Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,56

with Lou. You okay here?”

I nod, feeling the eyes of both ladies on me. Walker releases my hand and heads over to where Jamal sits on the grass, looking exhausted, as Lizzie kicks the ball around him. Walker jumps right in, trying to steal the ball away from her, but is “too swow” as my daughter makes a diving grab for the ball.

“I always knew he’d be good with kids,” Marie says, watching her son play with my child, a small smile on her face.

“He’s been wonderful,” I confirm, glancing to Edna, who’s watching me. I try to dip my chin, but I’m certain she catches my blush.

“So, you two work together?” Edna asks, getting comfortable in her chair with a glass of sweet tea.

“We do. I’m a server at the restaurant.”

“It’s such a nice place there, isn’t it?” Marie asks, so much love and pride in her smile.

“It is, and the guys are all super great,” I add.

Edna scoffs. “They are, but that Jasper thinks his pecan pie is better than mine, but I assure you, it’s not.”

I can’t help but smile. I’ve never had any of the desserts Jasper whips up, but I hear great things about them.

“So, tell us a little about you? Where are ya from?” Edna asks.

“Edna,” Marie chastises.

“What? I would like to get to know the woman who stole my nephew’s heart,” she argues with her niece.

My eyes must show my shock. “Oh, stop being dramatic. We don’t know their situation,” Marie says.

“Child, that boy of yours hasn’t so much as brought another human being here, except that Jameson. The fact he has not one, but two guests, says somethin’.”

“Maybe, but that’s not any of our business,” Marie argues, giving me an apologetic grin.

“Oh, it is our business, and you know it,” Edna states, making both Marie and me laugh. “So go on. You were about to tell us all about you.”

“Uh, well, I’m from Indiana and only recently moved here.”

“Family?” she asks, getting into her inquisition.

“Unfortunately, not much. My parents divorced when I was little, and my dad left town. I haven’t seen him since I graduated high school,” I confess, hating the feeling of longing and sadness that seeps into my soul when I talk about him. It’s not that I didn’t try to reach out to him, on numerous occasions, but he just moved on with his life, leaving me behind. He got remarried and had more kids, which he’s completely devoted to. It hurts, honestly, and I’ve just learned if I stay away, I can avoid the painful reminder I’ve never been a priority in his life.

“And your mama?”

“She passed away a few years back. She was hit by a drunk driver on her way home from work.”

Marie’s eyes fill with sadness. “I’m so sorry. That must have been very rough on you.”

I smile, but it’s one of grief. “It was. I actually found out I was pregnant with Lizzie about a week after she died.”

“It was like she was sent to you from heaven,” Edna adds, reaching over and patting my hand. “A gift from God, and your mama.”

I didn’t even realize a tear slipped from my eye, not until it hit my hand.

“Your baby girl is the sweetest. She’s the spitting image of you,” Edna observes, as we all glance over to where Walker and Lizzie are playing. He has her up in the air, spinning her around like she’s flying.

“She is.”

It only takes a few heartbeats before Edna asks the question I knew was coming next. “And her father?”

I sit back and try not to fidget. “He’s currently not in her life.” Not anymore.

“I’m sorry to hear that too. I raised Walker as a single mother. It definitely wasn’t easy, but I had my parents and family,” Marie says.

“I had some friends who helped, and at the time, my ex was there. We made it work, at least for a while.”

“Did you tell Edna about the bed?” Walker asks, stepping up beside me with Lizzie on his shoulders.

“Oh, no, not yet.”

“Mallory wants to buy your bed,” Walker tells his aunt.

“You can have it,” Edna says with a big smile on her face.

“No, ma’am, I’m more than happy to purchase it from you,” I insist.

Something passes in those dark, soulful eyes when they meet mine. It’s as if she sees and understands my determination, and if the way she smiles at me is any indication, I’d say she respects it as well. “Well, I was going to ask