Page 90 of Broken Promises

“New adventures,” I say in agreement, feeling a little choked up.

“I worry that I’m stuck sometimes,” I admit before I think to stop the words. “I signed on the dotted line when Cal presented us with the recording contract because it was a new adventure. Marrying Declan was a new adventure. But what now? What’s the adventure after this?”

Sally smiles. “You’re worried whatever the next thing is will be negative, aren’t you?”

I think about it, realizing she’s right. “Yes,” I whisper.

“It could be, but you’re never alone, my love. We’re here for you. Declan is in your corner and always has been. You have some great friends. So take that negative and find the positive.”

“Sally and I were having some marital trouble one year. My job was taking me away from home a lot, and it put a real strain on our relationship,” Ted says. I turn to look at him, but he’s smiling at his wife like she’s the only person he can see. “Your mom said something to me that I’ll never forget.” He turns his gaze to me. “She said that love is life’s greatest adventure, and what’s an adventure without a few challenges?”

I quickly wipe the tear from under my eye.

“I think that’s when I realized that, even in the tough times, loving Sally would always be the greatest adventure of my life.”

“You’re not on the ride alone anymore, Willa,” Sally says, squeezing my hand. I try my best to keep the tears from falling, but one escapes and, of course, that’s the moment Declan comes back over.

His eyes are wide as he rips off his helmet and looks between me and the exit, like he’s thinking about getting off the ice and coming over to me. I stand and put my hand on the glass and shake my head.

“Happy tears!” I yell at him. I can see the way he breathes out and relaxes. He puts his forehead to the glass, so I do the same on my side. “Kick Minnesota’s ass, baby!” I yell when I back away from the glass. Declan smiles and puts his helmet back on.

“I’m so happy you two finally found your way to each other,” Sally says, clasping her hands together over her heart and looking genuinely happy.

“Me too,” I tell her.

Because if there’s anything I’ve come to accept these past few months, it’s that Declan and I were always going to find our way.

FORTY-THREE

declan

“This was a terrible fucking idea,”I say, biting the inside of my cheek while I watch the men I hired cut out parts of walls in Willa’s childhood home.

“I think it’s perfect,” my dad says, patting my shoulder. Willa and my mom are out exploring some new shops in the small town. I told them Dad and I were going fishing. Instead, I’m standing in my wife’s old bedroom watching as part of the wall her mom carefully and lovingly painted is cut out.

I take in a deep breath of relief once the piece of the wall is gently, and in one piece, placed into the windowed boxes I had made just for this. I had one made for each of the rooms her mom hand-painted designs on.

“She’ll either love this or divorce me,” I say, scratching at the scruff on my face.

“I think you’re about to find out.”

I look up to see my dad looking over my shoulder, his eyes wide and nervous.

Shit.

I turn slowly, plastering a happy smile on my face.

Willa looks around at the mess of tools and dust, her face frozen in an unreadable expression. I watch as her eyes rake overthe missing rectangle of wall. I can see the anger creeping up, but thankfully the workers pick that moment to lift the box.

“I, umm,” I start, scratching the back of my neck. “I wanted you to be able to take this back home. Have some part of your mom in our home without having to keep a whole house you rarely get a chance to visit.”

I can’t see Willa’s face, but she hasn’t moved. Her entire body is so still she could be a statue.

“Princess?”

Willa spins and launches herself at me. I flinch until I realize her arms are wrapped tightly around my waist.

“Thank you,” she murmurs into my chest. She pulls back to look at me, her eyes shiny with tears, but there’s a smile on her beautiful face.

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