He lifted his head, and his blue eyes were tender. “Could you repeat that? I’m not sure I heard you.”
She elbowed him. “You heard me all right. You pray and I’ll add an amen.”
Chapter 21
The morning news played on the television when Blake got up. Governor George’s smiling face filled the screen with her grandson Jackson beside her. They sat on the ground while the lemurs rambled around them. The reporter oohed and aahed about the cubs and the playful mama. George’s smiling face and windblown hair added to the sense of good time the clip showed.
The governor turned to fully face the camera. “We had the best time at The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve. The animals were so happy and well taken care of. If you haven’t visited this amazing park, I urge you to do so. What do you say, Jackson?”
“It was the best time ever, Grammy! I want to live there. Oh, and vote for my grandma for governor. She’s the best!”
Governor George chuckled. “That wasn’t quite what I meant, Jackson, but thank you for the plug.”
Her easy manner would gain her votes, and Blake hoped it would result in new visitors. He and Paradise had prayed last night, and he was grateful God had showed up this morning with the great interview. There was one last segment of Paradise finding a peacock feather and presenting it to Jackson. Theentire interview was heartwarming and would do wonders for the park.
He followed the enticing aroma of pancakes and warm maple syrup to the kitchen, where he found his mother taking breakfast off the stove. “There was an awesome segment on TV just now about Governor George at the park. How’s the day look?”
She straightened and a smile lifted the sadness in her expression. “That’s great news. It probably played late last night, too, and would explain how all the safari tours are sold out for the day. And there are three behind-the-scenes ones at a thousand dollars each. Let’s pray it keeps up.”
“I am.” He took the plate of pancakes she offered and poured maple syrup from the warm pitcher onto them. “I’m starving. The boys still asleep?”
“I heard them stirring a little, so I expect them any minute.” She slid a cup of coffee his way. “Did you get any rest?”
“Not much. Worry will do that to you.”
“This shouldn’t be your burden, and it grieves me that you have to be part of all of it. I’m the mom—I should be taking care of you.”
“I’m a grown man, and I love you and the boys.”
“But it’s keeping you from having a fulfilling life.” She broke off in a choked voice. “You should be slipping a ring on Paradise’s finger and planning a wedding. You should be dreaming of your own sons and not helping raise your brothers. I’ve messed up everything.”
“Mom, stop it.” He went around the peninsula and hugged her. “I have a great life. We’re a close family, and I love it that way. There’s time for me and Paradise to get engaged and plan that wedding. She’s only been back in town a few months, and she wants to take it slowly anyway. She’s got plenty on her platewith her search for who murdered her parents. She’s not pushing for that ring.”
And the realization of that stung a little. He’d hoped she would be as eager to be with him as he was to be with her. She loved him—he didn’t doubt that. But he didn’t sense the same urgency he felt. Was she worried he might let her down again? He’d messed up badly all those years ago, and maybe she didn’t fully trust him.
“I have an idea. I don’t know how you feel about it or how she would feel, but I have a beautiful emerald necklace your dad gave me before he left on that final tour of duty. You could have it made into a gorgeous engagement ring, and the color would suit her so well. Does she like emeralds?”
A lump formed in his throat at the thought of giving Paradise something so special to his family. He had a few happy memories of his dad. His dad’s voice encouraging him to get the rubber ball. Being tossed in the air and staring down into his dad’s face, that image now dim with time. “I would love that, Mom. It would be special to me and to her, too, I’m sure.”
“I’ll get it and see what you think. I told him at the time he paid way too much money for it, but now I’m glad, because she’s worth it.” She left him in the kitchen and went down the hall toward her bedroom.
He settled at the table and ate his breakfast while he waited for her to return. The sound of cartoons filtered from the boys’ bedroom, and contentment settled through his bones. He didn’t need much, just a family who loved him with Paradise by his side. They could build a great life here, and after that TV segment, he felt hopeful for the first time in months.
His mother was smiling when she returned. “I’d forgotten how perfect these emeralds are. I can’t wait to see a ring on Paradise’sfinger. I love that girl like she’s my own and always have.” She placed the necklace in his hand.
The stones caught the light streaming through the kitchen window. They were almost as gorgeous as Paradise’s eyes. He instantly imagined a ring that would do them justice. It would take some time to get it designed and created, but it would be worth the wait.
Paradise wandered the apartment on Thursday after work. Blake had a meeting with the bank and had promised to take the boys fishing later, so she opted to have an evening to herself to think. Her emotions were so jumbled she found it hard to land on a plan to figure things out.
The music box sat on a shelf of the bookcase in the living room, and she caught a glimpse of it as she paced the floor with Merlin in her arms. A few people knew about how much she lovedThe Phantom of the Opera. Her cousins. She hadn’t seen her older cousin Lily in over a month. Paradise glanced at the clock on the wall. She could be at Lily’s by seven. Or she could have a chat with Molly, her cousin Rod’s sister. A visit with Molly would be more fun, but one with Lily might be more productive. She and Mom had been close, close enough that Paradise had been hurt when Lily refused to care for her and had let CPS take her.
Cowardice never resulted in a victory. Paradise put the kitten down and grabbed her purse. Lily lived on the outskirts of town, and it only took ten minutes to drive to the older two-story home with a Southern porch complete with a swing. Lily had always loved working outside, and Paradise spotted her yanking weeds out of the flower bed in the yard. When the car pulled into herdrive, Lily stood and wiped the perspiration from her forehead. Her scowl didn’t change when Paradise got out of the vehicle.
“Hi, Lily. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“I was about done. I could use some sweet tea—how about you?”
At least she maintained her Southern hospitality. Paradise smiled. “That sounds great.” She followed her cousin to the porch with its painted floor and haint blue ceiling.
