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To say the town showed up would be an understatement.
Not only did countless townspeople volunteer to clean and rebuild, but they also held fundraisers and delivered lunch and lent a shoulder or an ear. In all my years in this small town, I never experienced this level of love.
The first weekend post-incident, Braydon’s family came to town. They slipped on gloves and worked right beside us during the day. In the evening, they took us to dinner. Chatted about anything other than the mayhem and occupied our thoughts with good news. Before they packed up and drove home, Braydon’s father pulled me aside.
“Lovely to finally meet you, Alessandra. Wish it would have been under better circumstances.” His eyes dart over my shoulder, a gentle smile on his lips and tenderness in his eyes. “I’ve never known my son to love someone the way he does you.” He pulls me in for a hug and sighs. “Thank you.” His hold on me tightens then relaxes as he steps back. “It’s wonderful to see him smile, really smile, for the first time in years.”
Before Edward Harris walked away, he handed me an envelope. Insisted I take it and not open it until they were gone. The moment their taillights vanished on Main Street, I tore open the envelope and gasped. Tucked inside was a note and a check… for ten thousand dollars.
Alessandra,
This won’t cover all the repairs, but it will help get you up and running. Please accept this gift from the Harris family. And don’t you dare try to pay us back. We love everything about your shop and the town. We love how happy you make Braydon. Let us know if you need more helping hands.
See you soon,
Edward & Gretchen
I held the check for a week. Left it in the envelope, hidden in the pocket of my warmest jacket—something I wouldn’t don for months. The check sat ignored for days as we repainted walls, replaced furniture, and watched as new windows were installed.
Then Edward called Braydon. Mentioned the check not clearing his account. Before the end of the day, I walked into Lake Lavender Savings and Loan to make a deposit. Though he said not to pay him back, I will find a way. Because his money opened the Java and Teas Me doors sooner than anticipated.
Edward Harris says I don’t owe him anything. I disagree. Not only did he give new life to my business, he also gave me Braydon.
“That one ready?” Braydon asks as I fold the box flaps.
“Yep.” I tap the cardboard. I pick up the black marker and writeHabitat for Humanity—kitchenon the top.
Sidling up to me, he presses his lips to my temple before lifting the box from the counter. “I’ll take it to the car.” And then he is out the door.
My eyes scan the empty open cabinets of the kitchen, the bare countertops, the naked walls. Not that the surfaces were crowded to begin with. Most of the dishes and some of the appliances are being donated to charity. A few appliances and all of the art are coming home with us toourapartment in Lake Lavender.
For six months, Braydon and I have effortlessly coexisted in the same space. Every other weekend, we drove to his apartment in the city and gathered more of his belongings. By the time we talked about officially moving in together, more than half his clothes had occupied my closet. His favorite brown-and-blue stoneware mug sat on the kitchen counter next to the coffee maker. His juniper-colored throw draped over my cream-colored chunky knit blanket. And his super firm, natural latex pillow replaced the previous pillow of mine he’d used.
Some may say it is too soon for us to move in together. Dating for eight months before making the leap. Though we unofficially lived together six of those eight months, this step sealed the deal. Screamed serious in every possible way.
And I have never been more ready.
The door swings open. Braydon greets me with a smile and the stomp of his boots, a light dusting of snow on his beanie. “One final walk-through before we lock up?”
“I’ll start in the kitchen.”
After we inspect every empty inch of his apartment in the city, he locks the door and sighs. “I loved living in the hub of Seattle, but I won’t miss it.”
“No?” I ask as we descend the stairs and I slip on my gloves.
He shakes his head. “This apartment served me well over the years. It was close to work and gave me a place to eat, bathe, and sleep. But it never felt likehome.”
“And now?”
His fingers weave through mine as we walk toward the complex’s office to turn in his keys. As we reach the door, he stops and spins me to face him.
“Now I know where I belong and who is home.”
“Who?”
He cups my cheek and lowers his lips to hover over mine. “You. Wherever you are, that is my home.”
I fist his jacket, close the space between us, and press my lips to his. “Love you, Care Bear.”
“Love you more, firecracker.”
“Good.” I rub my gloved hands together. “Now get me inside before I freeze to death.”
He yanks the door open, hands over the keys, and says goodbye. And as we drive away, I can’t help but wonder what adventure life will take us on next. So long as Braydon is at my side, it will be worth every minute of the ride.
Every Thought Taken is the third and final book in the Lake Lavender series!
As young children, an unshakable friendship brought them together. As teens, they discovered an undeniable love. Then life pulled them in different directions–into darkness and light–and slowly ripped them apart. Years later, he returns home in the hopes of a second chance with his first love and to conquer the demons of his past.
