ME:
I’m coming.
He doesn’t make me wait.
TRACE:
Good girl.
I set my phone down.
Silence.
Then Paige, flat and merciless: “Delta, that’s a date.”
Lena adds, “On your porch, with ice cream at night. Girl he is courting you.”
I snort, even though my cheeks are hot.
Paige tuts at me. “Don’t act brand new, we all saw you trying not to smile.”
Lena grins. “And we all saw that phone light you up like Christmas.”
I stand because if I stay seated, they will drag me for another hour. “I’m going to the barn.”
Paige calls after me, “Stretch first. We need you walking normal tomorrow.”
I flip them both off on my way out, laughing all the way to the door. The second I step outside, the air hits me, cool and clean, and eight-thirty can’t get here fast enough.
CHAPTER TEN
Delta
We’re sittingat Mama’s dining table with every possible detail of this party spread out in front of us. Jazz playlist, seating chart, catering notes, rental order numbers, weather backup plan, all of it. This is the final planning session before the big day.
Mama swears up and down she does not want a big birthday this year, which is why there are currently six notebooks on the table and three grown adults taking notes like we’re planning the Met Gala. Paige has color-coded sections labeled “Catering,” “Music,” and “Backup Music in Case the Main Music Gets Too Grown.” Lena has a list titled “People Who Are Not Invited Even If They Show Up.”
“You don’t have to make this such a big deal,” she says, flipping through the menu packet like she’s reviewing it out of obligation.
Lena doesn’t look up. “You’re getting a big deal.”
Paige checks a list on her tablet. “It is your first birthday since Mr. Harlan passed. We’re not giving you a quiet casserole and a card. You’re getting a full celebration like you deserve.”
Mama waves her hand. “That’s too much.”
Trace sets a fresh cup of tea in front of her. “Not for you.” She hesitates, it’s small, but we all see it. I nudge the schedule toward her. “We’re just finalizing lighting and table placement today. Everything else is done.”
She looks at me, voice softer. “I don’t want to be the reason everybody runs themselves ragged.”
Paige lifts her eyes. “Ma’am, we survived foaling seasonandcalving season! This is nothing.”
Lena snorts. “And nobody cried this week, that alone means we’re winning.”
That gets Mama to smile, even as she shakes her head.
“I don’t know how to celebrate this birthday,” she admits. “It’s my first one without him.”
I rest my hand on hers. “You don’t have to pretend it’s easy, but we’re not letting the day pass like you don’t matter.”
