Leroy stood and called out to his dog, but she ignored him. He watched as she disappeared about the corner of the cottage. Curious, he followed her trail, approaching the cottage then turning thecorner, where he saw Babe on the front porch. And it wasn’t his imagination. Brynna, wearing the simple blue dress, was kneeling down and rubbing Babe’s ears.
“Brynna?” He felt his eyes widen as he slowly approached the porch steps.
She stood with a surprised expression. “Leroy.” She brushed dog hair and dust from her hands, smiling shyly. “Hello.”
Feeling slightly delusional, he ran his fingers through his uncombed, shaggy hair. “Wh-what’re you doing here?”
She waved to the pair of rockers. “You have time to sit? And talk?”
“Sure, I guess so.” He slowly ascended the steps as she sat down in a rocker.
She watched him as he sat beside her and for a moment no one spoke.
“I’m sorry to take you by surprise,” she began in a calm voice. “I was hoping to see you before this, but Gina tells me you’ve been working like crazy over in the burn area. Apparently no one has seen you. Not your mother or Sophie or—”
“You’ve spoken with my mother?” He tried to imagine this.
“Yes, she’s a big part of the reason I’m still here.” She told him about having coffee with his mother on the day she’d planned to leave. “She challenged me to stay.”
“Mymother?”
She nodded. “The reason I couldn’t go was that I need to tell you that I realize what a mess I made of everything, Leroy. Like Gina said, I ran like a scared rabbit instead of telling you the truth.”
“Gina said that?”
“Yes. Gina and I have had some good conversations. She’s explained several things to me.”
“What did she mean about telling me the truth? What truth?”
“Okay ... I know you could toss this back in my face,” she spoke slowly, “but the truth is ... I love you, Leroy.” She paused to take a breath. And he did too. Then she continued. “There, I’vesaid it. And I have to admit it feels very risky to speak to you like this. I know how angry you’ve been at me for being such a flake. And you have every right to be. I wouldn’t be surprised if you threw me off of your property.”
Leroy felt his head spinning as he tried to absorb all this. Had she really just said she loved him? Was this real?
“But before you throw me out, you need to know that I think I’ve loved you for a very long time. I couldn’t admit it when I was young. I was scared and naive, and Dirk took advantage of my confusion. But when I got here and when I saw you and realized who you really are, well, I knew that old love had never died. I’m pretty sure it never will.” Her eyes glistened with tears.
Leroy was speechless. How could he respond when he couldn’t even think?
“So, even if you tell me that you don’t love me and that you’ll never love me and that I should go home, I still needed to say it.” She barely smiled, and her eyes were sad. “I’m glad I said it. It’s like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. This is why I didn’t go home with Jan and Mike—so that I could say these words to you.” She peered curiously at him, probably hurt by his stony silence. “And, really, I don’t want you to feel bad if you need to send me packing. I just want you to be honest with me. I promise I’ll understand. But I’ll still love you.” She sighed, a nervous expression crossing her face. “And so there you have it.”
He scrambled for words, but it felt like his brain had been through the grape-crushing machine. Another part of him started to question what she’d said. What if this was just another game? What if she was just waiting for him to fold so she could get up and run?
“I don’t blame you for not trusting me,” she continued as if she’d read his scrambled thoughts. “You called me a human ping-pong ball once, and I think that described me pretty well. But there was a lot going on. I have my own past issues and insecurities. But even more than that, I was really worried about your girls. I didn’t want to start a war in your lovely family. But your mother and Ginaboth assured me that sisters fight a lot, about lots of things. It’s just their Italian Sorrentino heritage.”
“That’s true,” he managed to mumble.
She peered intently into his eyes. “So I assume you don’t feel the same. That’s why you’re not saying anything. But it’s okay, Leroy. I understand. As badly as it hurts, it’s kind of a good hurt, and I’m determined to accept it.” She stood and, biting her lower lip, looked at him with tear-filled eyes. “Maybe this helps make us even for how I’ve hurt you. Maybe it will help you to move on with your life. You can now be assured that you’ve hurt me. Probably worse than I’ve hurt you.” She turned to go in the house. “I’ll be out of here within the hour.”
“Wait,” he yelled.
She paused by the door, looking at him with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I-I just don’t know what to say.” He stood. “I think I’m kind of in shock here. I mean I wasn’t expecting anything like this. I didn’t even know you were here. I thought you were back in Oregon by now.”
She wiped her tears with her palms. “I know it’s a lot for you to take in, Leroy. I’m so sorry. But I honestly didn’t know how else to do it. I kept waiting. And your mother told me I should—”
“No, that’s not it.” He rushed over and swept her into his arms. “I’m glad you said what you did, Brynna.”
“You are?” She blinked. “You really are?”
