Camila shook her head. But then she nodded it as she recalled something Grandma told her. “Yes, actually. She liked to write poems.”
A wide smile crossed James’ lips. “Yes. I think she had this published quietly, behind your father’s back, perhaps. I’m guessing your grandmother hadn’t known about it either, or else she would have told you.”
A sudden urgency pricked at her from the inside.
“I know it’s not as much as Winston left behind,” he said, “but it’s definitely something. And as you’ll soon see, she wrote it with you in mind.”
He handed over the magazine, a worn copy folded open to a certain page, and wrapped his arm around her back as she hovered over it.
I Hope You’ll Know
By Isabella Lakes
If I should leave the turning globe
before my time is through,
I hope you’ll know the utter love
that I have for you.
I hope you’ll remember the times we sang
to Bowie blasting loud.
The times I put you on my shoulders
when walking through a crowd.
I hope you’ll have memories of my voice
saying I love you.
But in case you don’t, then please hear this,
my sweet, sweet ‘Mila, I do.
I don’t plan to part, but if I do,
know that I won’t be far.
In the sun and the breeze and the garden you grow,
I’ll be wherever you are.
Camila hugged the magazine—the absolute treasure—to her chest as tears and sobs overcame her. She could never have expected to hear from her mom after all these years, yet here it was—a gift. Given to her by the man she’d given her heart to.
“How did you get this?” she managed through a jagged breath.
“I have my ways,” he mumbled. “Once I found out she had something published, I put a team on the hunt. Discovered there was a copy at the old library downtown. It was there, in the back department, stacked in boxes.” He chuckled. “But I assured the woman helping me it was for a very good cause.”
Indeed it was. “Thank you.”
James pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You’re welcome,” he said with a sniff. “Your mom must be determined, like you. I’m guessing she’s the one who made sure we found it.”
Camila grinned, entertaining the idea for herself. “Yeah,” she said with a nod. “I bet you’re right.”
It would take years to soak in the truth of it for herself—her mother really did love her. Enough to secretly leave a little something behind. It made her realize something else too. She turned to James, looked over his handsome face, and reveled in the peace and hope blooming in her heart.
