The door to the private family hospital room opens, and Luke’s mother walks in to meet her first grandchild. When I catch her eye, her delighted smile fades. She wants to glare at me, but she only looks away and pastes her smile back in place.
She’s been hanging around a lot. Helping Isaiah and Johnny set up a nursery. Inserting herself into their lives. She tried to weasel back into Luke’s life too, but he found it very upsetting, so I drove up to her place in Bemidji for a little chat, just one girl to another. She was quite surprised to wake up and find me standing over her bed, but I think I got through to her.
I love Luke the way I loved Meg, and I’ve learned my lesson. I am the strong one. It’s my job to protect. I see that now.
She offers Luke a quick wave from across the room, but she stays close to Johnny and the baby. I know she’ll be on her best behavior. I know she won’t ever upset Luke again.
I love him, so I’ve made sure of it.