His surprised gasp told her he hadn’t expected her too. “How did she take it?”
“Surprisingly well. I told you she’s a great kid.” Lifting her gaze, she saw Cecily boring a hole through the windshield with her stare. “She wants to meet you.”
“When? Name the time and I’ll be there.”
“Can you come over today?”
He coughed and sputtered, then gained control of himself. “Yes. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
Dear goodness, she wasn’t ready for this, and she squeaked a reply. “That’s fine.”
“Serena?” He suddenly sounded unsure.
“Yes.”
“What does she like? I don’t want to show up empty handed.”
Against her will, she smiled. “All she wants is you.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
She ended the call and gave Cecily the thumbs up sign. Her excited squeal reached from the front porch into the car with all windows and doors closed.
This was best for Cecily, she reminded herself. It’s for her.
Chapter Nine
Lucas dropped his phone beside him on the sofa. His jaw dropped in shock.
“Are you okay?” Lacey tilted her head and looked at him through a concerned expression.
“That was Serena. She said Cecily wants to meet me.”
“That’s great.” She adjusted baby Tynley in her arms. “When?”
“Now.” He ran his palms across his thighs. “Do you mind if I cut out?”
“Go. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” Lacey gave him an encouraging smile.
“I’ll be back to visit Tynley again soon. Promise.”
“You better.”
He bid farewell to Lacey and the baby, then left. His mind raced, and he’d never felt less confident in his life. What did he know about kids? A pre-teen one at that?
What could he take for her? He’d heard Serena, but Mom taught him never to show up empty-handed. Was she too young for coffee? He laughed. This was south Louisiana where the children grew up with coffee milk in their sippy cups.
He steered the car into a detour and stopped at the local coffee house. Not knowing what she would like, he picked a cappuccino, drip coffee, and a latte. He’d give her first choice, then Serena. He would take whatever was left.
By the time he left his fifteen minutes were long up, and he wished he would have given himself more time to get there. He didn’t want to give Cecily any reason to think he wouldn’t keep his word. Maybe Serena only told her he was on his way without giving a timeframe. Or maybe he was overthinking.
His mind drifted to all the times he’d driven to her grandfather’s while they’d been dating. Cecil Chauvin had been the only person at the time who had known officially that Lucas and Serena were dating. He’d offered his home as a safe place where the teens could hang out.
Did the elderly man hold a grudge against him for taking advantage of his trust and kindness? He never had apologized. That was a wrong he’d make right soon. Cecil was the one family member who’d been there for Serena, and he was Cecily’s great-grandfather. Lucas didn’t want any bad blood between them.
The single-story home appeared in the distance, and Lucas’s nerves ratcheted. Too many what ifs taunted him—if only he could turn off his brain. He pulled behind Serena’s car and parked.Help me, God. I’m not sure what to do or say, and I only know it means a lot to me that Cecily like me. Please let this go well.
He grabbed the drink carrier from the passenger seat and slowly exited the car. Before he could ring the doorbell, he saw a curtain pulled back. Seconds later, the door opened.
