AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The man was frowning at something Gisele had said.
Bernie leaned close to Gisele. “What did you say to him?”
Gisele hugged Bernie. “Just that we love you, sweetie.”
Bernie bet that wasn’t all she’d said.
Mimi, Felina and Shelby joined them at that moment.
“We all love you,” Shelby said. “I just feel like we haven’t done enough.”
Bernie laughed as her eyes filled with tears. “You’ve done more than enough.”
Mimi shook her head. “Maybe. But I’m sure there’s more that can be done.”
“No. Really.” Bernie looked around at the women who’d joined forces for her. “I’ve been a terrible friend these past few years, and you still came out to help. I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“You’ve always been there when someone needed extra food on their table, offering fresh produce and meat from your freezer,” Mimi said.
“And you’re kind to animals,” Felina said, “taking in strays, big and small, finding loving homes for them either here on the farm or with other people who care.”
Bernie’s cheeks heated, and her heart swelled at the outpouring of love. “I don’t do any more than anyone else. And lately, I’ve been so busy I barely have time to wave hello. I’m sorry for being so preoccupied. You all mean so much to me. You’re my family, and I love you all.”
The women closed in for a group hug, laughing and promising to get together soon for drinks at the Crawdad Hole.
When they broke apart, Shelby waved Bernie and Gerard toward the truck with the loaded trailer. “Get going. If you leave now, you should be back before dark.”
Bernie thanked them one more time and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Gerard stepped up to her window. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive?”
“I’m sure,” she said. “I’m used to driving this route with a trailer. You’d do fine, but I’d feel better in the driver’s seat. I have a lot riding on this load.”
Gerard walked around the front of the truck and climbed into the passenger seat.
As Bernie drove out of the barnyard, Gerard looked back at the people standing around.
Bernie glanced in the side mirror, expecting the crowd to disperse and head home. But they hadn’t. In fact, they were huddled together as if they were going to visit for a while before heading back to town.
Bernie smiled and wished she could have stayed and spent time with them. She needed to make time to be with her friends and neighbors. She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed visiting with them.
Bernie drove out the gate onto the highway, her heart full and almost right with the world after all that had happened. “I can’t get over everyone showing up to help.”
“They care about you,” Gerard said.
She smiled. “Yes. They do.” Her brow puckered as she recalled his conversation with her friend. “What was Gisele saying to you when I walked up?”
“Nothing important,” he said without meeting her gaze.
“Must’ve been important enough,” Bernie said. “You were frowning.”
His lips twisted. “Let’s just say she was showing her love for you.”
“Gisele is the granddaughter of Bayou Mambaloa’s Voodoo queen.” Bernie shot a suspicious look his way. “She didn’t threaten to put a spell on you, did she?”
Gerard clamped his lips shut and stared at the road ahead.
“She did.” Bernie laughed. “Did she threaten to turn you into a frog? Or to make you cross-eyed forever?”
