Free Louisiana Sky (Love in Belle Pont #2) by Ashleigh Zavarelli

any means, but he sure was gonna’ be missed in Belle Pont.
    “Little Walter’s doin’ great,” Archer said. “It’s a whole different experience getting to see it all through from the beginning.”
    His voice choked up a bit and he paused, looking lost for words.
    “Well you better get used to it,” I piped up. “I’m sure you and AB are gonna’ be makin’ a whole lot of babies.”
    We all had a good laugh as Archer gestured to the living room where Bentley was sitting.
    “Bentley wanted me to take him down to Lafayette for a few errands Rox, so that’s why I’m here anyway.”
    I frowned and started to feel that familiar fear building up in my chest before Mrs. Daniels gave me a reassuring hug.
    “It won’t last forever,” she said. “Eventually, things will get back to normal. You just have to believe that it’s in God’s hands, sweet girl.”
    I nodded and pushed back my tears, knowing she was right. She better than anyone knew what it was like to be afraid of losing someone. Especially when it came to her children.
     
    ***
     
    We all gathered outside, the smell of barbeque and Magnolias in bloom filling the air around us. It was a beautiful evening, with every star in the Louisiana sky shining down upon us. I watched one of them streak across the heavens, smiling as it faded away. Instead of a wish, I said a thank you.
    A thank you for all of the friends and family gathered here, and most importantly for Bentley being alive. My heart squeezed in my chest as I thought about him, that stubborn man that I loved so much.
    “Don’t start cryin’ on me now.” Mrs. Daniel’s smiled at me, handing me some napkins to set out. “Or I’ll start blubbering too, and then we’ll never get anything accomplished.”
    I laughed and nodded, laying out the napkins on the tables to keep my mind on the present. Mrs. Daniels had really went above and beyond in setting up for the night, and I knew how much this meant to her. There were little mason jar lanterns strung all along the deck and in the center of each table. The walkways were filled with little lights too, and it almost looked like a fairytale.
    Two long bench tables were littered with just about every Southern salad imaginable, as well as pies and desserts of all types.
    Charlotte had made Bentley a ‘thanks for not dying’ banner which was proudly displayed above the food. We all had a real good laugh about it when she showed us, which little Charlotte wasn’t too impressed with.
    As I helped make sure everyone was comfortable, I paused just to take in the scene around me. Half of Belle Pont was at this gathering, and it brought me a strange sense of peace being surrounded like this. Even my Mama and Reagan were in attendance, and I noticed that people weren’t snubbing her so much anymore. She’d done a lot to change her ways, and I was happy for her.
    Bentley finally strolled out of the house, wearing my favorite jeans and a nice button down shirt as he came me way.
    “Well aren’t you all fancy tonight?” I teased, letting him pull me into his arms.
    He smiled and kissed my temple, squeezing me tight for a beat. It felt so good, I didn’t want him to let go, and suddenly, I almost couldn’t wait for this gathering to be over.
    Bentley looked down at me with a knowing gleam in his eye and shook his head with a laugh.
    “You’re liable to wear a man out,” he said playfully. “I should have never told you that Doctor gave me permission.”
    “Well, what can I say.” I batted my lashes up at him. “I’m very needy.”
    “That’s okay, Rox,” he said softly. “Because I have every intention on taking care of those needs for you. Later tonight, and for the rest of our lives.”
    Before I could even process his words, he grinned and walked over to help his daddy with the grill.
    I sat down at a table with Mama and some other ladies who were deep in conversation about Mrs. Gentry’s newfound love of spandex leggings. It wasn’t