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“No.” My tone was firm. “Because I refuse to give the bad memories legs. They can’t follow you around without legs.”
“Maybe we should metaphorically douse them in kerosene and light them on fire.”
“There’s an idea.” The air-conditioning was cranking to get ahead of the impeding heat and I was cold, so I grabbed the sweater Waverly had brought for me.
I picked up my coffee and the two of us headed into the main area of the clubhouse—which was full of people.
All the Old Ladies were there, including Joni, who sat in the recliner with Everett asleep in a sling.
“Willa,” Mia greeted when she saw me. Conversation ceased and the room went quiet.
“You guys know,” I said flatly. “About what happened?”
Darcy nodded and moved to embrace me. “So glad you’re okay, doll.”
“Thanks. And thank you so much for taking care of Waverly while I was…”
“Hey, that’s what we do. We’re family,” Darcy said.
“You guys didn’t have to come,” I mumbled, feeling embarrassment coat my cheeks.
“Of course, we had to come,” Rachel said.
“We didn’t just come for you,” Mia said. “Though, you’re reason enough.”
I frowned. “I don’t understand—”
“Colt called church,” Joni stated. “And asked all the Old Ladies to come.”
“Everyone? What’s going on?”
“Guess we’ll find out soon, won’t we,” Allison said. Tank fisted his mother’s blonde hair into his chubby hand and attempted to eat it. With a distracted smile, she gently removed her hair from her young son’s clutch.
Doc came into the living room, not appearing as though she’d been awake late into the night. “Hey.” She wrapped an arm around me and embraced me in a side hug.
“How’d she do?” I asked, gesturing with my chin to the stairs.
“Nightmares,” Doc said with a shake of her head. “I didn’t want to give her any sedatives because I don’t know what’s already in her system, but her vitals were all fine so there’s nothing to worry about. She fell back asleep.”
“Waverly, will you keep an eye on Sailor?” I asked, looking at my sister. “Maybe check on her every twenty minutes or so? See if she’s awake.”
Waverly nodded.
Brooklyn’s cell phone trilled and she reached into her bag for it. “It’s Jazz,” she said before pressing a button. “Hey. Ah, wonderful. You guys are the best. Thanks. Yeah, see you in a bit.” She hung up. “Jazz and Brielle said breakfast will be done in about twenty minutes and then they’ll bring it over in the catering van.”
“What would we do without you?” Joni called out.
“Live off slow-cooker meals,” Brooklyn quipped. “Which there’s no shame in, let me tell you.”
“We better get out there,” Mia said.
“Can I get a coffee refill before we go?” I asked.
“Hand me your cup,” Brooklyn said. “I’m closet to the coffee pot.”
The Old Ladies filed out of the living room, walked down the hallway, and headed to the back yard. Brooklyn and I brought up the rear.
Without a word, Brooklyn grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.
