Page 17 of Spring Forward

“There are usually some good treats at the market too,” Noel adds as he opens the door for August. The way he keeps his eyes on my brother and stays close, just in case he needs help without actually intruding melts something inside of me.

Noel is making me fall in love with him and I’m not even sure he’s trying. It’s unreal.

Once August is settled, Noel closes the door and turns my way with a sheepish smile on his face. His voice is low and insistent, “I wanted to be close in case he needed help. Is that okay?”

“Yeah,” I choke out, my mouth dry as he opens my door, grips my hips, and lifts me into his truck. “You did good, Noel,” I murmur.

The smile he flashes me is blinding as he buckles me in. Damn this man. How the hell am I going to be able to walk away from him?

August asks all sorts of questions while we drive into town. I can’t help but watch Noel. His face is open as he chats with August and the smile on his face doesn’t dim. There isn’t a single part of him that is annoyed, and I didn’t even need to ask for my brother to be included; he just was.

The walls I’ve spent years building around my heart, the ones I needed to survive and keep moving forward without being pulled under by the despair of everything I’ve lost, crumble. Noel isn’t just making an effort with me. He’s making one with August as well.

Could this be our home?

Could this be our future?

Before I can spiral too deep into my thoughts, concerns, and fears, we arrive at the market. Noel is right there, leading us by the various businesses which have set up tents and tables. He gives us some information about the booths as we browse. August is pretty much jumping up and down as we check everything out.

We get stopped a few times with people who want to chat with Noel, and it becomes obvious how much respect the people who live in Wintervale have for him and the entire Burns family. More than one person comments on his military service and every time I watch as my man’s jaw clenches.

My man?

Shouldn’t the thought, the acceptance of what he’s offering me, have me wanting to run in the opposite direction? The odd thing is that it doesn’t. No, it fills me with a sense of pride that I’ve never experienced before.

When it’s clear that he’s becoming agitated by the attention, I slip my hand in his and give a squeeze. The relief and gratefulness in his eyes as he looks at me has my heart beating faster in my chest. Once we get to a large flower stall, he seems to relax slightly.

“Oh,” August exclaims, “these are so pretty.”

“Let’s find the perennials and then you can pick whatever you want,” there’s a strain in Noel’s voice and I give his hand another squeeze of encouragement.

The stress from so many people bringing up Noel’s military service seems to melt away as we watch August pick out flowers. His excitement is contagious and we’re not the only ones affected. Random people I don’t know stop and watch my brother’s joy along with us before they move along.

“Thank you,” Noel murmurs and turns toward me while still keeping Auggie in his line of sight.

I blink up at him and can’t help but ask, “For what?”

“Letting me have this moment, for being willing to share your brother with me. You’ve been raising him for a long time, and you’ve done an amazing job. I wouldn’t blame you if you’d rather keep him and his joy to yourself.” He swallows hard and squeezes my hand this time. “And for helping to keep me grounded.”

“Noel,” my voice cracks as I’m flooded with emotions.

“It’s hard for me to accept praise for my service when it left me changed and scarred in so many ways. I’m not saying I would change anything. I probably would still enlist knowing what I know now, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for me to have people to see me as a hero when I don’t feel like one.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” I whisper softly, “but I don’t like you being uncomfortable.”

Noel’s grin is victorious. I almost roll my eyes, but I am able to hold back. Barely.

When August runs over to us, he exclaims, “I found everything. All the colors in the rainbow.”

Noel gives his shoulder a squeeze, “Lets get checked out and we’ll grab a snack before we head back to Limitless.”

The air around us is light and filled with Auggie’s happy chatter as we grab the flat of flowers and head back out of the market while grabbing a snack on the way. Even though August has had great experiences in a lot of places, the way he seems to glow here is something I can’t ignore.

When we pull up in front of the house, August’s voice is excited, “Can I go find Macklin?”

I look over my shoulder and nod, “Of course.”

He’s out of the truck before Noel can even think about getting out and spotting him. Noel’s chuckle wraps around me and has me looking over at him with big, round eyes.

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