessed,” Delores announced happily.
Mia couldn’t wait to call Abel and let him know. He had been trying to get her to move in with him at least, but she had been hesitating. So much had changed since the New Year and she felt like she was on a merry go round. She had tried to slow the merry go round down but maybe she should just go with it.
Chapter Eighteen
Mia was humming as she closed for the night. Her head was still whirling with exhilaration of everything coming together for her wedding. It was like as if the universe approved and all was running smoothly. Abel would be here any minute. They were meeting Jessy and Lincoln for dinner. Their wedding was two weeks away and Mia couldn’t wait. Gwen, Mitch, and her parents were flying in from New York. Abel’s family accepted her and talked with excitement about the baby. Soon they would find out the sex of the baby. Mia didn’t care, she just wanted a healthy baby. Her stomach was rounder now and Abel was enchanted with her stomach. He seemed to let go of the past fully once and for all. He admitted he grieved over the baby that wasn’t his more than he did Lydia and she understood. His nature was circled around caring for others. That’s what made him such a good sheriff. He would be a great husband and father. Delores was patient when Mia asked so many questions about motherhood. She offered her help and guidance. She told Mia she had stopped talking to Jane since Abel suspected Jane was behind the vandalism of Becky’s Brew. He couldn’t prove it, but Jane had backed off and Mia was glad.
Mia turned off the bright lights, leaving a few dim lights on. She grabbed her purse and headed for the front door when she heard a noise in Becky’s office. Shit. Was there an intruder? She set her purse down and walked over to the wall with the phone. She listened again and heard a definite noise. She tried not to panic as she dialed Abel’s cell number. He was on his way, but she didn’t want him stumbling into a robbery unaware.
He answered quickly. “I’m close by, babe.”