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Blair’s friend was wearing jeans that would probably cost a month’s rent for most people, and a designer T-shirt. With tousled blond hair and deep brown eyes, he had the kind of easy good looks that always attracted attention. I liked him, but I’d never been interested in him romantically, and I was glad he had a girlfriend now and seemed to have gotten over the crush he used to have on me.
“Hey, Ty.” I gave him a quick hug. “You really didn’t have to come all this way.”
He released me and stepped back. “When Blair explained what was happening, and the fact that he was worried for your safety, I knew I needed to be here at least for a while to see you with my own eyes and make sure you’re okay. Plus—” A dimple popped in his cheek. “—I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand, so it didn’t take much convincing.”
I laughed. “Well, there’s plenty to see in this area of the country. Perhaps you and Blair can do a bit of a tour while you’re here.”
“I’d like that.” He smiled. “I already know I like Destiny Falls. It feels like such a welcoming community.”
“Mm,” I replied noncommittally. “Welcoming” wasn’t exactly how it had felt recently, but I knew I had some ground to make up.
“How did your meeting with Liam go?” Blair asked.
My heart lightened. “It went well. We talked. Had breakfast together and caught up.”
“Good.” He still looked wary. “So, what now?”
A smile crept over my face. “We’re going hiking on the weekend.”
“Cool.” He glanced at Tyler. “We were just talking about heading up to see the falls now. Do you want to come?”
“No, thanks.” I still hadn’t been there since that last time with Liam, and I didn’t want to return unless it was with him. “I might see if Grace is home. I told her I’d explain things once I’d talked to Liam, and I’ve talked to Liam, so I think it’s about time she gets the full story.”
“Fair enough.”
“I’ll see you guys later though. Have fun.”
“You too,” Blair said as I performed an about-face and went to the main house.
I knocked and waited a few moments for Grace to answer. When she did, she was wearing a soft sweater over yoga pants, and her cheeks were flushed.
“Do you have a few minutes?” I asked. “Or are you in the middle of something?”
“Oh, uh.” She looked caught off guard by the question. “I have time. I’ve been writing, but I can get back to it when we’re done.” She stepped away from the door. “Come in. Would you like a drink?”
“No, thanks. I just had coffee and breakfast with Liam. I’m plenty caffeinated.”
Her eyes widened. “Breakfast with Liam?”
She led me into the private part of the house, and I celebrated at the realization that she considered me more than just a guest.
“Yeah, we had a talk yesterday and cleared up a few things from the past, so now I’d like to do the same with you, if that’s okay.”
“Of course.”
We sat on her sofa, and she reached over and squeezed my hand. The gentle reassurance was all I needed to start talking. I spilled the whole story in a stream of verbal diarrhea, and she listened patiently, her expression betraying surprise at certain points but otherwise giving little away. When I was done, she wrapped an arm around me.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” She held me close, not letting go. “I may not know what it’s like to be orphaned and have such responsibility dumped on my shoulders at a young age, but I do know how it feels to not have parents around. Mine…. Well, let’s just say we have some fundamental disagreements and leave it at that.” She drew back, but kept a hold of my shoulders. “You should be proud of yourself. You might not have gone about things the way you wish you had, but you did something that a lot of people wouldn’t be able to, and it sounds like you raised your siblings to be healthy, well-adjusted adults. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment.”
Her praise warmed my insides. “Thanks, Grace.” I let out a deep breath, grateful to finally release the secret I’d been carrying around. It felt good to be honest. “I really missed you when I left.”
She kissed my cheek. “I missed you too, and like I said when you got here, I always thought there was more to the story than you let on. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to offer my support when you needed it.”
“Think we can be friends again?” I asked, knowing how middle-school I sounded but not able to bring myself to care.
“Yeah.” She flashed a smile. “I want that.”
ChapterThirty-One
