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As she snuggled into bed again, Devyn tucked herself behindElizabeth and held her close. Scout, at the end of the bed, grumbled at thedisruption. “Want to see a movie this week?” she whispered. “I can’t tomorrowbecause of my mom coming by, but maybe the day after? If Jill is okay?”

Devyn kissed her cheek. “I’d love to see a movie with you.”

Chapter Eighteen

The doorbell chimed at 7:36 in the evening after Elizabeth hadknocked off work for the day and straightened her house. You know, just incase. She’d stolen glances at the clock every few minutes, in spite of how muchshe hated herself for doing it. Her mother mentioned that she’d be by “aftersuppertime” which, quite honestly, could mean a lot of things. The most likelyscenario would have been her not showing up at all, but that apparently wasn’tthe case. Hence the knock that had her heart hammering. Why did she care atall? That part irked her.

Elizabeth walked to her front door and smoothed her jeans andblouse. Yes, she’d put on an actual ribbed pullover that she felt made her looka little more put together than a T-shirt. You know, just in case therewascompany.

Her mother smiled brightly as she opened the door. “Hey, there,Lizzie.” She’d always been a little heavy on the energy and exuberance, whichwas probably overcompensation on her part for all the years she’d been absent.Her red hair had been curled and styled and she wore a mauve lipstick thatmatched her shirt. Randomly, she wore heels in the middle of the evening, butthen she was always out to impress whoever she could.

“Hi, Mom.” She stepped back. “Come on in.”

“Sorry we missed you at dinner, but I think you’re really gonnalike how this batch of casserole came out. I added the extra cheese you used tolove.”

Elizabeth didn’t remember ever asking for extra cheese, but it seemedlike something she might do. She accepted the covered dish and placed it on thecounter of her kitchen.

“Really nice of you to drive it over here.”

“Anytime, sweetie.” She took in Elizabeth’s living room. “Would youlook at this sweet place? I love what you’ve done with your home. The lavenderaccents really make the room so cheerful. I’d love it if I lived here.”

“Thanks.” She slid her hands into her pockets, not really surewhat else to say. They’d now done the casserole drop-off. Checkmark. Weren’tthey done now? There didn’t seem to be a guide for dealing with family memberswho’d abandoned you and then popped back up for niceties and gifts ofcasserole.

They stared at each other. Then did that some more.

What was probably three seconds in reality felt like twenty, untilfinally Scout rounded the corner from the bedroom and perked up at the sight ofa new human, her tail picking up speed as she lowered her head in submissivehello.

“Would you look at that.” Her mother turned to her. “You gotyourself a furball. C’mon over here, sweet baby.”

“This is Scout,” she said as her mother knelt, allowing her faceto be licked like crazy. It was kinda nice to see someone appreciate her dog. Alot of people didn’t enjoy dogs kissing them on the face the way Elizabeth did.Who knew her own mother wasn’t one of them? A nice surprise.

“Hey. I heard you and that friend of yours from last night areheating things up.”

“Mom.” Estranged or not, it was weird to hear your mother sayheating things up.“We’re just spending time together.”

She gave Scout a final scratch behind both her ears and stood,pushing off the ground like it wasn’t as easy as it used to be. “Well, sheseemed nice, and don’t get me going on how pretty that face is. Wow. She shouldmodel.”

“She’s beautiful. We can agree on that. The whole world does.”

Her mother dipped her head. “But she lives someplace else?”

Elizabeth nodded and leaned against the kitchen counter. Talkingabout Devyn seemed to ease some of the tension. She tried to not smile overtlyat the thought of her. “Philadelphia. She’s just here for a short time to helpher sister get better after her car accident.”

“Look at you, all pink cheeks and sassy eyes.”

“Sassy eyes? I don’t know what that even—”

“Excited for life. Full of zest. This woman’s got a hold of you, Ican see it a mile away. We may not be close, but I’m your mama and I knowthings.”

“Oh. Well. Maybe.”

“Makes my heart swell.”

Elizabeth smiled shyly at the countertop. “Mine, too, if I’m beinghonest. She’s pretty great. She didn’t used to be, but people change.” Talkingabout Devyn seemed to have broken the tension.

Her mother paused as if she were making a decision. “Honeypot, Iknow our relationship hasn’t always been easy-breezy, and I take fullresponsibility for that. I was mixed up when I was younger, and selfish.”

“I know,” Elizabeth said. They could agree on that part.