Hope Springs (26 page)

Lila dashed over from the front of the restaurant.

“Only if you're a Soul Sister,” Sara Ann said.

Lila put her hand on her hip. “To the very core of my being,” she said in an exaggerated Southern drawl.

The women huddled again, hands around one another, smiling big for Janelle's camera and about five cell phone cameras that had quickly appeared.

Janelle was glad they were capturing this. There was something about it . . . something momentous.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

K
ory woke up Saturday with Janelle on his mind. He hadn't seen her in almost a week—but it felt more like a month. Last night was the first Friday night in a while that Dee hadn't slept over at Tiffany's, so there was no built-in reason for him to see her. But as he did early morning chores around the house, he couldn't help but wonder how he might work her into his day.

He emptied clothes from the dryer to an empty hamper, transferred more into the dryer, and started a new load in the wash. “Dee,” he called.

“Yes, Daddy?”

“Time to fold your clothes.”

“But I'm watching cartoons.”

“Come here, Dee.”

He could hear the quick shuffle of her feet coming from the family room and through the kitchen. She appeared in the doorway to the laundry room with a questioning look.

“What did I tell you earlier this morning?”

“Umm . . .” Her mouth curled, and her eyes traveled upward. “You said when my clothes finish drying, I have to fold them.”

“When?”

“Right away.”

“Why?”

“Well . . . you said last time I waited two days. But I
didn't
, Daddy. I just didn't feel well. Every time I start folding, I feel like I'm gonna faint or something.”

Kory managed to keep a straight face. Where did she get this stuff? “Okay, sweetheart, this is what we'll do. You can sit on your bed and fold. That way if you faint, you'll just flop back on the pillow.”

“But I don't know
how
to fold, Daddy. I'm too little.”

“Dee, I've shown you many times and you do it just fine. And you know I only give you the shirts. Once you get going it only takes a few minutes.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“If I do a really, really good job, and don't faint or anything, can we call Miss Janelle and see if I can play with Tiffany today?”

Now she was talking. “Hmm. If the shirts are folded perfectly
and
put away in your drawer. And you're still conscious. Yes, then we can call Miss Janelle.”

“Yaaay!” She was jumping around in a circle when Kory's phone rang. “I'll see who it is, Daddy. Maybe it's Miss Janelle!” She ran to the kitchen and grabbed it from the counter. “Oh. It's Mom.”

She brought it to him, and he let it ring two more times. “Go ahead and answer it, Dee.”

“I don't want to talk to her.”

“Yes, you do, sweetheart. I'll stay right here if you want.”

Kory knew she had been longing to talk to her mother. But the wait had turned her sour.

Dee lifted the phone and pushed a button to put her on speaker. “Hello.”

“Hi, Dee, how are you?”

Kory sighed. Why did Shelley always have the fake sound of a distant aunt when she talked to Dee?

“Good.”

“How has your New Year been so far?”

“Good.”

“Learning lots of fun stuff in preschool?”

“I guess.”

“Tell me what you've been learning.”

“Reading, writing, stuff like that.”

“Reading and writing? At four? Wow, Dee, that's great.”

Yes, Shelley, even the country preschools teach reading and writing
.

“I wanted to tell you that I'll be there in two weeks. I'm excited to see you.”

Dee's brows knit at Kory. Probably wondering why she didn't know already. “Okay.”

“Just okay? Aren't you excited to see me too?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, you don't sound very excited.” Shelley had a pouty sound in her voice. “What gets you excited these days? Like today. If you could do whatever you wanted, what would it be?”

Dee perked up. “I already asked Dad. Go to Hope Springs and play with Tiffany.”

“Hope Springs? That little country . . . Anyway, who's Tiffany?”

“She's my friend.”

Kory had no doubt things were about to get interesting.

“I gathered that, Dee. I'm asking how do you know her? Who are her parents?”

“Well, her daddy died. But Miss Janelle is her mom.”

“Mm-hmm.” The phone went silent. “Where's your dad? I want to talk to him.”

Dee's eyes slid up to Kory. “Right here.”

“Take the phone off speaker, Kory.”

He spoke in a low voice. “Go fold your clothes, Dee.” He took the phone from her. “Good morning.”

“You just couldn't wait, could you?”

“Pardon me?” He went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

“I know who Janelle is. She was at that family reunion we went to. I
knew
you liked her. And her husband passed? Didn't take you long to get with her, now did it?”

“Let me parse a couple of your suppositions.” Kory got a bottled water and took a swig. “Whether I liked Janelle or not back then is immaterial, because I
made
it immaterial by focusing on the one to whom I was married and not allowing my mind to stray.” He tipped the bottle up again. “Second, if by ‘get with her,' you're referring to physical contact, we haven't so much as kissed. Why? Because Janelle wouldn't go there even if I wanted to. There do exist some people who respect the institution of marriage.”

“As if I'm supposed to believe all that. Do your thing, Kory. How cute that she has a daughter who can play with Dee.”

Kory could almost thank Shelley for filing the court papers as soon as she had. He was beginning to count down the days. “We're done, then?”

“See you in court.”

“Remember. Head up—don't look at the ball.” Kory moved sideways, guiding him.

“Okay.” Daniel was concentrating, trying to look ahead, but lost the rhythm. He hit his forehead in frustration. “Ugh.”

“It's okay. You'll get it.” Kory jogged to get the basketball and brought it back to him.

“Can you show me again?”

Kory extended his hands and Daniel threw him the ball. He started bouncing with his right hand and moving down the court. “See, I keep my head up. If I'm looking at the ball, how can I focus on the direction I want to go?”

Daniel ran and got in front of him, extending his arms and bending low.

“Ah, you think you can stop me?” Kory dribbled the ball under his leg and switched hands, holding Daniel at bay with the other.

“Aw, cool. Show me how to do that.”

Daniel kept up with him, reaching in every few seconds to try to steal the ball. But whatever side he went for, Kory switched. He paused now, bending low, dribbling in place, waiting for Daniel to make his move.

“Come on, Daniel. Try to get it.”

“You're gonna fake me out.”

Kory eyed Daniel, dribbling to his right. “You're not giving up, are you?”

Daniel threw up his hands. “You're too good. Every time I try to—”

In a quick move, Daniel knocked the ball from him and ran after it when it rolled.

“Oh, you tricked me, huh?”

Kory doubled after him, but Daniel beat him to the ball. Laughing hard, he dribbled haphazardly to the net, stopped, and shot it.

“Did you see that?” Daniel turned, his eyes shining. “That was all net!”

Kory high-fived him. “Beautiful! You know why?”

“That thing you taught me.” Daniel demonstrated. “Bringing my arm straight up and letting the ball roll off my fingertips. I did it!”

“You're a fast learner, my man.”

His head fell a little. “I still don't have the dribble, though.”

Kory put an arm around him. “You'll get it in no time. That's what practice is about. It'll seem like second nature.”

“Excuse me.”

Kory and Daniel turned and saw the guy who'd been playing the other end of the court.

“Hey, how can I help you?” Kory said.

“Just wanted to say I enjoyed watching the way you work with your son. My fiancée and I are getting married this summer, and I'm looking forward to times like this one day.”

Daniel's arm slipped around Kory's waist, and Kory knew Daniel didn't want him to correct the man. He shook his hand. “Congratulations. I wish you all the best with your fiancée and your future family.”

When the guy left, Daniel looked up at him. “Thanks, Kory.”

Kory gripped him tighter around the shoulder. “Ready for some lunch? I know they're waiting for us.”

“Starving.”

Kory and Daniel left the gym in Rocky Mount and got in his car, where he'd left his phone. He checked it and smiled. “Told you. Three texts from your mom. ‘Where are y'all?' ”

Daniel laughed at Kory's spot-on imitation of Janelle's voice.

The day couldn't have worked out better. Shortly after hanging up with Shelley, Janelle had called to say she was coming to Rocky Mount to take the kids clothes shopping. She wondered if Dee would like to go to the mall with them, and even asked if Kory needed her to shop for anything for Dee—an offer he gladly jumped at. He asked if Daniel
really
needed to go or if maybe they could have some time together—and Janelle jumped at that one.

He parked at the fast food restaurant, and he and Daniel walked in.

“There they are,” Daniel said.

Dee and Tiffany were waving wildly to get their attention.

Janelle smiled as they came over, looking cute in her white top and jeans. “Did y'all have a good time?” She pulled Daniel into a hug. “You worked up a little sweat.”

“Kory had us jogging before we played,” Daniel said. “And I kept up with him too.”

“Of course you did.” She winked at Kory. “You love competition.”

Dee stood. “Daddy, look.” She threw back her shoulders to show off the design on her shirt: BFF with glittery stars sprinkled all around.

He narrowed his gaze. “What's a BFF?”

“Best friends forever, Daddy! Miss Janelle got it for me. Look at Tiffany! And we got one for Claire too.”

“I don't normally buy those fad T-shirts,” Janelle said, “but the girls got so excited when they saw them.” She shrugged. “I caved.”

“Can we order now, Mom?” Tiffany said. “I'm hungry.”

Kory glanced at the table. “You waited for us. All right, then, taking down orders.” He listened as they listed what they wanted, hoping he could keep track. “I'm thinking I'll need one assistant.”

Daniel's hand shot up. “Me!”

He loved that Daniel liked palling around with him. He'd always wanted a son, and since he might never have one, he appreciated any opportunity to pour into a young boy's life.

With two trays piled high with food and drinks—Daniel moving carefully with the lighter one—the guys doled out the goodies.

“Kory, you want to pray?” Janelle asked.

The girls grabbed hands, starting a chain reaction around the table.

Kory bowed his head. “Dear Lord, we thank You for this food and pray it nourishes our bodies. We thank You for this day and for the friendship You've given our families. We pray that it's lasting. In Jesus's name, amen.”