Across the Creek (27 page)

Jesse turned his gaze toward Robbie. The happiness on his face said it all. “I don’t think you’ll ever have to worry about that. He’s crazy about you. You just make sure you send me tons of pictures of my niece.”

“You really think it’s a girl?”

Jesse nodded. “Absolutely.”

Aunt Sherry stepped around Felicia and wrapped her arms around Jesse. Her grip squeezed tighter and tighter the longer she held on.

“I’m going to miss you too, Aunt Sherry.”

She let go and stared at him. Tears ran down her cheeks like raindrops. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you here.”

“It’s just New York. I’ll be back more times than you want me to.”

“You better,” she said, squeezing once more. Then she fixed him a stare with makeup-smeared eyes. “You remind me so much of your mother.”

A lump formed at the back of Jesse’s throat. For the past ten years, Aunt Sherry had been his mother in every way.

“My mother would have been proud of what you’ve done for Robbie and me. Thank you.”

“Oh, you are such an angel,” she cried. “You better call me as soon as you get there.”

“I will.”

She gave his cheek a pinch and walked out of the store.

“She’s a wreck because of you,” Robbie said.

Jesse turned to find a very different Robbie than he had ever seen before. “Look at you. Are you sure you’re not the one pregnant?” he teased. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”

“I haven’t ever been this happy. What can I say? I’m in love.”

“Well, it suits you.”

Robbie came in for a hug and whispered, “I’m going to miss you, little brother.”

“Yeah, I’m going to miss you, too.”

Jesse pulled back and looked around at the store. “Are you going to be okay here without me?”

“We’ll be fine. You just worry about your schoolwork and kick some butt in New York.”

“Will do.”

“What’s that wooden thing in your hand?” Robbie asked, pointing to the turtle.

Jesse held it up, trying to think of a way to explain it without giving Robbie too much material to tease him about. “Actually, it’s nothing. Just something that used to mean something to me.” He handed it to Robbie. “Here, give it to your daughter. She’ll like it.”

Robbie scrutinized it. “You really think it’s a girl?”

Jesse nodded. “I don’t know why. I just have a feeling.” He looked around the shop. “And make sure you take Aunt Sherry for lunch on Sundays. She’ll try to tell you that you don’t have to do that, but that’s the day she really misses Uncle August.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.”

Jesse picked up his suitcase and forced a smile, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I’ll see you on Thanksgiving.”

Robbie nodded. “We’ll catch up then,” he said, slapping Jesse on the shoulder.

Jesse walked over to the door and opened it, listening to the bell ring one last time. He turned and waved before getting into the back of a cab. As he drove away he couldn’t help but think about what Sarah’s dad had told him about chasing his dream. He was right.

He sat back and turned his gaze toward the sky. A bright, shining ray broke through a gathering of dark clouds, and he felt his mother’s love once again protecting him. He smiled and ran his finger across the window, tracing the beam of light, and said, “I love you too, Mom.”

Jesse returns in
Beneath the Willow
, coming soon.