Page 60 of Crossroads

“It is the summer parade. You know small towns. They love their parades. I know Teagan and Finnian and a few others have been working hard on all the prep for it. Elizabeth might even be coming.”

“Oh. That’s today? I can’t believe I didn’t think about that. They’ve been talking about it so much in the group chat.”

“You have a group chat with them?”

“I’m in like six different Ashford Creek group chats right now. I love it. And I don’t even usually like texting that much because my phone’s always running off the hook.”

“That’s why you have two phone numbers.”

“Like the proper rock star celebrity than I am.” I fluttered my eyelashes, and it made him smile. Exactly what I wanted him to do. He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine.

“Come on. I want to show you something before we head to the parade. Most of my family’s going to be there, and we don’t have to bring anything. In fact, I was told we shouldn’t bring a single thing because they want to take care of us.” He rolled his eyes, but I could see the happiness in his gaze. His family loved him unconditionally. And the fact that they were starting to see him more and more, especially outside his house, meant the world to me. He was healing just as much as I had. God, I loved this man. And I didn’t want to leave.

He kissed me softly, tasting of coffee, and as I stepped back, I reached to throw away the rest of my tea, not bothering to finish it, and slid my feet into hiking boots that had shown up one day. Bodhi had found me the perfect size, and he hadn’t taken my thank you very well. He had just grunted, as if he expected to take care of me, and I was supposed to let it happen. Silly man. I wanted to take care of him as well.

It was already pretty hot considering the time of year, so I didn’t need a jacket, but I put on my crossbody bag and watched as Bodhi put on a small backpack filled with water and snacks.

“We aren’t going far, but it is hot outside.”

“Okay. Do you have some spray on?”

“Of course. Do you?”

“Yes. And I’m wearing a hat and sunglasses. I’m taking care of myself.”

“Good. Remember, I can take care of you too.” He ran a knuckle down my cheek, and I was at a loss for words.

This was the Bodhi beneath the growly surface, the one that had always been hanging in there.

I shook myself out of whatever reverie threatened to take hold as I left his property and we made our way through the forest.

“It’s a couple of miles, and while we could have driven, I know you wanted this walk.”

“I really need it. Thank you.”

It wasn’t too hot under all of the tall trees, which provided a blanket of cover from the heat. I listened as he told me stories of the Ashford kids running through these woods, yes, usually hiding from their father. But then he spoke of his mother, and the way that she had done everything in her power to take care of her babies. He spoke of Malcolm and their twin bond. And how small the other twins had been when they had been born. He was a perpetual middle child and yet acted as the older one, constantly trying to take care of others. He spoke of how proud he was of each of his siblings, and how hard they had worked despite their father.

And I loved every moment and part of this man.

So when we found ourselves at the edge of a graveyard, I wasn’t truly surprised. After all, we were spending moments in time in his past, so of course, he would take me here.

“Kiera, this is Courtney, Josie, and Henry.” He gestured toward the two small stones and the larger one, and I let the tears fall. This man. This man and all of his heart truly was a blessing and the shattered remains of a man who had once been so different. I could always wonder who he had been in that moment, but I would never know. This was the Bodhi that I knew. The Bodhi that I loved. The one that stood beside me, still broken, and yet pieced together over time. Growly, not so indifferent, and overprotective to the core.

He kneeled and held out his hand so he could help me. My ribs still slightly hurt, but even after the hike, I felt invigorated. But this was a precious moment, and I sat next to him as he picked away a few weeds in front of Courtney’s stone.

“When the fire came, I wasn’t there. And I will always hate myself for that.”

I reached down to the burn scars on his arms and trailed my fingers over them.

“You tried to be.”

“I did.” He cleared his throat. “Josie was such a happy baby. She would laugh those little baby giggles that always made you stop in your tracks. Henry was mischievous, always trying to hide his blocks and other toys around the house, and going on treasure hunts with you to find them. And Courtney would dance in the kitchen, making Josie do those little giggles, and Henry tried to dance along with her.”

“They sound so lovely.”

He nodded. “They were the best.” He gestured to the north side of the graveyard. “Malcolm is over there. At least his stone is. My in-laws wanted Courtney to be buried, and so I went along with it. It was the same with the children. But Malcolm wanted to be cremated. So we have a stone there for him that I talk to sometimes. But he’s all over these mountains, and at his home in L.A. He’s scattered in the wind, and sometimes I can hear his laugh. It’s weird because I have the same laugh.”

“I never knew that.” I reached forward and wiped a tear from his cheek.