“Well, honey, you know I love it here, and you make it all sound so good. But you’re going back to your station. And I have to make it work with the people who are here.”
“What does that mean?”
“What if I have to move back home?”
“You won’t need to—I’ve explained it.”
“But who will take care of me? Jackie doesn’t have room at her house.”
“Mom, I promise”—he was holding her hand—“that won’t happen.”
“Cary, I love you. But you aren’t ever coming home.”
“Yes, he is,” Shiloh said from the kitchen. She was standing behind the little counter.
Cary and his mom both looked up at her. Shiloh looked at Cary. He wasn’t telling her with his eyes to stop.
“We’re getting married,” Shiloh said.
His mom dropped the papers. She took off her glasses and looked at Cary. “Is this true?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Shiloh, what about your husband!”
Shiloh walked into the living room. “I’m divorced, Lois. I’ve been divorced a long time.”
“What!” Lois exclaimed breathily. “Is this true?” She touched Cary’s face. “Are you giving me two grandbabies?”
He nodded. He looked tearful.
“Shiloh, come here! I can’t get up that quick!”
Shiloh went to her. Lois gave her a big hug. And then Lois hugged Cary. She was crying. “Finally, my baby boy. Oh, I’m so happy.”
Shiloh held out her left hand, to give Lois proof.
Lois took her hand and made more joyful noises. “That is beautiful! That’s antique, isn’t it? Is that white gold?”
“Yeah,” Cary said.
Lois squeezed Shiloh’s hand. “When is the wedding? Will it be in Omaha?”
“It will definitely be in Omaha,” Shiloh said.
“The point is, I’m coming back,” Cary said. “I’m coming home.”
Lois signed the papers.
She talked to Shiloh about the wedding.
She made Cary go down to the dining room to get them real dessert, to celebrate. He came back with banana pudding and then stayed to make Lois test her sugars.
On the way to the car, Cary told Shiloh she could have her way whenever she wanted it, from then on. She’d earned it.
On the way to her house, he argued with her about waiting to get married.
Seventy-Eight
