AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, McCrae. Thank you,” Ella said.
McCrae gave me a knowing look, then slapped me on the back. “No biggie.” He left the house and shut the door behind him.
I wasn’t sure what to do. “Do you want me to stay here while you get ready? I can wait on the porch.”
She shook her head. “No. You need to go get ready. Then you can come pick me up and we’ll go together.”
It was a simple statement, but it felt huge to me. “Okay.”
She hugged me and pressed her head to my chest. “You go. Just hurry.”
An hour later, we drove to the little church parking lot. We were twenty minutes early, so we waited in the Jeep.
She turned to me. “Should we go say hi to my brother?”
I was a bit shocked by her request but nodded. “Of course.” I got out of the Jeep and went to her side to open her door for her.
She was already getting out. “It’s okay.”
I looped my arm around her waist and pulled her into me, relishing the smell of strawberry. “We’re dating. And I like to open doors for you.”
Her grin widened. “I forgot what a gentleman you are.”
That made me feel good. I took her hand, and we started walking toward the cemetery. I couldn’t help but think about all the years we had lost together because of one horrible accident. Her brother had asked me to make the choice to save her life, but this was hard.
We got to his grave, and she stayed beside me, leaning into me. “Good morning, bro. Guess who I brought today?”
I didn’t know if I should say anything. Even if I should, I couldn’t think of the words.
She proceeded to tell her brother about what had happened in the last several days. I was interested to hear about her week and the patients she’d had. She told him about Jason and Trent and their antics. She told him about the dance and the break-ins, the pictures and the night she’d spent at my house.
Then she let go of my hand, slipped to her knees, and wiped the dust off the grave. “I still don’t know how the pictures got put in the house. It’s confusing. One is a picture of me and you. Another is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad, and me and you. We were, like, eight or nine. I remember it wasthe summer Dad insisted we learn to fish by ourselves, and we kept getting the hook stuck and he would freak out on us.” She let out a light laugh.
Growing up as a Christian, I’d been taught that people were still alive. Resurrected. Did I believe that? I wanted to.
She talked a couple more minutes and then turned to me. “Is there anything you want to say?”
I knelt beside her and put my hand softly on his grave. “I am so sorry, bro.”
She took my hand, blinking rapidly, and turned to me. “Noah, I was there that day. I know he told you to save me. I didn’t like it, but I think he would be happy we are dating.”
If it were up to me, I would elope with this woman right now, but she needed time, and I was willing to give it. I already had plans for what to do about my work.
She looked at the church and nodded. “Should we go take a seat? I know your family likes to get there early.”
We walked hand in hand into the church. I still couldn’t believe all of this was happening.
Church hadn’t started yet, and when Jason and Trent saw us, they both ran toward me. “Uncle Noah!”
Trent turned to Ella. “You came to church?” he asked, giving her a hug.
She looked surprised and then hugged him back. “How’s your arm?”
He shrugged. “It’s fine.”
We all headed back to the pew. Damon, my parents, and Kayla were all giving me a look of disbelief.
Damon got up and said, “Glad to see you guys here.” He reached for Ella and gave her a little hug, then smacked me on the shoulder.
