Page 128 of The Sound of Summer
“Always,” I joke as I hold out the gold foil, flower-covered bag to Caroline. “Happy Mother’s Day.”
“You didn’t need to get me anything.” She looks guilty that she showed up empty-handed.
“It’s from Quinn.” I wink at her.
Quinn grabs at the tissue paper. “I help you.”
“This feels familiar.” Caroline chuckles.
“Careful,” I say to Quinn as she gets to the fragile part of the gift.
Caroline assists with delicate hands, helping Quinn unfold the edges, revealing the frame on the inside.
“I thought it would look perfect on that entry table you bought on our shopping trip the other day.”
Rare emotion brims in Caroline’s eyes as she studies the picture of her daughter pushing Quinn on a swing. She kisses the top of Quinn’s head before looking at me. “Thank you.”
I knew the one I found deserved a spot on Quinn’s dresser, but I made a copy of it so Caroline could have one too. No parent should have to lose their child in their lifetime. I can’t imagine how this day must feel for her.
The sound of the doorbell startles us all as it echoes through the house.
“I’ll get that!” I say, giving Caroline a moment alone with Wade and Quinn to collect herself before Everett gets back. He left to pick up a pizza down the road and should be home any minute.
When I swing the oak door wide, a bouquet of freshly cut pink peonies hides his face.
That’s not why my eyes widen though. It’s not what I’m staring at.
“What are youwearing?” I gasp as Everett shifts the flowers to the side, granting me a full view of his outfit.
“I bought a shirt with your face on it.”
A giant, screen-printed outline of my head tipped back in a laugh decorates his chest from a picture he took onour first date.
“I see that.”
“Just making sure Chris Stapleton knows who you’re going home with tonight.”
I chuckle, dragging him across the threshold with a fistful of his new T-shirt. “Come here.” Lip gloss smears across his lips when I kiss him.
He picks me up and drapes my legs around his waist. Petals from the flowers he picked in our yard crush against my hip and fall around our feet.
“Careful, Rhett Dawson,” I whisper against his mouth. “I just might decide to marry you one day.”
“I’m counting on it.”
THE END
