“I did,” she said. “I didn’t just see fireworks, I felt them. I felt like I’d eaten a million lightning bugs when I was with him. He made my soul brighter, and that’s all you can ask for when you’re in love.”
Arden inhaled the lake breeze. “Your grandmother is right. There is a bit of luck involved in love. You have to be open to it.”
“Open to what?”
The three women jumped and screamed at the deep voice booming over them.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Jake said. “I’m so sorry.”
Lauren beamed her flashlight at his face. “Light,” she said, suddenly laughing. “I see light coming from him, Mom.”
Arden wrestled the phone from her daughter’s hands and clicked off the app. “What are you doing here?” she asked, pleasantly surprised. Then it hit her. “This isn’t coincidence, is it, Mom?”
“I invited him,” Lolly admitted. “I texted him, as you kids do these days. Surprise!”
Arden couldn’t help but smile in the dark.
“Mind if I steal Arden away for a minute?” Jake asked. “Wanna go for a walk? I promise I’ll keep a tight hold on your hand, and the moon will light our way.”
“So romantic,” Lolly and Lauren said in unison, sighing dramatically.
Thirty-six
“Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?”
Arden and Jake were holding hands and walking barefoot along the edge of the water, where the lake naturally “scooped” into the land. Locals said this giant half-circle in the lake had been created when God—in the midst of all His hard work—attempted to dip a giant ice cream scoop into the dunes, believing the golden sand was ice cream that could cool Him off. Scoops was named after this natural wonder.
“I have,” Jake said. “Many times. It just takes timing and a little patience.”
“Like love?” Arden offered softly, her hair rustling in the breeze.
“Just like it,” Jake said. “And I’ve seen lots of shooting stars, too.”
He stopped walking and turned to Arden, gently taking her face in his hands. “But I’ve never seen one as bright as you.”
Jake stopped. “I know we’ve only just met, but there’s something between us, Arden, that is as special and wondrous as the Northern Lights. I can feel it. Can’t you?”
“I can,” Arden said, her voice quivering.
Jake pulled her into his arms to warm her, to hold her. “Lolly and Lauren are such bright lights, too. For your mom to invite me tonight…”
Jake stopped. “Do you know how much that means to me? And do you know what a good mother and daughter you are?”
“No,” Arden said, her voice suddenly breaking and tears forming in her eyes. “Sometimes I don’t.”
“You are,” Jake said. “You’re such a whole person now. You need to see that.”
“Thank you for saying it to me,” Arden said. “Thank you for seeing it.”
“Sometimes people think they’re lucky in love or life when really they’ve just made themselves open and aware to the incredible possibilities and gifts that life has to offer.”
“Deepak Chopra?” Arden joked.
“No,” Jake said. “Just my little old philosophy on life and love.”
“I like this little old philosopher.”
“Old?” Jake laughed. “Little?”
Arden looked into Jake’s face. The moon and stars were illuminated in his eyes, as if he had swallowed the whole night sky so it would shine in his face for only Arden to see.
“I know we have a lot of things working against us,” Arden said. “Distance, careers, my mom’s health issues, obligations, exes, family … I mean, I don’t even know that much about your family yet … but I want to give this a chance. I really do.”
“I’m so happy to hear you say that. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life, either,” Jake said. “And on Memorial Day? We’ll have a proper date, okay? No more surprises. I’m officially asking you. What do you say?”
“Let me think about it.” Arden laughed, quickly adding, “Okay, I thought about it. Yes!”
“I think it’s only right that we come back here, to this beach, just the two of us, like your mom and dad did on one of their first dates. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect,” Arden said.
“I hope this is, too,” Jake said, leaning in and kissing Arden.
As if on cue, Arden saw a shooting star arc across the night sky. “You make me see stars,” Arden said.
Jake lifted Arden off the ground and twirled her around in the air, until they were one star in their own universe.
Thirty-seven
Lolly pulled an old thermos with a red tartan plaid design from the basket sitting on the quilt and poured some steaming liquid into the lid.
“Want a sip?” she asked Lauren.
“Oh, Grandma, this smells so good,” Lauren said, lifting the lid to her nose, steam rising. “What flavor of coffee is this?”
“Infused.” Lolly laughed. “It has a little—how shall I put this?—‘kick’ to it, if you get my drift. Don’t tell your mother. It was your grandfather’s secret recipe.”
Lauren acted as if she were locking her lips in secrecy and then took a sip. “Mmm, this is good. You think of everything, Grandma.”
As soon as the words were out, Lauren wished she could take them back.