Jade glanced out the window and gasped at the semicircle that framed half of the pond with benches and little tables between each one. There was even a sturdy-looking pergola as a canopy over the space, and Jade spotted wisteria vines already taking shape up the thick posts.
“That’s gorgeous. I’m glad he finished so he could dig in at our place.”
Liam pulled out Lana’s chair for her and then Jade’s. “He’s the best. I’ll have someone take your order shortly. I need to get my apple pies out of the oven.”
Once he was gone, Jade focused her attention across the table to her mother.
“Who’s Brock?” Lana asked as she placed her napkin in her lap.
“Zach’s adopted son. He’s eighteen or nineteen now.”
“They adopted a teenager?” Lana exclaimed. “That’s not very common.”
Jade shook her head. “No, but Brock sort of fell into their lives at the right time. They’re good for each other. Brock was a runaway and actually hiding in the basement here. He’s a sweet boy.”
“That’s quite a story,” Lana declared. “I guess the Monroe boys have changed.”
Jade handed her mother a menu and glanced through the options as an awkward silence settled over them. No doubt once they ordered, Lana would chime in with the true reason for her visit, despite the warning Jade had given her.
A petite blonde named Sara took their orders and left them with a fresh batch of warm yeast rolls with honey butter.
“I forgot about these,” Jade said as she reached for one. “They’ll literally melt in your mouth.”
“You can have mine,” her mother said. “I’d better save my calories for the dessert.”
Jade shrugged. “Fine by me. I plan on having all the calories today.”
“You’re not still upset about Cash Miller, are you? Jade, honey, he’s not for you.”
And here we go.
“Excuse me.”
Jade glanced over to the lady she’d smiled to earlier.
“Hi,” Jade greeted, thankful for the reprieve. “Stella, right?”
The thirtysomething nodded. “Yes. I don’t mean to interrupt, but I was just curious whether you did any yoga classes around here. I’ve only been able to make it to a few of yours, but since we moved closer to Haven, I was looking for a place here.”
Jade tipped her head and rested her hands in her lap. “I’m sorry, I don’t. I’ve been asked to teach locally, but I haven’t decided yet.”
“I’ll keep my eye out,” Stella stated. Then she glanced to Lana. “I’ll let you get back to your lunch.”
Once they were alone, Jade turned her attention back to her mother. Lana had an odd expression on her face, one Jade couldn’t quite place.
“What?” Jade asked as she tore apart her warm roll.
“You really like it here.”
Her hands stilled over her small plate. “Yes.”
“I mean, you really created a life here.”
Jade flattened her palms on the table and sighed. “I re-created one. I had a life here before.”
“Growing up, you always complained there was nothing to do here,” her mother argued. “When we got to Atlanta, you really thrived.”
Nodding, Jade picked up her knife and dipped it into the glass bowl of honey butter. “I did love Atlanta when I was there,” she agreed. “My lifestyle was quite different from here. I loved my job and my condo. But then I always felt like something was missing.”