CHAPTER NINE
“THIS IS REALLY NICE,”Landon said as he looked out over Moose Falls. “I’ve missed Alaska. There’s no place else I’ve ever been that’s quite like it.”
She closed her eyes and let the cool wind wash over her. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Do you remember a lot about it?”
“Unfortunately, I was pretty young when we left Moose Falls, so my memories are kind of hazy. Caleb and Xavier have much more distinct memories of our early years here. I have to admit that it makes me jealous sometimes. I barely remember our parents being together.” He let out a brittle laugh. “My brothers remember all the little things, the nuances of living in Moose Falls. There’s a dumbwaiter here in the house they remember riding up and down in.” He shrugged. “I don’t recall any of that.”
“I’m sorry, that must have been hard since you were at such a pivotal point in your life. Everything must have changed for you when your parents got the divorce and you moved all the way to Arizona.”
“Yep,” Landon said, nodding. “It was quite a culture shock. Not to mention the huge climate difference. We went from freezing winters to hot and arid weather. From what I remember, it took some getting used to. I kept hoping we would go back, but of course that didn’t happen.”
Her heart squeezed. “That must’ve been painful.”
His eyes radiated old hurts. Clearly he remembered what it had felt like to feel so lost. “Kids are resilient. Being the youngest was always beneficial for me because I had my brothers to guide me through everything. We were the Three Musketeers.”
The Three Musketeers.How fitting, she thought. One for all and all for one.
“I love how you guys all seem so close. It’s really nice to see.” The rapport between the three brothers was easygoing and loving. Even when they were playing around or teasing, it was plain to see that they were connected.
“I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through life without them. They’ve been there for me through some pretty dark times.” He made a face as if recalling something specific. “They’ve always had my back.”
“As I’m sure you’ve been there for them,” Bailey said. “That’s what siblings are for.”
“I know you said that you have siblings. Do you all get along well?” he asked.
Bailey nodded. “For the most part. There are four of us, all girls. We have our ups and downs, but we always manageto come together in clutch situations.” Despite the issues that lingered within her family, Bailey loved them all a lot.
Landon chuckled. “Almost as chaotic as my mom raising three boys. I bet your parents were run ragged by the four of you.”
She fiddled with her fingers. It always felt a little awkward when people referenced her parents, especially people who didn’t know how young she’d been when her father died. Her mother had raised them on her own for a long time. But now, with Landon, it was nice to think about her dad and the carefree memories of being part of a big household.
“I really cherish my childhood memories. We should never take them for granted.”
Landon nodded. “That’s for sure, and I have to admit it bothers me that I lived a life here that I can’t even remember.”
“So you don’t recall anything?”
“Sometimes I’ll smell an aroma that’s familiar, and it takes me all the way back to when I was a kid. The mountains are really familiar. My dad told me that we used to have family picnics there, so it’s special to me.” He locked eyes with her. “And I remember this room in a hazy-memory sort of way.”
“And Hattie? What about those memories? She’s pretty unforgettable.”
He felt a huge grin tugging his lips. How could a person truly ever forget Hattie? “I do remember her. Her touch, her warm hugs. The teddy bears she used to give me. I think if I had to describe it in one word, it would belove. I remember the love she gave us. And from the moment we were reunited, I experienced the same thing.” His chest felt tight,and a ragged sigh slipped past his lips. “That’s why it’s going to be impossible to say goodbye to her.”
“So don’t say goodbye then. Just say till we meet again.’”
“Till we meet again.” He repeated the words that Bailey had suggested. They felt right on his tongue.
“Who knows?” she asked. “Maybe we played together in the sandbox as kids.”
Just the thought of it caused him to smile. He could imagine her as a little kid with wild curls and a smattering of freckles across her face. Landon wasn’t sure whether they would’ve been buddies, but he probably would’ve been fascinated by her, wanting to share toys and have playdates. Bailey would’ve been the cool kid at the center of everything. He would’ve been quieter, more introverted but noticing everything around him.
“Who knows?” he asked. “Maybe we did.”
Landon let out a low whistle and looked around him. Bailey was right. It was a tranquil spot with a clear view of the property and a sky full of stars. He imagined that in the daytime one would be able to see the mountains looming in the distance.
“Look,” Bailey said, holding out her palm, “it’s snowing.” The snowflakes were gently falling from the sky and landing on her hand. The contrast between the white flakes of snow and her beautiful brown skin captivated him.
He wanted to kiss her. A real, honest-to-goodness kiss that they both wanted. But how could he run the risk of doing so and messing up their situation? Bailey had agreed to play the part of his girlfriend only for Hattie’s sake. At the moment it was just the two of them up here, with no one watching them.
