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“She doesn’t know we’re helping.” I drained the OJ and placed the glass in the dishwasher.
“Is she going to be pissed?” Emmett rubbed his neck.
“I don’t want her doing it alone. I met with her this morning to talk about renovations to the inn, and she was upset about Lila being gone. I don’t think she’s had time to grieve.”
“She didn’t have a service. We couldn’t see her and comfort her,” Mom said, her voice trembling.
“I think that’s what she was avoiding,” I said.
Mom shook her head. “Poor girl thinks she’s alone, and she’s not.”
“I’m sure it felt that way when she was a kid.” It was what drew me to her in the first place. She was strong and stubborn, but underneath, she was all heart. Her parents hurt her to her core, and other than her brother and her grandmother, she didn’t have anyone on her side. I admired her for being so strong.
Emmett raised a brow. “You know her well?”
“Just when we used to run the woods.”
Emmett nodded. The local kids would all converge in the woods, and we’d play for hours. We’d play capture the flag, hide-and-seek, and, in general, chase each other around with sticks and wrestle. It was a good time.
“Aiden told me to look out for her. He can’t get leave right now. It’s just her.”
“Let’s do this, then.” Emmett grabbed a small container of muffins Mom packed for Marley.
“I feel bad for her. It must be so hard to come back and have to go through her grandmother’s things,” Ireland said as we walked outside to get in our vehicles.
“Marley was close to Lila. She was more like a mother to her than her actual mom was,” Mom said.
Ireland sighed. “That makes it even worse.”
“With all of us there, she won’t be able to turn us away.” Or get mad at me for butting in. Mom was known for doing these kinds of things for neighbors. Marley wouldn’t think anything of it. It was the best way to offer her help and avoid her irritation.
We parked in front of the house. Marley’s red convertible hadn’t moved from its spot this morning. I wondered if she had any food in the house.
I stepped out of the truck and pulled out my phone.
“What are you doing?” Emmett asked.
“Ordering pizza. I’m hungry.”
“Good idea,” Emmett said.
It was one more thing I could do for her that I’d blame on my brothers. Everyone knew we ate a lot and would be hungry. Yet I could take care of her, too. Marley wasn’t someone who’d accept help unless we maneuvered her a bit. The trick was making sure she didn’t realize what we were doing. If she figured it out, I’d be the one she’d be mad at.
I liked it when Marley confronted us the other night about the nutcrackers. Her cheeks flushed from the cold and her anger. There was fire in her eyes. It made me want to kiss her, to see how passionate she’d be in bed.
It was so tempting to explore a relationship now that we were adults despite all the reasons why it wasn’t a good idea.
Five
Marley
I heard the rumble of the trucks as I opened the first drawer in Gram’s dresser. It had taken most of the day for me to open the door and walk inside. The room was a little stuffy but nothing like the ones upstairs.
I opened a window to let the air in and spotted a couple of Monroe Christmas Tree Farm trucks in the driveway.
Irritation burned through my gut as I headed to the front door and opened it before anyone could knock.
I deflated when I saw Lori standing on the porch next to Ireland, Emmett, and Heath, who were talking about pizza toppings. “What are you doing here?”
