Page 24 of An Eye for an Eye: Zach & Katie's Story (Redwood Falls 2)
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
quinn
Twoweeks.
That’show long it’s been sinceI’veseen him.
I’mnot sure how we’ve avoided running into each other in this small town.
Dayafter day, a new entry fromGraham’sjournal is delivered to me.
Oneof his siblings has come in for a coffee or pastry and left me with an envelopeI’malways so giddy to receive.
Readingeach one is emotional, especially the ones early on when we were trying and failing at faking anything around each other.Itwas the entry from our first meeting in the bar that opened my eyes the most.Sucha contrast to the last oneIreceived, declaring his love for me in ink.
It’sbeen beautiful to see our relationship bloom from his perspective.Havingthese pieces of him is monumental, and it’s clear that his opinions of himself slowly stopped being so negative and doubtful.
Doeshe see the differences?
WhenIturn to the clock on the wall, my heart sinks whenIsee the time.It’salmost five p.m., and no one has come to drop off a letter today.Maybethere are no more?
Allthe chairs are stacked on top of the tables and just asIgo to flip the light switch, a knock on the window draws my attention.
Clairewaves at me through the glass, withBoothstanding at her side, both their cheeks pink from the cold, andIrun over to let them in.
“Theyweren’t kidding when they said a snowstorm was coming.”Claireshakes the snow from her hat and turns to her son, who is hovering behind her as she wobbles into the bakery on crutches.She’sslowly becoming more mobile, andIbet she’s itching to get the cast off. “That’lldo.Now, run off and stop treating me likeI’mmade of glass.”
“Gee, thanks,Ma.Goodto knowI’mjust your butler.”Boothrolls his eyes.
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re so much more than that.”Claireturns to me and winks. “He’salso my private chef.”
Hescoffs, flips two chairs over for us to sit on, and plants a kiss on her cheek. “I’llbe outside.Textme when you’re done.Later,Quinn.”
Apparentlythis is a conversation betweenClaireand me.
AfterBoothleaves to wait in the truck,Iflip the sign on the door toclosed, lock up, and keep the lights on, casting a warm glow on the snowy sidewalk outside.
Shescans my face asIsit across from her before smiling warmly. “Howare you, sweetheart?Youlook well.”
Ihaven’t seenClairesince the wedding, and up until now,Iwas worried what she would think about my andGraham’s“separation.”
“I’mdoing good.Busysince the bakery reopened last week.Howare you?Letme get you something warm to drink.”Igo to stand, but she holds up a hand, stopping me.
“Don’tworry about that.Let’stalk for a moment.”Shemustsee the worry in my eyes. “Nothinglike that.Grahamhas told me what’s going on andI’mnot here to berate you like some justice-searching mother.”
Chuckling,Isettle in my seat, my flustered state slowly easing off.
“Asa parent, you want the best for your children.Allfour of mine are very different.Whilemy love for them is unconditional it can be hard to juggle so many personalities, but that’s just part of the job description.Ilike to thinkI’ma good parent to all of my kids, butI’dbe lying ifIsaidIalways got it right.Ted, my husband, was much more pragmatic than me, so when the kids needed that type of parenting, he would step in.Whenwe lost him, they lost that person, butIthink it impactedGrahamthe most.Itturns outI’vefailedGrahama lot recently.”
Ifrown and she shakes her head. “Iknow aboutJenna.”
Myspine goes ramrod straight, hackles up at her name, andClairedoesn’t miss it.
“That’sexactly the reaction she deserves.Grahamcame over this weekend and told me everything that went on between them, and how her relationship with my nephew startedwellbefore they ended things.Now, don’t go giving me excuses and telling meIcouldn’t have known, because in my stubborn head, yes,Ishould have.ThefactGrahamfelt he had to protect my feelings like that makes me proud but also tells me we both failed.
“Ishould have opened my eyes more and not allowed him to brush me off wheneverIquestioned their breakup.He’sa silent protector andIthink that’s what he was doing, but he shouldn’t have had to do that.Heknows that now.Andwe had a good talk—emotional, but good.Ican’t replace his father, butI’mgoing to try to see things from his perspective more.Inreturn, he’s promised to not hide things from me, even if it’s hard to hear.”
Howthe hell doIhave any more tears left?
