The sharp bite of shame settles in the pit of my stomach, and the rest of Marie’s speech fades into the background as I think back over everything I’ve done to avoid truly living. I lost myself that day, and I didn’t even try to pick up the pieces—not until Callie came along and showed me how to be whole again.
A large hand clamps down on my shoulder, drawing me out of my swirling thoughts. “It’s good to see you, Jax.”
I swallow thickly as I come face to face with Ryan’s father. He looks the same as he always did, but the lines on his face have deepened, and his hair, once dark brown, is now completely grey. He’s become an old man in the time I’ve been away, reminding me just how much life I’ve missed out on.
Phil’s smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
Guilt lances me, and I press my thumb into my pulse point to soothe the ache.
His eyes dart to my hands and back, then he pulls me in for a tight hug, and the tears I’d been struggling to hold back since the second I arrived begin to fall in earnest.
He pats my back. “It’s about damn time, son.”
It takes me a second to catch my breath and return the embrace. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve been here.”
He pulls back, palming my shoulders. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
“Am I interrupting?”
Phil steps aside, making way for his wife. Marie wraps her arms around me. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
She takes a step back and glances at Phil. Something passes between them and he nods.
“Will you come with us for a moment?” she asks. “I have something for you.”
I follow them into the house. It smells exactly the same, somehow. In fact, not much of anything has changed. It’s like a time capsule. Maybe I’m not the only one who never moved on.
I sit on the same navy blue couch that’s been here for as long as I can remember.
Marie joins me and hands me a black box with a hinged lid. “Ryan would’ve wanted you to have this.”
I open it, and my heart stops beating.
“I can’t take this.” My voice is feeble as I stare down at the once broken watch, now fully repaired—ticking like time didn’t stop at 8:36 p.m. exactly thirteen years ago.
I try to give it back, but Marie’s hand closes around mine as she shuts the lid. “It was always meant to be yours. We were just waiting for you to be ready.”
As I trace the embroidery on the outside of the box, I notice a large flower arrangement on the coffee table with a card. I recognize the handwriting instantly.
“Every year.” The lines bracketing her eyes deepen as she offers me a soft smile. “Your mama never misses the anniversary.”
Thirteen bouquets for every year I couldn’t bring myself to show up. I was a coward, and I don’t deserve their forgiveness.
“It shouldn’t have taken me so long to visit,” I whisper.
Her time-worn hand touches mine, and that’s when I notice the tan line where her wedding ring used to be. “We all changed that day, Jaxon. Some of us just had a harder time dealing with it.”
They ask me about my life, my family, and everything in between. I tell them about Wilder and Olivia, about Emmy and Gracie, and all the rest. I give them an update on Copper and share photos of him working the ranch with Pops. I promise to send updates and keep in touch more often.
“What about you?” Marie asks. “Do you have someone special waiting for you back home?”
My thoughts stray to dark hair and mood ring eyes.
“You’re in love,” she murmurs.
“Yeah. I think I might be.”
All is quiet when I return home. The lights are off except for the one on the porch. I sit on the step and drape my elbows over my knees, letting the evening breeze ease some of the residual tension.
