Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“Happy birthday, Daddy,” Gemma continued. “I love you.” She kissed her fingers and set them to the glass.
Lynnea went next, and it took everything in Nadia to not stand and pull her youngest into her arms and run away. She’d failed as a mother when she couldn’t protect them from this shattering heartbreak. She wished this on no one.
Lynnea’s words were the same as Gemma’s, only quieter. She stretched on her tiptoes to put her fingers to the glass, and then sat down to finish her cake. Children were resilient. Adults, not so much. Nadia’s heart was in her throat, burning with anger, resentment, and longing.
They stayed for an hour and then packed up. Lorraine took the girls to the car, while Nadia stayed back. She needed a moment. Once they were out of sight, she traced Rafe’s name with her fingertips.
“Today, like every day since you left us, has been unfathomable. Time doesn’t heal wounds,” she said out loud. “My wounds are gaping. My heart and soul fractured.” Nadia took a deep breath. “You’re somewhere, while we’re here, trying to survive. Trying to figure out how we live without you being the constant in our lives. Nothing is the same and never will be. My love for you is immeasurable, Rafe Karlsson. Happy birthday, my love.”
Nadia stepped back and turned, only to find a woman holding a bouquet, staring at her. She knew, without confirmation, who this woman was.
“Your husband saved me.” The woman said the words slowly. “I know that me saying those words won’t mean anything to you, at least not today, or even next year. I don’t pretend to understand the sacrifice your family has made for mine. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you and your children.”
At one point, Nadia had so many things to say to the woman before her, but words failed her. This woman lived with survivor’s guilt, which was probably enough to cripple her being.
“Are those for Rafe?” Nadia asked of the flowers.
“They are. I got his birthday from his obituary. I hope this is okay.”
She nodded. “Rafe would like that you visited him.”
Nadia turned and walked away. When she came to the end of the column, she turned back and saw the woman staring at Rafe’s niche. “I hope you’re doing something magnificent with your life. Rafe would want that.”
“I will,” she said. “To honor him for what he’s done for me.”
Nadia smiled and walked away.
FOURTEEN
REID
When the knock sounded, Reid smiled and hung up her call with Melanie. She went to the door and, thinking she was funny, asked, “Who is it?”
Grayson laughed on the other side. “Your . . .” He paused. Reid frowned as she waited. “It’s Grayson.” She suspected he was going to say something cute and possibly romantic but didn’t. Why? Was it because she’d put the thoughts into his head that she didn’t want to be with him? That was the furthest thing from the truth. She wanted him more than anything, but not at the expense of her heart.
Reid opened the door. She wore a rosy, thin-strapped summer dress with a pair of white sandals. In comparison to Grayson’s white shirt and darker skin complexion, they’d look good together. She made a mental note to take pictures together, wanting to capture the night.
He leaned against the doorjamb, turning on the charm. His hands were in his pockets, and the sleeves of his button-down were rolled partway up his arms. Grayson smiled, his lips turning up in a half grin.
Cocky, she thought.
Mine also popped into her mind. She quickly cleared the thought away.
“Are you ready, Sully?”
“I am.” She grabbed her cardigan and small clutch and then met him in the hallway. He took her hand, set it on his arm, and then put his hand back into his pocket. Cocky and self-assured. She was in for a whole new side of Grayson.
They walked a few blocks to a new eatery in town that specialized in salads. Reid knew this wasn’t what Grayson had in mind for dinner, but the fact that he was sticking to his diet on their first date meant a lot. His health was important to her. Witnessing what she had—she never wanted to go through that again.
During their dinner, Grayson picked at his salad, moving the copious amount of vegetables and lean meat around.
“Are you okay?”
“I am.” He looked up at her and smiled.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“Just thinking about how I should’ve done this earlier.” Grayson sat back in his seat. “This isn’t a great first date place.” He looked around. “I mean, I guess it is like the very first date, but we’ve known each other for years. Do you remember when we went to the Inn at Little Washington for your birthday last year?”
Reid nodded.