“Yeah, it’s for you,” said Layla. “Are you going to visit us at Grandma’s house?”
“I don’t know about that, sweet pea, but I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
Even then, Connor hadn’t looked at Elaine. She’d never felt so invisible. It was as if he couldn’t stand the sight of her.
He’d hugged the kids again, said goodbye, and met her at the door. His gaze had been trained on the floor, but he’d paused at the doorway. “Take care.”
“Connor.”
He hadn’t waited to hear what she would say. Why couldn’t she fuckingsayanything? Mute, she’d watched him hurry away into the woods. She’d waited for her heart to pound in her ears, as it had so much in the past few weeks, but it didn’t. If it beat at all, it did so silently.
For a dark moment, Elaine wondered if Connor had taken her heart with him.
Now, out on the dock, as Lex put their luggage into his boat, she tried to remain strong as their friends wished them well. Everyone was there, from Ryland to Fleur and everyone she’d grown to love in between. Lia even brought baby Kody. Next to baby Lloyd, he looked so little, but Elaine knew they’d both be big and strong one day.
“You’ll call as soon as you get settled?” asked Fleur.
Elaine nodded. She would and had no intention of burying herself in a hole again. She glanced at the line of trees.
Connor still hadn’t shown up. She didn’t expect he would, but she’d allowed herself to hope just a bit.
Ryland kissed Elaine on the cheek. “Remember what I said. Your cabin is reserved indefinitely. You always have a home on Gemini Island.”
“Thanks, Ry. I’ll be in touch.”
Elaine made the rounds and gave everyone hugs. It was a hard moment. Even some of the guys had tears in their eyes. When she got to Jani, he sniffled, and she’d never seen him cry before.
Lex helped her and the kids into the boat and started the engine. She gathered Andy and Layla to her, and they all waved.
Even though Elaine told herself not to do it, she glanced once more at the woods separating the dock and the rest of the resort.
No Connor.
It was probably for the best. Seeing him now would have shattered her. It was hard enough holding herself together for the children.
Lex steered away from the dock. “Hey, kids. Did I ever tell you about my Aunt Bertha’s nose hairs? They were so long you could braid them.”
As Lex amused Andy and Layla, Elaine turned and waved at her friends one more time.
A lone figure in a gray jacket approached the group from behind.
Elaine’s bear awoke and huffed and then hung its sad head.
Connor.
She held her breath.
He waved.
* * * *
“Grandma! Grandpa!” Andy and Layla raced up the porch toward Elaine’s parents.
Her folks held out their arms to greet the kids. Elaine’s dad scooped Layla up and tossed her into the air. In the meantime, her mom grabbed Andy and gave him a ferocious cuddle. Both of them were in tears.
“Grandma,” asked Andy once he was released from her grip, “why does everyone cry when they see us?”
“Oh.” Wendy Banks wiped her nose on a tissue. “It’s because we love you so much, that’s why.”
