Page 24 of Spring Forward

With my hands held up in surrender, there was amusement in my voice, “I understand it sounds kind of out there and unbelievable, but it’s true. I can’t explain it and I never expected something like that to happen to me. Even though I was meeting you guys for the first time, it felt like I already knew her. You know that little voice in your head, the one that tells you about danger or helps you when you need it most?” He nodded slowly as he studied my face. “The moment I saw Delaney and you, the voice wasn’t little anymore. It was screaming at me and saying you both were right where you belong.”

“Really?” He breathed out the word, disbelief and a little awe written all over his face.

“Promise,” I vowed. “I’m trying to convince Delaney, but it’s not easy because she’s been on the move for so long. It’s all she knows and it’s hard to trust everything we feel for each other, and everything we could have, is real.”

“I’ll help you,” he chirped.

As much as I desperately wanted his help, I shook my head slowly. His face fell but I brought a hand down on his shoulder. “As much as I want your help, August, I don’t want to put you in the middle. This has to be something Delaney chooses. It has to be something she’s willing to give her all to because nothing less will work. She also loves consulting and being able to help get programs off the ground to help people.”

“Like it helped me,” he murmured.

I nodded and smiled at him. “Exactly. You’re her inspiration.”

His chin hit his chest and sadness filled his eyes. “I’m not her inspiration, I’m her burden.”

My breath stalled in my lungs and my heart skipped a beat. I gripped both of his shoulders and gave a small squeeze, not enough to hurt, but enough to get his attention. “Never,” my voice was fierce, and his eyes widened a little when he heard it, “you are never a burden. Not to Delaney. Not to me. Not to my brothers. You were so little when you lost your parents, but your sister felt lost and alone. You gave her comfort, strength, and helped her to see a way forward. You have no idea how powerful that is.”

Through the sadness and doubt, a little pride started to break through. It was like watching the sun start to shine through the clouds. It was only then, feeling the trust he was putting in me and my words, that I relaxed slightly.

“Don’t worry, bud, convincing your sister is my job. Your job is to have fun, to work hard when its time for your homeschooling lessons and help around Limitless wherever you can.”

He nodded sharply with determination etched on his small face. “I can do that.” I stood and ruffled his hair which earned me an eye roll and a groan as he reached up to fix it. “You’ll be able to get Delaney to agree to stay,” his voice was so full of hope, and it made my chest ache.

Then he was gone, running off to find Mack or Huxley. As I watched him, I couldn’t imagine letting him down, but fear slithered up my spine because getting Delaney to stay wasn’t a given.

It still isn’t.

Delaney still hasn’t answered me about sticking around even though I’ve been very upfront about what I want. There are so many ways for both of our dreams to come true. There isn’t just one way to live this life; we have options and I’m more than willing to explore all of them.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of an approaching vehicle just as Delaney walks down the stairs looking fresh and so damn good. My Freckles doesn’t need to dress up to be the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. There’s something so fresh about her when she’s wearing jeans and a flannel.

If she were out with the horses, she’d have her boots on. Knowing they’re sitting next to the door, right where they belong, makes my heavy heart feel so much lighter.

“Hey,” her voice is shy as she closes the distance between us with a soft smile on her face.

“Hi, Freckles.” I look her over with appreciation. “You look gorgeous.”

The huff that comes out of her as she rolls her eyes is adorable. She doesn’t see herself, but I see her. Everything about her makes me open my eyes, sit up, and take notice.

There are moments when she’s fragile and vulnerable, but then she’ll turn around and prove to you just how strong she is. It’s beautiful to watch. The contradictions. The way all the pieces of her overlap and weave together to form something truly breathtaking.

I hold out my hand for her and almost pump my fist in the air when she slides her hand into mine without hesitation. “Come on, I’m pretty sure I just heard Mom and Dad pull in.”

Her face pales slightly but she straightens her shoulders as if she’s preparing to go into war. I barely stop the chuckle trying to escape. When she tries to pull her hand from mine, I tighten my grip and shoot her a look which very clearly tells her what she can do with that notion.

Not going to happen.

As we step outside, Huxley and August tear around the side of the house from the direction of the barn while Fletcher and Eden come from where their house is. Auggie’s eyes are wide as he takes in the size of the RV my parents got for themselves. Honestly, for two people it’s a little excessive, but my dad wasn’t going to skimp on the creature comforts after spending so long at home and enjoying things the way he likes them.

“Wow,” August breathes out.

“Yeah,” Macklin echoes him with the same level of awe. Their reaction has the adults around them chuckling, but they don’tseem to mind at all. “I bet you can build a really good blanket fort in there,” the little boy who became part of our family, blood or not, mutters out of the side of his mouth and causes August to nod.

Everything with Fletcher and Eden happened fast. The moment she showed up in town and Fletcher saw her, my brother became a man on a mission. He wasn’t going to let the love of his life get away a second time; it almost killed him the first time.

Since it was winter, which can be unpredictable at best, Fletcher insisted that Mom and Dad continue on their trip instead of coming back to meet Macklin and welcome Eden back into the family. He told them spring was soon enough for them to come back and then they’d be able to celebrate with a wedding.

Now, the day is only about a week away. Our sister will be coming in as well, but that won’t happen until a day or two before the big event. I have a feeling our parents will be sticking around for a little while before heading back out on the road.

---