Page 64 of Timber Ridge

Kane scans the faces of his family, pleading for help. It’s Eliza who speaks up, her voice gentle but firm. “Amanda, you could stay with us for a few days. We've got the room.”

A wave of relief washes over me at Eliza's offer. The thought of Amanda staying with us makes my stomach roil but knowing there’s another option eases some of the tension.

Amanda’s face contorts. “Thanks, but I really don't like ki—” She cuts herself off abruptly. “I mean, babies.” The words hang awkwardly in the air, and she quickly waves off the offer. “But thank you.”

I glance down at Hailey, who has stayed unusually close during the exchange, her small hand clutching my sleeve.

Bending slightly, I whisper, “You okay, Hailey?”

Hailey nods, but she doesn’t let go of my sleeve.

Amanda, seemingly oblivious to her child's discomfort, brightens considerably as she turns back to Hailey. “Hey, sweetie, when you get home, I've got presents for you,” she says, her voice lifting in a cheerful lilt.

At the mention of presents, Hailey peeks out from behind my legs, her earlier apprehension replaced by the gleam of curiosity typical of a five-year-old. “Presents?” she asks.

“Yes, lots of fun stuff!” Amanda assures her, then turns to the rest of us. “I'm just exhausted from the trip. I really need a nap,” she announces and walks away as if it’s all settled. And maybe it is because no one stops her. But if Amanda is staying at the house, where does that leave me?

I'm compelled to offer a solution. “Eliza, maybe I should stay with you,” I suggest, trying to sound as helpful as possible. “I can help with the baby. It might make things easier for everyone.” I glance at Kane who is shaking his head.

“No, Timber, you belong with me,” he says, leaving no room for argument. “We’ll figure it out.”

A whirlwind of thoughts races through my mind. What does “figuring it out” really mean? I know he’s in a tough spot, caught between past commitments and current realities, and I don’t want to add to his stress. I nod, happy for his decision, but I feel a heaviness with the implications of what lies ahead. Amanda’s return has stirred up a storm of uncertainty, and I question the universe’s intentions.

I see the road ahead, fraught with challenges and tension.

As the time comes to say goodbye to Matt, the farewells are filled with hugs and well-wishes, but also a sense of loss. Eliza, teary-eyed after hugging Matt, turns to me with an open, earnest expression. “If things get to be too much, you’re welcome at my place, anytime,” she whispers, giving me a tight squeeze.

I’m touched by her kindness and the safety net she offers is like a ray of hope in a suddenly uncertain future. “Thank you, Eliza. That means a lot,” I say, my voice thick with gratitude.

I find myself reflecting on the life I’ve come to cherish at Kane’s. The joy of our days together, the laughter of Hailey that fills the rooms, the peace of knowing I belong somewhere—it’s been close to perfect. But with Amanda’s return, the perfect little world we’ve built is about to change. I'm left wondering how much of that tranquility we can preserve, or if I’ll need to consider taking Eliza up on her offer sooner than I’d like.

We wait until the plane is a mere speck on the horizon and we know Eliza will be okay.

In the ATV, Kane, Hailey, and I make our way along the path that leads back home, with Hailey blissfully unaware of the grown-up complexities swirling around her.

Hailey sits in the back. She chatters away about everything from the bumpy ride to the butterflies she spotted earlier.

Kane's knuckles are white as he grips the steering wheel, his eyes fixed ahead. He leans in close to me, his voice low. “Operation Home Front might encounter some ... unexpected weather,” he says.

“You think?” I stifle a chuckle, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood. “Do we have a storm shelter prepared?” I ask, playing along with our coded conversation.

Kane nods solemnly. “We might need to reinforce the walls. Maybe build a new addition,” he says, implying the need to accommodate Amanda without disrupting our current family dynamics too much.

“What about the chicken coop?” I suggest.

Kane laughs. “It would never work. Animal rights activist. She’d set them free.”

Hailey, catching only bits of our conversation, looks at us with a puzzled frown. “Are we getting a new room? Can it be purple?”

I exchange a quick, amused glance with Kane. “Well, we might consider some new paint,” I tell her, grateful for her innocent interruption.

“And maybe some sparkles?” Hailey suggests enthusiastically, completely oblivious to the actual topic at hand.

“Definitely sparkles,” Kane agrees, his tone serious, but his eyes laughing.

“Sparkles that can withstand all kinds of weather,” I add, ensuring our “code” remains intact.

Hailey nods, satisfied with our plans for hypothetical renovations.

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