She hasn’t smiled like that in so long. I swallow around the lump in my throat, my ears straining to hear their conversation, but all I hear is laughter before, finally, Linc’s deep voice asks, “So how’s school?”
Caroline shrugs. “It sucks. I hate it. The kids all look at me like I’m from another planet.”
He nudges her shoulder. “Ever think they just look at you because you’re beautiful?”
A shy smile tugs the corner of her mouth. “No, they look at me like that because they feel sorry for me, because of what my daddy did.”
Linc’s face falls but he doesn’t falter. “You know, you should never let anyone make you feel bad about your dad. He loved you very much.” Caroline toys with the hem of her shirt, rubbing her bare feet together nervously. Linc reaches for her hand. “It’s okay to talk about him, with me or your mom.”
“Mama doesn’t like to talk about him,” she says, so quietly I almost don’t hear her.
I cover my mouth to trap the sob threatening to escape.
“It’s been hard on her, it’s been hard on you both, but it’s okay to talk about him. It’s okay to be sad and angry, that’s normal. But you need to remember all the good things, too.”
“That’s what the counselor said.”
Linc scoots closer. “If you ever need to talk to anyone, you can always talk to me,” he says.
Caroline looks up at him, her eyes wide and hopeful. “I’m so glad you’re back. Don’t ever leave again, okay? We need you.”
My heart twists and turns in my chest.
Linc clenches his jaw. “I’m not going anywhere. Not ever again. I promise.”
She nods, content with his response, and surprisingly, so am I.
“Linc?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you sing me a song?”
“You want me to sing you a song?” He laughs.
She nods. “When I’m sad or when I want to smile, I always listen to your songs.”
Like mother, like daughter.
Pride washes over his face as he leans down to kiss the top of her head. The walls around my heart struggle to keep my emotions at bay. “Well, I’ll do anything to keep that smile on your face.” He hops down from the truck.
“Where are you going?” she asks.
“Just so happens I have my guitar with me today,” he tells her with a wink.
Caroline beams at him as he reaches the cab of the truck. After retrieving his old guitar from the backseat, he takes his place again next to her.
“Any requests?”
She taps her chin as if she’s trying to decide, but I know what song she’ll choose before she even says it. “‘Sweet Caroline?’”
“I was hopin’ you’d say that.” He grins.
He strums the strings, finding the melody easily. He’s sung this song to her a million times. She never grows tired of hearing it and honestly, neither do I. It never fails to bring a smile to my face or light a fire in my heart. Finally finding my feet, I walk toward them, no longer able to stay away.
Just as Linc reaches the chorus, Caroline jumps up in the back of the truck, dancing and stomping her bare feet.
Laughter erupts from my chest, my heart swelling with happiness. Something I haven’t felt in a really long time. Linc’s eyes find mine and he gives me wink, a wave of warmth enveloping me. I mouththank youbefore turning to face Caroline.
