Page 37 of When Love Takes Root

Onyx’s mouth softened before he could stop it. “They’re good. Jaya’s in her supervisor era.”

Juice asked, “Jay-uh?”

Onyx corrected him carefully, pride resting in the sound. “Jy-yah. Don’t let the spelling fool you. She’ll correct you herself if you say it wrong.”

Juice grinned. “I already respect her.”

Onyx said, “She told me this morning I parked crooked in my own driveway.”

Juice asked, “Was you crooked?”

“A little.”

Juice replied, “There it is.”

Onyx shook his head, smiling into the water bottle. “She’s sweet with it though. Bossy but sweet. She’ll fuss at you and then bring you a blanket because she decided you looked cold. That girl came here with instructions already written in her spirit.”

Juice said, “That’s oldest-daughter behavior.”

Onyx nodded. “It is. And Jamilah asked about you.”

My pen paused above the paper.

“She did?” I asked.

Onyx nodded. “Leilani said she saw a truck that looked like yours and started smiling. Kept reaching toward the window.”

The room pulled at me in a place I didn’t keep guarded enough.

I still remembered Jamilah.

The first time I worked in their house, Leilani informed me of her Angelman Syndrome with pride only a mother could carry. She hadn’t exaggerated. After I finished the panel, Jamilah walked straight over and wrapped arms around my leg. No words. No hesitation. Just trust. I rested a hand on her head.

“She’s strong.”

Leilani smiled.

“She is.”

Jamila squeezed tighter. She’d heard the compliment and decided to prove me right.

“She gives strong hugs,” I said.

Onyx’s eyes warmed. “Best hugs in the house.”

“And Jaya still running inspections?” I asked.

Onyx said, “That baby asked me why your labels looked like they made honor roll.”

Juice slapped his knee. “I know you were sick.”

“I was humbled.”

“You should’ve been,” I said.

Onyx pointed the water bottle at me. “Don’t start. Leilani already used that moment for marriage enrichment.”

Juice asked, “That mean she fussed?”