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“That’s the last thing I want.”
“Goodnight, Jahleel.”
He took that as a sign of dismissal and made the way across the grass and onto his parents’ front porch. It had been an interesting conversation, and the band around his chest loosened. It wasn’t perfect parental approval, but it was a step in the right direction.
Chapter
SIXTEEN
She’d gotten the job.
Bebe stared in shock at the email in her inbox. All necessary onboard paperwork had been attached. When she’d had May press submit on the application, part of her had figured there was no way she would get the job. She lived in Georgia, for goodness’ sake.
Yet God had aligned everything perfectly.
Only she hadn’t talked to Jay about the possible move yet. She wanted to get his thoughts, but then her folks had come into town early. She’d spent time with them doing all the fun holiday things like night fishing, fudge making, and Christmas caroling at the assistant living facility a couple of blocks away.
Jay had come over to help them make fudge and had sung horribly off-key while caroling. And every time, they’d exchanged glances as if to sayI miss you, I wish we could be alone, this is the best Christmas ever.But nothing aloud to each other.
Now that she had the offer letter and contract in hand, she had to tell Jay. But first, she needed to talk to her folks.
She closed her laptop and headed for the kitchen. If thescents wafting from the kitchen were any indication, her mom was making homemade cider for them to enjoy later.
“Hey, sweetie, can you grab the cloves for me?”
“Sure.” Bebe grabbed the spice container and handed it to her mom. “You making cider?”
“Yes. Hope said y’all haven’t had any yet this season.”
“Nope, just hot chocolate.”
“That was always your favorite.” Her mom smiled, studying Bebe. “Looks like something’s on your mind.” She placed the lid on the pot. “Want to talk about it?”
Bebe nodded. “Will wants to sever his parental rights.”
“What on earth?” Her mom’s jaw dropped. “Are you fooling around with me?”
“No, ma’am. Not about something like that.”
“What are you going to do? Are you going to fight him on it? Or...”
Bebe drew in a deep breath. “I don’t know. I’ve been praying and...” She swallowed. “Well, things between me and Jay are really good, Mama. I ... I love him.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Her mama cupped her face. “Don’t you remember what happened the last time you gave your heart to that boy?”
“Of course. It’s one reason I was so hesitant to start something in the beginning. But he’s not the same man, I’m not the same woman, and now ... everything just feels right.”
“Then what has you anxious? Is it just the stuff with Will?”
“I applied for a job in Texas and got it. It’s mine if I want it, and it starts the day after New Year’s.”
Her mom sagged against the kitchen cabinet. “Bebe, I’m not sure how much shock I can take.” She pointed to the barstools. “Let’s sit.”
They sat down, and Bebe swiveled the stool to face her mom. “If I sign the paperwork Will gave me, aren’t I telling Hope that she’s fatherless? And even though I’ve told her Godis a father to the fatherless, I don’t actually want her to be without one.” Her tears welled up.
“I understand those feelings, sweetie, but you have to remember that Will is doing this, not you.”
True, but ...“Do you think I should sign, then?”
