They hurried down the driveway, and Brooklyn started off to greet them, but her legs went weak. Rubbery. Her mind blurred. She felt lightheaded. Like she might drop. Strong hands came to lift her up by her elbows from behind before she fell.
“Don’t worry.” Colin’s strong voice whispered in her ear. “I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”
“I don’t get this,” she said. “I’m so happy to see them. So what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel like I’m going to drop?”
“I’d suspect it’s excess adrenaline over expecting your parents than a crash of relief when you actually saw them.”
She wanted to fling herself into her mama’s arms and hold her for hours, but when she tried to take a step, she still felt weak.
“Why not sit on the bench for a minute?” He helped her to a nearby picnic table.
Her mother frowned. Looked hurt.
No. Oh, no.Brooklyn didn’t want to hurt her mama.
Colin rushed to them and held out his hand to her dad.
“Colin Graham.” He shook her dad’s free hand, then looked at her mama. “The excitement got to Brooklyn, and she felt weak, but I know she’s eager to hug you.”
“Mama, please,” Brooklyn called out. “I’m sorry. I…I want…”
Her mother charged across the open space like she did when Brooklyn was young and had hurt herself. She dropped onto the bench and scooped her into her strong arms. She held tightly, hurting Brooklyn’s ribs, but she didn’t care. The pain was so worth it. Her mama smelled like her flowery jasmine perfume that she’d always worn, and Brooklyn couldn’t hold it together any longer. The tears she’d released ramped up to sobbing.
“It’s okay, sweet pea,” her mama said and stroked her hair. “We’re back together, and we’ll never be parted like this again. That’s all that matters.”
Brooklyn leaned back and drank in the sight of her mama, slightly older looking but still fit, with regal posture learned from her mama as she’d said all good Southern girls knew. Her nose was pointed much like Brooklyn’s. Her smile, a joy to behold. Brooklyn suspected that even though they knew why she had to go into hiding and was probably safe, that they worried the whole time and that beautiful smile might not have been so readily present.
“Let me take that dish over to the food table for you, Mr. Hurst,” Colin said.
She caught sight of him and gave him a smile of thanks.
“Oh!” her mama exclaimed. “Oh my.” She took Brooklyn’s hands and lowered her voice. “When did this happen? When did you fall in love?”
Brooklyn stared at her. “I didn’t know I did.”
“That smile said it all. You love this man. Who is he? Where did you meet him?”
Brooklyn gave a quick overview.
“So he works here at Shadow Lake?”
Brooklyn nodded.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” She clapped. “You’ll be living closer to us then.”
“Mama,” Brooklyn warned.
“Yes, Geneva.” Her father sat next to Brooklyn and put his arm around her. “You’ll have her married off in less than five minutes here, and she hasn’t even said she loves the guy.”
“She doesn’t have to say it. A mother knows. That’s good enough for me.”
“And if Colin doesn’t love her back?” her dad asked.
“He does,” Colin’s voice came from behind her. “But he hasn’t had a chance to tell her yet.”
Brooklyn fired a look over her shoulder, seeing in his eyes what her mama must’ve seen in Brooklyn’s. So they were in love. What did that mean?
“Gather around everyone,” Reid called out. “The burgers and hot dogs are ready. We’ll eat while the girls put on the special show they’ve planned for us.”
