transplants to Austin. They’d moved when Juliana got a job at the hospital
as a nurse. Together, they had a beautiful boy, Joseph.
Watching Juliana’s eyes light up and her cheeks flush as Adriana
brushed her hand while passing over a bowl of peas made Taylor’s stomach
hurt. She glanced over at her six-year-old daughter, Chloe, and smiled
warmly. Chloe grinned back. She’d recently lost two bottom teeth, but,
added to her big green eyes, the smattering of freckles across her nose, and
her riot of dark hair, the gap was adorable. The wooden table was huge and
oval shaped, and beside her sat Joseph. He was a beautiful boy with dark
hair and soft brown eyes. He was the first friend Chloe made in her new
school.
“It is,” Taylor said, turning back to Juliana. She helped herself to the
mashed potatoes before setting a big scoop on Chloe’s plate and on
Joseph’s. “It was great. I loved the animals.” She set down the bowl and
picked up the peas. Chloe shook her head madly and groaned when Taylor
put a scoop of them on her plate too. “I just didn’t love the small-town
mentality so much. Growing up I didn’t really get it, but after I—well—um
—got older and figured out who I was, things were harder. I still love
visiting my parents though. I miss the farm a lot, even though Austin’s
beautiful.”
Adriana sighed. “I know what you mean. Leaving home is never
easy, even if it’s for love.”
Juliana took Adriana’s hand and held it in her own. She smiled in
understanding at all that Adriana had given up to be there in Texas with her.
“Peas for Joseph too.”
“No, mom!” Joseph protested. He gave Taylor a pleading look, but
she shrugged and added a scoop to his plate as well.
After that, they passed around the chicken. Adriana had taken care
to cut a few of the breasts into smaller pieces for the kids.
Taylor nearly groaned when she took the first bite of the delicious