I fall back in my chair and sigh. “Okay,” I say simply.
He sits up taller. “Meeting her went better than I could have ever imagined. She’s so good with Aspen. You’ll see. I love her, Dad.”
Aspen comes running into the kitchen with Jackson’s old bug catcher. The one he made with Lily so many years ago. “Look, Papa.”
I peer in and find a little caterpillar. Jackson meets my gaze over the top of it. His smile is beaming. “What do you have here?” I ask her.
“I found it at Nana’s house,” Aspen tells me.
“You found it at Nana’s?”
She nods, climbing on my lap to look at the bug with me.
“He’s really fuzzy, isn’t he?” I ask.
She puts her hands on my cheeks. “It’s a girl, Papa.”
“Oh, I see. She’s fuzzy, isn’t she?”
She nods before resting her chin on her little hands to peer into the catcher. I rub my hand over my chest, because all of this is so unexpected. Now that the shock of finding out Jenny is alive is wearing off, I find myself left with an aching curiosity.
Jackson mimics Aspen, making faces at her through the screen. She sticks her tongue out at him, her whole body shaking as she giggles.
I run my hand over her wild curls. How did I think I’d ever be able to leave this place? Everything I’ve ever loved is here.
Well, almost everything.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jenny
I’m rushing around the house, making sure everything is perfect. Jackson and Brody are coming to work on my shed this morning. I’m so excited to see them both again. I had such a good visit with Willow and my mother that I find I’m craving more and more interaction with all of them.
At first the attention drained my energy, but maybe some of that was shock. This is all so unexpected, but I have thanked Rachel every day for giving my son back to me. I’m still not sure why she broke our agreement. I may never know, but that’s okay. It seems to be working out for the best.
The only thing I’m feeling bad about is that some of the club isn’t so keen about my sudden rise from the dead. My mama assures me it will just take time. I don’t know if that is true. Lily and Raffe may never be able to look me in the eye ever again.
Honestly, I don’t know if I could face either of them if they did want to see me.
My fingers absentmindedly search for the necklace that once hung around my neck. You would think after all these years I wouldn’t miss it, but I do. I was thrilled to see Aspen wearing it. It healed a piece of my heart.
The timer goes off and I hurry to the stove, pulling out a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies for my boys. I stand up abruptly at my inner dialogue.My boys?
I know I have no right to claim them as my own, but it sure does feel good knowing they are on their way up here to help me. There are so many projects I’ve needed help with. I’m sure I could have asked someone in town, but I really like to keep to myself. Or so I thought.
The sound of a truck pulling up outside catches my attention. It’s them!
I grab my skirt, pulling it from around my ankles as I rush outside. Jackson gets out of the truck with a big smile on his face. Gosh, I love him so much!
“I hope it’s okay we drove all the way in. It’s a long way from the road to haul all these shingles up.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Just fine,” I tell him, letting him pull me in for a tight hug.
It’s the best feeling in the world. I’ll never tire of it.
Brody rounds the vehicle, holding his arms open wide. Reluctantly, I let go of one to embrace the other. “Brody! I’m so glad you’re here.”
He sniffs the air as we hold each other. “I smell cookies.”
