Page 99 of Under His Skin
“Ginny?” Waverley said, smiling as calmly as she could. “It’s Waverley. You remember me? I was married to your brother?”
There was a moment as the woman still struggled, then a light in her blue eyes as her entire face brightened. “Waverley,” she said and rushed forward to hug her with childlike excitement. Waverley felt her heart swelling with affection and love. “I am so happy you came. I missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Ginny. You look so grown up,” she said, finally pulling back. “Your hair has gotten so long.”
Ginny looked proud as she ran her fingers through the length then pulled it forward to fall over her shoulder. She looked around, then up to Reynolds and back to Waverley. “Where’s Spencer? Is he here?”
After discussing this with Ginny’s doctor, they had decided not to give too much detail of Spencer’s activity and current state of incarceration since the young woman wouldn’t understand nor need to know the gritty details.
Carefully, Waverley answered, “He wanted to come but I’m afraid he just couldn’t get away. He sends his love and wanted me to give you this.” Waverley held a small gift out.
“For me? What is it?” she asked, beaming. “Can I open it?”
“Sure you can,” Waverley said and watched as Ginny ripped open the pink-daisy-colored wrapping paper and then the box to reveal the charm bracelet Waverley had bought for her.
“It’s so pretty,” Ginny said, holding it up and staring at it.
“It’s a bracelet. And each of those charms represents something I thought you might enjoy.”
“Oh, a unicorn! And a cupcake—my favorite.” The woman looked at each one then held it out to Waverley. “Can you help me put it on?”
Waverley slipped it around Ginny’s slender wrist. “There. Maybe when I see you next time I’ll have another charm you can put on.”
“Yay! Please.”
Reynolds coughed discreetly over by the tree, drawing Ginny’s attention. “Did he come with you?”
“He did. That’s Reynolds Cavanaugh. He’s my friend.”
As if on cue, Reynolds came over and smiled genuinely at the woman. “Hi, Ginny. Nice to meet you.”
“Reynolds?” she asked. “That’s a funny name. Reynolds, Reynolds, Reynolds, Reyn—” she repeated. “Hey! Ren sounds like wren. Just like the little brown birds that eat out of the bird feeders. Can I call you Ren?”
“Sure, why not?”
She held her arm out, the bracelet dangling from her wrist. “Did you see what my brother bought me, Ren? It’s beautiful. Can you guys stay this time for lunch? Maybe we can play checkers again, Waverley.”
“Lunch and checkers sound pretty good,” Waverley said, meeting Reynolds’s gaze, enjoying the warmth there.
“Come on, let’s go. Today is corn dogs and French fries, my favorites,” Ginny said, already tugging on Waverley’s hand. “Ren? Are you coming?”
“Are you kidding? Checkers and corn dogs?” He grinned at Waverley. “How could I resist?”
Her cup runneth over, indeed.
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