Page 43 of One Sultry Summer

They all wanted to help in any way they could. During our conversation, Ronda informed methat aid from the state could take ten days to arrive. The bureaucratic obstacles surprised me; the people of Skybrook would need immediate assistance and couldn’t wait until then.

Although I’m not from this town, I feel a sense of obligation to the people of Skybrook. When they first met me, they thought I was there to destroy their town, but once they saw that wasn’t the case, they accepted me without prejudice despite my differences. Their kindness and generosity inspire me to contribute to their recovery efforts. Now, together with my best friends and family, we can restore Skybrook to its former glory and create an even stronger community.

After they were settled in their rooms, the six of us briefly reminisced about old times, laughing and sharing stories while we ate dinner. Due to our busy work schedules, it was a rare occurrence for us to cherish a moment of togetherness, far from the demands of oureveryday lives.

The next morning, we spoke with the mayor and helped with the command center located at the local church. We went into action, finding out who needed supplies and who had extra clothes and food to donate. No one made a big deal that a celebrity was serving food. They just thanked her, and they went on their way.

There was no news crew or press of any kind. Perhaps if there was some, the people here would get the help they needed sooner. When I mentioned this information to Rae, she got on the phone. Next thing I knew, within an hour, there were national news agencies covering the disaster.

Rae was back in her disguise and stayed out of the way by keeping her head down and continued to help pack supplies for residents. When a reporter asked about her, a resident stepped in and said they were thankful their daughter was here to help and gave them a fakename.

The residents were protecting not just Rae, but all of us as they showed how thankful they were. Others came in and out of the church hall. It was so busy throughout the day, we all forgot to eat. Then the baker came and brought bread and other baked goods.

I know I was tired, but I was worried about Layla, and I tried to force her to get some rest. When she refused, I asked Wyatt to check on her. It was nice to finally see him again. He looked exhausted from working nonstop. He ordered Layla to get rest and not overdo it.

By the time the evening rolled around, most people had been given temporary shelter and food to eat. I rubbed my eyes and was ready to sleep. Tomorrow we’ll help again, but for now, I longed to be in Wyatt’s arms. However, we weren’t given the chance to see each other again as he got called away.

Before he left, I asked Wyatt if Emily couldstay with me so we could keep each other company. She crawled into bed, and I told her a bedtime story. It probably wasn’t the best one she’s ever heard, but I was pretty new at this. She giggled a few times, and that made me laugh too. I turned off the light and soon we drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 16

Wyatt Woods

A few days had passed since the tornado swept through Skybrook. You couldn’t tell by how beautiful the weather was now, but just days earlier, the sky opened up and took its toll on our city. The once tumultuous clouds that hung over us are now gone. All that is left is a clear sky and the remnants of the destruction left in its path.

I stand outside and watch as the congregation members make their way in. It’s been a while since I’ve set foot in any church. After I lost my wife, I lost my faith. No one judged me for staying away. But now, I’m preparing to enter, as I’ve come to pay Clay Johnson and his family my last respects.

“Are you ready to go inside?” Valerie’s voice breaks me from my thoughts. She stood hand in hand with Emily. “You know, we don’t have to go.” I didn’t realize that I was hesitant.

“No. It’s fine.”

“Wyatt. People will understand if you don’t want to attend. Even though we’ve only known each other for a few short weeks, I understand your hesitation.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in and let the fresh air fill my lungs. When I opened them, a butterfly hovered near me.

Together, we watched as it landed on Emily’s nose. Her eyes were filled with excitement, and she sat very still. The butterfly’s wings were a swirl of colors: orange, black, and what looked like white spots. Its wings flutter in a clapping motion. I thought it was going to leave us and fly away. Instead, it left Emily and landed on Valerie’s shoulder.

“My grandmother always said butterflies could signify messages from deceased lovedones,” I said aloud.

“My mom said something similar. She told me butterflies symbolize a reminder of a spiritual connection to loved ones.” Valerie’s eyes met mine. Without saying another word, she understood what I was feeling. In my mind, Lauren was telling me to move on. Emily held out her hand, I grasped it, and we walked inside the church. As we entered, I felt a sense of peace, calmness, and understanding, knowing Lauren was with me in spirit. The butterfly’s presence had given me the strength to move forward and embrace the support of those around me.

As soon as we entered, we saw there was no space to sit; we stood in the back and waited for the service to begin. I picked up Emily and held her in my arms. As I scanned the warmly lit interior of the church, my gaze landed on the front pew. As they sat quietly in conversation, my mother sat beside Mrs. Johnson—a comforting sight among the day’s solemnity.

This is especially true since we lost a stellar man in our community. People took turns speaking, sharing stories about his unique sense of humor, hard work ethic, determination, and deep love for this town. The minister delivered a heartfelt eulogy, emphasizing his positive impact on those around him. His legacy would undoubtedly live on, inspiring future generations to strive for the same level of dedication and love for their neighborhood.

As the funeral came to a close, the choir sang a hymn. The congregation joined in, their voices blending into a poignant melody that echoed through the church. As the final notes faded, a sense of unity and shared grief filled the room, reminding everyone of the profound impact one’s life can have on an entire community. Everyone slowly rose from their seats and exited the building. The funeral procession would be preparing to head to the cemetery.

Once we were back outside, I took anotherdeep breath. I decided not to go to the cemetery, as that would have been too hard. I paid my last respects to him at his funeral. I opened the door to my truck and let Emily and Valerie take their seats. Once Emily was buckled, I rounded the front of the automobile and got in.

A few minutes later, we pulled up to the front of the inn. We awaited Devin’s arrival, ready to drive him to my house for a cozy dinner. It had been a rough spell for him—first being sick, then weathering the impact of a tornado—so his outings had been few and far between. I sensed he needed a change of scenery, so I invited him along with Valerie’s friends and family over to share a meal with my family.

It was my way of saying thank you for taking time out of their lives and helping my hometown. They could have just gone back to San Francisco, but they stayed. I was able to meet Valerie’s mother, Victoria. I witnessed firsthand her unwavering commitment, as she dived in togive first aid to many townsfolk. Even though Valerie said she grew up in a single-parent home, it was nice to see what a great support system she has with her mom and friends.

Once Devin got in, I took a scenic route on our way to the house. There was an air of silence between Valerie and Devin. I expected them to talk about their job, but neither of them did. I can only assume their job got put on hold.

When my house came into view, I was reminded how lucky most of us were to survive a severe tornado. I’m not so sure how lucky we’ll be the next time one comes around. As we exited the vehicle, Emily ran into the house.

“You have a beautiful home, Wyatt.”

“Thanks. Come on inside.” The steps creaked as we walked up to the front door.

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