Riverbend Reunion(57)

“Not so good, but give me time to throw on some clothes, and I’ll be ready to go. If you aren’t going to let your mama scare you, then I’m not letting this baby control me.” Haley pushed the covers back and was surprised that the crackers and tea had begun to ease the nausea. “See, it’s mind over matter, and from what I read, this can all possibly end when the second trimester begins, so that’s only a couple more weeks.”

Risa came into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t have sickness with the twins, so I wouldn’t know. I had a couple of sisters-in-law who were pregnant at the same time, but they had boys, and I always blamed it on that. Jessica, Mary Nell, and I talked, and we decided that you shouldn’t be lifting and helping with the construction work. You’ll be helping me out in the kitchen from now on. When I have to be away with the girls’ school stuff, you’ll need to know where things are.”

“Yes, Mama.” Haley managed a weak grin.

Risa air-slapped her on the arm. “I’m only telling you what you already know. You’re the smart one of us, so use that big, beautiful brain of yours to take care of yourself.”

“Look where smart got me.” Haley’s grin turned into a chuckle. “But now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I’m warming up to the idea of having a baby in my life. I’ve always wanted a family, but time kept slipping by, and it seemed like I always wanted more than a guy could give me. This was an accident, but it just could turn out to be a miracle.”

“What do you want from a guy if you ever find one that you’d be willing to spend the rest of your life with?” Risa stood up and took a few steps.

“All the bells and whistles that go past just hot and heavy sex. I want to feel all tingly when he brushes my arm, or when he does something really sweet for me, like brushing my hair or giving me a back rub without expecting sex as a reward afterwards.” Haley stood and went into the tiny half bath off her bedroom. She left the door open a crack so she and Risa could continue to talk.

“Do you really think men like that exist outside of romance books?” Risa asked.

“If they don’t, then let’s talk to Mary Nell and Jessica about making a pact not to settle for anything less than . . .” She couldn’t think of the right word.

“Tingles,” Risa finished for her. “I’m going back for a second cup of coffee. Holler if you need me. The girls and I will be in the kitchen.”

When Haley had taken a quick shower and brushed her teeth, she felt much better. She laid a hand on her flat stomach and then turned to look at her reflection in the long mirror hanging on the back of the door. Her body was about to undergo changes, and life was never going to be the same. Her mother used to tell her that God didn’t do anything by accident. He had a plan in everything He did.

As she stared at her curvy body, she wondered if her biological mother had done the same thing that she was doing that morning—feeling queasy and staring at a flat stomach that was soon to be bulging. Did her mother tell her the same thing about there being no coincidences in life? If so, then did Nadine give thanks to God that He had given her another child to raise, or had she done it out of duty?

You know better than that. Her mother’s voice was so clear that a chill chased down Haley’s backbone. I could not have loved you more if I’d given birth to you myself. I am your mother.

“Yes, ma’am,” Haley said with a nod toward the mirror.



Dark clouds blocked out the sun by the time Risa, Haley, and the girls were headed out of town toward the old church. Risa shivered in spite of the heat that morning. She had hated storms her whole life. It seemed like they always brought more than flashes of lightning, crashing thunder, and hard rain. She could attach a storm to every single bad thing that ever happened to her.

“Looks like rain for sure,” Lily said. “Good thing our jobs are inside, isn’t it?”

Daisy covered a yawn with the back of her hand. “I love rainy days.”

“Why?” Haley asked from the front seat.

“Because Mama would let us make cookies with her since we couldn’t go outside and play. My first memory is when you let me and Lily stand in chairs on the other side of the bar that separated the kitchen and dining room in our trailer and cut out sugar cookies,” Daisy answered. “I always liked to make angels and snowmen.”

“Mine too,” Lily agreed. “I liked to cut out Christmas trees and Santa Claus.”

“Y’all wanted to cut those out and decorate them even in the summertime.” Risa smiled. “I’m glad you have good memories, but I absolutely hate storms.”

“Why?” Haley turned to focus on Risa.

“They remind me of hard times. Thunder was so loud when Paul and I eloped that we could hardly even hear each other’s vows. The sun came out later that day when we were in a cheap motel, and then it stormed again when we went home to get my things and tell Mama I was going to Kentucky,” Risa explained.

“It was storming when Granny Martha told us to pack up our stuff and get out of Kentucky,” Lily remembered.

“But it wasn’t when Granny Stella told us to leave,” Daisy said. “Does that mean she might come around later on down the road?”

Risa made the turn onto the gravel road leading back to the church. “Haley, you are our guru when it comes to psychological things. Does this mean Mama will have a change of heart?”