Page 6 of Already Callin’ You Mine

Home…

I sigh, hoping that I can make this place just that. It’s never been home to me. More like that town I graduated in, or better yet, where my parents live. Then again, no place has felt like home for a long, long time. I’m due for that feeling.

“We’re excited to be here.”

“Are you?” A single, perfectly manicured eyebrow arches in my direction, calling me out on my statement.

“I’m excited to be close to you and Daddy again. It’s been tough the last few years with you so far away.”

“It’s been a tough few years,” Mama says, amending my statement.

You can say that again…

“But it’s over now. We have everything on paper, notarized by the courts. There’s no way for Cody to get around it now. First payment arrived yesterday.”

Not that a child support payment is any kind of substitute for a father, or reparation for my ex’s actions, but it will be helpful nonetheless. Both for our day-to-day lives and for squirreling away money to pay for all the therapy Otis might need should he ever find out that his father not only denied him, but rejected him.

A fact that I plan on keeping a secret for as long as I can. Hopefully forever.

“Good, just in time to start your new life.”

Something like that.

No, no…she’s right. This is Otis and me starting over. Creating the life we want together. Sure, it might not look like how I’d pictured, but I know that we can make it perfect. Because I have a lot to be thankful for. A beautiful, healthy child, a roof over our heads, parents who are involved and helpful, and a brand-new job as the social media coordinator for Hayes Industries.

What more could a girl ask for?

“Chocolate,” Mama says, grabbing my arm.

Yes, that. A girl can always ask for chocolate.

“Huh?”

“We got this new chocolatier in town. She’s incredible. Makes these chocolate-covered bourbon cherries and my-lanta, are they to die for.”

Chocolate-covered bourbon cherries? Sign me up. That sounds like something this mama needs in her life.

“Hello, young sir!” a bright-eyed, wild-haired, strawberry blonde greets as Otis rejoins us and pushes to his tiptoes trying to see all the chocolates. “How are you today?”

“Good. How you?”

I smile, my heart full that he’s remembering his manners.

“I’m doing great. Thank you for asking. Is this your mama?”

Otis whips around to look at me, and then back to the strawberry blonde. “Yup! And Nana.”

“And Nana? Aren’t you a lucky little fella.” Looking up at us, the chocolatier’s smile widens. “Barb, hi. This little charmer is yours?”

“Sure is,” Mom beams. “Meet Otis Benjamin Callahan the second, named after his grandfather. And this is my daughter, Presley. Pres, this is Tizzy.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Hi! It’s so fab to meet you. Your mom has told me all about you.”

Oh, shit. Just what I need—my mother telling this whole town all about my woes and legal battles. I’m going to be infamous before I have a chance to really meet anyone.

“Which,” Tizzy continues, “means I know that you need these.”