Chapter 7

The next morning Reba was in the kitchen getting a glass of orange juice when Van walked in.

"Morning, Mrs.H!" he exclaimed with a huge, goofy grin.

"Morning, Van," she responded before finishing her glass and taking it to the sink.

"Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Yeah, looks like it's going to be warm."

Reba stood at the sink looking out the window. It was supposed to get up to 102 degrees out. Reba grabbed her hair and put it up in a messy ponytail. She was wearing a dark purple, v neck, t-shirt with a pair of cut off jean shorts.

"Well I'm off to work, see you later Mrs.H," Van said heading out the door.

Reba grabbed her keys and followed him out the door. She turned on the car and cranked the AC before driving across town.

When she pulled up to the condo she saw Brock sitting outside. It wasn't until she got closer to him that she realized he was crying. She took a seat next to him and wrapped her hands around his arm.

"What's wrong?" she asked resting her head on his shoulder.

"Henry's leaving Reba. I won't get to see my son." He said his voice shaky.

Reba reached up and wiped away a tear with her thumb. She was the only person Brock could cry in front of.

"You will get to see him on the holidays."

"It's not the same. I am used to seeing him every day."

Reba squeezed his arm and stayed silent. She knew how hard it was when she lost Kyra and she had only moved a few houses away.

Brock was happy Reba was there. If he could have anyone in the world there to comfort him, he would choose Reba.

"Why did you come over?" Brock asked suddenly curious.

"I wanted to see you," she said smiling at him.

"I'm sorry."

"For what Brock?" she asked confused.

"Yesterday morning. I didn't want to start a fight. I feel bad."

"I think…" Reba paused and looked at him. "…you are forgiven." She finished and kissed his cheek.

Brock turned to her and gave her that smile that she had fallen in love with. The one that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach and shivers through her body.

"I think," he said moving closer to her, "that I love you." He said nuzzling her neck and wrapping his arms around her.

Reba giggled but stopped when she heard her cellphone ringing. People had the worst timing!

"Not again." Brock groaned into her neck.

"I have to get that. It won't be Narvel." She whispered and pulled away reluctantly.

Brock watched as she got up and answered her phone. He hated that phone. It always rang at the wrong moment! When Reba hung up she stayed by the car and gave Brock a sad smile.

"Barbra Jean is over at the house to say goodbye. I have to head over there."

"Do you mind if I come? I want to say bye to Henry again. "

"Of course not," Reba said walking to him.

She put out her hand to help him up. Brock took her hand and pulled himself off the stairs. When he was up Brock kept holding her hand and they walked to her car hand in hand.

On the way over Brock remembered what Reba said when her cell had gone off.

"How did you know it wasn't Narvel calling you?" He asked turning to look at her.

"Because I ended it with him," she replied not taking her eyes off the road.

"When?"

"Yesterday," she said quietly as she stared out the windshield.

"So this means you're single to, huh?" He asked beaming at her.

Reba didn`t answer as she pulled into the driveway. Barbra Jean was standing on the porch smiling as her best friend pulled up.

``REBA!" Barbra Jean shrieked.

"Barbra Jean," Reba replied with much less enthusiasm.

Barbra Jean pulled Reba into a big bear hug as Brock headed inside. He found Henry, Cheyenne and Elizabeth in the kitchen.

Back on the porch Reba found herself feeling sad. As hard as it was for her to admit she was going to miss the big, goofy blonde. She was even going to miss the hugs. Reba never thought she would be sad to see Barbra Jean leave.

When Reba broke out of the hug she turned and saw Brock and Cheyenne talking in the kitchen. Barbra Jean watched Reba`s face as she watched the two in the kitchen.

"You know," Barbra Jean said pulling Reba from her thoughts, "he still loves you…a lot."

"Yeah right." Reba replied tearing her eyes from Brock and turning back to Barbra Jean.

"He does Reba. You don`t have to believe me, but he does. And I can see in the way that you look at him you still love him."

"Barbra Jean, after all he put me through, it still hurts. How can I trust him again?"

"You`ll find a way. He loves you so much, you just have to believe."

After a moment of silence on the porch Barbra Jean spoke again.

"I have to get going if I'm going to make it to Arkansas in time." She said before following Reba into the house.

"Hey Barbra Jean," Brock said watching the women enter the kitchen.

"Brock," she acknowledged. "Come on Henry. We have to get going."

"Okay, bye daddy." Henry said, kissing Brock`s cheek before sliding out of his arms.

"See you buddy." He replied turning so they couldn't see his eyes water.

A few hours had passed and Reba was in the living room with Cheyenne and Elizabeth.

"Okay mom, go get ready!"

"For what Cheyenne?"

"Van and I are taking you out for supper!"

"Oh I don`t know…" Reba trailed off. She was kind of hoping to spend the night with Brock.

"No mom you don`t get a choice. Now go get ready."

Reba sighed and went upstairs. There was no use arguing with her. Reba started going through her closet then stopped.

"Cheyenne! What should I wear?"

"Stop yelling ma!" Cheyenne yelled back before walking into the room.

Cheyenne walked to the closet and started sorting out clothes. After about ten minutes she stopped and finally grabbed something.

"This is perfect!" she squealed turning around.

In her hands was one of Reba`s dresses. It was a beautiful, bright red, floor length dress. It was cut just low enough that it showed a little bit of cleavage.

"Cheyenne I am not wearing this to supper with my daughter and son-in-law!"

"Mom you have to! We have a surprise for you once we are done supper."

Reba let out another sight but stopped arguing.

"Okay now let me curl your hair!" Cheyenne squealed.

Reba followed Cheyenne into the bathroom and let her do her hair. When she was done she went and put on the outfit and looked in the mirror.

Not too bad, she thought to herself. Her hair was in loose ringlets, framing her face. The dress still fit and looked good with her strappy black heels.

She went to show Cheyenne when the doorbell rang.

"Mom can you get the door. I'm busy!" Cheyenne yelled from the kitchen.

Reba turned on her heel and went to the door. When she opened it she saw Brock standing there in a tux with a dozen, beautiful, long-stemmed roses.