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She heard the garage door open and went out to thank her father and Alex for bringing her car.
“How’s my girl?” her dad asked, wrapping her in a big hug.
“Nuts, but okay.”
“I can’t tell you I’ve ever had anything like that happen to me, but I understand, sweetheart. You’ll mourn Kade’s loss for the rest of your life, in some way. The pain is less now than it was a year ago, and five years from now, it’ll lessen more. There may even come a day, and I hope it’s soon, when you’ll find love again. You deserve it, sweetheart.”
“Thanks.”
Peyton pulled away. He meant the best with his words, but they cut into her, nonetheless. She couldn’t think about finding love again. She wasn’t ready, and maybe she never would be.
“How’s business?” she asked Alex.
“Swamped. Sorry, but we’re needed at Stave.”
“I can come in?—”
Both Alex and her father said “no,” at the same time.
“Okay, okay.” She held up her hands. “I’ll be in tomorrow, though.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything else. See you then.” Alex waved and climbed into the passenger seat of Peyton’s father’s truck.
“See you, Dad. Give my boys a big hug from me when you get home later, and tell them I’ll see them tomorrow.”
“Love you, Peyton.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
Peyton went inside to finish cleaning. Maybe she’d do the boys’ bedrooms too while she was at it.
An hour later, she heard a knock at the door. There was only one person it could be, and she didn’t want him here.
She heard the knock again, only louder. Since most of the windows in her house were open, she couldn’t hide. Besides, anyone standing at the front door could hear music playing.
“Peyton, open the door,” Brodie called out.
She wiped her hands on her jeans and took her time walking to the foyer. She didn’t want to see him, and didn’t appreciate his lack of respect for her request. When she swung the door open, intending to tell him exactly what was on her mind, the haunted look in his eyes stopped her cold.
“Brodie, what’s wrong? Did something happen with your mom?”
“We need to talk.” He pushed past her and stood in her living room with his arms folded.
“I already told you?—”
“There’s something I need to tell you, Peyton. It’s important, and I’m asking you to please listen.”
She didn’t appreciate the tone of his voice any more than his lack of respect for her wishes. It was only his appearance that kept her still. He looked like hell and still hadn’t told her what was wrong.
“Something happened.”
Peyton gasped. “With your mom?”
“No. Yes. With my mom, but not in the way you’re thinking.”
“What, Brodie?”
“She told us she talked to Kade.”
