“I’ve never seen you read yours.”
“I don’t do it out here. I like to be alone.”
“Oh.” She says it softly, and for a second, I wonder if she gets it, how some things aren’t for an audience. Some things are just between you and God.
“If you have questions or anything, you know where to find me.” I nod toward my room.
She gives a slow, knowing nod in return, and I can’t help but wonder if she actually will. Part of me hopes she does.
Chapter 10
Karissa
It’s Mother’s Day.
Last night, Cody handed me a Bible. An early gift, he’d said. I told him I wasn’t a mom yet, but he argued that. Told me not to say it again.
This morning, the first thing he said when he saw me was “Happy Mother’s Day.”
Despite telling me not to think that way, I still felt weird saying thanks. I still don’t really believe I deserve it, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.
I follow Maureen and Addison down the church hall and into a side room. The first thing I see is a pink balloon with a cartoon baby andCongrats!printed across it in bubble letters. Then my eyes land on a table covered in baby gifts and essentials with even more bags and boxes tucked underneath.
Behind it stands a group of women from church, some I recognize and others I don’t. All different ages, all smiling.
“Surprise!” they say in unison.
I freeze. And then I bawl. Ella had told me just last week not to stress. She had baby things from Cora she’d pass along when the time came. I believed her. I wasn’t worried. But I never expected this.
Everyone laughs at me, but the warm kind of laughter—soft and full of joy. I feel a hand on my back and turn toward Maureen, who wraps me in a motherly hug. The kind of hug I’d been needing and didn’t even realize.
“You deserve this,” she whispers.
That makes me cry harder.
The door opens again and Ella walks in, holding Cora on her hip. “Aw, I missed the big surprise!”
I then turn to Addison and Ella, hugging them both tight.
“Thank you,” I manage, though the words feel too small for how full my heart is.
I sit and Maureen starts handing me things to open. It’s slightly overwhelming. I don’t even know what some of the items are for, but I’m grateful for all of it. It’s also a nice reminder that I’m not doing any of this alone. I’m surrounded by mothers and women of all ages.
* * *
Cody’s entire family helps carry all the baby things into the guest cabin. I’m already making a mental list of how I’ll organize it all; there’s plenty to keep me busy. Cody still insists I stay with him until she’s born, though.
“I’m going to go spend some time with Mom, if you’re wanting to organize?” he says not long after everyone leaves and we’re left staring at the huge mess spread across the living room.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I say, gesturing toward the piles. For the last few hours, I’d almost forgotten it was Mother’s Day.
“Don’t do too much,” he warns. “There’s a decent-sized bathtub down the hall. Take a bubble bath or something, read a book. Just…get off your feet for a while. It was a busy day.”
I can’t help but smirk.
“What?” He straightens, like he’s bracing for an answer.
I shrug. “Nothing. You’re just…not who I thought you’d be.”
