AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay.”Chase takes my hand, holding tight to two fingers as Mel grabs her coat and steps out onto the front porch.When she’s gone, he looks up at me with calm eyes and asks, “It’s about the little girl, isn’t it?They’re going to get the bad guy who was mean to her?”
Catching chills for the hundredth time, I nod.“Yeah, I think so.”
“Good,” Chase says with a smile.“Then she’ll be happy and can rest.”He yawns.“Can I watch Sesame Street while I have my strawbabies?”
“You sure can,” I say, looking forward to the creep-banishing power of children’s television.I get Chase set up on the floor in front of the TV with Elmo, Big Bird, and a bowl of berries.Mel returns about twenty minutes later and we finish cooking breakfast like it’s just another day and there aren’t cops unearthing a body behind our house.
The rest of the morning passes in a similar blend of peace and chaos.More police show up, then an ambulance, then even more cops in plain clothes and a man Melissa tells me is the new medical examiner.But inside, it’s all food and toys and giggles as we pull up another of Chase’s favorite movies—Toy Story 2—and watch it under the covers on the couch.
By noon, the police have departed, leaving crime scene tape around the now-empty hole under the apple tree and the house is…emptier than it was before.
“Is it just me or do you think the G-H-O-S-T is…” Mel makes a flitting motion with her hand toward the ceiling.
I nod.“I think so.Getting the peace she deserves, I hope.”
“She is,” Chase says, making Mel and I both shift our gazes sharply between us, where he’s snuggled up with his bunny.“She said goodbye while I was coming back from the potty.She went to be with her mommy.”
Mel hugs him closer, kissing his cheek.“That’s great news, and I have even better news.I think it’s time to go sledding.”
“Yay!”Chase squirms out from under the covers and hops off the couch.“Come on, Awin, let’s go!”
“Just let me get my sweater on.”I stand as he runs toward the bedroom.
“You need your snowsuit,” Mel calls after him.She rises beside me, adding in a voice for my ears only, “Maybe we can stay here, at least another night or two.It doesn’t feel weird anymore.”
Gazing down into her face, I shake my head.“No, it doesn’t.Not weird at all.”
Her lips curve.“That way we can talk.Tonight.After Chase goes to bed.”
“I would love that,” I murmur.“I think about talking to you all the time.”
She grins.“I mean talking.For real.Justtalking.”She shrugs before adding with a wink, “At least at first.”
After Mel has Chase dressed for sledding, we head out for what I already know is going to be one of the best days of my life.
Because I get to share it with them, these people I’m starting to hope might be my forever.
Chapter 23
Melissa
I’m never going to forget this day.
I know that before we spend a fantastic afternoon sledding near Aaron’s grandmother’s house.Before we have hot chocolate at the indie bookstore downtown and buy new picture books for bedtime.Before we pick Nutty up at the shelter and he rides on Aaron’s good shoulder back to the vacation house, trembling with excitement and petting Aaron’s beard the entire drive home.
The dark secret beneath the apple tree and the police presence early this morning ensured that this particular snowy, February day will forever be branded in my memory.But it’s the way I feel cuddled up on the couch with my little family after dinner that’s made it one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever known.
I can’t believe I was going to end things with Aaron.If I’d sent him on his way, we never would have had this perfect day filled with laughter and fun and so much love.
I’m in love with this man.
He’s in love with my baby and me.
And suddenly all the lonely nights spent crying myself to sleep are worth it because every single one brought me here.
“More fizzy water?”Aaron asks, squeezing my thigh beneath the blanket.
I shake my head, whispering, “No, I’m good.”I glance down to where Chase is passed out on the floor with a train still in each hand.“It’s probably okay if we skip brushing his teeth just this once.He’s so tired.”
