Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) by Sherri Wilson Johnson Page B

clothes had started to sag.
    Rex came into the kitchen. “There’s a butterfly house there. Butterflies hatch and fly all around freely.”
    “Wow! I can’t wait to see them.” Cora tried to ignore Rex’s tanned skin and obvious change in his mood.
    “As soon as you ladies are finished with breakfast, we can go. I’ve loaded the truck.” Rex shoved his hands into his front pockets.
     
    Pearl and R.L. smiled at each other as Rex lifted Susie up into the big cab of his Ford pickup and buckled her in. He helped Cora in and shut her door. She shifted her feet on the dirt-covered floorboard around a few energy drink cans and an empty box that once contained donuts. She pushed aside a t-shirt on the seat and buckled her seatbelt. He must live in his truck.
    As Rex walked around to his side, he yelled, “See you this afternoon, Mom and Dad.” His smile was a genuinely happy one…the first Cora had ever seen.
    As they drove down the long drive, however, a sports car zoomed toward them. Rex’s joy turned to obvious exasperation. His neck stiffened, and he held his breath. The car pulled up to the truck. Veronica sat behind the wheel. Cora let out a heavy sigh at the imminent change about to occur in Rex and the change to their plans for the day.
    “What are you doing?” Veronica looked from Rex to Cora and back again with the eyes of a snake.
    “We’re going on an outing.” Rex averted her stare.
    “Excuse me?” Veronica blurted, slamming her hand on the steering wheel.
    “Veronica! Relax, Susie is right here beside me. I thought it’d be a good idea for Cora and me to spend some time with Susie.” Rex winked at Cora.
    Cora giggled, delighted that Rex had not altered his personality or their plans this time, and that Veronica was so steamed. Susie followed with a squeal.
    “I just bet you did. Well, don’t bother calling me tonight. I won’t be home.” Veronica sped away, scattering gravel and dust everywhere.
    “Hmm, I guess she’s mad.” Rex put the truck in gear and continued down the drive.

 
* * *
    As they pulled through the admission gate of Calloway Gardens, Cora gasped at the flowering trees, plants, and green grass spread out as far as she could see. She couldn’t take her eyes off the azaleas and other flowers. “Rex, it’s beautiful. I don’t know why my family never came here.”
    “You probably didn’t come here because you had the beach.”
    “You’re right. Well, thank you for bringing us here.”
    “My pleasure.” Rex found a parking spot near the Whippoorwill Lake. “Come on, Susie, let’s go find a spot to have our picnic.” Rex put the truck into park, grabbed the picnic blanket, and lifted Susie up and out of the truck.
    “Let’s go!” Susie shouted.
    Cora laughed and hopped down from the truck. She grabbed the cooler and followed Rex and Susie to the lake.
    “This looks like a good spot. “Rex set Susie down and spread the blanket out on the ground.
    Cora helped him prepare the picnic site right at the edge of the lake. A gentle breeze blew, making it cool enough not to worry about blistering in the sun. Susie began running with her arms held out to her sides imitating an airplane and chased butterflies. Her sundress sported butterflies of all types. Cora sat on the blanket, and Rex chased after Susie. Cora couldn’t stop smiling. Her speech seemed to have worked.
    Rex and Susie settled down on the blanket. “Susie sure does love the butterflies.”
    “Yep, she sure does. Wait ’til you see her in the butterfly house. We’ll stop by before we head home. It’s really cool. There are examples of every life cycle and then, when they hatch, the butterflies fly all over the place.” Rex opened the cooler and pulled out some bottled waters for them and juice for Susie. He took out sandwiches, fruit, chips, and dip.
    After Susie ate, she lay down on the blanket in the warm sunshine, flopping her legs back and forth. When Rex and Cora became aware that Susie had