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“I was wondering if you’d help me with a few things around here. I could use the extra set of hands.”
Saxon mulls over his proposal. I don’t blame him. The fact Sam has asked him and not me is a sure sign he wants to talk in private. Saxon looks at me, clearly attempting to decipher my feelings. But this isn’t my choice to make. Whatever he decides, I’ll support.
“It’s taking me twice as long to clear out the barn and garage with this.” He holds up his cast. “And the sooner it’s done, the quicker Lucy can see Hayley and get things moving.”
Saxon tongues his upper lip, still torn. I can only imagine how weird it must be to see this civil side of Sam. He long ago accepted their relationship as a lost cause, but now Sam is willing to resuscitate something long dead.
Eyes still locked with mine, Saxon nods. “Okay.”
I’m unable to hide my smile. I know a big part of his acquiescence is because of me. He wants to give me my happily ever after, and he knows that entails him forgiving Sam. But more importantly, even though the portion may be small, he accepted because he wanted to. This is progress. Whatever happens, I’m just thankful we’ve gotten this far.
Sam looks surprised. “Okay, great.” When Saxon doesn’t budge, he clears his throat. “I’ll meet you out there.” He meets my gaze and smiles. I know he is doing this for me too. Both Stone brothers are swallowing their pride for me. My mother’s warning rings loudly, but if Sam’s love for me encourages him to salvage any remnants of his relationship with Saxon, then I will happily accept this for what it is.
Saxon purses his lips, head tilted as it’s plain to see he’s trying to decode what I’m thinking. But that doesn’t matter. All that matters is this—family. And whether we like it or not, that’s what we always will be.
I reach for Saxon’s hand, and I instantly feel at peace when we unite. Sam peers down at our connection and nods once. He exits the back door seconds later, but for once, bitterness doesn’t follow him. Saxon and I don’t say a word. The tango of our touch is all the language we need.
“I’ll go to my parents’. I have a few smaller boxes I can drop off.”
“What about the realtor?”
“It can wait. Probably better I get the house in a semi civilized state before she comes over anyway.” We both know what this is—a derailment. If Sam and Saxon use this home as sacred ground to sort out their differences, then I will hold off selling for as long as it takes.
Saxon nods, drawing me toward him by my belt loops. “Okay.” He brushes his thumb over the apple of my cheek, never breaking eye contact. Under his heated gaze, I’m certain I will dissolve into molten goo. “I love you.”
I will never tire of hearing those words slip past his lips. “I love you, too.”
He hums, and I relish in the fact that each time I confess my feelings for him, he appears to bear witness to a miracle. He kisses my lips briefly before following in Sam’s footsteps out the back door.
Taking a small breath, I watch him through the window as he strides toward the barn. His posture doesn’t reflect that of a broken man, but rather, I want to believe a small flicker of hope exists behind each step.
Once he disappears, I decide to make good on my word and unburden the ghosts of my past as well because today is a brand new day.
“Sorry, Dad. I promise, there shouldn’t be too many more,” I explain sheepishly as I watch my father clear more space in the basement for my ten thousandth box.
Thinking about what Sam and I discussed, I’ve decided to sell most of our furniture. I can’t turn my parents’ basement into a junkyard, but more importantly, it’s time to start fresh. I will split the money with Sam although I know he will refuse to take it.
Curiosity has been nipping at my heels all day, but I’ve not given in to temptation and called Saxon. I’m sure he and Sam have much to discuss, and besides, I figure if they were close to killing one another, he or the police would have called by now.
“Baby girl, this house is as much yours as it is ours,” he says, attempting to rid me of my guilt. I still feel awful, though. Although if I do move here while I figure out what to do, I suppose that statement is, in fact, very true. But I will deal with one thing at a time.
“Thank you. I owe you guys a trip to Hawaii or something for being the best parents. Ever.” He laughs.
Once he’s cleared a corner, I go to work stacking the boxes. It’s still hard to believe I own so much stuff, but I suppose I’ve nested all my life, not ever thinking I’d leave the home I’d built for myself and Sam. The nostalgia isn’t as bad as it once was, and that proves things are finally moving in the right direction.
“Who wants iced tea?” My mom walks down the stairs, silver tray in hand, while my dad quickly dashes forward to help her. I can’t help but smile at his chivalry.
When we make eye contact, I instantly avert my gaze because after our conversation last night, I have been avoiding her. I have no idea why, but I guess her observations rattled me to the core.
My dad quickly downs his drink in one gulp. I understand why a moment later. “I’ll grab the rest of your things.”
“Thank you so much. And remember, Hawaii,” I tease, turning back to the stack of boxes. His footsteps echo up the stairs, revealing I’m now alone with my mom. I hate this awkwardness I feel around her.
“Would you like some iced tea, sweetie?”
I need to snap from this funk, but each time I try, her words deafen me. “I’m good, thanks.” I busy myself with the boxes, organizing the madness.
“Lucy, I’m sorry if I upset you last night. I didn’t mean to.”
