I want you to know that I loved you both. I know it may not seem like it, but it’s true. I don’t dare to hope that I’ll ever reunite with your father. I’ve done far too many terrible things in my life to end up where he is. But I know he’s been watching over you all these years. He loved you beyond measure, and he would be proud of the women you’ve become.
I hope you’ve found each other and created the family you deserve.
I’m sorry for everything.
Love Always and Forever,
Tonya Anderson
Her final words blur, and my teardrops mingle with already smudged ink on the worn paper. My chin quivers as I fold it back up and slip it into the envelope. I turn and bury my face in Jaxon’s chest. He cradles me against him, running his fingers through my hair.
He doesn’t say anything, and I’m grateful. I need time to process everything. God knows I don’t owe her anything, but it doesn’t do me any favors to dwell on the past—not when myfuture is holding me in his arms like I’m the most precious thing in the world.
“Thank you for being here,” I say.
His lips touch the top of my head. “Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
I pull back, and he swipes his thumbs under my eyes, capturing the last few tears. “I love you, Calliope Alexandra Marsden.”
“I love you, too, Jaxon… wait, what’s your middle name?”
“Calder after my great-grandaddy.”
“I love you, Jaxon Calder Hayes.”
Chapter 38
What Family Feels Like
? Feels Like Home - Bonnie Raitt
Callie
The fall festivalis in full swing at Whispering Oaks Ranch, and I finally made it—on a technicality, I kind of live here now, but who’s counting?
The ranch is decorated in vibrant fall colors with pumpkins and hay bales, corn stalks and scarecrows—the joyful kind you find in a craft store, not those scary ones from the movies. Olivia’s mobile bakery smells like pumpkin spice and apple cider had a baby, and there’s a face painting station set up outside the big barn.
Lexi strides toward the petting zoo with Emmy clinging to one hand and Gracie on the other. Clio’s arm links through mine, and she lays her head on my shoulder. “They’re really freaking cute. When are you going to give me a niece of my own?”
I jerk my head at Jaxon. “After this guy puts a ring on it.”
He leans in next to my ear and whispers, “That’s not what you said last night.”
“I heard that, and I do not need to know what kinky shit you and my baby sister are into, thank you very much.”
She jogs after the kids, leaving Jaxon and me to fend for ourselves.
It’s been two months since Clio showed up in Willow Valley, and we haven’t spent more than a few days apart since. She told me her story, and I told her mine. We laughed, we cried, and when it was all said and done, we agreed that we both probably needed therapy, but we settled for hurricane shots at the Ridge and matching tattoos.
Evie helped me find a therapist who takes virtual clients, so I can meet with her in the comfort of my home. She suggested that Clio and I visit our mother’s grave in New Jersey, and we’ve decided to go in the spring once we’ve had more time to reconcile.
I still have complicated feelings about everything, but I’m grateful to have my sister back in my life. Lexi is just like her when she was fourteen. She’s been helping out with story time after school, and we’ve gotten really close over the last couple of months.
Jaxon wraps his arms around me from behind as we watch the kids feed the goats.
“Hey, look, isn’t that your friend?” I point toward one of the fall photo displays.
Jaxon’s brow furrows as he scans the area. “Who?”
