Chapter 40
Delilah cleared her throat, a hint of awkwardness in her voice. “Oh, it’s nothing much, honey. I was just curious about who you had dinner with tonight. Was it a classmate of yours?”
So that was it.
Mirabella shook her head. “Nope, not a classmate.”
“Boy or girl?” Delilah prodded gently, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Looking straight into her mother’s eyes with disarming clarity, Mirabella responded calmly and patiently. “A guy. He used to be my neighbor. I helped him out a while back, and we bumped into each other today, so he treated me to dinner.”
Meeting her daughter’s honest gaze, Delilah felt a twinge of shame for the unsavory suspicions that had flitted through her mind. She touched the tip of her nose self–consciously, and decided not to pry further, her tone softening as she spoke, 1 see, sweetheart. I’m sorry for being a nag. I just worry about you being out late, you know. It’s not always safe for a young woman.”
Mirabella wasn’t entirely sure what Delilah meant, but she had an inkling and replied obediently, “I understand.”
Hearing the obedient tone, Delilah felt a new wave of guilt and quickly changed the subject. “You must be tired after a long day of classes. Go on up to your room, take a nice shower, and get some rest.”
“Oh, and I warmed up some milk for you. Be sure to take it up and drink it before bed.” Saying this, Delilah hurried into the kitchen, fetched the warm milk from the stove, and handed it to Mirabella.
“Thanks, Mom,” Mirabella said, taking the milk and heading upstairs. Delilah let out a heavy sigh only after her daughter’s silhouette had disappeared at the top of the stairs.
Upon returning to the living room and settling beside her husband, Delilah confessed with guilt, “I’m just not cut out for this mothering thing, am I? How could I doubt my own daughter’s character?”
Shawn patted her hand reassuringly. “I’ve told you before that we need to trust our girl more and not jump to conclusions at the drop of a hat.”
Delilah shot him an irritated glance. “It’s all Emmitt’s fault! He called today, stirring the pot about Mira’s friends. It got me all worked up… Never mind, I’m going to give Emmitt a piece of my mind and ask why he’s being so critical of his sister!*
Seeing his wife fired up. Shawn shook his head in resignation and gently stopped her before she could dial the number. “Emmitt and Mira have had a rocky relationship since they’ve met. Do you really want to make things worse with an accusatory call?”
Delilah paused, reconsidering, and tossed her phone aside, her frustration evident. “This is a tough nut to crack.”
“I don’t think it’s that serious. Mira’s only been back a few days. They need time to get to know each other. Let’s just take it slow,” Shawn offered, the voice of reason contrasting Delilah’s anxious musings.
Delilah sighed deeply and slumped back on the couch. After a moment of silence, she perked up again, “I almost forgot! Summer gets along well with Emmitt. Maybe she can help bridge the gap between them.”
Shawn glanced at her skeptically. “Aren’t you forgetting that Summer is the very reason Emmitt and Mira had that misunderstanding in the first place?”
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten.” Delilah shot back, “but Summer’s got a sweet disposition, and she’s studying at Parkside High, too. If she spends more time with Mira, wouldn’t that naturally smooth things over?”
As a seasoned mother, Delilah felt her heart was in a constant state of worry.”
