Marcus’s phone buzzed, breaking the comfortable silence. He frowned as he read the text. “Savannah said she'd be home in 15 minutes and that was 30 minutes ago”. You know I can’t leave without saying goodbye to my favorite niece.
I followed his gaze to the small house next door, familiar but untouched in any personal sense.
Marcus had encouraged his little sister Savannah to move to Hidden Pines three years ago.
Bringing with her a quiet resilience and a baby on the cusp of birth. Just after she’d split with her criminal ex-husband. She had wanted a fresh start and to leave that past behind.
Marcus had ensured she landed on solid ground, and I’d helped by tipping him off about the rental. But beyond that, our interactions were surface-deep. I just kept an occasional eye making sure all was good, seeing she’s a single parent.
“She’s probably just caught in Sunday traffic,” I said. “You know how it gets with weekenders heading home.”
“That’s true,” he responded. “Like me, I guess.”
“Exactly,” I answered, nodding. He did look worried when I looked at him. That was normal.
Marcus sighed, then let out a small laugh as Savannah’s car appeared at the end of the street. Relief softened his features. I felt an unexpected tension slip away, one I hadn’t known was there.
“Overprotective brother and uncle, that’s me,” Marcus said, heading to the porch’s edge.
“Don’t change,” I replied, watching as he moved toward the driveway.
Savannah stepped out, smiling as she opened the back door to retrieve her daughter. “Look who’s here!” Her voice had a lilt that matched the golden evening. Alana’s squeal of delight was followed by the sight of her little arms stretching toward Marcus.
“Uncle Marcus!” she shrieked. My lips twitched at the sight—Marcus, the big, stoic history buff, melting into a puddle of joy as he lifted his niece and nuzzled her nose. Both of them giggling like they were the same age and that age was closer to Alana’s than Marcus’.
Savannah caught my eye and offered a wave. There was warmth there, but also a flicker of hesitation. I nodded back, a gesture of acknowledgment more than anything.
“Hello,” I said, shifting my gaze to Alana. “And hello to you, Miss Alana.”
The toddler squirmed and grinned shyly at me, offering a half-wave. I chuckled. If the day ever came, I’d want a daughter with the same kind of light.
“So what have you and mommy been doing today?” Marcus asked Alana, smoothing down her dress as he spoke. She took on a thoughtful look that made me and Savannah laugh softly.
“Me and mommy went to the lake!” Alana said, bouncing in Marcus’s hold, eyes wide and sparkling.
“You went to the lake?” Marcus repeated. “Was it fun?”
Alana nodded, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly. “Mommy says water’s cold, brr!” She mimed shivering with dramatic flair, making all of us laugh.
“Too early in the season for that,” Savannah said with a rueful smile. "But she’s exhausted, I need to get her a bath before she goes to sleep." She accepts Alana back into her arms.
The transfer was seamless, but Alana’s gaze lingered on Marcus with a mix of longing and contentment. Their bond was strong, something that jabbed at the emptier parts of me.
“Had a good day?” Savannah asked, looking between Marcus and me.
“Always do,” Marcus said, sending me a knowing grin.
“Yep,” I replied, taking a casual swig of my root beer. “It’s tradition.”
“Well, I’d better get this one inside before she realizes it’s bedtime,” Savannah said. She turned to Alana, whose eyes were already drooping as her tiny voice rambled to her dolls on the porch.
Marcus gave a wave as she disappeared into the house, then turned to me. “You really don’t talk to her much, do you?”
“Nope,” I said. “We’re neighborly, but that’s it.”
“I was just wondering if she’s made any friends here. She seems happy and peaceful, and whenever I ask her how things are going she says that she loves it here.
But I was just curious as to whether or not she’s actually building a life of her own or if it all just revolves around Alana.”
