Page 15 of Dear Southern Belle
“He’s as well as he can be.”
“Why are you here with them?”
I sigh, bracing myself for the anger and disappointment she is going to throw my way. “I was with Braden when he got the call.”
She tilts her head in confusion. “But I told you that I didn’t want you to see him.”
“And I’m not a little girl who you can tell who to date and who not to date. What is your problem with him? You don’t even know him and already you are dismissing him.”
“I knew his mother. And let’s just say there is a lot of unresolved issues between us.”
“Like what?”
“There is a history and I don’t wish to discuss it here with you.”
I glance back at Mrs. Holt. She is still watching us, and the sadness in her eyes isn’t only from what is going on with her father.
“If there was ever a time that you should push aside whatever is going on between you, now is it.”
Momma looks like she wants to argue, but she holds back. She knows I’m right. But she is too stubborn to do it on her own, so I take her hand and lead her over to Braden and his parents.
Mrs. Holt stands up when she sees us walking over.
“Regina,” she says, with a tentative smile.
“Delilah.” She clears her throat. “I’m very sorry to hear about your father.”
“Thank you.”
“Do want to go down to the cafeteria and get a cup of coffee? I’m sure you are tired from the flight.”
“That would be nice,” Regina says.
I squeeze Momma’s hand before I let her go. I know that this isn’t my issue to solve but something between her and Mrs. Holt. I feel Braden’s arms reach around me and pull me back against his chest.
“I didn’t know our moms knew one another.”
“It’s a small town. I’m not surprised.”
Mr. Holt stands and mumbles something about finding a restroom, but I know that he’s leaving to give us some privacy. I turn in Braden’s arms and link my fingers behind his neck.
“The past few days have been crazy. Are you doing okay?”
Braden leans down and brushes his lips against mine. “I don’t know if I could have handled all this without you.”
“You would have been fine on your own, but I’m happy I was here for you.”
“I love you,” he says. “In spite of your terrible taste in jelly.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “I love you too. In spite of your unwillingness to try peanut butter and pickle sandwiches.”
Braden chuckles and leans down to kiss me again.
