That’s all it took. Reva’s eyes flooded with tears.
“Oh, honey—what is it?” Charlie Grace asked, concern lacing her voice.
Their good friend glanced between all of them as if testing to see if she could say what was on her mind.
Lila gave her hands another squeeze. “We’re here for you.”
Reva nodded, then swallowed. “It’s just—well, all the second-guessing. The what ifs. Frankly? I have such a good life. I’m rich in many ways, but mostly in relationships with dear people I care about deeply and who care for me. I have meaningful work—work that makes a difference.”
Capri nodded with enthusiasm. “Thunder Mountain couldn’t get along without Reva Nygard.”
Charlie Grace met Reva’s gaze. “But?”
“But I thought I’d be married by now. I wanted children.” A heaviness seemed to lift right off her shoulders as she admitted the fact to her girlfriends. Her expression took on a relieved look. She’d been carrying the weight of this hurt for some time.
Reva took a deep breath, her eyes shimmering. “And I know it’s not too late, but sometimes, it feels like my chances are slipping away. There’s not exactly a huge pool of candidates walking the wooden sidewalks of Thunder Mountain.” She looked around at her friends, their faces a mix of empathy and love.
Lila leaned forward, her voice soft but firm. “Reva, your life, your dreams—they’re not on a timetable. Love, family, children—they can happen at any time.”
Capri poured herself another glass of wine. “So, Lila. Are you willing to subscribe to the notion you could fall in love again?”
Lila leaned back thoughtfully. “Well, I can’t imagine it. But I hope so…someday.”
Reva’s mouth lifted in a slight smile. “None of us are exactly huge winners in the romance category.”
“Hey,” Charlie Grace interrupted. “I’m doing okay.”
Capri resealed the wine bottle, a playful glint in her eye. “Oh yes, your little hook-up with McDreamy? Epic!”
Charlie Grace sighed deeply. “His name is Nick Thatcher,” she reiterated, a note of exasperation in her voice. “And what I have with Nick, it’s more than just a fling.”
With a knowing chuckle, Capri winked at her friend. “Glad to hear it. I was just making sure.”
Reva leaned back and wiped at her cheek. “Like Charlie Grace, I want more. I’m looking for someone to spend my life with. Someday, I long to gaze into an infant’s eyes and promise I will love that baby forever.” She groaned. “I’m getting to an age where pregnancy is no longer promised.”
Lila rubbed the back of her neck. “Warning—those babies grow up into teenagers. I’m just saying.”
That brought a laugh from Reva. “I know my dream is not a panacea. I don’t care. I want it. I want it all.” She glanced between them with a poignant look. “You can’t control your heart.”
Capri kicked her shoes off and tucked her feet up under her on the sofa. “Not everyone is meant for that route. Take me, for example.”
Reva frowned. “You don’t want to fall in love and have a family?”
Capri shrugged. “I’m working on falling in love with the life I have.”
Charlie Grace reached out, placing a hand over Reva’s. “You’re not alone in this. We’ve all had our ‘what-ifs’ and ‘if-onlys.’ We can all claim our lives took turns we didn’t expect—or wanted. But look at us—stronger and closer than ever. I hope you get it all, Reva—every bit of that dream. Regardless, we’re here for you. No matter what is ahead.”
Reva looked at each of her friends, her face filled with gratitude. “I don’t know what I’d do without all of you. Thank you for reminding me that it’s okay to feel this way and that I’m not alone.” She grinned. “Even if you guys get a little pushy sometimes.”
Lila took a sip of her wine. It was true.
The people that are still with you at the end of the day—those are the ones worth keeping. Sure, sometimes close can be too close. But sometimes, that invasion of personal space can be exactly what you need.
6
The older Reva got, the more she realized there was never enough time to accomplish everything she needed to get done. Juggling both her role as mayor of Thunder Mountain and her law practice meant she wore a lot of hats.
Her fairness and ability to listen to all sides of an issue had served her well in both roles.
