Mabel smiles at me. “Well, if that’s the case you can chew hisear off some more tomorrow.” I let out a laugh.
I don’t think Mabel realises that I’d love nothing more than for that little girl to chew my ear off tomorrow.
I want to get to know her andher story if her mama is willing to let me.
Nineteen
Mabel
Looking at the time on my smart watch, I already know that we’re running well and truly behind schedule for the day’s events.
Quarter to twelve and we’re already an hour behind in the setting up schedule.
Looking up from the green bean casserole I’m making, the sweat placed on my brow, hair back into a low ponytail today as;
One: it’s hot as balls.
Two: I really don’t need my hair in everyone’s food.
I look towards the end of the kitchen and watch mybrother walk through the sliding back door. I tilt my eyes up to meet his, feeling awkward as fuck.
I don’t argue with my brother as a rule; period.
We did enough fighting to last us a lifetime when we were younger. So, having not spoken to him for days and remembering the words my mom told me, it brings over a wave of sadness as I look at him.
“Need help?” He asks, sheepishly.
I still haven’t had a proper conversation with him about the whole Maverick situation, but I promised mama I’d forgive him.
When Maverick left, he put a wound in a lot of us. Colter and I suffered the most. I lost my soulmate; he lost his best friend. I know he struggled not having him around as much as I did, and we tried to lean on each other during those times.
However, being a fully-fledged adult, I need to try and let go of the resentment of the past and move forward on the fact that I will get my answers from him sooner or later; whether he wants to give them or not. I deserve them and most importantly I need them to move on.
“I’m good, Honeybee.” I wink at him, but instead of biting my head off he laughs at thenotion, running his hand through his hair and back down onto his beard.
He walks over to me with his bowed legs and puts his arm over my shoulder. I place the mixing bowl down on the island and return my arm around his hip.
“Are we good?” he asks, leaning his forehead into my cheek.
“We’re good.” I nod back at him, leaning away from his face and bump my hip into his side.
He smirks at me, before placing a kiss on my cheek. “I’m really sorry Mabe’s,” he starts but I wave him off.
“Nothing to apologise for.” I look into his eyes, cutting him off before he can finish.
Sometimes in your own grief you truly forget others, and I hate to admit that I’d done that to my brother when Maverick walked into my office on Saturday morning. I forgot I wasn’t the only one in pain or have emotions when he strolled back into town.
Sitting on my porch last night with my book after Ellie went to bed, my thoughts spiralled.
I’m still angry, and I’m still raw with emotion at seeing him again. It’s like I’m looking at a ghost. But coming across extremely bitter towardshim isn’t who I am, and I know I’m better than that. I’m a mom and need to set a good example for my daughter.
Ellie doesn’t need to know what happened in the past, my utter heartbreak or the pieces of me that’s always been missing without him by my side. Besides, she seems to be happy to get to know him and his story.
Like she is with all the employees who come onto our land.
One day, all of this will be hers and we need to guide her in the correct way of ownership and how to treat employees. To her, that’s all Maverick is, she doesn’t need to know all the mess that comes in-between.
When I walked into the big house yesterday afternoon, it didn’t shock me to see Maverick sitting there drinking beer with my family in a deep conversation with my daughter; if anything, it was comforting. Like I’d stepped back in time and none of the hurt had happened.
