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He’d know where to find her. At home on Split Tree Ranch with Max and their family. The only place she wanted to be with the man she couldn’t wait to marry and make that life of home and family a reality.
The service was lovely. Her mom and dad accepted all the condolences and love their family and friends showered on them. Everyone gathered shared stories, laughed, and cried. And said goodbye.
Max stayed by her side the whole time. Most of all, he held her hand, offering his comfort and support. And he told great stories about Kyle. Because as long as he’d known her, he’d known her brother, too. And the two of them had some good times together with and without her.
It was nice to know that from now on, she could share stories with Max, and he could remind her of the things her brother did and said.
Max would keep her secret, whether it was true or not, and help her keep Kyle in their lives, even if it was just to share a memory now and again.
Max took her home after the funeral and their visit to her parents’ home where everyone gathered after the service. He took her into the kitchen for a cup of tea, then disappeared for a minute before he came back in carrying a brown delivery box.
He set it in front of her on the table and pointed to the words written next to the ranch’s address.
Max,
Give this to her after the funeral.
Thanks to you, I know she’ll have a great life.
Kyle
She looked up at Max. “When did this get here?”
“The day after Kyle died. I was at the hospital with you, but my dad brought it in and showed it to me when I came home.”
“And you didn’t say anything about it to me?”
He brushed his hand over her hair. “I wanted to honor his last request.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. “I don’t want to open it.”
“You don’t have to until you’re ready.”
“If I open it, then it’s over. If I don’t, there’s still possibility.”
“For what, Kenna? He’s gone. Nothing will change that. Opening this box will at least tell you what’s inside,and hopefully bring you closure. He’d want that for you.” Max took the knife from his pocket, opened it and held it out to her.
She took it, slit the tape, then opened the flaps and stared at the white sheet of paper on top of dozens and dozens of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups all with black marker that said, “I’m Sorry” across them.
Max put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
She read the note:
What is 1 + 1?
“You and me,” she answered out loud for Max. She looked up at him. “When I was little, it’s the first math problem I ever taught him. I wanted him to know no matter what, it was always going to be him and me. Whenever we were in trouble or something happened in our lives and we needed each other, we’d ask the question and give the other the answer.”
“Finish reading,” he coaxed.
Now it means you and Max.
I don’t think these are enough apologies for everything I’ll miss in your life. It kills me that I won’t be there to see your dreams become reality. But I know you’re going to make them all come true.
I’ll be watching over you.
Love, Kyle
Tears cascaded down her cheeks.
