“Well, it is my right as your mother to be worried. And to miss you. How is Sawyer?”
“He’s fine.”
“His shoulder? Is he still wearing his sling?”
I snort. “Hardly.”
“That boy.” She clicks her tongue. “Those men seem to think they’re invincible just because they’re soldiers. They forget that they heal just like the rest of us normal people.”
Laughing softly, I finish adding cream to my coffee, then carry it over toward the table where I’ve been reading my Bible. I may not be able to get to church, but I can get lost in His Word. “How are you? How’s Axel?” I ask.
“Being adorable as usual. He slept with me last night. I have to admit, it was nice having him purring right beside me.”
“Then we need to get you a cat.”
“Maybe I will.” She falls quiet for a moment. “I miss you, sweetheart.”
“I miss you, too, Momma.” My eyes fill, and my throat constricts. In my entire life, the longest I have spent away from my mom is a week during spring break right after I’d graduated. And I’d missed her then, too. I’d cried nearly every single night, the silent tears streaming down my face whenever the rest of the girls sharing the hotel room with me were sleeping.
It’s been nearly a week since Sawyer and I started on this journey, and so far, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
“How are things with Sawyer?” she asks.
I smile through tears threatening to fall. “We’re just friends right now, Mom. We decided that would be easier than starting something in the middle of all this.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
The door to the bedroom opens, and Sawyer steps out, his hair wet from the shower. He’s pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts, but his feet are bare.
Oh man, oh man, oh man.
“For now,” I tell her.
“Is that Momma Knox?” Sawyer asks, a wide grin spreading over his face.
“It is. You want to talk to her?”
“Absolutely. I miss my girl.” He slides in across from me and takes the phone. The fact that he loves my mom nearly as much as I do makes my heart flutter. “Hey, Momma Knox.” He’s quiet for a moment, then laughs.
While he talks to her, I get out of the booth and grab him a cup of coffee. Desperation to do something is getting the better of me. I’ve never been good at sitting still, and being out here isn’t any different.
After setting the steaming mug in front of him, I take my seat again. Those gorgeous eyes lock on mine as he listens to something my mom says.
“You don’t have to worry. I’m feeling a whole lot better.”
I grin, knowing she’s giving him an earful over not wearing his sling anymore.
“Yes, ma’am. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve got this.” He winks at me. “I love you, too, Momma Knox. I’ll take care of her. Here she is.” He offers me the phone.
“Hey, Momma,” I say as I press the phone back to my ear.
“I have to go to church, but I wanted to say one more thing. Don’t let what’s happening right now scare you away from what you want in the future, sweetheart. Taking a step back probably seems like a good thing now, but don’t let that setback be permanent. I’ve watched the way Sawyer has looked at you for seven years now. He’s a good one.”
“I know, Momma.” I smile at Sawyer as he takes a sip of his coffee. “Love you. Tell everyone we say hi.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
I end the call and set the phone aside, my heart aching. How I wish I could sit with my mom at church and listen to Pastor Reeves preach the Good Word. I long for afternoon brunch with her and the joy of sharing a table with everyone I love.
