Page 90 of That One Heartbreak

Not that ‘backyard’ was the proper description for it. The sprawling ranch house that his parents had built almost thirty years ago stood on a big expanse of land. It wasn’t the only building on the estate, either. There was a separate guest house which was originally built for Maddie’s mom, but after she died the boys had used it. Currently it was Marley’s brother, Hendrix’s, base when he was home. Which he was for now.

The huge grass lawn was filled with people holding glasses and chatting. Most were members of the Hartson family, but there were some friends there, too.

And Kate and her family. At least her stepfather was always at ease in a crowd. Carlton had started up a conversation with Marley’s dad and uncles about the baseball season. James was helping Pres carry out chairs and tables from the garage.

And Marley was running a game of softball over on the far side of the lawn, Addy hanging onto him as he threw a ball toward Ethan, who was swinging the bat.

“Yeah, he’s great with kids,” Kate agreed.

Marley looked over and caught her eye, smiling softly. And her heart did a little leap.

She smiled back at him, and then Addy started tugging at his hand, talking nonstop.

“Mom!” James ran over to her. She reached out to hug him because she hadn’t seen him since he’d headed off to Junior Firefighters that morning. Marley had brought him back here to shower and help set things up.

“Guess what?” James said, his eyes shining.

“What?” She smiled at how happy he looked. Even if she had to lift her head up to catch his eye now, he was still her baby in so many ways.

“One of the kids has dropped out of camp. There’s a space for me to go.”

“What camp?” she asked, confused.

“Junior firefighter camp. At Jackson’s Mill. I wasn’t picked originally since I am still new, but Nathan had to pull out and there’s an open space. I heard Marley and Tayto talking about it. They’re gonna ask you if I can go.” His eyes were full of excitement. “I can, can’t I?”

“That’s lovely.” Her mom beamed at James. “What a great opportunity.”

“I told Grandpa,” James said. “He thinks it’ll be great for my college applications.”

Kate took a deep breath. “You’re already signed up for science camp.” All three of the kids went to camp in the summer. Not every day, but enough that she could cover her shifts at the library.

“I know, but that’s after this one. I can do both.” His smile was bursting. And her heart hurt. Because she knew it would be good for him. Not just for his college applications, but becausehe loved being part of the firefighting community. He always had, since he was a tiny child.

“I’ll need to see if I can afford it,” she said softly, not wanting her mom to overhear, because she knew that Carlton would offer to pay if he knew money was a problem.

“It’s already paid for. The station raised all that money at the concert, remember? I just need to show up. Please, Mom?”

She hugged him again, mostly because she needed that closeness with her oldest child. He felt solid in her arms. Her almost-man child.

Kate took a deep breath. “Let me talk to Marley. But if the offer is really there you can go.” Her chest still felt tight at the thought of it.

His smile was huge. “Thanks, Mom. I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

And sometimes love meant letting go. Even if it hurt her to the core.

“He wasn’t supposed to overhear that,” Marley said to Kate later. “I was going to talk to you first. I don’t want him putting any pressure on you.” His fingers brushed against hers, because he was trying to be discreet, since they were not alone.

But to his surprise she slid her fingers between his and squeezed his hand tight. They were standing on the side of his parents’ house. It was getting later in the day. All the kids were in the den watching a movie, and some of the older guests had gone home. Kate’s parents had left about an hour earlier, but not before her mom and Carlton had cornered him.

“Thank you,” her mom had said, hugging him. “For taking such good care of my daughter.”

Carlton had shook his hand and said he hoped to see him again.

Marley hoped he would, too.

His parents and uncles and aunts were sitting around a small fire. Some of his older cousins were there, as well. He was tired and part of him wanted the night to be over, but then Kate would go home and he wouldn’t be with her.

---