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“Hunter? What’s going on with him? Is he okay?”
Her throat clogged with emotion. “No, he’s not okay.”
Although it was awkward in his truck and a bit uncomfortable, Cade wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“Hunter…” She stopped and bit her lower lip, hardly able to mention her twin’s name without the instant rush of loss and grief.
“Tell me,” he whispered, as if he was willing to help her carry any burden, any weight too much for her to bear.
A sob broke loose.
“Hope, what happened to Hunter?”
“He’s gone, Cade. He’s the reason I left California. He died in Afghanistan nearly two years ago. I thought if I moved away, if I wasn’t constantly bombarded with memories, that I’d be able to move forward. That hasn’t happened. Every day is a struggle. I can’t let go of him for fear if I do, I’ll be left completely alone, floundering. I have no family. No one.”
His arms tightened, and he buried his face on the top of her head. “Oh baby, I’m so sorry. You aren’t alone any longer. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
His words washed over her, giving her a reason to look forward instead of back to all she’d lost. She wept, comforted in the warmth of his embrace, absorbing his tenderness and his gentle care.
“We’ve both suffered losses,” Cade whispered, calming her by stroking his hand across her back in a soothing caress.
How long they sat there, in silence, holding on to each other, Hope couldn’t say. When she yawned, Cade said, “It’s time for me to leave.”
Although she didn’t want him to go, she knew it was for the best. For him and for her. Ever the gentleman, Cade walked her to the door. Shadow had been sitting on the porch, patiently waiting for her. Cade paused long enough to give him an affectionate pet.
Before she went inside, Cade gathered her in his arms and kissed her. This wasn’t the first time they’d exchanged kisses. But it felt different. Somehow sharing the pain of the losses in their lives had broken down unseen barriers between them. They clung to each other as Cade kissed the tears from her cheeks. Hope found it difficult to let him go.
“I hate to leave you,” he whispered, seeming as resistant for their evening to end as she was.
“I know.”
She went into the house with Shadow at her side, and then stood in the doorway with her arms around her waist, as she watched Cade return to his truck and drive away.
—
The next morning, Hope woke to a text message from Cade that left her smiling.
No nightmares for me. I dreamed of you instead. I’ve got a counseling session this afternoon. What time will you be free from school?
Hope sent a quick text back. I’m glad you know about Hunter. I should be home around five. I’ve got a couple errands to run after classes.
Hope’s head was buzzing with a warm feeling from Cade’s text as she stopped off at Bean There for her morning latte.
Willa greeted her with a knowing smile. “Something tells me you’re in an especially good mood.”
“I am,” Hope said, on a cheerful note, as she paid with her debit card.
“I don’t suppose this has to do with that handsome young man I saw you with at the football game?”
“And I would say that it most likely does.” Hope had dated a bit while in college. However, between school and her part-time jobs, there’d been precious little time for relationships. Then, after getting the news about her twin, it felt as if her whole world had imploded. She’d been too depressed and melancholy to even think about dating. Eventually she realized she needed a fresh start and had found one in Oceanside.
And with Cade.
“I remember what it was like when Sean and I first started seeing each other,” Willa said. “It seemed every day was full of sunshine even when it was cloudy and raining.”
“That’s how I feel,” Hope said. Happiness seemed to bubble up inside her as she waited while Willa brewed her drink.
“It was dark for a long time after my sister died,” Willa added. “I’ll be forever grateful for how patient Sean was with me.”
