Page 149 of Before You Can Blink
“Today’s the day they’re reunited with their loved ones, so they can enjoy all of eternity together.”
My brow furrowed. “Why are there kids?”
A sad smile formed on her lips. “Those are the ones who didn’t make it to old age, like us. Instead of waiting for their soulmate, they’ve been waiting for their parents.”
The pain of losing a child was unimaginable, but there was a small comfort in knowing those families became whole again once they reached the other side.
Speaking of kids . . .
“Everyone doing okay back home? I kinda thought I’d be able to watch over them.” I tugged on the back of my neck. “But I guess everything about this has been different from what I expected.”
“We will,” she promised. “Now that we’re together, we can check in on them any time we want.”
“So, I guess it’s up to you to fill me in on what I missed, then, huh?”
Humming, she took my hand, leading me past where other loved ones were reconnecting, and, eventually, the crowd grew thinner before a beautiful garden with several walking paths came into view.
I had a fleeting thought that I must’ve been right all along that she was an angel sent from above to save my soul, because she seemed to know her way around.
“Let’s see,” she began. “Aspen sold her business and Mac retired, so they’re both fully focused on the foundation, doing more good than ever before. Tripp and Penny are transitioning the ranch responsibilities over to Cash. Boy’s a natural.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “He always was my little barn buddy, tagging along and begging for chores. Even when he was barely higher than my knee.”
“With no next of kin, Naomi gave her half of the Range to Reagan.” My wife’s smile grew brighter. “And as of today, she owns the whole thing, free and clear. I gave her your half, too.”
Warmth flooded my chest. “The kitchen is her happy place.”
“Bentley graduated from Baylor, and went off to medical school. Wouldn’t you know it? We inspired him to become a transplant surgeon.”
Impressed, I let out a low whistle.
“Sawyer got a scholarship to play football at Oklahoma,” she continued.
“No way,” I breathed out.
“And, boy, is his daddy proud. Goes to every home game he can to cheer for the Sooners with his son under center. There’s already buzz that he’s going to get drafted. Might even be a first-round pick.”
“Can’t wait to peek in on that.”
Daisy batted at my chest, teasing, “Please tell me we’re not going to spend all our time up here watching football.”
I bumped her shoulder with mine. “Don’t see why not, since I didn’t have much time for it when I was alive.”
With an exaggerated sigh that was more playful than aggravated, she said, “I suppose we can sacrifice one day a week to cheer on our little superstar.”
She’d been using her fingers to tick off our grandchildren and had reached the final two.
“Ellie’s off in Nashville, waiting tables while chasing her dream of country music fame.”
“Sounds about right,” I mused. “And Paisley?”
My wife stiffened beside me, and the sudden change in her demeanor sent a chill down my spine.
Pulling in a deep breath, she said, “Paisley’s a mama.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “Ourlittle Paisley Sullivan? She couldn’t have been more than . . .“ My words trailed off as I tried to do the mental math.
“She was only twenty, and it’s Paisley McKinley, now.”
