I stood with her sister, did my best to be as invisible as I could, not wanting to disrespect the Stone family with my presence, but needing to say my goodbyes as well as support my best friend. So I was quiet and small, and I grieved the best way I could.
While I asked for Tristan to come, I’m glad it’s just me, because this is just between us girls.
I exhale, feeling the weight of this moment. So heavy that it’s hard to breathe.
I place the bouquet of flowers down, and there are several bundles already here. I know Mary Lou comes out each time she visits town.
I drop down and let out a sigh before inhaling the warm air and the hint of lavender from the wildflowers to the right. “Hey, Emmy Jo, it’s me, Lark. Although I’m sure you know that because…well, I’m talking and you know me, and I like to believe that when we pass, we can kind of look in on people. So maybe you’re watching now.” Although now I’m feeling a little weird, because if she can look in, I hope she’s only looking when we want her to, but…I need to focus.
“Anyway, I came because I had some things to promise and maybe even a little bit of forgiveness to ask for from you. See, I know that what you had with Tristan is something that I never will. I would never try to. The love you shared was yours and his, and it created Sadie, who, by the way, is just fantastic. Seriously, there’s so much of you inside of her, it’s beautiful. She has a big heart, is always kind, and she loves her family, just like you. Back to the point.” I let out a soft laugh. This is much harder than I expected. “I’m in love with him. I’m sure you understand just how easy it is to fall for him. He’s pretty amazing. It happened without either of us really thinking it would. I’m sure I’m the lastperson you expected to be here, saying any of this aloud, but he’s my heart, and I felt I needed to explain.”
I sit on the grass, touching a petal in the bouquet. “I promise that I will never try to replace you. It’s not possible, and I don’t want to. I promise that if Tristan and I work out, and I hope we do, that when it comes to Sadie, I will always include you. She’s yours, but I’m hoping that as time goes on, she can be a little bit mine too. I think you’d want her to have someone who will be what you’re not able to be, but also know who you are to her. I swear that I will love Tristan the way he deserves to be loved, in the best way that I can.” I fall silent as a tear slips down my cheek. “Thank you for loving him and helping him be the man he is. I hope that when you do look in, you see how much we love each other.” I wipe at my face and get to my knees, touching the etched name in the stone, and as I do, the wind softens a little and a rush of calmness sweeps over me. I smile, feeling as though she just sent me a sign. “Bye, Emmy Jo. Thank you.”
“Stop fidgeting,” Tristan says as he squeezes my hand.
Fat chance of that happening.
I’m pretty much shaking like a leaf. I had hoped we could prolong this lunch for a few years, but Momma is actually the one who thinks me going to meet Tristan’s family on their turf is necessary.
I’m starting to think my mother has a few screws loose and I should look into putting her in a home or something, because how anyone thinks that lunch with Tristan’s entire family is smart is beyond me.
They hate me.
I did my best to protest over the last two weeks, claiming a mild headache, or reminding her the doctor advised I should avoid stress. Our families bought it—until now.
Today is the day of reckoning.
I look up at Tristan as we’re walking closer to the house and closer to the final showdown. “Like you weren’t nervous going into my house?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
I roll my eyes. “Right. I’m sure that was because you and my brothers already had your standoff in the hospital.”
“I’m sure that’s true too,” he agrees—unhelpfully. I want him to argue with me, so I have my suit of armor on prior to going in.
I’m praying it’s not a battle but, yeah, who knows how this will go.
Right as we approach the front of the house, Sadie opens the door and comes running out.
“Lark!”
I smile and open my arms to give her a big hug. “Hey!”
She squeezes me back and stares up at me. “Did you watch the show I told you about?”
“I did. You’re so right—she should never have picked that brother.”
Sadie, Tristan, and I have had several outings together. We went to dinner twice last week, and then earlier this week, I took Sadie for a mani-pedi, just us girls. One of the things I told Tristan was important to me was having my own relationship with Sadie.
We share a love of chickens and horses, but I want her to know me, and I have a lot to learn about her.
However, if there’s anyone in this house who is completely on board with our relationship, it’s her.
“Seriously, I hate him.”
I agree. He’s selfish and stupid, but then the heroine just couldn’t help herself. I wonder if I was ever that dumb. Then I remember—I definitely was that dumb.
“Can we not talk about this again?” Tristan asks. “The two of you are driving me batshit crazy with this show.”
