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“How about Saturday? You can go over there to check on kitchen things and we’ll stop by to pick you up.”
Now that she’d told them, how could she prevent them from seeing Addie in person? “And you’ll say nothing?”
“Not a word.”
“And no tears?” She aimed a strict look at her mother, and Cissy winced.
“Not until we’re in the car. Okay?”
It would have to be, because just telling these three women the truth had relieved the ache of carrying this burden alone. “And then we’ll talk in the car. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Josie, I’m taking tomorrow off so you and I can pack up your things together,” Cissy decided. “Now, I know you’re perfectly capable of doing all of this yourself…”
Josie bit her tongue and let her mother speak.
“But I want to help you. I need to help you. And I want to make sure you understand that I will always, always be here for you. All right?”
How silly she’d been to think her mother wouldn’t believe her. She saw that now, looking into Cissy’s face. “Yes, Mom. Absolutely.”
“Good.” She grabbed Josie and hugged her long and hard. “I’ll see you tomorrow. And Josie?”
“Yes?” Josie had a good three inches on her mother, so she looked down into the very same eyes she’d passed on to her daughter.
“I love you.”
“I know.” She whispered the words, thick with emotion again. “I know, Mom.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jacob parked his SUV on the apartment side of the old Bayou Barbecue the next morning, two spots down from Josie’s beat-up Jeep. The back door of the hatch was open and half-full. Boxes and bags were stuffed into every backseat nook and cranny. She’d obviously started early and stuck with the job.
The May sun shone brightly on tiny leaves, newly unfurled. The late-day forecast promised rain, but for the moment, warmth prevailed. He got to the door just in time to swing it open as Josie approached from inside the apartment. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” She looked surprised to see him, and maybe a little uncomfortable? He hoped not, and was kind of surprised that it would bother him. But it did. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“I had an hour between conference calls, and I wanted to see if you needed help loading things. Your timeline sounded somewhat ambitious yesterday afternoon, and I didn’t want you to feel like you had to hit the ground running. At least, not alone.”
She set the bundle of hangers into the passenger seat, then faced him. “My mom’s coming over shortly. But thank you.”
“I’ve got an hour and empty hands. I’d like to help, Josie.”
She lifted her eyes to his, and then she stood there, holding his gaze, as if she couldn’t let go, or maybe because she didn’t want to let go. And neither did he.
She broke the connection by forcing herself to turn away. “Then yes, welcome aboard. I didn’t think there was this much to move, but I realized this morning that I’m a closet stuffer. I’m actually donating everything you see in the back of the Jeep because it’s stuff I’ll either never wear or use in my lifetime. Which means there are benefits to being forced out of my comfort zone.”
“I’ve found that, too.” He followed her inside, and when she pointed to a stack of blue plastic totes, he lifted two of them. “The more comfortable I am, the less inspired I seem to be, so having multiple projects in various venues helped sharpen my abilities. Although, I’m not against finding a place to put roots down now, with Addie needing to be in elementary school. She deserves a chance to have a home, although I’m not exactly the picket-fence type.”
“The very image is frightening, isn’t it?”
He laughed because that was about the last thing he expected her to say. “Most women I’ve known would not agree.”
“Well, don’t get me wrong.” Josie picked up a tote and followed him outside. “I like the idea of having a home someday, just not in a neighborhood where talk runs rampant. I’ve always thought a log cabin, up in the woods, overlooking the lake would be wonderful. Part of the community, but separate enough to do my own thing.”
