Page 130 of Forbidden to Fall

It had only been twenty-four hours since their talk, but sitting in suspense and ignorance had made it feel like days.

There were enough kids wanting wagon rides that almost a dozen waved us off as we ventured away from the stables and into the woods, a speaker playing mildly spooky music to add ambiance.

I couldn’t help the anticipation I felt when I pulled the wagon back into its starting place, but still, there was no sign of Mia.

Once the horses came to a stop, I took a quick glance at my phone. It was 6:35.

I shoved aside my disappointment and smiled as I helped people down the wagon stairs.

Lily kept Mia on a strict bedtime routine that began at 6:30 with a bath, quiet play time, and reading two books. If they weren’t here now, they weren’t coming.

“Would you mind helping the next group up?” I asked James. “I’m gonna take a quick bathroom break.”

“Of course.”

I hurried to the porta potties, wondering how sad Mia was at home or whether her parents had been able to soften the blow of missing Sleepy Holler with the promise of something like going to the movies.

Had they not come because Ryan was too angry? Because they didn’t want to see James and me? Were Lily and Ryan even talking at this point?

I wish they’d had my parents bring Mia. I hated that she had become collateral damage.

I jogged back to the wagon, trying to shake off my anxieties, only to stop short.

Ryan, Mia, and Lily were standing in line for the wagon ride, Mia dancing on her toes with excitement.

My throat thickened, and I let out a shaky breath of relief.

They’d come. Despite everything, they’d come. Together.

I hurried over just as James helped a woman and her daughter up into the wagon.

“Aunt Sadie!” Mia cried out when she saw me. “Look! I’m having a late night! And I’m in footie PJs and my shoes! At the same time!”

My laugh was a bit watery as she showcased the combination, bunches of fabric squeezing out of her sneakers. “Yes, you are! I’m so jealous.” My gaze flicked to Ryan, who was watching Mia.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

We looked at each other a bit longer, then I stepped over to him and wrapped him in my arms.

“Hug me back, punk,” I said through a teary laugh.

He chuckled softly, and his rigidity melted as he obeyed.

I pulled back, then leaned over to hug Lily, who was blinking furiously.

When I stepped away, James and Ryan were looking at each other.

“Hi,” Ryan said. The word was stiff. It wasn’t a punch in the face, though. That was progress I would happily take.

“Hey,” James replied.

It went quiet like neither of them could manage anything more.

“Come on, Daddy!” Mia said, halfway up the stairs and tugging him by the hand.

I smiled as Ryan followed her into the wagon, then turned to help Lily up.