Page 38 of Close to My Heart

“At the end of those stories, the family is upset that everyone lied to them.”

“My family’s not like that. They need me to get married to get a bigger inheritance. Otherwise, almost everything goes to charity.”

“Your parents need you to get married in order to inherit too?” Fiona asked.

I nodded, remembering the uncomfortable conversation with Grandma at the family dinner. “That’s how I understand it.”

Fiona’s face screwed up. “No offense, but that’s messed up.”

“Your family is so different than mine. I can’t imagine anyone in my family playing football.” Holidays were formal affairs where everyone dressed up and pretended to be on their best behavior while issuing snide remarks about other members’ life choices.

“I guess you’re going to be one of us soon,” Fiona said.

“You might as well get used to it,” Daphne added as we watched the game on the back lawn.

I’d always thought the Calloway family was so full of love. You could feel it even when they didn’t say it. It was warm and cozy, and I wanted to stay immersed in it forever. Maybe this time, I could. If only Wes would see me as more than his best friend.

My hands shook as I held onto the mug of cocoa. What if I fell in love with Wes, but he didn’t love me back? What if I was the one who was going to get hurt in all of this? I had the most to lose. I’d gain the Calloways for a few months, then would have to walk away. And if I wasn’t careful, I could ruin our friendship.

I couldn’t lose Wes or his family. I’d have to tread carefully. I couldn’t tell him how I really felt.

Jameson threw the football to Claire’s son, Owen, and when Izzy grabbed his leg, he pretended she was holding him back and dramatically fell to the ground.

“You got me,” Owen proclaimed.

Wes stood over them with his hands on his hips. “This is flag football. Not tackle.”

Izzy giggled as Cole lifted her into the air. “That’s my girl.”

When she recovered, she grinned impishly at Wes. “Don’t be a spoilsport.”

“I’m not a spoilsport,” Wes grumbled, but everyone could tell he was enjoying the banter.

I found it so sweet and heartwarming. I knew my heart was going to melt by the end of the evening. When the game resumed, I said, “You’re so lucky to have grown up with this.”

Fiona and Daphne exchanged a look. “It’s not always like this. We had our fights and hard times.”

I knew they were talking about their mother dying. Wes leaned on me during her illness. He needed a break from the sickness. Everyone was worried, and Wes felt guilty for wanting to escape it. He’d always been someone who cared deeply for his family.

The day we met, I had been new to the school, having convinced my parents to let me try to go to public school, and the kids had been brutal, calling me a spoiled rich girl. I wasn’t sure I’d make any friends, so I hid under the shade of a slide.

When Wes crawled underneath, he’d held his hand out to me. “I’m Weston.”

I shook his hand. “Sutton.”

He frowned. “If we’re going to be friends I’m going to have to shorten my name to Wes.”

I’d smiled. “That sounds better than Sut.”

He shook his head. “That’s just awful.”

I couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped. I was so relieved that he’d gone out of his way to make me feel better, I didn’t ask why he’d done it. Was there something about me that had drawn him in? But I didn’t want to know if he felt sorry for me.

When we reached middle school, my parents insisted I transfer back to a private school. But our friendship remained. We kept in touch through texts. When Wes had gotten his driver’s license, we had been able to see each other more often, usually at his farm.

This time, Faith went for the pass, and Teddy threw it directly into her hands. She dove for the end zone which was between two trees in the yard and immediately jumped up and cheered. Her dad, Ryder, fist-bumped her.

“I don’t think I’ve seen Ryder smile since he’s been home,” Fiona said.

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