“He’s already hurting and so are you,” Phoebe says, placing a loving hand on my shoulder.“Summer, let me ask you a question.And don’t get angry at me.”
I rear back.Who could ever be angry at Phoebe Travis?She’s Nevada’s version of Mother Theresa.
“What if the situation were the other way around?”she asks me.
I sputter out a laugh.“Okay, that’s not a fair question.”
She gets right up in my face.“You will answer this.What if you were to learn that Declan has a serious illness?Let’s say he needs heart surgery.”
I shake my head, refusing to play this game.But Phoebe’s not backing off.
“You’ve just received the news, and your husband turns to you and says, ‘You know what, Summer?I know you thought you loved me but that was back when I was healthy, so why don’t you go find some other dude to love while I go off by myself to have open-heart surgery?’How would you feel?Would you be okay with leaving him to face all the fear and uncertainty alone?”
“Of course not.”
“I rest my case.”
“But if Iwereokay with it, he wouldn’t be alone.He’d still have his family.”
“You’rehis family, Summer!”Phoebe snaps.
“And he’syourfamily,” Emma adds.“You're his wife.Let your husband love you and help you carry the weight of the uncertainty and grief.Love each other through whatever comes.”
I feel something break apart in my chest.I begin to tremble, and I completely lose it, crying like I’ve never cried in my life.My sisters gather around once more, hold me, and cry with me again.I don’t know how much time goes by when I reach the point that I can’t cry anymore.
Victoria sits up and takes a deep breath.“Anyway, you’re a MacLaine now, Summer.And you know the MacLaine family motto…”
“‘Leave no man behind,’” Emma says, proud of herself.
“Wait.I thought it was ‘go big or go home,’” Victoria says.
“Actually, it’s a Latin saying,” I correct them both.“Vincere Vel Mori, which means ‘Conquer or Die.’”
Everyone stares at me.
“Screw all that fancy shit,” Phoebe says, already giggling.“We know what it really is—‘are you going to eat that’?”
All of us double over in laughter.Victoria rolls off the coffee table, which makes us laugh even harder.
We make coffee and enjoy Emma’s delicious breakfast.The sun is up by the time everyone leaves.One by one they hug me, and I assure them that I’ll reconsider.But I ask that they give me a little space while I think it through.
I wave goodbye and watch them drive off.When I close the door and turn back to the front room of my cabin, I’m struck by how big and empty it looks.
Because Declan’s not here.
CHAPTER 48
Declan
My front door slams open, allowing a rush of icy air into my house.I don’t even look up.I know who it is.I’m surprised it took them this long.I’m surprised they even waited until sunrise.
About an hour ago, I thought about getting up from my kitchen island swivel chair.I considered deadbolting all my doors and windows to prevent the invasion, but I just didn’t have the energy.Not that it would stop them.
That’s the thing about my brothers.They’ll do anything for me, even if I lock the doors and beg them not to.
All four of them wander into my kitchen.
“What’s this?”Cal picks up my coffee cup and sniffs.“Just coffee.And stone cold.”
