Jamie hesitated. “I have to study for my exams.”
Birdie waved a hand. “Oh, I know all about that—Claytontold us.”
“He’s been helping me.”
Birdie took Jamie’s hands in hers, gently squeezing them before shifting her gaze to Clayton. A knowing smile played on her lips. “Reckon you’re helping him more than he’s helping you.”
The bus ride to Franklin was eerily quiet, more like a transport to prison than a homecoming. Jamie kept her eyes on her language arts book, though the words blurred together. Clayton tied his knots. The twins fought to keep their eyes open. No one spoke much. Maybe none of them were ready for the tour to be over.
When the bus finally pulled into the Langley driveway, Jamie’s stomach tensed. It hardly seemed real. Life on the road had felt endless, but now they were back.
At least she was going to see her dog.
“Poppy,” she whispered, already scanning the driveway.
Outside Nolan’s house, Ruth stood holding her dog while Nolan cradled a red puppy in his arms.
The bus doors hissed open. Jamie leaned over and gently rubbed the twins’ backs.
“You’re home, girls,” she told them.
Charlotte stretched and yawned. “Do we have to leave, Miss Jamie?”
“Can’t we stay on the bus?” Emily pleaded, pressing her hands together in prayer.
Jamie grinned. “Don’t you want to see Heathcliff?”
Charlotte’s eyes snapped open. Within seconds both girls were on their feet, racing toward Nolan.
They dropped to their knees as Nolan passed Heathcliff over, smothering the puppy in kisses as his tail wagged wildly.
Jamie followed slowly, heart swelling as she reached for Poppy. “Oh, baby,” she murmured, lifting the squirming dog from Ruth’s arms. Poppy licked her face eagerly, her body wriggling in excitement.
Poppy smelled like a barn. The first order of business in Nashville: a dog bath.
Clayton came up beside her, watching the girls with their dog. He knelt and picked up Heathcliff, running a hand over his fur. “He’s huge now.”
The puppy licked his beard and Clayton laughed, kissing the top of his head. “Where’s Duke?”
Nolan opened the front door and the yellow Lab bolted outside. He skidded to a stop in front of Clayton and started circling him, tail whipping the air.
When Duke spotted Poppy in Jamie’s arms, he jumped onto her thighs.
“Down, Duke,” Jamie instructed, and he listened.
Maybe some time with Doc had been good for him.
Jamie shifted Poppy to her other arm. “I need to head into town. I have to hit the books tomorrow.”
Clayton turned to her, brow furrowed. “You’re going to do great, darlin’. You’ve been studying for months.”
She nodded, appreciating the reassurance.
“Can you stay over tonight, Miss Jamie?” Charlotte asked sweetly. “You can go home tomorrow.”
Emily’s lower lip trembled. “Please?”
Jamie’s heart squeezed. “I wish I could, sweetie.” She brushed Charlotte’s hair behind her ear. “But I promise I’ll see you soon.”
