Page 61 of Everlasting Promises

He shrugs. “Okay, I guess. It was school. Same as every other school day.”

I nod. “Fair enough. Tell me one thing you liked best today, then.”

He chews while he thinks. “We’re starting a new topic in English. Creative writing.” A slow grin grows. “I think I’ll enjoy it.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “I think you’ll more than enjoy it. This is the perfect opportunity for you to share your talent. I look forward to reading what you write.”

28

BEN

Hope stands abruptly,using the backs of her legs to shove her chair back noisily on the wooden floor, and hurries from the room. We both watch her until we can’t see her any longer. I catch Evan’s gaze across the table, and his only response is a shrug.

“Is she okay?” I thought I was doing the right thing, focusing on Evan instead of her, but maybe not.

“She does that sometimes,” he says with another shrug and returns to eating.

“Should I check on her?”

He shrugs again. Typical boy. “Dunno. She usually comes back after a while and pretends nothing’s wrong.”

She does this sometimes? But then why does my gut tell me it’s because of something I’ve done? Do I stay here, eat dinner, and wait for her to return? Pretend nothing happened? Or do I check on her and try to talk about it?The easier option would be to sit here and pretend nothing happened, but I’m not one for taking the easy route.

I stand, pushing my chair out with the backs of my legs. “I’m just gonna check on your mom.”

He gives me a thumbs up and a smile. “Good luck!”

I grin at him. “Thanks.”

I wander through the part of the house that leads to a guest room and bathroom. Listening carefully, I step down the hallway. A quiet sob breaks the silence, and I head toward the door at the end of the hallway. It happens again, and I lean my head against the door, pain ripping through my chest, threatening to take me under. I tap lightly. “Hope?”

“I’ll be out in a minute,” she answers, but I can hear the pain in her voice.

“Can I please come in?”

“No,” she snaps. I haven’t heard her speak like that before. “I just need a minute, okay?” she says, softening her tone.

“I just thought we could talk about whatever I did to upset you.” I throw it out there, hoping she takes me up on my invitation.

Her sigh sounds through the door, and I can almost taste her defeat. The knob turns, so I step back a little to give her space, and the door opens an inch. It’s enough to see her tears and make my stomach twist.

She drops her chin to her chest. “It wasn’t you. Please don’t think it was you.” She’s quiet for a long time, and I think that’s all she’s going to say.

I wish she’d open the door and literally let me in so I can wrap her up. Soothe her. Wipe away her tears.

She blows out a long breath, her shoulders rising and falling dramatically. “It … it just felt so normal.” I tilt my head to the side, and she shakes her head a little, still keeping her face averted. “It’s normally just the two of us, but you were there and asking Evan about school … it … it reminded me what it was likewhen Wyatt was home. He’d talk to Evan about school and his favorite parts because Evan’s never liked school.”

And now I get it. I scratch my short beard so I don’t reach for her the way I want to. “I’m sorry, Hope. I didn’t mean to open a wound that’s still raw.”

She glances up at me, her eyes shiny from her tears, then drops her gaze back to her feet. “You couldn’t have known. It was sweet and exactly what Evan needs.” She releases the door, and it edges open a little more.

I take half a step, bringing me closer, and use my fingers to tilt her chin up so I can look at her pretty eyes. The sadness there is like a knife to my chest, but I push through my discomfort. “It’s okay to tell me if I overstep. I’m not here to take the place of anyone. It’s important to me you know that.”

Her throat moves as she swallows.

“I see how much you still grieve for Wyatt. I’m not trying to replace him, Hope. Really, I’m not. But I’m going to be completely honest here, and it may get me kicked out.” I drop my hands and hold them out. “I want to be transparent with you.”

She nods slightly.

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