Page 83 of Love Me Boldly

I didn’t know all the specifics of Trina’s life, but I gathered I knew more than most. Since Trina’s ex-husband was abusive and was also now in prison, we didn’t need a bingo card to determine which of our lives had been harder. We’d both had our own unique challenges. I always figured that was why she’d been so kind to me at first. As if the pain and loneliness in me called to some part of her.

Sometimes I was surprised at how kind and trusting she could still be. Although, she’d grown up with a kind and stable family. When she returned to Deer Creek, she had a loving support system, whereas I was still learning how to trust mine.

Other days, I saw the darkness that still lingered in her eyes and knew every moment for her was a battle.

She made me want to be stronger, be a fighter.

“Drinks?” I asked them all once Trina seated herself, slipped her purse strap off her shoulder, and settled it between her and Ella.

“Shirley Temple!” Junie shouted. “With extra cherries!”

“Junie,” Trina warned, and pressed her finger to her lips.

“Please,” she whisper-shouted.

“I can do that.” Junie was the main reason why I had to double our maraschino cherry order.

“Me, too, please,” Ella said, her voice sweet and serene.

“Lemonade,” Trina requested, “and I think we know what we’d like to eat. You girls decided on the way here, right?”

“Wonderful.”

I scribbled down their orders: a BLT for Ella, chicken nuggets with extra sauce for Junie, and the chicken fried steak special for Trina.

“Be right back with your drinks,” I told them all. “And if I have a free minute, I’ll come join you.”

“Perfect,” Trina said.

She reached across the table to open up the crayon box for Junie as I walked away.

I returned with their drinks, praised the girls’ coloring sheets, and played a quick game of tic-tac-toe before checking the rest of the restaurant. There wasn’t a menu in sight, so I took that as a good sign that all the orders were in. Some of the newer tables were already eating, and after checking with Emma and Annie, who assured me all was good, I went and took a quick break.

“Whew.” I sighed as I plopped down next to Junie. Her little body bounced with the movement, and her coloring went sideways.

“Hey.” She frowned at the smudge.

“Sorry, sweetie.” To make it all better, I kissed her cheek.

“You’re busy tonight,” Trina said.

“I know. It was surprising, and I’m thankful, but trust me, I amwiped.”

“I bet. How was the park?” There was a tone I wasn’t sure I liked in her sweet little voice, but I shook it off.

“It was fine. Normal. Jonah was bummed y’all weren’t there, but since you arenow, any chance he can hang out at your place tomorrow for a couple hours?”

“Why?” She propped her elbows onto the table, lifted one arm, and dropped her chin onto one of her fists. “Need time to spend alone with thefriendyou were sitting with at Britta’s.”

So this was why she was here.

“I should have known. Who told you? Britta?”

Trina laughed, and it sounded like sunshine, light and airy and full of goodness. “Please. If you think Mellie wasn’t spreadingallthe tea to everyone who loves you today, then you’ve forgotten what this town is like.”

Heat burned my neck and rose to my cheeks. When I made the choice to try to knock Graham off his calm, steady demeanor this morning, I hadn’t considered what people would say. “He’s an old friend. That’s it.”

“But he is who you’re seeing tomorrow?”

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