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“I’m a mother—my worry never ends. Especially when I have three such headstrong sons.”
“If it makes you feel better, I did miss you.”
She chuckled. “You missed me? Or my cooking?”
I appreciated her effort to lighten the heavy mood. With a smile, I replied, “A little of both.”
Mama Beth then turned her attention away from me. Glancing over my shoulder, she said, “Hello there.”
It was then I realized that A
“Hello,” A
Extending her hand, Mama Beth said, “I’m Elizabeth, Nathaniel’s mother.” Mama Beth gave A
“I’m A
“Won’t you both come to my house? Supper should be ready soon. I decided to cook a little later when you told me you were coming home today.” Before I could say yes or no, Mama Beth frowned. “Or maybe you’d rather rest. I’m sure that was a tiring drive.” Mama Beth was rambling a bit. I had slightly u
Before A
She dove into my arms the moment she reached me. “Hey, rug rat, you miss me?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She gave me a smacking kiss on the cheek. “You and Uncle B were so mean to leave at the same time Mommy and Daddy did. I’ve only had Grandma Beth and Walter to play with.”
Mama Beth wagged an accusatory finger at Willow. “Now you know that isn’t true. You’ve had Je
Je
“But she doesn’t do everything I say like Uncle Rev and Uncle B do.”
I gri
“I guess so.” Her dark eyes, which were her father’s, peered into mine. “Did you bring me anything?”
I laughed. “Was I supposed to?”
Willow’s lips turned down in a pout. “Mommy and Daddy brought me back some presents from their trip.”
My brows rose in surprise. “Deacon and Alexandra are back?”
Mama Beth nodded. “Got back this afternoon just in time for Alexandra’s doctor’s appointment.”
The word “doctor” got my attention. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, worrywart. Just the usual appointments for pregnant women.”
“Good.”
Placing her hands on my cheeks, Willow turned my face to look at hers. “What about the present?”
“Willow, where are your ma
“I just might have something for you in my suitcase.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
“I’ll give it to you after di
Although she didn’t look too thrilled at the prospect of waiting, Willow managed to nod. Once she got the topic of a present out of the way, her attention was drawn elsewhere, right to A
“Hello,” A
Bending over closer to my ear, Willow whispered, “Did you bring home your girlfriend?”
While A
“Well, it’s about time you had a girlfriend,” Willow answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
Now it was A
Willow appeared genuinely let down at the news. “But you might grow to like each other. My mommy and daddy didn’t like each other at first, but then they grew to love each other.”
I shook my head at her. “You’re too much, you know that?”
She giggled. “Daddy says that all the time.”
“Come on. Let’s get inside and get washed up for di
I gazed over Willow’s head at A
I eased Willow down to the ground, and she bounded straight over to A
“It’s A
“Does anyone ever call you Belle like in Beauty and the Beast?”
A
“I think that’s what I’ll call you.”
“That’s okay with me.”
At the sight of Willow slipping her hand into A
But A
“That would be very nice of you.”
“That way you’ll have time to get my present out of the car,” she replied sweetly.
I groaned but obediently nodded my head. As the women disappeared up Mama Beth’s walk, I went back to the car and got out the ballerina alligator. I would worry about our luggage later.
When I got into the house, Willow was chattering incessantly to A
She grabbed the alligator and squealed with delight. “Ooh, it’s a ballerina just like me.” She then wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tight. “Thank you, Uncle Rev.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“All right, it’s time to wash up,” Mama Beth instructed.
“Yes, ma’am,” Willow replied. She once again grabbed A
“Thank you. I would appreciate that,” A
“And I’ll show you my old room. I get a whole new room at my mommy and daddy’s house.”
After A
“What is it, Mama?” I questioned without turning around.
“Bishop told me not to be too surprised when you showed up with a girl.”
“Did he?” I held my tongue about saying any more.
“Yes, he did. I’m surprised you didn’t tell me as much when I spoke to you the other day.”
“I figured it could wait. Besides, she was with me when I was talking to you.”
“Is A
“Yes, she was in trouble.”
“Is she the reason you left?”
“No. She isn’t.” I turned off the water and grabbed a hand towel. I realized then that no one had told her about Breakneck and Sarah. Since I didn’t know how long Willow would keep A
When I finished speaking, her kind eyes were filled with tears. “I had no idea.”
“It hasn’t been made well known because it’s his story to tell. I’m sure Breakneck will be letting the rest of his brothers know soon.”
Mama Beth chewed her bottom lip like she wanted to say more—it was a trait Bishop had inherited. I was sure I was exasperating her with my short responses.
Finally, she couldn’t keep it in any longer. “She isn’t like us.”
“Excuse me?”
“What I mean is unlike Sarah, A
“No, I guess you could say she’s about as far away from us as is humanly possible.”