“For your neighbour’s sake, I hope you’re right.I don’t know anyone who has your patience with animals.Especially when said animal is crying loudly in the middle of the night.”
Her shoulders sagged, and she let out another huge yawn.“I know.I’m crossing my fingers that she takes to the training.”She took a long sip of her drink and breathed a satisfied sigh.“But enough about my menagerie.How’s Nana been since Liam left?”
“She’s doing alright,” I said.“She was sad that first day, but since we got back to our routine, she’s been okay.She seems convinced he’ll be back soon, but I’ll believe that when I see it.”He’d gone three years without visiting last time; maybe next time he’d go for five.
“Did having Liam here throw her off that much?”
I hesitated to answer because, truthfully, I wasn’t sure.
Had Liam’s visit thrown her off?A little.But she’d also been happier than I’d ever seen her.Maybe the change in routine hadn’t affected her as much as I thought it would.
“I don’t think so.She’s fantastic, actually.She even went to lunch with her lawyer friend.”I had been worried that going out for lunch so soon after Liam’s visit would wreak havoc on Nana’s memory issues, but she seemed sharper than ever.
“Her lawyer?”
“Unfortunately.”I grimaced.“It’s nice that she’s getting out on her own again, but now she keeps trying to talk to me about her will.So far I’ve managed to distract her every time she brings it up, but I’m not sure how much longer I can put her off.”
“Why don’t you hear her out?”
I pursed my lips and glanced to the side.The last thing I wanted to talk to Nana about was her will.
Catching on to the reason for my silence, Sierra’s face softened.“You have to face facts: Nana will pass away someday.And before that happens, it’s possible she’s going to need more care than you can provide.”
She was right, of course, but I refused to think about Nana leaving at all.Her leaving meant I’d lose the person I loved most in the whole world.As long as I was taking care of her, I had a family; I had a home.When she was gone, I would have to go too, and that was another thing I didn’t want to think about.
“She’s in good spirits, though?”Sierra asked, changing the subject so I didn’t have to acknowledge my feelings, the way only an excellent friend would.
“She is.She’s happy.”I smiled.“It’s like Liam finally visiting settled something in her.”
Really, the only one who was worse for wear after Liam’s visit was me.Which was strange, because I didn’t like the guy.And yet, no matter how hard I tried, I still couldn’t get him out of my head.
seven
home is where the heart is
Liam
Yearsoftensionhadsloughed off during last night’s drive back to Carlisle Creek, and I arrived feeling lighter than I had in years.I’d fallen asleep within minutes and slept better than I had during my entire time away—a remarkable feat considering the B&B’s mattress felt like a plastic shopping bag filled with gravel.
Hoping to soften the blow of my return, I threw a few muffins and pastries from the breakfast table into one of the provided to-go bags, making a mental note to slip the Pattersons some extra cash to cover the cost, then headed out to face my biggest critic.
My stomach clenched as I recalled Maya’s reaction when I got carried away and announced my intent to stay during my last visit with Nana.Despite her best efforts to hide behind a smile, she couldn’t mask the tears that welled in her eyes.But why would my staying make her upset enough to cry?I’d wanted to tease her, not send her running from the room in tears.
I still felt like an asshole over the whole situation.
Even preoccupied with thoughts of Maya, the magic of Carlisle Creek sparkling in the early spring sunshine didn’t escape my notice.Thinking back, I could see why Nana had never hesitated to send me out to explore on my own.Main Street was only two blocks long, visible from end-to-end through the bookstore’s large display window.Apparently, my freedom had been more supervised than I’d thought.And yet, knowing she’d been keeping an eye on me didn’t diminish the memories.
“Hey, Liam.Liam Bishop.Yoo-hoo.”A voice broke through the pleasant fog of my recollections.
Yoo-hoo?Did people still say yoo-hoo these days?
Across the street, a woman in a long, flowy dress stood in front of a pet store that hadn’t been there when I’d last visited three years ago.The multiple bracelets she wore stacked on each arm jingled as she waved at me excitedly, a grin stretched across her entire face.
“Over here,” she called when I gave her a tentative wave.“Come on, don’t be shy.”
I was almost positive I didn’t know her, but it sounded like she knew me.I crossed the street to see what she wanted.“Can I help you?”
She ignored the confusion in my voice and gestured for me to follow.“Come on in,” she said, holding the door open.“I need you to give something to Greg for me.”
