I let out a breath. “You guys talk about me?”
“He’s tried really hard to make amends for the past. We aren’t all the way there yet, but I understand him a lot more now. Why he stayed away. Letting us go was hard for him.”
“He told you?”
“Parts of it. Not everything, but enough for me to fill in the blanks that Ruthie threatened you and he did what he had to so I wouldn’t lose you both.”
“You forgave him?”
“I forgive you too, Mom. I just want you two to find the happiness I have with East. He wants that for you too ya know.”
“Means a lot, sweetpea. I’m scared just...I’m scared. I’ve waited eighteen years to be with this man. What if he decides he wants to be single? He was married to Ruthie a long time.”
“I guess that’s a chance you’ve gotta be willing to take.”
“I want to. I do, but part of me wonders if the timing is right.” I glance in the direction I last saw him and my heart freezes midbeat. He’s chatting with one of his brothers, but his arm is around a much younger woman. The way she’s looking at him has me anxious. What if I’m not enough?
“If you two wait any longer for the time to be right you’ll be waiting till your dead. Life moves on. You’re allowed to be happy. So what he was married to that hag for years. He wasn’t happy. He didn’t love her.”
“You’re right. It should be easy, but we have a complicated past. I want it to work. I want it more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.” I look back to where James was standing, but he’s gone and so is the woman.
“Good. Because I want you both at the hospital when this little girl enters the world.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Have you told him what you plan to name her yet?” I try to distract myself from wondering if he’s off somewhere with whoever that bitch is.
“No. Not yet. Was afraid of setting him off, but he’s been opening up a lot more about her.”
“I wish you could’ve known her. You two would have gotten along great or butted heads because you’re so much alike and yet different in your own right.”
“It wasn’t your fault. What happened to Rochelle and her boyfriend.”
“I know that now, but sometimes that old guilt creeps back in. I hope you know I’m sorry for how I was when you were growing up. I was hurting. I punished myself and everyone around me. It wasn’t fair.”
“Neither was what you went through. You’re one of the strongest women I know. I love you.”
I blink my eyes. The stupid wet stuff is trying to leak onto my cheeks. “I love you too.”
“I’d love you a lot more if you went and got me a slice of strawberry pie.” My daughter rubs her baby bump, looking ready to pop any minute now.
“One piece of pie coming right up.” I go to get up off the bench seat when Wylla makes a funny face.
“Oh.” Her hand moves to her lower back.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She hisses. “I think this wooden bench is just hurting my back.”
“You sure? Want me to get East?”
“No. I want my pie. Let him be. He’s having fun.”
I follow her gaze to the horseshoe pit. East is enjoying a beer and the game. “If you say so.”
“Just get my pie and put whip cream on it please.”
“Anything else? Want another water?”
“I’m fine.” She sucks in a breath but waves me off when I hesitate. “Go. Pie.”