Chapter 40


    Delh 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 ssmate of yours?”


    So that was it.


    Mirabe shook her head. “Nope, not a ssmate.”


    “Boy or girl?” Delh prodded gently, her curiosity getting the better of her.


    Looking straight into her mother’s eyes with disarming rity, Mirabe 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, Delh 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 outte, you know. It’s not always safe for a young woman.”


    Mirabe wasn’t entirely sure what Delh meant, but she had an inkling and replied obediently, “I


    understand.”


    Hearing the obedient tone, Delh felt a new wave of guilt and quickly changed the subject. “You must


    be tired after a long day of sses. 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,


    Delh hurried into the kitchen, fetched the warm milk from the stove, and handed it to Mirabe.


    “Thanks, Mom,” Mirabe said, taking the milk and heading upstairs. Delh 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, Delh 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.”


    Delh shot him an irritated nce. “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 rtionship since they’ve met. Do you really want


    to make things worse with an usatory call?”


    Delh 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 Delh’s anxious musings.


    Delh 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 nced at her skeptically. “Aren’t you forgetting that Summer is the very reason Emmitt and


    Mira had that misunderstanding in the first ce?”N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    “Of course, I haven’t forgotten.” Delh 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, Delh felt her heart was in a constant state of worry.”