“Better.” Even though I’d known Beverly most of my life and thought of her as a second mother, I still didn’t feel much like opening up about my pains like an old man.
She hummed as she peered up at me, her deep brown eyes shining like she could read my every hidden ache. “Does your mama know about your accident?”
“She does.” I wasn’t about to admit that my mother had only just found out yesterday. Beverly wouldn’t approve, and I was in no state to receive one of her spirited lectures or her follow-up ferocious hugs.
“They’re in Holland, is that right?”
“Admiring the windmills, that’s right. They asked me to pass on their apologies again for missing the wedding.”
She waved her hand in the air, tossing the apology away. “That’s nothing. If Douglas had booked me a non-refundable European cruise, we would have missed the wedding, too.”
Her laughter eased a little of the tension that wound through me. There was no way to be unhappy or uptight in the Robinson house. It had always been one of my favorite places as a kid, second only to Gram’s ranch.
“I’m sure your mama’s disappointed she’s not here to nurse you back to health.”
I grimaced, thinking how that would have gone. “I’ll be through the worst of it by the time they get back.”
“Well, let me tell you something, you don’t look like you’re through the worst of it yet. You look like you should be sitting down. What do you need? Want me to kick Grandma out of the easy chair?”
“Nah, I think some of this food you’re making will cure me. Your fried chicken smells like heaven.”
“Get on out there and grab some, but find a seat once you do.”
The worried once-over she gave me warmed my soul. My mother’s concern was all sharp edges and to-do lists, but Beverly’s care was of a softer sort.
“Will do.” I wrapped an arm across her shoulders so I could kiss her on the cheek again before sidling past her out the back door.
As I suspected, the Robinsons’ yard teemed with people. Booker and Eden’s family and friends mingled beneath huge blue awnings that provided a little shade but did nothing to combat the oppressive heat. I recognized some of the guests from around town, but a lot of the faces were strangers to me. Judging by the all the men over six-foot-six, Booker’s entire college basketball team had shown up for the festivities.
A long line snaked away from the tables laid out with all the delicious food Beverly and Douglas had prepared, and it wove its way between folding chairs where people sat elbow to elbow as they savored the meal. Children played cornhole and horseshoes in the yard beyond the feast, and enthusiastic kids had already put a massive bucket of bubble solution to good use, the results glittering as they floated through the air.
I scanned the crowd of well-wishers until my eyes lit on June. It had only been an hour or so since I’d last seen her, but I ached at the sight of her like we’d been apart for days. Unlike the physical pain I had to grit my teeth through, this ache had a sweetness to it, affection mixed with longing that sent my heart galloping in my chest. A loose sundress billowed around her as she laughed over something one of her brothers had said. She glanced over and met my eyes, pausing mid-laugh before breaking into a wider grin. I wanted to make her smile like that every day.
She left her family and came straight to me through the crowd. Her smile was tempered by the little line that sat between her eyebrows, and I could guess what she had in store for me.
“I’m surprised to see you here after the pastor put us through the paces at church. Don’t you think you should take a rest?”
“You couldn’t pay me enough to miss Beverly’s fried chicken.”
“But you look a little—”
“June.” I put the slightest edge in my voice, both amused and exhausted by her constant fussing.
She raised her hands in surrender. “Okay, you win. I was just about to get some dinner. Want to join me?”
“Lead the way.”
We took our place at the end of the line, and I wondered just how long it would take to reach the food, get a plate, and sit down. I didn’t like to admit it, but June and Beverly were right, I could use a rest. What I needed was some ibuprofen, an ice pack, and my easy chair, but I wouldn’t get any of them anytime soon.
“June,” Isaiah said up ahead of us. “That is some dress.” He took the excuse to let his eyes drift over her, flashing a charming grin.
I took a half step forward until my arm jostled against hers. The line needed to move faster.
“Thanks.” June didn’t move away from my touch, but leaned into me, her body warm against mine as we crowded together in line.
Maybe the line could move abitslower.
“Are you coming out with us tonight after dinner? We’re driving into Austin for one last pre-game. It’s bound to get a little wild.” He looked at me as if I’d appeared out of thin air. “And you, too, Ty. Gotta have the Best Man.”
