through enough, and you deserve to have something go your way for a change. I really and truly thought it was going to be this deal, but . . .” She sighs, looking up toward the sky for a moment as if there are answers to be found in the cloudless sky. “If your dream changes, if it looks different than it did when you were eighteen and didn’t have a clue about how hard life can be and what’s really important, that’s okay. And getting what you want now over what you wanted then is still a good thing. I’m happy for you.”
I’m looking down, letting her words wash over me and soothe the hurt, all of them—losing Mom, losing my innocence, losing Dad, not when he died but before that when he truly checked out on us, and even losing this opportunity.
I feel her grubby finger on my chin, forcing me to lift up and meet her eyes. “I’m proud of you, Bobby.”
Fuck. I didn’t know I needed to hear that, especially about this. Choosing Willow was easy, automatic, and I know she’s what I truly want. But that doesn’t mean not choosing the deal doesn’t hurt like a motherfucker.
“Thank you,” I grit out.
She nods, like that’s that. “Get that one too, will you?” She points to another weed.
And this time, when I pull at it and it refuses to come loose, I wonder if maybe, instead of my being stuck in Great Falls, this weed could be Willow putting down roots here with me?
The weed gives way, but there’s another one right next to it so I keep going, clearing Mama Louise’s garden long after she goes inside and leaves me to my thoughts.
Root into me, stay by my side. We’ll grow together, two as one.
Chapter 21
Willow
“You okay?” I ask Unc during the lull between lunch and what is going to be a crazy Saturday night.
His complexion is looking a bit pasty, his eyes a bit sunken and purple. And that’s after he took a break to ‘check the books’ earlier.
“Have you eaten anything today? Ilene would be happy to make you some eggs and toast.” The suggestion makes him turn an altogether unattractive shade of green and shake his head.
“Nah. Just feel like a bug that got zapped by one of those contraptions you put on the back porch. Zzzzzt.” He vibrates like a jolt of electricity is going through him. His smile at his own joke is weak, lasting for only a brief flash.
“Take off tonight then. Olivia and I can handle things, especially since you did the same for us last weekend.” I’m hoping the reminder of his kindness will let him accept mine.
No such luck.
He lifts one white brow. “I’m fine. Gonna be a busy one tonight, and I won’t leave you girls that way.”
We could do it without him. It’d be tough, because he’s right about the crowd we’re expecting since it’s Bobby’s first show since the Nashville trip. But I’m going to spend most of the night with my eyes on Unc, making sure he’s okay.
“Okay.” I might as well give in because I’m not going to win against his pride. But I’ll do what I can. “What do you need, then? I’ll do the prep stuff, but can I at least get you a beer?”
Even when his stomach is turning circles on him, he can always manage to get a beer down. I don’t wait for his answer, grabbing one of his favorite craft beers, popping the top, and setting it in front of him.
“Oh, Doc Jones called a bit ago. Said to holler at him when you get a minute. You might want to do that now before we get slammed.”
He sighs as if that’s a big job, but he climbs from his stool and heads back to his office. Quickly, I text Doc.
Me: Talk to Unc for a bit about something. He needs to rest in the office and is being stubborn.
Doc: On it. Good girl.
While I have a minute, I ask Ilene for a biscuit with a honey drizzle. “For Hank? He need something else to eat with it? I can make him a burger, or a bowl of soup? Or he’s taken a liking to my scrambled eggs lately.” Her generosity is innate, her willingness to mother Unc straight out of her experience as a mother and grandmother herself. And she doesn’t even know about the cancer. She just takes care of people.
Overcome, I hug her