And Hayden did, finding purpose to his impending marriage once more. Gran had never hurt him. She deserved this risk…this sacrifice.
He sat in a rocker next to Gran, catching a glimpse of the stacks of cardboard boxes on the opposite side of the porch. He’d filled those boxes with papers no longer needed from Grandpa’s office. He’d purposefully chosen their placement over the site where Grandpa had collapsed. And yet, just that glimpse was enough to have those memories tumble back. The raised voices. The unexpected slap. How he’d drawn his fist back to strike. How he’d borne the blame for Grandpa’s heart attack immediately and continued to carry it to this day.
“I’m going to wish for peace,” Gran said, putting a halt to his descent into darkness. She found Hayden’s hand and gripped it firmly. “Peace within our family. That way, all my grandsons will come home.”
“Nice wish.” It felt as if it would take a miracle to clear the path for his brothers to return.
Gran gave Hayden’s hand a little shake. “You and Clyde should settle your differences.”
Hayden glanced toward that stack of boxes.
“Nobody lives forever,” Gran went on, rocking her chair at speed. “You don’t want to leave this unsettled, or you’ll have regrets when we’re gone.”
Truer words…
Hayden watched the sun sink below the horizon, wishing he could settle all the conditions of Grandpa’s will quickly. He didn’t know what he’d do with his inheritance or even if he’d have an inheritance after the taxman was paid. All Hayden knew was that he’d like to return to his solitary life and lock away the past where it belonged.
Out of sight.
*
The rest of the week was a blur of wedding preparations for Eve.
A tense meeting with Eve’s boss at Oak Hill to drop her hours. A tense meeting at the law firm of Marsh & Stanhope to sign a prenup. And now, Saturday morning, was the tensest meeting of all—telling Mom and Violet she was marrying Hayden.
Eve sat on the green couch with an open medical textbook in her lap. She had yet to turn a page. A gift bag sat at her feet on the floor. She’d purchased a soccer ball for Katie to play with while the adult Fisher women talked. She planned to give it to Katie upon Vi’s arrival.
Mom had made a fresh pot of coffee and sat at the kitchen table with her hands cradling a coffee mug. She looked nervous, tugging on the neck of her turquoise T-shirt. Her short, blond hair seemed limp. “Can’t you tell me what this is about before Vi gets here? That look on your face has me worried.”
“I only want to say this one time.” Eve tried to smile reassuringly, gesturing toward Katie, who sang softly to herself while moving a small plastic unicorn across the living room carpet. “Without young ears listening.”
Mom sighed, expression still drawn with worry.
Right on time, Eve’s sister pulled up in front of the bungalow and got out of her fancy blue SUV. It was a vehicle she’d purchased with her latest real estate commission. Vi hurried to the front door in a frilly red blouse, white jeans, and red heels.
Not exactly Eve’s idea of weekend attire. She’d put on her comfiest clothes. Black leggings and a gray sweatshirt.
“Auntie Vi!” Katie leaped up to give her a hug when Violet walked in.
After greeting Katie, Vi wasted no time getting right to the point. “Where’s the fire?” She went into the kitchen and took down a glass. “I missed a nail appointment for this.”
“Hey, bug. Look what I got for you.” Eve set her textbook on the coffee table. Then she pulled the soccer ball out of the gift bag and offered it to Katie. “Why don’t you take this out back and kick it around?”
“A soccer ball!” Katie threw her arms around Eve. She wore a white T-shirt with a sequined unicorn on the front and dinosaur-patterned leggings. A tame choice for her. “Thank you, Mama. It’s not even my birthday.”
“Go to the backyard and give it a try.” Eve set Katie on her feet, waiting for her to go out the French door to the backyard before turning toward Mom and Vi.
Violet had poured herself a glass of water from the tap. “Well?”
Eve decided to do them all a favor and rip off the bandage quickly. She stood, moving to stand in front of the fireplace. “I’m getting married again.” She tried to smile. She tried to look ecstatic.
Turned out, Eve was among the worst liars on the planet.
“You look like you drank expired milk.” Vi walked toward her, studying Eve’s expression.
“Did you and Steven make up?” Mom tsked. “The only good thing about a reconciliation would be a second grandchild.”
“Mom!” Vi and Eve chorused.