Page 26 of Shattered Dreams

“Okay.” I nodded. “You can wear that.” I bent over and sat Emma on the floor while I went to get her an outfit, and I found one my mom picked for her before she passed. “Oh, Emma, I think you’ll be so cute in this!”

I turned and sat on the floor to change her diaper and clothes when the boys made their way upstairs.

“Should we get changed?” Harrison’s smile filled my heart.

“Yep. Clean shorts, shirts and underwear.” I pulled the onesie off Emma as they went across the hall to get dressed.

My mom loved the color yellow, and she found a jumper with daisies all over it for my sweet chunky monkey.

Out of five kids, Emma was the only one who got my strawberry blond hair. The boys and Briar had dark hair. All six of us had blue eyes. I don’t know how that happened, but I was thankful for it.

None of the five had any traits in common with John, and if it killed me, I wanted to raise boys into men who respected women.

Miss Jean served as a reminder that not all boys turn out like their fathers.

Once Emma was ready, I turned my attention to Briar. She squiggled and squirmed as I got her into the dress and then she brought over clean princess panties.

This one had no use for diapers or pull-ups. She informed me one day she was a big girl. That suited me fine.

Sparkly shoes and a tiara completed her look, and we went downstairs. We had thirty minutes before Richie would be here for us.

And my stomach pitched in excitement.

I let Emma play on the floor while I packed the diaper bag, planning for any emergency. Got my wallet from my purse and chucked that into the bag along with some goldfish crackers and back-up bottle with formula.

“He’s here!” Tyler screamed, making me jump and hold on to the wall in the hallway.

Where’s the stroller?

I ran back upstairs to get my shoes and the stroller and take one last look in the mirror.

I heard the front door open and, like so many nights in my past, my dad called upstairs. “Jojo. Richard’s here.”

The stroller was nowhere to be seen, and I shrugged it off.

I can carry Emma all night.

“Ready or not.” I slipped into my comfy sandals and went down the stairs, where Richard stood with a small bouquet. His hair was still wet from a shower, and he made jeans and a tee look damn good.

“Hey, Richie.”

“Hi, Jo.” He flashed me a big smile.

“Did you get our mama flowers?” Harrison crossed his arms, staring at Richie.

“Well, not just her.” Richard looked at him. “These I picked for her.” He handed me the bouquet. “Then these …” He showed two smaller bouquets. “Are for your sisters.”

Tyler shook his head. “Briar and Emma are too small for flowers.”

“I don’t think so.” He gave an easy shrug. “See, my mama told me it’s just good manners to bring a gift for the ladies of the house.”

Harrison tipped his head and stroked a non-existent beard. “That does sound like good manners.”

“My mama knows all kinds of things. When she tells me to be a gentleman and bring flowers, I do as she says.”

“I should put them in water.” I offered, trying not to trip on my feet. “The girls’ flowers too.”

Richard handed them to me and stood there looking nervous.

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