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“Chelsea’s driving down the street!” someone calls. “Should be here in a couple minutes.”
I smile wider.Mom.
The quilting crew gathers, holding up a “Welcome Home” quilt they made together. Jo and I move to stand by the bookcase I built for Mom. I put a big red bow on it, and Des filled a few shelves with books. We have streamers up and that great book cake Max made with Des, Sadie, and Delilah. Most important, though, is us. Her five sons, finally finding fulfillment and happiness in the aftermath of our father’s betrayal.
My eyes fall to Jake, standing on his own with crossed arms. His brow is pinched into the broody expression he’s worn lately, like he’s lost in his head, replaying bad memories.
“You can’t scheme to help him,” Jo says, reading my mind.
“I know, but is his funk all because of Larkin? Is that really why he’s been so down?”
Her attention lingers on his shadowed eyes. “When he came by last night, it was intense. He definitely fucked up with her, but I don’t know how. And you’re not going to interfere, right?”
“Nope. Definitely not.” Unless Jake asks me to help. Which he might if I find a way to get him to open up. A definite possibility…
“I can hear your brain overworking.” She pinches my side. “Quit it.”
“Fuck. Yeah, I know.” I breathe her in, fill my lungs with springtime storms. “What if I just tell you all my scheming ideas but don’t act on them?”
“You can start a journal. We’ll store it in your creepy shoebox shrine to me.”
I smile. “I thought that was romantic.”
“In a creepy stalker way, sure.”
I chuckle and kiss the top of her head.
The room quiets. My nerves hit a happy buzz as the front door pushes open.
Everyone shouts, “Surprise!”
Chelsea Bower stops in her tracks, eyes wide with shock. Then she covers her huge smile with her hands. “Oh my God,” she says, bewildered but clearly thrilled. “What is all this?”
Jake moves up to her first and clasps her shoulders. Commander Bower, reporting for duty. “This is for the best mother in the world. Welcome home, Ma. Living here hasn’t been the same without you.”
She’s a fountain now, tears overflowing with joy. My brothers descend on her one by one. Hugs are shared. More happy tears fall. Mom can’t stop covering her mouth or clutching her chest, sayingOh my GodandI had no ideaon repeat.
I don’t leave Jolene’s side. I’m not sure how Mom will take this news. She loved Jo growing up. She was thrilled when Jo stared dating Jake. Seeing her with a different son might not sit well.
Mom hugs Mrs. Jackson, the two of them laughing about Mom’s abysmal quilting skills, then her gaze lands on me. Her assessing eyes slip to Jolene—to my possessive hold on her hip. She blinks and says something to Mrs. Jackson.
Jolene’s so close I feel it when she tenses and breathes faster. She’s nervous.
Mom leaves Mrs. Jackson and heads our way. Instead of going to Mom and hugging her the way I normally would, I hold Jolene closer, showing her my support.
“Welcome home, Ma,” I say quietly.
She tips her head, giving me no clue to her thoughts. “Seems we have some catching up to do, if this looks like what I think it does.”
I give Jo’s hip a squeeze. “It does. Jo and I are together.”
She worries her lip. “Is Jake okay with this?”
We glance over at him. He’s got a drink in hand, standing with Lennon and Maggie, gesturing as he talks about something. He looks more relaxed now, in his element with the family. “He is.”
Mom nods, then takes both of our hands in hers. “Don’t tell Jake I said this, but you two always made more sense to me. Thrilled to have you back in the family, Jolene.”
Mom kisses her cheek, and I can’t play it cool any longer. I haul Mom in for the hug she calls my polar bear hug—big and soft and safe. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for those I love. Safety and happiness.
