Cash’s mom’s eyes softened, something like sympathy lighting in them.
The timidity inside Daisy both receded and expanded.
Most people in this town already knew she was a foster kid. She’d heard the rash of rumors that came with it. The stares and murmurings the few times she got brave enough to walk into town to buy painting supplies.
Something the counselor had encouraged her to do to help her process through the emotions she had a difficult time making sense of.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Daisy.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Cunningham,” she whispered, hoping her voice didn’t crack.
“You can call me Stacy, no need for formalities around here. Goodness knows these hoodlums are about as lax as they come.”
She cast an affectionate glance at Cash, her hazel eyes playful.
Cash released Daisy’s hand and lifted both of his. “Hey, you know I’ve got nothing but respect, but that doesn’t mean I need to have a stick up my ass.”
Stacy grabbed the hand towel and whipped it over the counter at Cash. “Watch your mouth.”
Cash jumped back with a laugh then rounded the counter and pecked a kiss on her cheek. “Do we have anything to eat around here?”
She gestured with her shoulder toward the refrigerator. “We have some of that casserole from last night and there are cookies in the pantry.”
“You baked cookies?” His brows shot for the ceiling.
“Hardly. I leave that nonsense to the elves.” Stacy sent a sly smile to Daisy.
A flush rushed to her cheeks, but she smiled back.
“Well, I think I’m finished in here.” Stacy closed the dishwasher then pushed a button to start it. “I’ll leave you two to go at it.”
The flush on Daisy’s cheeks turned flaming red, but she couldn’t stop herself from peeking over at Cash, wondering what his reaction would be.
Cash choked a disbelieving sound followed by a laugh. “Mom…did you just hear yourself? You’re going to make poor Daisy here think I’m up to no good.”
Confusion traipsed across her face before her eyes went wide, and she waved both hands in front of her like she was giving the universal sign to stop, laughing, too. “Oh, no, no, I’m…that’s not what I meant. Cash knows better than togo at itin the kitchen.”
Cash cracked up. “Mom, seriously…making it worse here.”
She put a hand over her eyes. “I know. Oh my gosh, so awkward. I’m sorry. I’ll just leave you two in peace. It was so nice to meet you, Daisy.”
She gave a little squeeze to Daisy’s shoulder as she passed before she breezed out through the archway.
Daisy bit down on her bottom lip, peeking between Cash and the spot where his mom had disappeared.
Her chest felt fuzzy and full.
The void her own mom had left ached intensely, but something else wrapped her like a blanket.
“My mom’s a little over the top,” he said, though there was no embarrassment or anger to it.
“She’s so nice,” Daisy whispered.
“Yeah, she’s cool as fuck.”
He peered over at her then, like he felt the wave of grief. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
She shook her head. “You don’t have to be sorry. I’m happy for you.”
