Page 84 of The Nice Guy
Mom smiles as she looks at the photograph. “She’s so poised for nineteen. Needs a bit more meat on her bones, but I feel that way about most women.”
I laugh and sigh. “You think you can help me?”
“You want my help scrapbookin’?”
Nodding, I give her a pleading smile. “Everyone should know about their family. I can’t imagine never knowin’ Pop Pop or Meemaw. She asked me once if I could tell her what I knew about Jensen and Kathleen, but I didn’t have much to tell her.”
“I can help with more information about them. This is such a thoughtful idea. How are you goin’ to get it to her?”
I point at her and shake my head. “I haven’t gotten that far yet. I might be able to talk to Darla. They’re in business together, and at the very least, I’m sure I could convince Darla to send it to her.”
“I’ll start workin’ on it tonight.”
“I need another favor.”
“You sure are askin’ for a lot, baby boy.”
Rolling my eyes, I hold back my groan. Hardy’s the baby boy, not me. “Do you know who was in charge of the Carmichael estate?”
“Jerry Jenkins, I’m sure. Why?”
“I was thinkin’ I could reach out to him. Maybe convince him to give me the names of people who bought items, and then I can try to get a few back for Brynlee. Give it to her with the scrapbook.”
“He should have an inventory list. Actually, he’ll give you a heck of a time with it, so let me have Pops talk to him. He can get it, and then I’ll help you go through the list. I might be able to help get a few things back.”
Relief fills me, and I stand up to hug her. Holding her tightly, I almost feel like a little boy again. “Thank you, Mom.”
“I just hope it’s not all for nothin’.”
“I need to believe she’ll come back,” I say into her fluffy hair as I fight back the tears. “And when she does, I want to show her that the man she fell for is still here. The man who treated her so terribly and drove her away is long gone. Forever. I hate that man as much as she does, and we’ll never see him again.”
“I’m goin’ to believe with you. I think she belongs with this family.”
Closing my eyes, I just let Mom hold me. Brynlee belongs here, and she belongs with me. If I ever get to see her again, I’m going to make sure she never questions how I feel ever again. I’ll do everything in my power to make her part of this family. Officially.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rhett
My gifts for Brynlee sit in my house and garage, ready to be sent to her, but Darla refuses to give me any information about Brynlee. I’m not entirely certain Darla has much to begin with, but she’s still angry with me regardless.
Carter and I only speak about work, and it kills me because I know the problems in his marriage are back. They had problemsbefore she planned to buy the Golden Comb, and I’m worried this will push them over the edge.
The doorbell rings, and I let hope wash over me as I hurry to see if Brynlee decided to come home. It’s only days away from Christmas, and having her back here would be the only present I want for the rest of my life.
“Hey,” I say, surprised to see Everett on my doorstep.
He hasn’t been to my place since he confessed to sleeping with Honor. The night I stupidly told him I was okay with him dating my ex-girlfriend only to be upset with him for the next two years.
“Can I come inside?”
Moving aside, I nod, and he walks in. “Of course. I’ve been meanin’ to call you.”
We head into the living room where many football games have been watched together with Carter. Something we haven’t done in years. He nods to my beer can tower on the coffee table, and I wish I’d have cleaned up.
“I see you’ve been partakin’ in the same after-work activities as I have.”
“Yeah, it’s the only thing that makes it a little less lonely these days,” I say and sit down on the couch as he takes the recliner. “Look, man, I wanted to apologize—”
