Page 146 of Luci’s Lullaby

I move over to their couch and take her from Sarah’s arms. Jordan’s mouth forms a perfect pout. “She’s so beautiful, y’all.”

They beam, smiling together as she lays against Chord. “We think so. We’re blessed.”

“It’s been two weeks. Two weeks without kissing Luci or smelling her sweet cheeks fresh from a bath.” I’m curled up in a chair in the living room. “I miss her, Momma.”

“You’re not going to feel better until you go see her.” Momma smacks her lips at me as if to say, ‘I told you so’.

“I can’t, he hasn’t called or texted me. Nothing.”

“Call him, or are you still mad at him?” She raises her brows.

I half shrug. “Kinda still mad.”

“So what are you so angry about?” She pins me with her ire.

I shake my head. “I think I’m more angry about the fact he left her. I didn’t expect him to love me. He never did, so why start now.”

“Now who you tryin’ to fool?” She stares at me. “Young lady, I knew the minute that boy showed up before we left that he was in love with you.”

“What?” I sit up.

She smirks. “Oh, I don’t think I ever told you.”

“Tell me what, Momma?” I scoot to the end of the couch.

She rubs her bottom lip, thinking. “The day we left to move down here, he dropped by the house.”

“He did what?” My mouth hangs.

Momma leans over and pushes my mouth closed. “Close that, honey, it’s unbecoming.”

“Mother! Tell me what you know.”

“It was after they had buried his parents; poor little boy was so lost. He asked if you were home, but you had gone down the back path to spy on him like you always did. I told him we were getting to move.

“He said he wanted to thank you for getting his guitar case and for always being the sweetest girl in the school. I asked if that was all and he said, ‘Tell her she has the most beautiful blue eyes, and I’ll never forget them.” I’m gob-smacked.

“Please tell me you’re lying.” My pulse races.

“I do not lie, young lady.” She glowers at me. “I was so happy he stopped by that day. If it’s right, it’ll come back.”

I blink rapidly. “All these years and you never told me.”

“It wouldn’t have meant as much as it does now.” She runs her hand down my face.

I slump. “It still doesn’t, I’m not sure we can work it out.”

My phone buzzes with an incoming text, so I pick it up thinking it’s Emerson or Reese, but it isn’t. It’s Alden. I open it up to see that he sent me a voice recording.

“Mmm-mmm-mmm.” Luci giggles. “Mom-mom-mom.” I gasp as I leap off of the chair.

“Oh my gracious! Luci said mom! She said mom.” My heart thunders in my chest as pride fills it.

Momma smiles so brightly. “She loves her mom too.”

“She does, she must miss me.” And now, it plummets back to earth. “He probably won’t let me see her.”

Momma narrows her eyes. “He said he loves you too, that doesn’t change in two weeks.”