She smiles and raises her face to the sun. I slouch down in my seat just in case, but she’s not looking in this direction.
When she turns and walks inside the house, I do nothing.
I’ll come back and see her tomorrow, but a million thoughts run through my head at what her reaction will be. Will she be welcoming? Or will she hate me the way she should?
Hell, I’ve hated myself for years over my final words to her.
I start the car and pull out into the street. The thought of heading back to the office is suffocating—since I expanded the business a couple of years ago, I’ve spent more time behind my desk than getting out and working with my hands and I miss it.
Emma’s house will be a good place to start again. But that’s if she agrees with me doing the work.
I’ve thought about this so many times over the years, but now the moment’s here.
Without even thinking about it, I find myself in front of Chloe’s place. I have friends I can talk to, but if anyone understands this situation, it’ll be my baby sister.
She knows what it’s like to have loved and lost.
The circumstances might have been different—she had years with her husband, Scott, before he died in a car accident. Back then she confided in me, and I know now I can lean on her.
I park out the front and shake my head as I pass Hunter’s car.
He went to school with Chloe and Scott back in the day, and now he and Chloe are all loved up and happily married.
I’m not surprised he’s at home with her on a workday.
But he’s another ear I trust to hear me out.
I make my way around the back of the house—Chloe often works at her kitchen table—and give the back door a quick tap before pushing it open.
Chloe’s at the bench, beaming a smile at me, her hand on the jug switch, ready to flick it on.
“Caleb? I didn’t know you were dropping by today.”
I walk over to her and peck her on the cheek. “I thought I’d give my sister a surprise. Is that okay?”
She grins. “It’s always okay. Hunter’s home too.”
Rolling my eyes, I step into the kitchen. The big man waves at me from the table, and I give him the chin up. “Hey, Hunter.”
Chloe squeezes my forearm. “Take a seat and I’ll make you a coffee. Hunter and I were about to have one anyway.”
I make my way to the table.
“Hey. How’s it going?” Hunter smiles.
Next to Hunter, my niece, Hannah smacks the table. She’s two now, and her arms are waving madly to get my attention.
“Hey, pretty princess.” I bend, and she wraps her arms around my neck.
“Tayleb!” she screeches.
I place a kiss in her hair, and when she lets me go, I do the same to her sister, Eve, before dropping into a chair next to their father. “I’m good. How’s work?”
“Doing fine without me today.”
I grin. “Playing hooky?”
Hunter chuckles. “Something like that. Some days I just want to hang out with my wife.”
