“I’m feeling a little more okay.I’ve, uh, been seeing a therapist.”
“Oh, yeah?”I kept my tone cautiously neutral.
“I had a bit of a meltdown.Well, not really a meltdown, but I helped out with a local fire here.When we had to rescue somebody, I kind of fell apart.My superintendent pointed out that maybe there was a reason for that.”I could hear my brother’s wry chuckle through the line, and I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until I heard that sound.
“Maybe he’s not wrong,” I offered carefully.
“He’s definitely not wrong.It’s never going to be perfect to come home.”
“It was never perfect before,” I pointed out.
Lincoln chuckled again.“No, it wasn’t.Life’s an asshole, huh?”
“Sometimes.”
“Anyway, I’m coming home, and I’m staying.”His voice was clear and firm.
“Seriously?”I pressed.Even though I was standing by myself in the hallway, my mouth dropped open.I’d started to doubt he ever would.
“Yeah, dude.Maybe I’ve been running from my own demons, but Heartfire Falls is home.Always has been, always will be.I miss you guys, even cranky Haven.”
A laugh rustled in my throat.“He hasn’t been so cranky ever since he and Elsa got together.”
“Do you guys have a room saved for me?”he teased.
A bark of a laugh came out at that.“Of course.Which one do you want?”
“Honestly, I’ll take whatever.”
Yet again, the moment felt heavy.We had lost it all, or so it had felt like for a while there.I cleared my throat.“Look, not to be weird, but it’s meant a lot to all of us to rebuild this place, and I think it’ll mean a lot to you.Bree would’ve loved it.”
“I’m sure she would have,” he said.
I hadn’t intended it as such, but that passing comment about our sister, and the fact that he could even reply to it instead of skipping past as if she’d never existed, spoke volumes for where my brother was these days.
“So, Haven and Elsa are still doing well?”Linc asked next.
“They’re doing amazing,” I said.
“I’m still giving Haven shit for being such a sappy guy, but I’m really happy for him.Speaking of love, what’s up with you and Kendall?Have you fessed up to her that she’s not just your best friend?”
“Lincoln,” I warned.
But Lincoln knew how I felt.He always had.“Don’t wait until it’s too late, Jude.I know how much she means to you, and it’s obvious how much you mean to her.It’s not a one-way street.”
“I’m working on it,” was all I offered.Maybe what was happening with Kendall and me wasn’t a big secret, but I wasn’t ready to tell the whole world about it.
“Mom will be so happy about that,” he teased.
“Lincoln,” I warned again.
His laughter was laced with a sly tone.“I know, I know.I won’t give you any more hell about Kendall, but tell her I said hey.Since you asked, I’ll plan to call Mom later tonight, and then word will spread among the family.It’ll be fine, right?”
“Of course, it will.Seriously, Lincoln, we all miss you.”My words were heartfelt.“We really do.If you wanted to stay away forever, I’d understand, but I know how much you love this place.”
“I do.”His voice was low and solemn.
“Call me if you ever need to talk in the meantime,” I said.
