“What’s okay?”I prompted.
“You can’t protect your brother from everything.Or your parents.You’ve been holding it together for your family since I’ve known you.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but I knew he was right.I snapped my mouth shut.
Jude glanced over, his smile warm and understanding.“It’s one of the reasons I love you.”
“What is?”
“That you want to take care of your family.I’m just saying it’s okay to let it go sometimes.”
“Old habits die hard and all that,” I said softly.
“Tell me about it,” Jude said dryly.“Oh, you’re not going to believe this.”
“What?”
“Lincoln’s coming home.”
“Well, yeah, you mentioned that,” I said carefully.
“It’s a deal.He’s going to be here in two weeks.”
“Yay!”I exclaimed, squeezing Jude’s hand in joy.“Jude, I know you’re excited.”
“Oh, I am.I am,” he said slowly.“He’s told me it’s a for sure thing, but to be honest, I won’t believe it until I see it.”
“He wouldn’t say he was coming home for sure if he wasn’tfor surecoming home,” I pointed out.
“I know, but…” He paused, giving his head a shake.“He’s already told Mom, so that makes it kind of real.”
ChapterThirty-Six
Kendall
Seconds later, Jude was turning down my parents’ driveway and slowing to a stop to park.Travis was sound asleep in the backseat, so Jude cracked the windows, and we walked in together, hand in hand.Anxiety tumbled in my chest as we stepped inside my parents’ house.
“Honey!”my mom exclaimed.Her mostly silver hair was trimmed short, and her eyes twinkled as she pulled me into a big hug.
My dad, meanwhile, was seated at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea.“Hey, Kendall,” he said, standing to hug me before sitting back down.
“Is Blake here?”I asked.
My mom’s lips pressed together as she shook her head.“Not tonight.”
Anxiety tightened my nerves.I loved my parents.I did.That was always my refrain.But I knew when something was coming, and I could feel their tension ramp up the moment I asked about Blake.Jude reached for my hand again and gave it a squeeze.
“So good to see you, Jude,” my mom said brightly.Her eyes dipped down to our joined hands.“Are you…?”
“We’re together.We’re seeing each other now,” I said quickly.
My mom clasped her hands together, letting out a sigh.“Oh, that is so wonderful.”
Although Jude didn’t make a sound, I felt his silent chuckle in my soul.He’d always been tolerant with my parents, gracious and indulgent.
“I always felt like you two belonged together,” my mom said with a flourish.When I glanced toward my dad, he winked.“Anyway, let’s have some dinner.”
We got swept into dinner.My mom had made a stir-fry with marinated chicken and veggies.She’d even made a raspberry swirl cheesecake for dessert.
