She doesn’t budge, she actually burrows closer like she is hiding from responsibility. I sigh, because only Delta Whitmore could run a multimillion-dollar ranch and also sleep like she’s dodging the law. I check the pile of clothes at the foot of the sleeping bag and find her phone in the pocket of her jeans. The screen lights up.
Unknown Caller.
Before I can answer, the call ends. Missed call. Fifth missed call today. Whoever this is hasn’t given up. Whoever this is wants her attention.
I don’t wake her, she’s dead asleep, breathing deep and even, face relaxed against my skin. I put the phone back exactly where I found it and slide my hand up her back again and she shifts closer her leg tightening around mine. Tomorrow, I’ll ask her tomorrow. Somebody is calling her constantly and she’s ignoring it and I will find out why.
Her breathing syncs with mine, slow and steady, I close my eyes the last thing I feel before sleep pulls me under is her holding on to me.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Delta
Copper Ridge hasn’t lookedlike this in a long time. Jazz floats through the air from the live quartet on the porch, the lanterns strung across the yard glow warm and golden, and every car that rolls up brings someone who loves my mother. Sorority sisters, church ladies, neighbors she’s fed for decades. Ranch hands who cleaned up so well I barely recognized them, everybody came and she deserves it. She’s taken pictures with every living soul twice and accepted every compliment like she is the guest of honor at the Oscars.
Paige nudges my arm and nods toward the barn. Trace stands with Romeo and Cash, soda in his hand, listening to Cash talk, looking comfortable like the ranch has always been his. His shirt is crisp, sleeves rolled to his forearms, hair neat, posture easy. My stomach does that ridiculous thing again. The one I pretend not to notice.
“Your man is fine,” Paige says under her breath.
“He’s an HR violation,” Lena adds. “On sight.”
I don’t answer because if I open my mouth, I’ll smile like an idiot and never stop. The quartet transitions into one of Mama’s favorite jazz songs and she pauses like something inside her softened and that moment right there is why we did this.
I step over and she takes my hand, lifting her chin like she’s trying not to get emotional. “You outdid yourself,” she says.
“You deserve it,” I say.
She nods once. “Your daddy would have loved this.”
My smile wavers. “I know.”
Grief comes, sharp but we don’t let it crush us tonight, she inhales steady and lets it roll off. Before I can say anything else, applause goes up across the yard. I turn and see Trace walking toward the mic we set up for speeches and my pulse jumps.
“Girl,” Lena whispers behind me. “Your man is about to speak.”
He doesn’t look nervous.
“Mrs. Whitmore,” Trace says, respectful and clear, “I haven’t known you long but I’ve never met anybody who could feed a man into healing.”
Laughter rolls through the yard and mama presses her fingers to her mouth.
“You didn’t owe me anything,” he continues. “You didn’t have to treat me like family or like somebody worth listening to but you did and I promise you, it mattered.”
Her hand trembles, but she stays steady.
“So tonight, we celebrate you, for everything you’ve given this community and for everything you are. Happy birthday, ma’am.” He lifts his glass, and everyone follows.
Mama actually cries, which means the party is officially a success. People surround her, hugging her, telling stories, making her laugh. It is everything she deserves and more. Eventually she slips away and tugs me toward a quiet corner of the porch.
“I’m proud of you,” I say.
She studies my face for one long moment. “I’m proud of you too.”
She straightens a napkin even though it doesn’t need straightening. “Now. When are you going to dance with that man before some other woman decides to bother him?”
“Mama…”
She doesn’t even let me finish. “Baby, today is a good day to be happy, don’t live in the dark Delta, love cannot grow in the dark it needs light and attention and nurturing. You deserve this and not one person on this ranch will judge you for taking your chance at it.”
