Free Marry Me by Kristin Wallace Page A

your father and Grace.”
    â€œIt is a bit awkward.”
    â€œPlus, it’s been such a long time since you lived here. You barely kept in touch all these years, and yet you agreed to put your life on hold for Sarah and Eric. It’s amazing.”
    â€œGrace was good to me. It’s the least I can do.”
    Edith smiled. “You’re a good girl.”
    Julia was still gaping at Edith’s last comment when they reached the living room and were instantly surrounded by a ring of people. Edith made the introductions and then started to walk away.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Julia called after her.
    â€œI have to finish the potato salad.”
    â€œBut—”
    Just then Betsy bounded up. “Hi, Julia.”
    Julia had never been so glad to see a familiar face in her life. She even allowed her assistant to drag her around the room making introductions.
    â€œDo you remember Mary-Ellen Carter?” Betsy asked, as they stopped in front of a stout, grey-haired woman. “She lives across the street.”
    Julia did actually. “Hello. You’re looking well.”
    â€œThank you,” Mrs. Carter said. “You’ve turned into a beautiful woman. Of course, you were lovely even as a girl, so it’s no surprise.”
    â€œThank you,” she said, caught off guard by the effusive greeting.
    Julia definitely remembered the next woman in the circle. She’d been her ninth grade English teacher. The woman had been in her early twenties then and had been one of the few teachers to make her feel truly welcome.
    â€œMrs. Shannon,” Julia said, giving her a hug.
    â€œYou do remember,” her former teacher said, looking pleased.
    â€œOf course. Are you still teaching?”
    â€œOh, yes. I hope you’ll stop by for a visit.”
    Or maybe not. Julia swallowed. “Mm—”
    Betsy gestured to a young woman about Julia’s age. She looked familiar, but Julia couldn’t recall the name.
    â€œThis is Nicole Rivers,” Betsy said.
    â€œYou might remember me as Nicole Coleman,” she said, holding out her hand.
    A light dawned. “Oh. Nicole. We had chemistry together, right?”
    â€œRight. We also used to go to The Old Diner after school.”
    How could Julia have forgotten her? Nicole was the closest thing she’d had to a friend in those days. Of course, Nicole had been skinny as a rail with hair half way down her back then. Now, she was rounder, and the hair was cut in a short bob.
    Nicole grinned, as if reading Julia’s mind. “I know, I look a little different, but what can I say? I’ve had four kids. Figure goes to pot, and who has time to deal with long hair?”
    Julia goggled in amazement. “Four? Wow.”
    â€œTwo sets of twins. You’ll have to stop by one day and meet my family.”
    â€œMm—”
    Julia and Betsy slowly made their way around the room, stopping to greet people. Some of them Julia remembered, but the majority she had no clue about. Most seemed to remember her, though. She didn’t know if everyone had come to an agreement, but surprisingly not one person mentioned her father.
    Although, what could anyone say without sounding rude or awkward?
    Finally, they made it to the kitchen. The place was a regular beehive of activity. Several women were serving up food. The countertops were overflowing with dishes. There was a ham, roast beef, green beans, mashed potatoes, potato salad, and several different kinds of pies and cakes for dessert.
    Grace was right in the middle of the chaos, directing traffic. She spotted Julia and rushed over. “There you are. I was worried you’d escaped after Edith left you.”
    â€œBetsy made sure I didn’t bolt.”
    She smiled at Betsy. “Thank you for looking out for her.”
    â€œI’m happy to help,” Betsy said.
    Grace looked around the kitchen. “I think everything is ready. Betsy, could you