Page 85 of This Loving Feeling (Mirror Lake)

“That’s okay.” She patted Sam’s hand in that gentle way of hers. “Just be braver than I was.”

“I think you’ve been plenty brave, raising us, working as a nurse for all those years.” Effie just shrugged in that humble way of hers, always hating to call attention to herself. She knew it had taken her a lot to tell that story. “The Buckhorns withdrew their donation. We’retwomillion short now, and if we don’t match the state funds we don’t get the grant. The caterer and the party planner Mrs.Buckhorn hired pulled out. The benefit tomorrow’s going to be a disaster.”

Effie shot her a look.

Tears welled up fresh. “Don’t give me that look.”

“What look?” Effie asked in her innocent voice.

“Your I-didn’t-teach-you-to-ever-give-up look.”

This time, Effie’s eyes welled up. “You know me too well. You see, I don’t even have to speak anymore.”

Samantha wrapped her arms around her grandmother and squeezed. “I love you. You were a good mother to me.”

Effie hugged her back, her warm arms surrounding her tightly, the smell of Chantilly strong and old fashioned and familiar. “You’ve always been a sweet girl, and I love you with all my heart.” She patted her cheek. “But right now you have to find the strength to go save our theater. And as far as Lukas is concerned, remember, there’s no such thing as perfect anything. You make your own future out of the chaos life hands you. Life is a giant slot machine, and honey, God only gives you so many pulls.”

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