Page 223 of When Love Takes Root

I shook my head. “No, we cannot.”

Josiah’s smile widened. “Y’all can make a suggestion box.”

Skye gasped. “Really?”

Kayden shook his head. “No. That was sarcasm.”

Josiah pointed at Kayden. “See? That’s growth. He’s learning my ministry.”

Kayden tried not to smile and failed.

Josiah greeted JJ with a handshake that turned into a hug, firm and easy.

“Glad you made it, man.”

JJ nodded. “Appreciate the invite.”

“Always.”

Something passed between them, a respect that didn’t need to make an announcement. JJ had been watchful at first, loving me enough to study Josiah without acting like he was auditioning him. But over the past few weeks, he had softened in ways he probably thought nobody noticed. He texted Josiah about outlets. Sent him memes about men with toolboxes. Asked him once, very casually, if he could help Kayden with footwork because “the boy be moving like his ankles filed a complaint.”

Through the back doors, Leilani came across the yard in a yellow sundress with Onyx beside her and their girls moving at two different rhythms. Jaya, bright-eyed and talkative, was already scanning the yard for my girls. Jamilah rested on Onyx’s hip with purple headphones over her ears, one hand curled around a sensory toy, while her other arm rested against her daddy’s shoulder. Her eyes moved over the yard, taking in the people, the colors, the noise, and the motion.

Josiah crouched several feet away from her.

He didn’t rush in. He didn’t force a greeting. He didn’t make his voice too big.

“Hey, Boss Lady.”

Jamilah’s eyes flicked toward him.

He held up two choices in his hands, a small bubble wand in one and a laminated card with pictures in the other.

“Bubbles or swing first?”

Leilani’s face softened.

Jamilah looked at the bubbles, then at the swing tied beneath the oak tree, then back at Josiah. Her fingers tapped twice against her sensory toy.

Josiah waited.

He waited like her answer mattered, even if it took time to arrive.

Finally, Jamilah reached toward the bubble wand.

“Bubbles it is.”

He nodded once, then held it out without stepping closer.

“You want to hold it, or you want me to blow them?”

Jamilah took the wand from him, her fingers brushing his, and made a happy sound that had Leilani blinking hard beside me.

Onyx cleared his throat, but his eyes were suspiciously glossy. “Man, don’t make my wife cry before the potato salad even hit the table.”

Leilani slapped his arm. “Shut up.”

Josiah smiled and stood.