Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
He frowns. “No. What makes you think that?”
“Why am I not surprised you’re a perfectionist?” I can’t help wondering if he had to try any of them more than once, just needing to get it right.
“Or maybe I’m just a good wrapper.” When I cock a brow, he says, “The kind that wraps gifts, not songs,” surprising me with the pun, and I take that as a good sign.
“Thank you, Rhett, for caring about her that much.”
“It’s fine. Sorry I’m not used to this.”
I feel like that’s one of the most honest things Rhett has said to me. “Spend more time with us, and you will be,” I tell him, hoping he takes me up on my offer and I get more time with him.
CHAPTER FIVE
Rhett
When we get to the doors, Tripp pulls one open and signals for me to go inside. Carrying the three packages, my arms are fuller than his. I try not to second-guess myself with the gifts but can’t stop myself from wondering if I should have listened to him and only brought two inside. I’d done so well at quieting the constant self-doubt, but this past year, it’s been more and more difficult. Maybe that’s a side effect of getting out from under my father’s thumb.
I follow Tripp over to where I see my brother filling up balloons that Archer hangs up. He and Meadow laugh at something Archer says, making an unfamiliar lightness flitter through my chest. I love seeing East this way, love that he’s finding his way through the pain that has been the story of our lives.
There’s an obvious connection between him and Meadow, and while I figure part of it is because of Ella, I don’t want to take away from the fact that Meadow just attracts people to her. The short amount of time I’ve spent with her makes me feel the same. But I also can’t deny that seeing East with her makes my heart hurt for what we lost, makes me feel even guiltier for not being there when Ella died.
Meadow looks up and sees us first, and a wide smile takes over her whole face. I wish I could bottle her happiness so I’ll have some too. “Mr. Rhett is here!”
East’s head snaps in my direction, and then he too is smiling, and there are no words for how that feels.
“If it’s okay with your dad, call me Rhett,” I tell her. I understand it’s a sign of respect, but it makes me feel like my father.
“Is it weird for you too?” she asks.
“What?”
“I asked her to drop the mister as well.” My brother walks over to me, and we just stand there, looking at each other, as if neither of us knows how to approach the other.
“Here, I’ll take these. Help me, Meadow-bug.” Tripp takes two of the packages from my arms, Meadow grabbing the other. They take them to the table, and I push my hands into the pockets of my coat, unsure what to do with them.
“I’m glad you’re here,” East says. Six months ago, he wouldn’t have spoken those words first, which means they wouldn’t have been said at all, not from either of us. I’m so proud of him, of the changes he’s made and the ways he’s trying to get healthy, and even if I don’t know how to do that for myself, I’m reminded that I’m supposed to be trying for him and Morgan. That’s why I’m still seeing Talia.
“Thanks. It’s good to see you.”
I freeze, surprised when East steps closer and pulls me into a hug. Like our initial reaction, it’s awkward and stilted, but I maneuver my arms so I can hug him too. How sad is it that we don’t know how to do this? That we’ve never had this sort of connection as brothers?
Why didn’t I do something about that sooner?
East pulls back. “Thought I’d try that.”
Again, it’s something I should have done first. “Thoughts?” I ask, unsure what else to say.
“A little weird, but not bad. I can acknowledge that it shouldn’t be weird.”
I don’t expect the soft chuckle that slips past my lips. “Yeah, I feel the same.”
“Oh, Grandma and Grandpa are here!” Meadow says, reminding me we aren’t alone. I clear my throat and take a step away from my brother.
They set their gifts on the table and hug Meadow, then Tripp and Archer.
“Rhett Swift, good to see you.” Tripp’s dad, Mark, holds out his hand to me. I square my shoulders, giving him the smile I’ve perfected.
“Good to see you too.” I can’t even say what conversations we’ve possibly shared over the years, but it’s not unexpected for everyone in Birchbark to know who I am.
“So nice of you to come,” Tripp’s mom says next. I can’t remember her name…Debbie, maybe? Debra, I think, and when she turns to introduce herself to East, I realize my second guess was correct. It also doesn’t escape my attention that even though I’m not sure how many times we may have met over the years, she feels like she knows me in a way she doesn’t with East. I doubt Tripp’s parents mean anything by it or even notice they’re doing it, but because of the trouble East’s been in, everyone in Birchbark has looked at him differently or not acknowledged him at all. That’s not something Morgan and I have ever experienced. And though I know Archer wasn’t happy in his career as a police officer, it’s not hard to see that part of the reason he walked away from it is because of his love for my brother.