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“Town meetings,” Matthew continued. “Small weddings? We could even add something outside if we wanted to. I’d really like to start a small food bank there, too. New Orleans has a huge need, and I could link up with their network.”
“That’s a lot of thought in three days,” I said, nudging him. “But I love it.”
“It’s the most fanatical thinking I’ve ever done in my life,” he said on a laugh. “I’ve barely slept, my brain won’t shut down.”
“Then that’s telling you something,” Grace said. “Nanny Rae used to say when your mind is talking, you need to listen. Because sometimes it’s coming from someone smarter than you.” She pointed upward.
“She sounds like someone I would have loved,” he said.
“Definitely,” Grace and I said in sync.
“And you are welcome to stay here in her house indefinitely,” Grace continued.
Matthew shook his head. “I wouldn’t—”
“It just sits here,” she said, tapping her palm on the table. “Unused. Vacant. Nothing sadder than a vacant house. Use it! Love it. All you’d have to pay is the utilities and keep it up. She would love that you’re here.”
He blew out a breath. “This trip has blown my mind. A little vacation to visit my new sisters, and now I’m moving to Louisiana and starting a new business.” He smiled. “But I know we can do this.”
“So what is this we you keep throwing out there?” I said with a wink. “You putting us to work?”
He sat back in his chair. “Well, that’s another thing I’m doing. The community center, when it comes to fruition—I’m putting it in all four of our names.”
I blinked. “Why?”
“Because we’ve been separated long enough,” he said quietly. “I’d like to do this as a family... as much as you can or are willing to, anyway,” he added quickly. “Regardless, it’ll belong to all of us.”
Grace’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m in.”
My throat felt choked. “Me too,” I said. “And I ran that building for years; I’m happy to help you do it again.”
Matthew laughed and grabbed my head to lay a kiss on my forehead.
“To all of us,” Grace said, holding up her half-eaten sandwich.
Matthew and I each grabbed another one and held them up.
I tore mine in half to signify one for Hope. “To all of us.”
That would be my new focus, helping my brother achieve his vision—our vision now. Something productive and positive to keep me busy. I didn’t need anything else. Love, after all, was fickle. Family was forever.
As darkness fellthat evening, and I hadn’t heard from Adam yet, my nerves were shot. On the one hand, that’s what my bruised and betrayed heart wanted, right? On the other, my mind was on a speed trip through every possible scenario, filled with angst, worry, dread, and fear. Were there other emotions I missed? Anger, maybe? Rage? Disappointment? Gut-wrenching terror?
Love?
I gritted my teeth. It had taken every ounce of self-control I could muster to keep my ass there at the bungalow all day. I did it for Matthew. He’d witnessed enough of my drama for a lifetime, much less the few days he was here, and it was his day. I vowed to keep it that way.
But I was a jumping bean.
I had this weird combo of feeling numb and extremely wired at the same time. Like I could run a ten-mile marathon and just keep going. It was maddening.
But as Matthew borrowed my Jeep and church keys and left to go walk through what was now his building to plan for a few hours, I pushed through and got myself ready for the surprise party. I went with comfortable, warm leggings and an oversized bright-blue sweater with pockets. When I was cleaning, I found a little memory foam squishy ball in a drawer and put it in my pocket. I didn’t know why, but it was the kind of thing Nanny Rae always had around. Weird little novelty things. And it felt calming to have something of hers with me. I straightened my hair to give it a little more length. I took time with my makeup, cursing myself for the care because I knew who I was doing it for. I knew with every hour that passed today that he’d wait to show up tonight. Wait till there was the distraction of a crowd.
There again, the whole idea pissed me off, but I knew without question that if he actually didn’t come, I’d be crushed all over again.
What was wrong with me?
Hope and Tobias got there early, and he and I took one look at each other and silently agreed on what not to talk about. My God, they looked so alike, it hurt, but I wouldn’t let the anxiety build. I squeezed my little ball and moved on.
