Page 74 of Home Is Where You Are

Talking with my mama always soothed me growing up. I didn’t know why my grief took me away from feeling like I could talk with her, but sitting here on this porch swing made me so happy we could talk this way again, get everything out in the open, and handle anything that came our way.

I turned and looked at my mom to gauge her reaction to my news. She had a huge smile on her face, and she clapped her hands before she pulled me into her arms and told me how happy I’d just made her by deciding to stay in my home state.

By the time we finished our tea, I felt more relaxed.

“Thank you for this talk, Mama,” I said as we both stood from the swing.

“Anytime, sweetheart,” she said before we made our way into the house. We walked into the kitchen and sat our mugs in the sink.

“I’ll see you in the morning. Sweet dreams,” my mama said before she kissed the side of my head.

“Night, Mama,” I told her before I walked in the direction of the den.

I walked just inside the entryway, and leaned into the doorframe. Gentry still laid there sleeping peacefully. I almost didn’t want to wake him, but I knew he’d want to sleep in his own bed.

I walked over and stood beside the couch for a beat before I leaned over and shook his shoulder.

“Gentry,” I whispered, as I tried to coax him awake.

It took a few tries, but he finally stirred.

“You fell asleep,” I told him, as he looked up at me sleepily.

“I’m sorry I fell asleep on you,” he said as he stretched before he stood. He caught the blanket before it hit the ground, and threw it over the back of the couch.

“It’s okay. You were comfortable,” I said with a yawn. The affects of the chamomile tea kicking in.

Gentry linked our fingers together, lifting our hands, he kissed the back of mine, before he started walking in the direction of the back door.

We stopped as we got to the double doors, and he turned to face me.

“Thank you for today. It was just what I needed,” he said as he put his hands on my hips and pulled me toward him.

I wrapped my arms around his back and pulled him in for a hug, relishing in the feeling of being in his arms.

“It was just what I needed too,” I admitted as I pulled back to look up at him.

“Goodnight, butterfly,” he said as he kissed my forehead.

I held back a shiver at his sweet gesture.

“Goodnight, cowboy,” I said before I stepped out of his embrace.

He paused for a moment, before he turned and walked out the back door taking my heart with him.

twenty-four

AINSLEIGH

Ihated Monday mornings.

After morning chores, Gentry had me set me up in the store today to take inventory and stock the shelves. I’d finished my tasks by lunch and decided it was now or never to have the talk with my dad.

I told the other two staff members I was headed out for lunch and made my way over to my dad’s office.

I opened the door to find Loretta who greeted me with a smile.

“Good afternoon, Ainsleigh. How’s your Monday been so far?”