ChapterTwenty-Nine
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Amariah
After Aaron left yesterday, Jacob and I spent the next hour finalizing everything so that we could bring Daddy home.
We left my mama at the hospital to receive the final instructions while we went to pick up everything Daddy would need at home, including his medical supplies.
The techs came by to ensure everything was properly set up, and Jacob and I decided that the guest bedroom was a better fit because of the space and ease of maneuvering, so we prepared that room for his return.
We were exhausted, but I’d do it all over again for my parents, and I knew Jacob felt the same.
He didn’t notice, but there were moments I would steal just watching him take charge to help me out—not just regarding Daddy’s health, but also his business.
The hardware store had been the furthest thing from my mind, but not for Jacob.
I watched as he contacted Koby to give him the security codes to open the store and listened as he ran through the store opening and ensured that he would be okay to run it by himself.
Koby called only twice, but each time, Jacob never got upset.
He was patient and explained whatever Koby needed to know.
I had to admit that Jacob was right to hire Koby.
In the same way, Koby needed the job, we needed the additional hands, and it wasn’t fair to constantly place all the work on Jacob’s shoulders.
I hated that Koby had to crash course in running the store by himself, but thank God he had experience working in retail.
I was so impressed by Koby that I was going to offer him the chance to stay on as an assistant manager if he liked.
Even if he found another job, which I did not doubt that he would, I’d still love it if he could stay on at least part-time to assist Jacob.
Of course, I had no idea how I’d tackle the extra expense, but Christmas miracles were happening each day here in Skye Ridge this season, so perhaps Santa had a little extra magic up his sleeve for us.
Even though Jacob had stated that he’d pay Koby out of his pocket, there was no way I’d allow it.
That wasn’t his responsibility. It was ours—the Lukes.
Daddy would never. So, my plan, once Daddy was settled, was to sit down and go over the financials so I could make it work.
On our way back to the hospital to bring Daddy home, I questioned why Jacob hadn’t asked what happened with Aaron, and he said he didn’t need to question anything when he already knew the answer and the outcome.
Be still my heart. Though we still hadn’t had time to discuss our next phase, Jacob was making it abundantly clear where he stood, and that was beside me.
It was further emphasized when he slipped his hand into mine, interlocking our fingers, and brought my hand to his lips, kissing it.
That man stopped at the stop sign, looked me dead in the eyes, and told me that the fact that I was still in Skye Ridge riding shotgun by his side, tending to my family, and not worried about anyone or anything in D.C.
let him know where my mind and my heart were.
All I could do was slowly nod in agreement because Jacob had spoken, and there was nothing left for me to say to that.
Aaron Baker was officially a non-factor for both of us.
Getting Daddy and Mama set up in the guest room wasn’t a feat, but it was more about making sure they both were comfortable in the new space.
Mama opted to sleep in the oversized recliner next to the bed, so Daddy wouldn’t feel overcrowded, especially with all the medical equipment that had been set up.
The entire time, Jacob had truly been a godsend.
He opted to run to the store for last-minute items, grabbing more groceries for Daddy and picking up food from Sister Johnson’s for Mama and me.
It was ten o’clock last night before he left, and still, he wasn’t headed home.
He went straight across the street to check on his mama and give her the update on Daddy, and then headed to Luke’s Hardware to make sure the store was tidy, ready for business on Monday, and properly locked up.
I honestly don’t know what I would have done without him.
That thought dawdled on my mind and carried me through a semi-restful slumber.
By morning, our home felt wrapped in an invisible hush.
The lights glowed dimly in the living room, still on from the night since I’d forgotten to turn them off.
They cast soft, blinking reflections on the hardwood floors, which cast a warm, flickering glow I’d loved as a child when I ran to the living room on Christmas morning to find out what surprises Santa had left under the tree.
The feeling soothed me so much that I left them on as I made breakfast for my parents.
Mama had risen to go to their bedroom, where she could shower and dress for the day before she ate.
I carried a tray with Daddy’s breakfast, which included Cream of Wheat, applesauce, and his morning meds, into the guest room. He was propped up against pillows, oxygen tubes looped gently over his ears. His chest rose and fell slowly, but his eyes opened when he heard me.
“Morning, Maribug.” His voice was gravelly but warm.
The nickname he’d given me as a baby tickled me, particularly because I hadn’t heard him call me that in so long, and I missed it. It was his version of ladybug.
“Morning, Daddy.”
I set the tray on the nightstand and helped him adjust the pillows. He gave me a half smile. Even though it wasn’t as bright as it used to be, it was still filled with the same loving spirit that he reserved for his one and only baby girl. His Maribug.
“You didn’t sleep much,” he observed.
“Neither did you,” I countered.
“Old men don’t need much sleep,” he said. “Young women with whole lives ahead of them do.”
I brushed my fingers over his hand, ignoring the sting behind my eyes. “And I will. Right now, my concern is for you.”
“And I’m grateful.” He squeezed my hand. “More than you know.”
Once he was straightened up, I placed the tray on the rolling cart and positioned it in front of him.
He was in no rush to eat. Instead, he observed me for a long moment as if he were seeing through the facade I’d tried to keep in place.
Daddy never needed me to speak aloud to know my spirit was loud enough.
Regardless of my role as his caretaker, he was still taking care of my heart as my father.
Sickness or not, that role would never change, and I never wanted it to.
“You being home…” he began, pausing to take a slow breath, “has meant more than I can say. I know your life is in D.C., but having you back under this roof, even just for the holidays… it feels good.”
His voice cracked on the last word, and I felt something inside me fold inward.
“It’s meant a lot to me, too,” I whispered. “Even with everything going on.”
He gave a small nod, his eyes softening. “I’m proud of you, Amariah—the woman you’ve become. The way you carry yourself, the way you fought for your dreams… Your mama and I talk about it all the time.”
I exhaled slowly. I knew my parents were proud of me, but hearing him say it filled me with indescribable joy. “Thank you, Daddy.”
He reached for his water, and I helped him lift it to his lips. After a sip, he looked at me with that same knowing expression.
“So,” he said casually, like he hadn’t been waiting to ask, “how are things going between you and my guy?”
I blinked. “Who? Jacob?”
Daddy smirked. “Well, I certainly ain’t talking about that other fella that came trotting down here. Aaron, was it?” My eyes widened in surprise, and he patted the top of my hand. “Your mother told me. You know she tells me everything.”
Snitch. Apparently, privacy was optional, and everybody opted out. At least Daddy wasn’t concerned with Aaron, but Jacob was a different subject. Since we hadn’t officially solidified anything, I tried to be nonchalant and failed. “We…talked.”
Daddy’s brow lifted. “Talked?”
I leaned back, grinning. “Look at you being nosey.” I sat down in the recliner beside the bed and crossed my legs.
“Okay, since you must know, we apologized. Both of us. There were…misunderstandings between us. Things I had been holding back from him. Things he reacted too strongly about. We cleared the air.”
“And?”
“Persistent much?” I teased, and this time he grinned.
He’d never been interested in any boy or man.
In his eyes, no one was good enough for his baby girl; therefore, there was no need.
But obviously, Jacob was a different story.
I shrugged, looking down at my hands. “And…we haven’t decided what it means.
We’re not suddenly a couple or anything.
We’re just…better. Better than we were. Definitely friends again. ”
Daddy’s smile was gentle. “Well, all I’m gonna say is Jacob Gold is a good man.”
His words heated my cheeks and caused my insides to tingle. “I know.”
“You two always had a way ’bout you, even when you were kids. You saw each other.”
I cupped my face, trying hard not to shield the feelings bubbling up inside. I swallowed hard. “Daddy…”
He cut me off with a slight shake of his head. “I’m not meddling. I’m not nudging. I’m not trying to set you up with anybody. But I am telling you the truth as I see it. Life’s too short to pretend you don’t know what your own heart is saying.”
The sincerity of his words made my chest swell with emotion. A tear slipped before I could stop it. He reached up and brushed it with his thumb.
“Follow your heart, Maribug,” he said softly. “It’ll lead you where you need to be. Whether that’s back to D.C., or here, or with Jacob, or without him…trust your heart. I stand behind your decisions, and I love you.”
My throat tightened. “I love you, too, Daddy.”