Page 94 of Beauty and the Bayou

Sighing, she turned and leaned against the counter, sipping slowly.She was hungover and tired, but she couldn’t help but smile thinking about the party and Chase.

It sounded very much like he planned to spend at least part of his Christmas break back here in the bayou, and Juliet had felt her heart kick thinking that maybe she’d join him.

He’d also been sent off with two huge bags.One was full of food and one was full of homemade creams and salves and potions for any and all ailments and situations—from stuck hinges to dirty bathtubs—that he might encounter as he headed off to medical school.It was almost as if they thought this was his first foray into the real world.Juliet smiled to herself at that.In many ways it was.It had only been two weeks, but she knew her little brother’s perspective on the world at large had changed significantly.He was more grounded.More confident.More aware that he had a place in the world and a responsibility to fill that place to the best of his abilities.

Ellie had been the last one before Juliet to say goodbye to him.She’d taken his face in her hands, looked him directly in the eye and said, “I love you, boy.Don’t be an asshole.”

He’d nodded seriously and said, “I love you, too.I won’t be.”

“Call me when you get there.”

“Promise.”

“And I’ll send you pie next Thursday.”

“And I’ll Facetime you when I get it and I’ll eat while we talk.”

“Then don’t open it until seven and we’ll Facetime in the bar.Then Cora and Leo and everyone can be there, too.”

“Perfect.”

Then they’d hugged.

Juliet had watched the exchange with wide eyes and a full heart.Chase hadn’t needed to rebuild a dock or develop some blisters or repay a debt.He’d needed a grandmother.

He’d stepped in front of her next.“’Bye.”

“’Bye.”She’d smiled up at him.“I’m so proud of you.”

He’d given her a soft smile she didn’t remember seeing before.“Ditto.”

“I’m going to miss you.”

“Same.”

“Be good,” she’d told him with a little smile.

“I will.But you…don’t be good, okay?”

“You don’t think I should be good?”

“Let’s put it this way—I know you like to be prepared because that makes you feel safe.But there are some things you can’t prepare for.”He looked around.“There’s no way I could have prepared for all of this.But it was the best.”

“So I should not worry about the stuff that’s not already in my accordion file?”she’d asked, her chest feeling tight.

“Exactly.Because usually you have to fix it when things go off the rails.Here, there are a lot of people who will be there to help if that happens.”

He was right.It hit her hard.There were people here who would help her with any plan that mattered to her.It didn’t have to be their plan, it didn’t even have to make sense to them.They’d have her back.

Sawyer would have her back.And he’d make her feel smart and beautiful and sassy and brave the whole time.

She’d pulled Chase into a hug and said, “Let me know when you get there.”

“I will.And be sure you’re over at Ellie’s when I Facetime everyone later this week.”

She grinned.It hadn’t seemed that Chase thought it was strange that she was staying on without him.“Sounds good.”

He’d gotten into the car and they’d all stood together, watching him drive off, like a big, happy family.Juliet wondered if her dad and older brothers even remembered that Chase was starting med school on Monday.Her mom would.Chase would call her tonight, too.But if their father didn’t remember, Chase would be okay.He had a whole family full of people supporting him now.

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