Page 102 of Loud Unspoken Memories

Sarah’s eyes crinkle with a smile. “Sometimes the best things in life come when we least expect them.” She holds my gaze and it makes me wonder just how much his family knows of our snowy escapades.

“But you don’t even know us. We really don’t want to impose.”

Sarah scolds me with her eyes. “You’re not from a small town, are you?”

I shake my head. “Orlando.”

She laughs. “Well, we do things differently here. Everyone is family. Come, get your bags and I’ll show you to the guest rooms.”

“Mrs. Montana, are you sure?”

She puts a hand on my shoulder. “It’s Sarah. And I’m positive.”

A familiar furry friend emerges from the house, surging toward my son, tail wagging.

“Bex!” Charlie exclaims.

I quickly turn to Allie. “I thought you said he wasn’t here.”

“I’m dog sitting for a few days.”

“Oh.”

I want to ask her so many questions. Like how did Bex get here? Did Dallas bring him? Why just a few days? But I don’t have a chance to ask because Sarah takes my elbow and escorts me inside.

Ten minutes later, after being shown our rooms, not to mention a tour of the house that is like Disneyland to Charlie, we’re changing for the party.

Charlie and I are in a room connected to Asher’s by a large bathroom.

I sit on the bed and look around, wondering if this used to be one of their boys’ bedrooms. Maybe even Dallas’s. I run my hand along the bedspread, trying tofeelhim as if his aura is still here.

Asher walks through the bathroom and peeks his head inside our room. “You could do much worse.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m notdoinganything, Ash. Can we just get through the next few hours please?”

When we’re as ready as we can get, since I didn’t exactly pack party clothes, we head to the living room. It’s hard not to look at the pictures on the wall. There are so many of them. And the people—there must be dozens. I imagine Dallas growing up with tons of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I’m envious of all the love he must have had surrounding him.

I glanced at the photos during the tour, but I can really study them now. I’m fascinated by one in particular. It’s the four Montana children standing in the middle of a vineyard right before sunset. I immediately know which one Dallas is even though he must be only ten or so. Those eyes are exactly the same. His face was fuller and his hair shorter, but he was a cute kid.

Another photo captures my attention. It’s a photo of the entire family. Chris, Sarah, their four kids… and Phoebe and DJ.

Sarah comes up behind me. She looks between me and the picture on the wall. “Does this bother you?”

“Not at all.” I lean against the wall. “Out of curiosity, what do you… know?”

There’s a glint in her eye that tells me she might just know more than I think. “My son isn’t one to share details about his life. Especially since he lost them. Allie filled us in with what little she knows. We all read between the lines.” Her face turns soft, her eyes inviting. “Marti, it seems you’ve been the breath of fresh air my son has needed for a long time.”

I curse myself when tears come to my eyes, rendering me unable to respond.

“He visited their graves yesterday.” She takes my elbow and guides me to the sofa. “That might not seem all that significant, except for the fact that it’s the very first time he’s done it.”

My eyes snap up to hers.

She nods, another bright smile crinkling her beautiful complexion. “Whatever happened between the two of you up in that cabin has changed him.” She pats my hand in that motherly way—the way I imagine my own mother would have. “But it took two-and-a-half years, Marti. It might just take him another minute to digest everything. All we can do is be patient with him. But I’ll tell you this, I think you and that little boy of yours might be just what he needs.”

I shake my head and stare at the massive two-story Christmas tree in front of the windows that overlook the extensive property. “I don’t think so. I had hoped, but with Charlie I don’t know if it’s possible. I think it’s just too much with the both of us.” I look at Sarah. “But now I have hope that he will find the one he needs. And I’m so happy he’ll have that.”

“Mmm. I guess we’ll see.” She stands. “Shall we go to the party? I think you might enjoy our little town.”

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