Page 23 of Reckoning

He nodded.

She leaned her head against his chest. “That means everything. I love it.”

He couldn’t talk about the day when they would go their separate ways. He only knew it was going to happen, and when it did it would break his heart. He reached for her hand.

“Come on, darlin’. Our house will be cool. Mom probably made ice cream, or something equally sweet. We can go for fireworks when it’s dark.”

By the time they got to the shady streets in his neighborhood, they were both through with the park and the celebration. When they walked into his house, Tate called out, “Mom…Mama…we’re back.”

Lilith came up the hall with a smile on her face. “Briar, it’s wonderful to see you again. Tate, honey, you know the drill. Cold drinks in the fridge, and there are warm brownies on the counter. Help yourselves.”

“Thanks, Mom. It’s chili-pepper hot outside. Okay if we hang out here until time for fireworks?”

“Of course it is. Make yourselves at home. Your daddy is taking a nap, but you don’t have to be quiet. You know Abel. He sleeps best with a little rumble of noise in the background.”

After that, they got snacks and cold drinks, got out the old family Monopoly game, and, for the next two hours, entertained themselves with whoops of laughter at bad rolls of the dice and who was going to own Boardwalk and all the hotels.

As they were playing, Tate began hearing sirens. He knew Tonya’s confession to her daddy had set off a bomb in their family. He knew her uncle had just been arrested, and that Tonya’s father had beat the holy hell out of his brother before ever calling the police. Eventually, the news would get around, but it would only be a scandal for a while, and then life would go on.

Abel woke up later and grilled burgers for supper, and for Briar, the entire afternoon and evening felt like a dream. Tate’s parents were funny and fun and so loving of each other.

So, this is what a real family feels like.

And this is how her life with Tate would be one day. It was something to look forward to.

* * *

As the sun began to set, they got ready to go back to the park. Tate could see Briar was tired and paused as they were about to walk out the door.

“I have a question.”

She glanced up. “What?”

“Fireworks or home?”

She sighed. “Are you always going to be able to read my mind?”

“Your energy level is about thirty percent out of a hundred, and this is me asking you to make that decision, because I can see all I want of fireworks from this house, and what I see is you longing for a hot soak in bubbles and to crawl into the cool sheets on your bed.”

She laid her cheek against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I choose home.”

“Wait right here,” he said, and headed back to the kitchen. “Mom, could I borrow your car to take Briar home? I think she’s walked herself out today, and we’ve both opted out of fireworks.”

“Of course,” Lilith said. “The keys are on the hook in the hall.”

“Thanks,” Tate said, and bolted down the hall, then back to Briar. “We’re going to the carport. I’m driving you home. No more walking for my girl today.”

“You so rock,” Briar said, and happily followed him out.

Moments later, they were in the car and taking back streets to miss all of the foot traffic on Main.

Briar kept glancing at the ring he’d put on her finger. “This has been the best day of my life.”

“Meant to be,” he said softly, and gave her hand a quick squeeze, then turned a corner, crossed Main Street at a light, and drove straight to her house.

The front porch light was on. She sighed as he killed the engine and got out to walk her to the door.