Page 76 of Until the Ink Dries

We left it at that and enjoyed the nice weather while watching Charlie be a kid. An hour had gone by before Charlie rushed back over to us. I could tell the sun had depleted my baby of all her energy. So, we grabbed the mermaid bowls and put them in a bag. According to Willow, they could use these again since they were nice quality bowls. I carried Charlie back to the car and strapped her into her car seat. By the time we were back on the road, she had fallen asleep.

I pulled into Willow’s parents’ driveway, parked, then got out to open her door. She placed her hand into mine as I helped her out of the car. I lightly gripped her chin, then leaned in to kiss her again. If this is what it felt like to have a family, I couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else. But, I knew it was too early to mention that to Willow, although we had talked a little about where she stood with her situation.

I hoped it was with me.

My time here was beginning to wind down.

Over the last two weeks, I’d been thinking long and hard about what I was going to do when I go back home. My relationship with Ellis was over and there was nothing keeping me there. I was miles and miles away from the people I loved and cared about most.

Being back in Rose Haven for the last month and some change had given me part of myself back that I never wanted to lose again. I’d been away for years and finally, I was ready to come home. Just thinking about being back here full time made me smile. In fact, I was smiling so hard that I didn’t realize my mother called my name.

Next to me, Shirah smacked my arm. We were having dinner with her parents and mine, something we’d done often since we were kids.

“Girl, your mama is talking to you,” she said, pointing.

I blinked. “Ma’am?”

“You okay, baby?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am. I’m just thinking.”

“What’s got you thinking and smiling so hard?”

Shirah snorted. “Not what, who.”

I elbowed her, causing her to laugh. “Shut up.”

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

I felt the eyes of everyone around the table on me. I rolled my own eyes.

“I can’t just be happy, y’all?” I asked.

My father chuckled. “You can be. But we know a certain someone… make that two certain someones, have had you smiling from ear to ear.”

Auntie Lilith giggled. “I get it, niece. Benny is a fine young man. I’d be smiling like that too if he’s doing what I imagine?—”

“Auntie!” I exclaimed. “Uncle James, please get your wife.”

Uncle James shook his head. “Leave her alone, Lilith. You and your daughter have no filter.”

Shirah scoffed. “Daddy, please. You know who you married and who you birthed. Clock that. And Willow, girl, let’s not act like you and Benny aren’t practically in love.”

“Who said anything about being in love!” I exclaimed. “I wasn’t even thinking about Benny just now, thank you very much.”

She waved me off. “Only a man can have you smiling like that.”

“Oh, so is Jordan the reason you’ve smiled so much lately?”

Her eyes widened, and she jerked her head in my direction.

“Clockthat,” I said, tapping my thumb and pointer finger together. “Anyway! I was just thinking… I’m ready to move back home. And before you say a man had anything to do with that, he didn’t. I’ve missed being here. I’ve missed the peace I have, and I miss all of you. There’s nothing keeping me in Sterling Point anymore. I mean, I can run my business from anywhere and Ellis isn’t a part of my life anymore. Sure, I’ll miss the friends I made, but I’m ready to be back with the people I love.”

I smiled a little and laughed to myself.

“And… Benjamin and Charlie are a great added touch to being here. It’s just too soon to say it’s love. At least, when it comes to him. I do love Charlie. She’s such a sweet little girl.”

Aunt Lilith nodded. “Diana says that little girl talks about you all the time. She loves you too, baby. It’s a shame about her mama.”

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