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“I don’t know. Something is so very wrong and I can’t put my finger on it. Trey’s dad is acting really weird. It feels as if they are hiding something, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
Following Jake back to the kitchen, I sat on a barstool and asked, “Could it be he’s just in shock, Jake? I mean, he did lose his son and grandchild.”
Nodding, he agreed. “You’re probably right. I can’t even begin to imagine how they both feel. I called my parents.”
Sitting up straighter, my interest was piqued. “And?”
Shaking his head, he said, “They told me the accident was God’s way of saying Harmony made the wrong choice.”
My mouth dropped open. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Letting out a gruff laugh, Jake shook his head. “Nope. That’s my parents for you. I told them that was the last straw. For them not to even be there for their daughter during a time like this shows the true hearts they have. They said they would think about showing up. I told them not to do me any favors. I wouldn’t be surprised if I started getting bills for school.”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head and said, “Shit. Jake, I’m so sorry.”
Jake shrugged his shoulders and let out a heavy sigh. “My sister means more to me than their money. If that happens, I’ll work something out. I don’t have that much longer to go so I’m not too worried about it.”
My head tried to wrap itself around all of this. My parents were the total opposite of Jake and Harmony’s. There wasn’t a damn thing they wouldn’t do for me, and I knew that they would always stand by my side no matter what.
Clearing his throat, Jake pushed off the counter. “Listen, I know it would mean a lot to Harmony if you would be there tomorrow.”
Swallowing hard, I felt sick to my stomach. “Um, I’m not sure I can make it.”
Jake’s face fell with disappointment as he nodded. “Sure, I understand.”
Standing, I pushed the stool back in. “Where is it at?”
“Colonial Park Cemetery at one.”
Scrubbing my hands down my face, I let out a frustrated sigh. “I’ll try to make it, but no promises, Jake.”
Smiling, Jake held out his hand. “Hey, that’s good enough for me. Thanks, Preston, for being here for her. I know she appreciates it.”
Swallowing hard, I pushed down the feelings that were slowly growing for Harmony. “Of course. It’s the least I can do.”
Jake walked me out to my car and shook my hand one more time. As I made my way to the driver’s side, I glanced back up at Harmony’s house. My heart stopped when I saw Harmony standing in the window looking out. Lifting my hand, I smiled and waved. Giving me a slight smile, Harmony barely lifted her hand before she dropped the curtain and walked away.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I turned the opposite way from my apartment and drove for another hour and a half. Pulling down the gravel road, I instantly felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
I put my car in park behind my father’s truck and got out. Taking in a deep breath, I let the smells of my parents’ country home soak in.
“Preston?”
I spun around to see my mother standing on the front porch. “Mom, damn, it’s good to see you.”
Practically running to her, I took the steps two at a time. Reaching my mother, I wrapped her in my arms and held her.
She held me tighter than normal. “Preston. Talk to me.”
Her voice was my undoing. Finally…my tears fell and it was my turn to be held while I fell apart.
Chapter 5
Just a Dream
Harmony
Closing my eyes, I focused on the sounds of the birds singing all around me as my fingers rubbed the charm that Jake had given me that morning. The engraving was taken from a picture frame Trey had given me on TJ’s one-month birthday. The photo was of me holding TJ when he was only a few minutes old, as Trey kissed me on the check. My mind drifted back to the day TJ was born.
