Page 33 of Open Arms

I traced a finger over my mother’s face, remembering the way her eyes would crinkle at the corners when she laughed. She’d always been the strong one, the glue that held our family together. And now, sitting in the silence of my cottage, I could almost hear her voice whispering in my ear.

“You’re stronger than you know, Chloe,” she’d say, her hand resting on my shoulder. “Don’t let the past define you.”

A single tear slipped down my cheek, but this time, I didn’t brush it away. Instead, I let it fall, a silent tribute to the love I’d lost and the strength I was slowly reclaiming.

Outside, the black night was broken by the moon, a reminder that there was always light, even in the darkest places.

And as I sat there, surrounded by the quiet of my cottage, I felt a flicker of something I hadn’t experienced in years: peace. It was tentative, fragile, but it was there, a tiny flame in the darkness of my past.

I knew I still had a long way to go, that the road to healing was never a straight line. But for the first time in longer than I could remember, I didn’t feel quite so alone.

Mason’s words echoed in my mind, a promise of understanding and support. And though the thought of opening up to him still sent a spike of fear through my chest, I couldn’t ignore the part of me that longed for that connection, that craved the comfort of his presence.

I took a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs, and with it, a sense of determination. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, that there would be setbacks and moments of doubt. But I also knew that I couldn’t let my past define me forever.

I stood up, the photo of my family still clutched in my hand. I traced my fingers over their faces, a bittersweet smiletugging at my lips. They would always be a part of me, but I had to find a way to honor their memory while still moving forward.

I thought of Mason, of the way his laugh was infectious, of the gentleness in his touch. He had his own scars, his own demons to battle, but somehow, that only made me feel more connected to him.

I knew I wasn’t ready to share everything, not yet. But I also knew that when the time came, when I was ready to face the darkness of my past, Mason would be there, a steady presence by my side.

I took one last look at the photo, then carefully placed it back on the shelf. I couldn’t change what had happened, but I could choose how I moved forward. And with a heart full of hope and a mind set on healing, I knew I was ready to take that next step.

15

Mason

I steeredthe pickup into a spot on the grassy edge of the festival grounds, the sun dipping low and painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Abby’s excited squeal cut through the hum of the engine as I killed the ignition. “Daddy, look! The Ferris wheel!”

“Sure is something, ain’t it?” I glanced at Chloe, whose eyes were wide, taking in the swirl of colors and sounds with cautious wonder.

“Can we go on it, pleeease?” Abby was already unbuckling her seatbelt, her little fingers fumbling in her haste.

“Reckon we’ll have to.” My smile widened as I helped her out of the truck. “But first, let’s meet up with everyone.”

The aroma of fried dough and spiced apples drew us along the worn path toward the heart of the festival. Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow on the crowd below. Laughter mingled with the twang of banjo strings, setting my toes to tapping.

“Looks like they’re over there by the bobbing for apples,” Isaid, nodding toward a group clustered around a large wooden tub.

“Uncle Gray!” Abby called, racing over to him.

“Hey there, squirt.” He ruffled her hair as we approached, earning an eye roll but a chuckle too.

“Chloe, you made it!” Walker clapped me on the back before turning his welcoming charm on Chloe. “Glad to see ya here.”

“Thanks, Walker.” She managed a polite nod, her voice barely above the din.

“You remember Walker.”

“I’m hard to forget,” he interjected.

“Sure as hell are.”

He elbowed me in the ribs and stepped closer to Chloe, pulling Caroline with him. “Chloe, let me introduce you to Doc Cressley, aka Caroline, aka my lady. Y’all will become fast friends, I’m sure.”

“Hi, Chloe, it’s so nice to meet you. Eryn’s told me a lot about you.”

“Guilty,” Eryn said, sneaking in between the girls and giving Chloe a kiss hello. “Now, you remember my husband Gray . . .”

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