The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(37)

“Mine would be too.”

“Mommy!” Seda rolls down her window and waves.

I smile despite my nerves. That girl can quiet every ridiculous thought in my head. I talked to Lauren on FaceTime for over two hours last night while she tried to calm me down through intermittent fits of laughter. I warned her if she didn’t stop laughing at me, I wouldn’t be her maid of honor for her wedding in a few months. She only laughed harder since we both knew it was an empty threat.

Seda unbuckles her seatbelt, launching herself out of the car and into my arms before I can reach her.

“There’s my girl.” I wrap her tight in my arms, inhaling the scent of her kid shampoo.

“Daddy said this is where you grew up. He said you both used to sit on the roof.”

“We did.” I tweak her nose playfully. “But don’t think I’m going to let you sit on it.”

She giggles, spinning in a circle. “Daddy! Show me the roof!”

Caleb comes around the side of the car, tucking his phone in the pocket of his pants. He gives me a small smile, ruffling Seda’s hair. “She wanted to hear all about us when we were teenagers the whole drive,” he explains. “It’s right there, sweetie.” He points out the spot on the roof to her and she smiles.

“That’s so cool. I wish I could do that.”

“And give me a heart attack?” I counter. “I don’t think so.”

Behind me in her chair on the porch my mom laughs. “Payback,” she says loud enough for me to hear.

Caleb scoops Seda into his arms, her eyes round and big as she continues to look around. “Whoa, Mommy! Look! That house has a treehouse!” She points out the structure in Thayer’s backyard. “That’s so cool. Do you think I could play in it?”

Caleb’s eyes meet mine, but he says nothing.

“I’m sure we can ask.” I brush my fingers through her blonde hair.

I’ve waited for this day for a long time, for her to meet Thayer, for him to meet her. I always knew it was inevitable and as much as it terrified me, I looked forward to it too. And now that day has come.

“Do you need to use the potty?” Caleb asks her, setting her back on her feet.

“No, Daddy.” She rolls her eyes with a huff. “I peed before we left and I don’t have to do number two either, so don’t ask.”

My mom cackles. “I hope you two are ready for the teen years with her.”

Caleb salutes her jokingly. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Allison.”

Seda starts up the front porch to my mom, hugging her tightly. “Hi, Grandma. I missed you. Did you make cupcakes?”

We all laugh, because of course Seda has sweets on the brain. “Your mom and I might’ve made some.” She winks at her granddaughter. “Why don’t we go get one?” She starts to get up, struggling a bit. I move to help her, but she waves me off. She heads inside with Seda, Caleb and I watching them go.

“She doesn’t look good,” he says mournfully beside me. “She already looks way worse than when you guys visited.”

“I know.”

He can hear the raw pain in my voice and quickly wraps his arms around me, rubbing his hands up and down my back. “I’m sorry, Salem.” He rests his chin on top of my head. “I wish I could make this better.”

“I have to enjoy what time I have left.” It’s a shitty fact, and the worst part is every day my mom is in more pain. I’m not sure there’s any joy in her final days for her at all.

“I’m going to head over to my parents. I don’t want to be in the way for this.”

“You’re not in the way.” I step back from his embrace. “I’m not going to send you away either. If you want to be here you can stay.”

He shakes his head. Clearing his throat, he says, “I think it’ll be better for me if I’m not.”

“All right.” I won’t push him to do anything he’s not comfortable with. As long as he knows I’m not pushing him away from Seda, that’s all that matters.

“Hey.”

We both turn at the sound of Thayer’s deep voice. He stands at the end of the driveway. His hands are in his pockets, eyes watching us curiously. But he doesn’t look jealous or irritated seeing me standing so close to Caleb.

“She’s inside,” I tell him. “Caleb’s getting ready to leave.”

“I’m glad I caught you then.” He walks closer, stopping in front of my ex-husband.

Caleb gives me a curious look and I shrug, because I truly don’t know what’s going on.

Thayer holds out a hand to Caleb. My ex eyes it warily, like a snake he’s not quite sure is poisonous or not. He looks back at me, gauging my reaction. With a sigh, he takes the offered hand and I think we’re both more than a little shocked when he pulls Caleb into a hug.

“Thank you,” Thayer says, an overwhelming amount of emotion in those two words. “Thank you for taking care of them.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Caleb responds, not in offense but more as a statement—a reminder that he did it for us.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I’m not grateful.”

Caleb nods, clearing his throat. I think he might be a little choked up. “All right … okay … you’re … welcome, I guess.” I press my lips together, so I don’t laugh. It’s kind of cute how flustered he is. “I’m going to head out.”