Faith pulled back, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. “He’s right. You don’t want to be driving in the dark.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Okay.”
She picked up my suitcase and handed it to me, her smile watery but genuine. “Come on. Let’s get you on the road.”
The family was gathered on the porch when we came downstairs.
Charity and Joy stood together, both of them crying as Nevil wrapped his arms around them. Joan had her arm around Zeke, who looked like he was barely holding it together. Stella and Digger were already sitting on his bike, waiting patiently.
And Chapman stood at the bottom of the porch steps, his eyes on me.
Balthazar had left early, needing to get back to Ari and the girls. He had hugged me tightly and whispered, “Be happy, Hope,” and then rode off on his bike without looking back. Iknew it was hard for him, accepting Chapman, accepting this life I had chosen. But he’d done it anyway.
Reaper and Sandman had left the night of the ceremony, heading to Nebraska to deal with whatever crisis was brewing there. Reaper had pulled me aside before he left and said, “You made the right choice, kid. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
Now it was just us. The family I was leaving behind.
Charity was the first to reach me, throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she sobbed.
“I’ll miss you too,” I whispered, holding her tight. “But you’ll visit, right? You and Nevil?”
“Every chance we get,” she promised, pulling back to wipe at her tears. “And you better call me. Every day.”
“Every day,” I agreed.
Joy was next, her hug fierce and desperate. “Don’t forget about me,” she said, her voice muffled against my shoulder.
“Never,” I said firmly. “You’re my baby sister, Joy. I could never forget you.”
Joan hugged me next, her embrace warm and steady. “Take care of yourself, Hope. And take care of him too.”
“I will,” I promised.
Zeke was last. He pulled me into his arms and held me for a long moment, his chin resting on top of my head. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “For what I said. For comparing you to Shirley. I didn’t mean it.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I forgive you.”
He pulled back, his hands gripping my shoulders. “You call me if you need anything. Anything at all. I don’t care what it is or what time it is. You call me.”
“I will,” I said, smiling through my tears. “I promise.”
He nodded, then stepped back, his jaw tight.
And then there was only Faith as she stood at the edge of the porch, her arms wrapped around herself, tears streaming downher face. I walked toward her slowly, feeling like every step was tearing something inside me.
When I reached her, I stopped, unable to speak.
“Come here,” she whispered, opening her arms.
I fell into her embrace, and the dam broke. I clung to her, sobbing, my hands fisting in the back of her shirt. “I don’t want to go,” I choked out. “Faith, I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know,” she said, her voice breaking. “I know, sweetheart. But you have to. You have a husband now. A life. A future.”
“But you’re my family,” I said desperately. “You’re myhome.”
“And I always will be,” Faith said, pulling back to look at me. Her hands cupped my face, her thumbs brushing away my tears. “No matter where you go or how far away you are, I will always be your home. You carry me with you, Hope. Always.”
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
