“I don’t have anything to say,” he said into the silence that only the little children babbled into. He watched Ida migrate over to Brady, who held both of their kids in his arms. She took her daughter from him, and they exchanged a glance of love.
Love.
Judge could feel it in every face and every particle in the air in the homestead.
“Thank you,” he said. “It’s nice to know that this win isn’t just mine, but all of ours. So many of you have given feedback that made not just this show what it was, but all of them.”
He felt full of words. Words he could’ve said for Cactus and Willa, who signed what he’d said to Mitch. For Charlie and Preacher. And Ward and Dot. For Mister, though his brother had to leave right after this luncheon. For Etta, his truest friend who just needed to meet the right man for her.
Instead of opening his mouth again, he lifted his fist to his heart and pressed it there. Every other Glover in the room did too, and Judge let his eyes fill with happy, grateful tears.
He pulled them back when he looked at June, who wore adoration on her face. Then he said, “Okay,” and cleared his throat. “Dessert first, and then we can thank the Lord—and the stars—for bringing us this win.”