Even driving to the Richards’s family home felt right. I didn’t feel those knots of anxiety in my stomach that I often got when arriving at a new place and not knowing what to expect. I was filled with those knots onParadise Love.
I drove slowly on the long, paved driveway. Lily’s parents were a short mile drive south of downtown. Even though they were close to everything and had neighbors, their property was quiet and private thanks to the trees on both sides and Lake Golden along the back of the house.
“Holy shit,” I swore quietly when I saw the home’s front exterior. It was absolutely breathtaking. I’d been blown away by the cabin—which lived up to its name of a lakeview haven—but this was something else entirely.
It was a multi-story gray house with white trim and black shutters and a two car garage. Similar to the buildings downtown, it had a historic, timeless feel while still being modern. Honestly, calling it a “house” didn’t do it justice—it was a mansion.
Once I turned off the ignition, I got out of the car and walked up the brick path to the front door.
The door swung open before I was even able to knock.
“You made it!” Lily exclaimed as she easily wrapped her arms around me in an embrace. “Mom, Jules is here!” she called over her shoulder.
I greeted Lily with a smile, wrapping my free arm around her while the other held the bouquet of flowers I’d brought for her mom.
“Come on in. Dinner’s about ready.” Lily waved for me to step inside the house. The interior was just as luxurious as the home’s exterior.
Lily’s mom met us, and I quickly noticed the resemblance. They had the same blonde hair and warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jules. I’m Laura, and you’ll meet my husbandMark once we make it out back. He’s out there grilling up the hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegetables.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I responded, extending the flowers out to her. “These are for you. It’s been amazing staying in your rental. I’m so excited for the rest of the summer.”
Laura’s face softened as she took in the flowers. “That’s so nice of you, Jules. Thank you. We’re happy to have you, both in the cabin and for dinner tonight. My son should be here soon.” Laura turned to Lily. “Do you know if Cooper’s coming?”
Lily shook her head. “No clue. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did, though.” She then turned to me. “Cooper is Eliza’s older brother and pretty much my second older brother. Fun, right? Havingtwooverbearing, protective brothers who think they know everything.” She rolled her eyes.
“I have one brother who thinks he knows everything, and that’s plenty,” I said with a laugh.
Laura looked between us with an amused smile. “Well, we’ll set up enough plates, and there won’t be a shortage of food.” She waved her hand for us to follow her through the home and out the sliding back door into the backyard. Trees lined the property, but the yard had plenty of open space.
A patio area immediately greeted you after you exited the home. A large dining set with plenty of room for guests took up most of the space, and bistro lights sparkled over the glass-top table.
Lily’s dad, Mark, stood next to their expansive grill and outdoor kitchen setup. The delicious smell of grilled food only added to the welcoming environment.
Wooden steps took you down to a fire pit surrounded by chairs, and then another set of wooden stairs took you down to the dock.
I couldn’t wait to see how the stars would light up the yard once the night sky turned dark. The stars in Golden Falls shone brighter than anywhere I’d seen.
It was absolutely perfect, and I had a feeling it would be a great night.
“Your house is stunning. This view especially. I could spend all night out here,” I said to Laura as we stepped onto the patio.
“I often do. Reading out by the fire pit is one of my favorite ways to wind down in the evening.” Laura glanced around with a fond smile. “Lots of memories were made out here, too, which makes me even more excited for the years to come. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I’ll go see if Mark needs any help.”
Lily sat at the table, patting the chair next to her for me to join.
Once I sat, I asked, “So, who’s going to be here tonight? You said your brother and Cooper, right?”
Lily nodded. “We’re only waiting on them tonight. Hal sometimes comes by, but he has poker tonight instead. Eliza is still out of town. And then Marnie, Cooper and Eliza’s grandma, was busy tonight, too. It’s been a little quieter at dinner the last few years since my older sister Jade left.” Lily’s tone sounded chipper, but I could tell from the slight frown there was more there.
“But the guys should be getting here any minute, which means”—Lily grinned as she twisted off the top of the bottle of white wine to pour us both a glass—“we might as well start with some wine.”
I clinked my glass against hers before taking a sip.
“I really am glad you were able to make it tonight, and you’re always welcome here,” she assured. “I can text you when the next family dinner is, and we’ll have to have a girls’ night once Eliza is back.”
Her eyes lit up with excitement. “I should make a group chat with the three of us! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that sooner.” She picked up her phone. “That way you two can get to know each other a little before she’s back.” She looked up at me before starting to type out the text.
“I would love that.” My heart swelled at how Lily ensured I was included. While I was still getting to know her, it was obvious she was a thoughtful friend who cared deeply about those around her. “I’ll definitely take you up on the offer for a girls night with Eliza. You mentioned Jade is in Hawaii as a travel nurse? How did she end up there?”
