Chapter 432
Colleen paused and then laughed heartily. “You’re right, Joy! What about me, then?”
Caught off-guard for a second, Joy then said, “You are the most beautiful too!”
Colleen continued playfully, “And what about yourself?”
“Um?” Joy furrowed her brow in deep thought. “I am also the most beautiful.”
“Ah, you clever girl!” Colleen gently tickled Joy’s nose. “We’re all beautiful, aren’t we?”
“Exactly,” Joy began to explain, “like the candies in my drawer, every single one is delicious.”
“Joy is so smart.” Watching them, Hadley couldn’t help but smile. “Joy, Mommy will be back in Blathe in just a week.”
“Wow!” Joy’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
She started counting on her fingers and said, “I can’t wait to see you! Mommy, I miss you so much.”
“Me too.” Hadley’s heart ached with longing. “Mommy misses Joy a lot as well.” Their conversation continued warmly for quite some time. When they finally said goodbye, Hadley didn’t feel as melancholic as usual.
Soon, they would be reunited.
“Joy, Mommy loves you. Sleep tight.”
“Joy loves Mommy more!”
Moments after the call ended, her phone vibrated again.
A text from Denver appeared.
“Will you be back in Srixby tomorrow?”
“Yes, I will be.”
“Should I come to pick you up?”
Denver had already made his way back from his business in Tidebourne. Amid their hectic schedules, phone calls had been their only communication.
“The whole group is traveling back together. Meet me at the dance troupe’s entrance instead. I’ll text you the time. If plans change, I can make my way on my own. No worries.”
Denver agreed without objection. Their conversations were always smooth and constructive.
“Sounds good. I’ll be there. Just let me know when.”
“Sure.”
Hadley put her phone away and noticed Elissa’s curious gaze.
“So, are you guys a thing now?”
“Not really,” Hadley replied, shaking her head.
It had been too long since they’d last seen each other—what was there really to define?
“Playing it safe?” Elissa nudged her playfully. “He’s quite the catch and treats you well… but guess it’s smart to be careful.”
“True.”
At the same time, Denver was with Marshall and the crew.
Having just put down his phone, Marshall probed him. “Everything back on track?”