She leaned back in her seat and watched the rest of the fantastic presentation Liv had edited. Everyone sitting around Taryn had tears in their eyes. But Taryn didn’t feel that sadness. All she felt was hope. And when the audience exploded with applause at the end, she felt…complete. For the first time since she’d started this journey, the ever-present anxiety smoothed out. She’d done it. This was going to work. She didn’t know how she knew, but suddenly, she had no doubt.
She’d kept her promise to her sister and her family.
This program would happen.
A few people came over to talk to her, congratulate her, and offer donations, but when Shaw ushered her toward the exit to give her a break and a chance to eat, two familiar faces were standing at the back of the room.
Taryn’s steps stuttered, and Shaw froze next to her, reacting to her sudden shift in mood. Both her parents had tissues in their fists and wet cheeks. How long had they been there? “My parents,” she whispered.
Shaw tensed. “Oh, I—”
Before he could say more, Taryn felt her feet moving forward, and she dragged Shaw with her until she was standing in front of them. “Mom. Dad,” she said, dumbfounded. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Taryn,” her father said, voice thick. He looked like he’d aged another five years since she’d seen him last.
Taryn smiled tentatively. “Hi, Daddy.”
Shaw was still at her side, his hand on the small of her back. He cleared his throat. “I’ll give y’all a minute.” He turned to Taryn, his eyes saying a lot. “I’ll be outside if you need me.”
But before Shaw could step away, her mother’s hand shot out and landed on his arm. “Stay, young man.”
Shaw glanced at Taryn, and when she gave a little nod, he stayed put.
“What are y’all doing here?” Taryn asked again, overwhelmed by the sight of them.
Her mother, who was wearing a pretty flowered dress but a drawn expression, took a visible breath. “Your father heard that you were giving this presentation, and he thought we should come. For Nia.”
Taryn looked down, the words cutting her hope down. Her mom didn’t want to be here. “Right. For Nia.”
Her mom let out a heavy sigh. “And for you,” she said finally. “Your father is smart. He knew how I would feel if I saw this, saw you, speaking. Singing.”
Taryn’s attention flicked to her mother’s face.
“You did an amazing job,” her father said quietly. “You…you have made us so proud, cher.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “Daddy…”
Her mom’s stern expression finally broke. “Your presentation was amazing. And that song… I didn’t know you could write something so beautiful. It was…just right. I’m so sorry I accused you of not caring about Nia.”
Taryn rolled her lips together, emotions welling up.
“I know how hard you’ve worked for this, how much you’ve given up.” Her mother’s gaze flicked to Shaw briefly. “And maybe that’s why I was so angry that you were risking all of that for a man.”
Taryn laced her fingers with Shaw’s.
“But we miss you, honey,” her mother admitted. “And your father… W
ell, he reminded me that he wasn’t exactly my parents’ favorite choice either.”
“That’s putting it mildly, love,” Taryn’s father said. “They thought I was a goofy coonass from the bayou looking to use your mother for her smarts and her money. Plus, I was about a hundred shades paler than they were hoping.”
Her mother smacked her father’s arm. “Emmett, please. You know it was not about you being white. The accent did scare them, though. I think they pictured me moving to the swamps and raising gators for a living.”
Her father snorted derisively and turned back to Taryn. “The point is, hearing that you were with this young man was difficult, but we both realized that we’re judging someone without knowing him. I wouldn’t want to be compared to my brother. We’re nothing alike.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “And we have raised you to be a strong, intelligent woman. I can’t imagine you’re easily tricked.” He eyed Shaw. “So if this man means something to you, then there must be something to him.”
Joy was swelling in Taryn’s chest.
“And after seeing that video, young man,” her mother said, looking at Shaw, “I think we jumped to conclusions that we shouldn’t have. That was a very brave thing for you to do.”