The smell of honeysuckle wafted through the open truck windows as I navigated my old truck through downtown Kissler. After passing Dairy Queen, I turned right at the only stoplight in town. A hundred yards later, we’d reached our destination.

I pulled into the driveway of a yellow, two-story house on Magnolia Street. “Ga-Ma!” Lucca shouted at the top of his lungs, recognizing the house immediately. “Ga-Ma houseeeee!”

I giggled at his antics. “That’s right, little man,” I said as I unbuckled him from his car seat. “We’re at Grandmama’s house. It’s Friday so that means it’s family supper night.” 

Grandmama, also known as Doris Davis, was Maddie’s eccentric, loud-mouthed grandmother. She was seventy years old but had the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old boy. It was frightening yet fascinating. She was honestly one of the most hilarious people I’d ever met. She may have been crazier than a loon, but she was kind—something that humankind was running low on these days.

She’d also sort of adopted Lucca and me.

Far as she was concerned, I was her granddaughter and Lucca was her great-grandson. She’d latched on to both of us the moment she met us and hadn’t let go since.

Lucca continued to hoot and holler as we climbed out of the truck together. I stood him on the ground and watched with a giant grin on my face as he took off toward the house at full speed. “Be careful climbing those steps, Lucca!” He ignored me as he toddled along, hell-bent on getting to the front door in record time. 

Once he was safely on the porch, I grabbed my purse from the truck and shut the door. Then I raced across the lawn, up the steps, and across the porch before coming to a standstill behind him.

Hands balled into tiny fists; he banged on the door. “Ga-ma! Open!”

Two seconds later, the door swung open, and there stood Grandmama wearing a flamingo-pink dress, white slippers, nude-pink lipstick, and black-framed granny glasses. “There’s my baby!” She lifted Lucca off the ground and hugged him against her chest. “I missed you so much, you little stinker.”

When she pressed a kiss to his cheek, Lucca half screamed, half laughed before pulling back. “Down, Ga-ma, down!”

With a shake of her head, she stood him on the ground. “Go on in the house, stinker. Hendrix and Maddie are both waiting for you.” She paused for a moment. “Me and your Mama need to have a little talk.”

Oh, crap. What the hell did I do now?

Lucca didn’t even give me a fleeting glance before he took off inside. “Hennnnnnny!” He shouted Hendrix’s name as he barreled through the foyer before disappearing into the living room.

I scoffed. “Thanks a lot for deserting me, little man!” I looked at Grandmama who was staring at me with raised brows. “Just leave me to the wolves, why don’t you?”

I was only kidding.

Well, sort of.

“Soooo…” Grandmama wasted no time in beginning her interrogation. “I heard you had a rough day yesterday.”

What? I didn't know what she was talking about. I didn’t have a bad day. I had a rough morning but—

Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “Damn it, Maddie.”

She must’ve told Grandmama all about the bad dreams I’d had. I loved Maddie to death, but she needed to learn when to keep her mouth shut. 

“Don’t you get mad at, Maddie,” Grandmama hissed, stepping closer. “She’s worried about your stubborn self, and, truth be told, so am I.”

Opening my eyes, I swallowed around the lump that had formed at the base of my throat. “I’m fine, Grandmama.” I forced a smile. “No need to worry about lil’ ol’ me.”

Lips thinned into a straight line; she looked me in the eyes before continuing. “I don’t agree.” Feeling my skin heat, I took a step back. Grandmama, however, wouldn't allow me to retreat. Her stubborn butt took another step forward, once again closing the gap between us. “But I also know you’re not ready to talk about it, and I won't force you to.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she looked at me with steely determination. “Not yet anyway.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Grandmama…” My voice trailed off for a second. “You don’t understand.”

At my words, her eyes softened and her lips curved into a smile. “Sure I do, sweetheart.” Raising a hand, she ran the tips of her finger down the side of my face. For just a second, I leaned into her touch and took the comfort she was offering. “That bone didn’t heal right, Shelby.”

I didn’t need to ask what bone she was referring to because I already knew.

That bone was a physical manifestation of the trauma from my past.

It was crazy because, no matter how hard I tried to hide it, Grandmama still saw everything. Though she didn’t know the details, she knew something terrible had happened, and she could tell how much it still affected me.

Pushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear, she continued to smile softly. “But when you’re ready, we’ll re-break it so that it can heal right.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I merely nodded like a mute.

Grandmama, however, had plenty to say. “It doesn’t matter what you’ve been through, Shelby, we can and will get past it. Trust me when I say that there isn’t a single person in this family that hasn’t seen their fair share of troubles.” She took a step back, giving me room to breathe. “Don’t care how ugly it is, don’t care how complicated it is. We’ll get you through it.” Her smile grew. “Besides, you’re my granddaughter. That means you’ve got a heart made of steel and a soul full of fire.” Her entire face lit up when the last word left her mouth. “And, apparently, you inherited my dazzling personality too.”

Her words were meant to comfort me, but they only caused my chest to ache with emptiness. “I wish I really was your granddaughter. Maybe then I would’ve inherited some more of your awesome traits.”

I was trying to be funny but failed miserably. Nothing made that clearer than seeing Grandmama’s face drop and her features harden. 

Shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

In one swift move, her hands flew to her waist. 

Lord have mercy, she’s such a loose cannon when worked up!

“The hell you ain’t!” She hollered loud enough for the people on the other side of town to hear. “You may not have my blood running through your veins, but I claimed you, and that means you’re mine.” She leaned closer and narrowed her eyes. “So suck it, buttercup, because you’re stuck with my crazy old self.”

At that, I laughed. Hard.

“I can’t believe you,” I choked out between bouts of laughter, “you’re completely nuts!”

Still smiling, Grandmama shrugged. “It’s the truth.” Her gaze moved over my shoulder, and her smile suddenly dropped. Placing a hand on my upper arm, she gently pushed me to the side. “Move outta the way, Shelby, I’m about to shove my foot up somebody’s rear end.”

I stepped to the side, moving further out of her way.

She moved to where I’d been standing, placed one hand on the porch railing and raised the other in the air. “Damn it, Keith!” she screamed while shaking her fist like a wild woman. “I said thirty minutes!” She shook her head in agitation. “I know you can tell time, son because I’m the one that taught you how!”

Dropping her hand, she blew out an angry breath. “Damn idiot,” she muttered. “The man would be late to his own frigging funeral.”

Keith was Maddie’s father and Grandmama’s son. He still lived with Grandmama and had since his wife, Melody, died within hours of Maddie being born.

Rolling his eyes, Keith moved onto the porch. “I know this might surprise you, Mama, but I have this thing called a job. I can’t just leave because you want me home in time for supper.” He looked at me and smiled. “Hey, Miss Shelby. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing just fine.” 

Grandmama waved a dismissive hand in Keith’s direction. “Ah, whatever.” She glanced back at me. “Come help me get supper on the table. Maddie’s on the couch with her feet propped up and you know Hendrix ain’t gonna let her out of his sight. The boy is pretty much useless these days.”

She shook her head in mock disappointment, but I didn’t miss the smile she tried to hide. Whether or not she’d admit it, Grandmama loved that Hendrix hovered over Maddie. Seriously, ever since she’d gotten pregnant again, Hendrix had turned into the perfect example of a mother hen. Not that I blamed him. After what happened with their first baby—

Don’t go there, I told myself, cutting off my thoughts. Not today.

Moving to the front door, Keith pulled it open. “Ladies first.”

Following behind Grandmama, I moved into the house. The smell of chicken fried steak greeted my nose making my stomach growl. Until that moment, I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

“Lord, that smells good.”

Grandmama glanced over her shoulder. “Course it does. I cooked it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Such a smartass.”

“Oh lookie, it’s my blondie!” Maddie shouted from her place on the sofa as we passed by the living room.

I stopped and playfully stuck out my tongue at her. “Missed you at work today, cupcake. It’s not the same without you around.”

She smiled, and her entire face lit up. “That’s because I’m awesome.” She elbowed Hendrix, who held Lucca on his lap. “Right, handsome?”

Leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “That’s right, baby.”

Sticking a finger halfway in my mouth, I gagged. “You two are disgusting.”

Hendrix smirked, and Maddie scrunched up her nose. “You’re just jealous.”

Maybe. Though I’d never admit that to myself, much less anyone else.

“Not a chance in Hades, sweet pea.”

My eyes moved to meet my son’s. The warm smile he was throwing my way made my heart melt. “You be good, little man. Mama is going to help Grandmama get supper ready.” He giggled, and I blew a kiss in his direction. “Love you, sweet boy.”

Tapping his hand to his lips once, he shouted back, “Uve you, Ma-ma.”

I glanced at Hendrix one last time. “Please take care of him.”

His face was soft as he replied, “Always.” 

Hendrix and I bickered nonstop, but there wasn’t a person on earth that I trusted my son with more than him. He’d die before he let something happen to Lucca.

With a final wave, I moved into the kitchen where Grandmama was stirring something on the stove. “Can you set the table, sweetheart?”

Nodding, I moved to the cabinet and opened the door. “How many people are coming?”

Tongue peeking out of the corner of her mouth, she furrowed her brows in concentration. “Well, there’s me, you, Lucca.” She paused for a second. “Then there’s Keith, Maddie, and Hendrix. Plus, Evan, Hope, and—” The sound of approaching footsteps made her pause again. Looking over my shoulder, my eyes met Pop’s. “And James since he decided to show up.”

Pop, or James as Grandmama and Keith called him, was Hendrix’s father.

He was a complicated man and, hard as I tried, I couldn’t quite figure him out. He was a recovering alcoholic, and he’d been a bad—more like horrible—father to Hendrix until he got sober seven years ago. And when I say horrible, I mean he was abusive, both mentally and physically.

But he’d changed since he quit drinking. Though everyone was still wary of him, they had slowly begun to forgive him for everything he’d done. 

I, however, wasn’t so quick to forgive him like the others had.

Considering my past and the hell I’d endured, I had a real hard time separating the monster he’d once been from the upstanding man he was now trying to be. Because of that, I kept my distance and tried not to over-think it.

Unlike Hendrix, he wasn’t my father, and I wasn’t his victim.

Therefore, I didn’t need to worry about things like redemption and forgiveness.

Leaning against the kitchen doorframe, Pop crossed his arms over his barrel-sized chest and stared at me. “How are you doing, Shelby?” 

The way he looked at me made me uncomfortable. It was almost as if he was trying to see past the wall I’d constructed around myself to keep others out. Call me crazy, but it felt like he was trying to see my soul.

It was a tad unsettling.

I swallowed and forced a smile as I grabbed a handful of plates from the cabinet. “I’m doing just fine, Pop. How are you?”

“As good as can be.” He moved further into the kitchen, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. “How’s your truck running? Hendrix said he changed the alternator for you last weekend. Is it giving you any more problems?”

Setting her spoon down, Grandmama turned around and glanced from me to Pop. She looked as confused as I felt. “You gonna fix it for her if it isn’t?” she asked, propping a hand on her hip.

Pop’s eyes never left mine as he answered. “Yes.” Sliding his hands into his pockets, he chewed on the inside of his cheek. “I’ll do anything she needs me to.”

What. The. Hell?

Where did that come from? I didn’t understand—

Wait.

I suddenly remembered Maddie mentioning something about Pop trying to atone for his past sins by helping people out in the present. I guess that included me now.

Well, alrighty then.

Not missing a beat, Grandmama spun back around, picked up the pot of gravy from the stove and poured it into a blue and white hand painted gravy boat. “Her brakes need to be changed. I heard them squeaking when she pulled into the driveway.”

Pop nodded. “I’ll get it done this weekend.”

“Um…” For the first time in my life, words failed me. I wasn’t sure what to say.

Grandmama looked over at me. “Are you gonna set the table, blondie, or are we gonna spend the night eating with our fingers like animals?” 

She smirked before carrying a plate of food over to the table.

I narrowed my eyes in return. “I guess I’m setting the dang table. Lord knows we wouldn’t want you to throw one of your famous hissy fits.”

Grandmama wasn’t the only one who could be sassy.

At that, she winked. “Good idea.”

Grabbing a stack of plates and a handful of silverware, I walked to the table. Since Grandmama didn’t finish telling me how many people were coming, I set the entire table, all twelve place settings.

“James, grab the tea and lemonade out of the fridge,” Grandmama instructed Pop before hollering out to everyone else, “supper is ready, y’all!”

At Grandmama’s shout, Lucca toddled into the kitchen, babbling away, and headed straight for the high chair at the end of the table. Hendrix followed him in, carrying Maddie bridal style in his arms. “Good job, behemoth. It’s about time you came in handy.” I stuck my tongue out at Maddie, and she snorted in return.

Hendrix, however, wouldn't let me get away with being a smartass. “You know what’s funny, Shelby?” I raised my brows and waited for him to continue. “Not you, so shut up, loud mouth.”

This asshole!

“You know what, Hendrix Cole—”

Hope and Evan walked into the kitchen, interrupting the tirade I was about to go on. “Hey, my little muffin!” I threw my arms around Hope’s shoulders and squeezed her against me. Hope worked at the shelter alongside Maddie and me. Like me, she was a victim’s advocate. She was also one of the few friends I had. “It’s only been an hour since I last saw you, but I’ve missed you like cereal misses milk.”

Hope giggled, and Evan snorted.

I dropped my arms to my side. “What is with y’all snorting so much?” I looked from Evan to Maddie. “Y’all been hanging out with hogs or something?”

Grandmama clapped her hands together. “Time to eat.”

I moved around to the opposite side of the table and sat down next to Lucca’s high chair. Hendrix and Maddie sat across from me; Evan and Hope sat next to them. Pop sat next to me and Grandmama and Keith, who I didn’t even see come into the room, sat on the other side of him.

“Keith, you gonna say the blessing?”

Nodding once, Keith bowed his head. Everyone else followed suit.

“Lord, thank you for the food before us, the family and friends beside us, and the love between us. Amen.”

A chorus of Amens sounded from around the table.

“All right, everybody”—Grandmama filled her cup with sweet tea—“dive in.”

And dive in we did.

A few minutes later, everybody’s plates were filled to max capacity, and they were all yapping away. I was cutting up Lucca’s food, minding my business, when Hendrix, the troublemaker, decided to start his shit.

“Hey, Grandmama, ask Shelby about her admirer.” He chuckled to himself. “We ran into him at the diner yesterday. The way the dude was looking at her I half expected him to toss her over his shoulder and walk out.” He took a bite of his food. “Too bad he didn’t do it. Would’ve given me a few days of peace and quiet.”

I am so going to kill him!

Grandmama’s head turned, and her eyes met mine. Lifting her hands in front of her, she clapped with glee. I could see her matchmaking wheels spinning.

Great. Here we go.

“Oh, really.” A sly smile spread across her face. “And who might this young man be?”

I felt my face heat. I’d tried my best not to think about my last two encounters with Anthony, but his face had invaded my every thought for the past two days.

It was annoying!

“Nobody,” I said with a shrug, trying my best to appear nonchalant. “Just some guy.”

“Just some guy, huh? Is that why you were staring at him like he was a T-bone steak and you hadn’t eaten in two weeks?”

I dropped my knife to my plate and looked over at Maddie. Pointing at Hendrix, I hissed, “You better put a muzzle on him before I choke him to death.”

Grandmama waved her fork in the air. “Calm down, children. Y’all know better than to threaten each other with violence while we’re eating supper. If you’re gonna kill each other make sure you do it outside after we’re done with our meal.”

Pop looked down at me. “Who was the guy?”

Great, now he was starting in on me too. “His name is Anthony. He’s a cop. End of story.”

“End of story?” His face twisted in confusion.

I shrugged. “He’s a nice guy, and he helped me out with something. It’s not a big deal.”

“Helped you out with what?” Keith asked. “We’re gonna need details, babydoll.”

Pop ignored Keith as he continued to grill me. “What kind of cop? Which station does he work for? What’s his full name?”

Why in the world does he care so much?

“He’s a homicide detective.” I stabbed a green bean with my fork. “His full name is Anthony Moretti, and he works for Toluca PD. Happy now?”

Pop said nothing else.

Grandmama spoke up next. “Was he handsome?”

Maddie cut her eyes at Hendrix before nodding. “Looked like he stepped right off the cover of a magazine.”

Grandmama’s eyes narrowed at me. “So why in the hell didn’t you talk to him?” She took a sip of tea. “There aren’t many men around here that could pass for models. You better snatch that one up while you can.”

“I’ll have you know I’m as good looking as any damn model,” Keith interjected.

Grandmama pointed a fork in his direction. “Yeah, but you’re old enough to be Shelby’s daddy. You don’t count.”

Pop bristled beside me.

Hope, who’d remained silent up to that point, chose that moment to jump in. “Too bad you didn’t get his number. I think going out on a date would be good for you. It would get you out of the house and—”

I’d had enough.

I dropped my knife for the second time and let it clatter to my plate. Everyone’s eyes turned to me, and I tossed my napkin down on the table. “I appreciate what everybody is trying to do here, but let me make this real clear to all of you. I do not want to date anybody.” Maddie opened her mouth to speak, but I held up a finger, cutting her off. “The only man I need”—I pointed at Lucca—“is this little one right here.”

“Shelby”—Hope’s voice was soft and full of concern—“please don’t get upset.”

For her, I tried to remain calm. “I’m not upset. I just want everyone to understand what I’m saying. I do not want a boyfriend. I do not want a husband.” I visibly swallowed. “The only thing I want is to give my son a good life, a stable life, a life full of love.”

Something I never had growing up.

Lifting my hand, I ran my fingers through Lucca’s curly hair as he chomped on a mouthful of mashed potatoes covered in gravy. “Because he is all that matters.”

Silence reigned for a few moments until Grandmama spoke up again. “We’re gonna break that bone, baby.” At her words, my eyes slid closed. “Gonna snap it right in half.”

My head dipped forward, and my belly dropped.

Messed up as it sounds, I wasn’t sure I wanted to break that bone. It had taken me a long time to get where I was. Even if I still had issues, I’d come a long way. I wasn’t sure I’d survive revisiting the hell I’d barely escaped from.

You relive it every day already, Shelby. Time to take your life back.

Pop reached over and encircled my hand with his, surprising me. I lifted my head, and his eyes met mine. “It’ll be okay,” he whispered so low only I could hear him.

Not knowing what to say, I merely nodded in return.

Then, like the saving grace he is, Lucca screamed, breaking the tension surrounding the table. “Ga-ma!”

Grandmama leaned forward so she could see him better. “What is it, stinker?”

Lucca threw his arms up in the air. “Pie!” He was yelling so loud my ears rang. I wasn’t complaining, though, because I loved every second of it. “U-ka eat pie!”

I lightly bopped him on the end of his nose, drawing his attention. “Eat your supper first. Then you can have pie.”

He pinched his face up in frustration. “No, no, no!” He shook his head back and forth before looking back to Grandmama. “Ga-ma!”

She was already up and out of her seat before the last syllable left Lucca’s mouth.

Keith scoffed. “Mama, the boy’s got to eat his supper before he gets dessert.”

Grandmama smacked him upside the back of the head. “He’s my grandson, and I say when he gets pie.” She looked over at me. “Besides, it’s got peaches in it. Therefore, I’m deeming it healthy.”

I didn’t bother to argue with her.

What was the point? She’d get her way in the end.

Stubborn old bat. 

Less than a minute later, Grandmama sat a small piece of pie down in front of Lucca. Leaning down to kiss his head, she whispered, “Eat, baby.” When she looked up again, she nodded her head at my plate. “You eat too, blondie. I don’t want you going hungry.”

I didn’t argue as I dug back in. 

Down the table, Keith nodded at Hendrix. “You watch the Clemson game last week?” A mischievous smile spread across his face. “How about them Tigers?”

Hendrix tossed his napkin down on the table and pointed a finger in Keith’s direction. “Listen, you dumb son of a b—" He stopped before letting the curse slip from his mouth and glanced over at Lucca who was busy ignoring all of us as he stuffed peach pie into his mouth. “Don’t run your mouth to me. You know good, and damn well the refs gave the game away. The deck was stacked against Georgia from the beginning.”

And just like that, the attention around the table shifted from me and my non-existent love life to the two idiots ready to come to blows over a college football game. While I was happy not to have all eyes on me anymore, I couldn’t help but jump in and stir the pot.

“Both Clemson and Georgia suck.” The room fell silent, and I popped a piece of chicken fried steak in my mouth. “Only team worth mentioning is Bama. I mean, come on y’all, how many championship trophies do Clemson and Georgia have?” Silence ensued. “That’s what I thought.” Wearing a shit-eating grin on my face, I raised my hand in the air and hollered, “Roll Tide Roll.”

At my outburst, Keith looked ready to murder me with his bare hands, but he kept his mouth shut. 

Hendrix, however, had plenty to say as he glared at me through slitted eyes. “Somebody open the front door because I’m about to toss her bony ass out on the front lawn.”

Bony? Had he not seen the size of my ass lately? It was pretty hard to miss!

Evan chose that moment to speak up for the first time since we all sat down to eat. “Shit, I’ll help! Fucking Alabama. I can’t believe she just said that.”

Unable to contain it anymore, I dipped my head forward and laughed. 

It was one of the best family suppers I’d ever taken part in.