Page 67 of Always Right

“I’m not sure if he’s going. He said he was going to stay behind but said you’d want to go.” Nathan read my mind. “Is everything okay?”

I shrugged, tucking my hands into the pockets of my thick coat.

“You and Derek are...uh...acting strange.”

My brows furrowed. “How so?”

“You’re acting...happy.” The statement was more of a question, and I rolled my eyes, knowing he was prying. “I don’t know...I’ve seen you calm, but not happy. Not in a long time.”

My cheeks flushed. He was right. I hadn’t felt happy, either, and it was hard to hide it.

“Don’t get me wrong, you’re quieter than usual, but this time we can all sense how happy you are...and Evie wants to ask but I don’t think she will.”

“So you’re doing it instead.” I muttered, glancing at him. Nathan chuckled, sitting next to me and following my gaze.

“No. I don’t think she wants to know. I do, though.”

I don’t even know.

“I can say we’re in a better place now, I think.”

Nathan gave me a small smile. “Good. I’m glad to hear that because you can be a pain in the ass when you’re angry and bitter.”

“Shut up.” I shoved him gently with my hand, laughing at his statement though I knew it was true. Since Derek had returned I had been so lost in my own world, full of sadness and anger, I didn’t realize how much I hurt everyone surrounding me. “Thank you, Nathan.”

“For what?”

There was a lot to thank him for. We were married for years, nothing more than a business arrangement to placate my mother and him to have enough funds to care for his, and yet we had never had such a great relationship...not since our divorce. I cared for him now like I hadn’t before and he was my friend. And his friendship was something I would forever cherish, especially after the dark history between us.

“For being there for me...for giving me a chance to prove myself...for allowing me back into Evie’s life after everything I did to both of you. I owe you guys a lot.”

Nathan hummed. “Well...even if I wouldn’t have let you, Evie would’ve given you the opportunity, right? So I didn’t have much of a choice.” It was my turn to laugh. “I think you would have been welcomed back into the family no matter what, Hannah. You’ve changed. As hard as it was, neither of us were going to turn our back on you. Your grandmother wouldn’t have wanted that.”

I didn’t say anything else.

There was nothing else I could say without breaking down and crying, because my grandmother was the one person I would never be able to apologize to. She died without knowing how much I loved her, even when I never showed it. Nathan stood up, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze and I stayed there, staring at the mountains, hoping, praying that wherever she was, she knew how much I loved her.

Chapter 24

Derek

Some things would never change.

She laid back with her eyes closed, surrounded by the water and people, and yet, it was like Hannah was all by herself. The night sky illuminated the world around them as Evie laughed with the rest of the family. Yet Hannah, lost in her own world, didn’t interact unless they spoke to her. I watched from the window, holding Annie in my arms as she fell asleep and Isa as she slept in her small swing. They were so much like Hannah, in every way, though she would never recognize that as a good thing.

They had her strength, I could see it, even if they were only months old.

I’d spend the rest of my life protecting them—all three of them—taking care of their heart, guarding their happiness.

“I can watch the girls for you, if you want to get out there with them.” Deborah stood next to me, her gaze following mine and settling on the group of people in the hot springs. “The girls are asleep and we have Lily and Noah, too.”

“Are you taking on the role of family babysitter?”

Deborah smiled, placing her hand on my shoulder. “I am taking on the role of grandma. Now, get going before the girls wake up. I know where the diaper bag is and if I need anything I’ll call you. If you’re not back by midnight, I’ll assume the girls are sleeping with me and I will go to bed.”

“Yes ma’am.” I saluted her and she waved me off with a shake of her head.

In a few minutes, I was out in the cold, heading to the hot springs where their voices were louder than ever. Hannah saw me approaching and finally, her eyes lit up and she smiled, as if that’s why she had been quiet.

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