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“She always does—and thank you. You girls are so beautiful and young, it makes me feel old.”
“Oh, hush up. You look at least ten years younger than your age. You have nothing to worry about.”
Devon watched as her mother’s gaze fastened on the crepe cooking in front of her.
“A woman always worries as she ages. I’m afraid one day your father will wake up and only see an old woman.”
What a strange thing to say. Unless… “Mama, have you and Dad had words? Been fighting?”
“No, sweetheart. Merely the musings of a woman past her prime.”
A knock sounded at the back door, and Devon reluctantly moved to look out the glass, spotting Logan on the other side. She hurried across the room to let him inside. “Did the test results show anything?” she asked in a low voice instead of a hello.
Logan shook his head. “They were perfect, which reinforces our diagnosis.”
“What are you two whispering about over there?” Rayna Jo asked. “Logan, come have a crepe.”
“Oh, man. You know those are my favorite,” he said, rubbing his hands together like the excitement was too much.
He stopped by Rayna Jo and kissed her on her cheek, and Devon moved to the cabinet to get him a plate and utensils.
“Mimosas?” Logan asked, grinning. “Ray-Ray, are you celebrating?”
“It’s not often that I have both my girls home with me. I wanted to do something special before they leave. I hate that Richard isn’t home to enjoy their company, but I’m also glad to have them all to myself.”
“We should try to plan a trip or something once a year, just us,” Devon said. “Would you like that, Mama? Maybe take a cruise to the Bahamas? Or Alaska?”
“Maybe. I don’t like being away from home. Or Richard. He’s promised me that he’ll retire soon,” her mother said. “Maybe we could all go? Make it a family vacation like we used to take.”
Devon forced a smile and shifted her attention to Logan, noting that his gaze was filled with worry before he hid it behind his doctor’s smile.
“Thanks,” he said when Devon handed him the plate.
They exchanged a look and then set about helping Rayna transfer the cream cheese crepes to the table along with some blueberries.
The questions she’d asked before Logan’s arrival were dropped for now, but maybe her mother would think about them, and it might bring something to mind?
Logan had just dug into his food when Dara returned, and soon the kitchen was filled with laughter when they gathered around the breakfast area and started reminiscing on their childhood antics.
Devon loved watching her mother laugh to the point of tears. Until the laughter stopped but the tears kept flowing. “Mama? Are you all right?”
Her mother lifted her cloth napkin to her face and sobbed into it.
“Yes. I’m sorry. Oh, I don’t know what’s come over me,” she said, dabbing at her eyes.
“It’s okay, Mama.”
“No worries,” Logan said to his aunt. “You’re just tired.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night. I had the most awful dreams,” Rayna Jo said. “Maybe I sh-should go lie down again but… I need to get to work. I hate leaving Addy alone at the shop, and I didn’t go yesterday.”
“Dara or I can go help,” Devon said. “Don’t worry about that.”
“Absolutely,” Dara said. “We’ve got you covered.”
“You wouldn’t m-mind? I shouldn’t ask, but I don’t feel well and just can’t seem to st-stop,” Rayna Jo said, her choked voice squeaky high as she sobbed.
“Where are the pills I left?” Logan asked Devon.
