Birdie #3
“Do I have to stay and talk to him?” she asked.
“You don’t have to. I’m not asking you to babysit him. But I’m sure a conversation or two wouldn’t kill you. If you can’t manage that, then maybe having a few more meals made with love might do his soul some good.”
“Alright. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Give me the rest of this week to plan out some menus and I’ll send them over with the pricing. You can ask him if he’s got any restrictions I need to know about when you talk to him, okay?”
“Sure thing. Thanks for doing this for me.”
“Right.”
The silence hung heavy in the air between us.
“I think we probably need to get together and talk everything over. Maybe you could come to Beau’s place after you drop off Lach’s first meals?” I asked.
“Yeah. I think that sounds okay.”
“Good. I’ll text you in a little bit.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, Lainey Belle.”
“I…I love you, too.”
Good. Two phone calls down, one more to make. From the smell of warm smoke blowing around the house, Beau had turned on the grill out back. I was in for a treat, my mouth already salivating at the thought of what he was cooking up.
Lachlan answered after the first ring.
“Did Beau fuck up with you already?”
I laughed. “What a way to answer the phone!”
“Just figured that would be the only reason for this call. Remember that time he scared you out in the field, and you screamed so loud it cleared the trees of all the birds?”
Oh boy, did I. Lach helped me come up with the prank of the summer that year to get back at Beau.
“Of course I do. And I remember how mad he was having to walk home from the springs naked as the day he was born when your dad had all those important investors here.”
Lachlan’s laughter filled the line. “Yeah. God, we’re a good team. I’m assuming that’s why you’re calling? You need me to think of something epic to get back at him for screwing up?”
“Sadly for you, no. Beau has been wonderful. Especially after…”
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to dinner. To see you. To give you a hug. I fucking hate that I can’t help find who it was because I’m stuck…here.”
“Well, that’s actually why I’m calling. There is something you could do to help me.”
“Why do I feel like you’re cooking up a scheme?”
“I’m not cooking anything.”
“Mhm.” I didn’t have to be in the same room as him to know he was shaking his head at me, not believing a word.
“Okay, look. Lainey needs a boost to her new business, and I’ve already given her a little seed money, but I need to get creative.”
“I don’t like where this is going,” he groaned.
“You’re awfully dramatic. I just set you up with a meal plan.”
“I can cook for myself, I’m a big boy. Ma taught me well enough that I can manage.”
“Yeah. Well now, two or three times a week, you won’t have to. She’s gonna drop off some meals for you on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“Drop off means what? I gotta talk to her?”
I almost laughed. Lachlan and Lainey were so damn similar, it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Nope, not if you don’t want to. She’ll just knock and leave them on the porch, then you can get them from there. Although, I don’t think it would hurt to have someone other than your family to talk to. They can certainly be overwhelming.”
“That’s the understatement of the century. You know, if you won me over with this idea, you could probably try Jessie and Hawk.” Lachlan’s laugh made me smile.
“Uh, no thanks. I know Jessie has a hard time with Lainey. Even if she took pity on her being pregnant and trying to start a business, I think it would be a hard sell.”
“Yeah, well, Jess and Hawk are talking like Beckett is eighteen and heading off to college. I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to have another one soon. And if Jess gets pregnant again, she’ll need the help.”
A pang of jealousy hit deep in my stomach. I hated that envy.
“Birdie?”
“I’m still here. Thanks for being open to helping Lainey.”
“Anytime, I guess.” He chuckled. “Before you go, I just wanted to say, I really am happy for you and Beau.”
I couldn’t hold back my smile, even as my voice wobbled. “Thanks, Lach.”
“Oh, Christ. Okay, I’m hanging up before Beau comes over here to kick my ass for making you cry.”
I snorted. “He’s out back grilling, he’ll never know. And even if he catches me crying, I’ll blame it on Lainey.”
“Atta girl. Bring Juniper over soon for a visit? I know we have her party this weekend, but I miss her.”
“You couldn’t keep me away if you tried.”
“Good.”
I smiled, proud of the way I’d turned the morning around. “See you later, Lach.”
“Bye.”
My eyes drifted closed. It was a tough pill to swallow, the realization that my relationship with my mother was gone, but I couldn’t find the energy to be upset about that any more.
Having Juniper in my life showed me instantly what a mother’s love should feel like.
What it should look like. Annie Calloway was never that for me—but Dolly Ford was.
The entire Ford family was my family. And I’d be just as good of an influence to Juniper as Dolly had been for me all these years. That’s what mattered in the end.