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“Gramps had been gone for almost a year, and here she was making ice cream as if he was going to be walking through the front door any minute.”
“What happened?”
I watched her as she smiled at me and then let out a tight laugh. “Well…after dinner, we sat down and ate that ice cream. I had to choke it down. I had no other choice. I knew if I didn’t, it would have crushed her.”
“So even though it made you sick, you ate it anyway.”
Cadence nodded her head and softly smiled. “When I looked at her, at how happy she was as we sat there, each of us eating this ice cream, it made it worth it. I’d not seen her smile like that in almost a year. The sad part was she’d set out a bowl for my grandfather. Only it just sat there waiting for a man who wasn’t ever going to come. It was heartbreaking in some ways and beautiful in others.”
“Didn’t she wonder where your grandfather was?” I questioned, looking over at Cadence as her eyes welled with tears.
“Nope.” She shook her head, a lone tear sliding down her cheek. “Never even asked. It became a common occurrence. Some nights she was sure he’d be home soon, and she’d worry for hours, while other nights she never mentioned him, even though the bowl would sit there. Not that long after, she’d forgotten most everything, and soon she barely knew who she was.”
“Wow. I did not know.”
“Of course not. How would you?”
I watched as she paced back and forth for a couple more minutes before I stood up and took hold of both her hands. She looked up at me and then wrapped her arms around me, resting her head against my chest, and sobbed while I held her.
Connor
Mid-November
Icy wind blew, making the tiny snowflakes that floated through the air appear to be dancing. We made our way down the main street to the park that only a few short weeks ago held the fall fair. She shivered.
“Hold on a second,” I said, turning to stand in front of her. I adjusted her scarf, raising it over her red cheeks, and then raised the zipper of her jacket, pulling the hood up over her hat. “That better?”
“Much. Thank you.”
I reached over and slid my gloved hand into hers as we continued to walk. We took our time, stopping to look in at each of the shop’s decorated windows.
Cadence and I had been spending more time together since Ember had to be put down. She’d finally allowed me to bring Cinnamon over, and she’d been out riding him daily. We’d been spending much more time together. Not only evenings for dinners, but she’d sometimes come and surprise me with breakfast or lunch as well. Some evenings we spent curled up together on her couch, watching a movie or TV show. Last night had been the first night we’d fallen asleep together while watching TV, and when I woke, she insisted I just stay the night on the couch.
I gave her arm a gentle pull as we crossed the street and made our way into the park. We stopped at a small table where Brooke and Tristan were handing out hot chocolate to anyone who wanted one.
“Thanks, guys. Smells great,” I said, as she set the steaming cups down on the table.
“No problem. It’s a newer recipe from last year. People say they like it better.”
“Can’t wait to try it. Are you taking a donation this year?” I questioned, knowing that they normally raised money for a local cause.
“We aren’t asking, since they are here, but we are taking donations for Harry and Bessy.”
I reached into my pocket and slipped a bill into Brooke’s hand. “There you go.” I winked, as I grabbed two cups and handed one to Cadence.
“Thanks, Connor. You guys enjoy the evening.” Brooke smiled and waved, then turned toward the next couple in line.
I handed Cadence her cup of hot chocolate, and we made our way over to an open space in the park.
“Thanks,” she said, taking a sip. “Sure is colder than I expected.”
I nodded. “Glad I told you to bundle up. I was cold out in the barn today, and that was without this wind.” I looked at her again and noticed she was shivering. “You all right?” I questioned, worried that she was going to be too cold.
“Can you hold this for a minute?” Cadence handed me her cup, then undid her coat, slipping out of it quickly so she could adjust the shawl she’d been wearing to come up around her neck a little more. Then she quickly slid back into her coat and took her cup back from me.
Once our cups were empty, I carried them over to the trash can and made my way back over to her just as the music played. Within minutes, she shivered again, so I pulled her over to an empty picnic table and sat down, straddling the seat. I patted the bench, and when she sat down, I wrapped my arms around her in a protective embrace.
“That better?” I asked, my voice low.
