Page 61 of What We Keep
“I texted my mom to invite her to visit, and she said she’d come. I’m just a little surprised,” I replied.
Maggie turned, reaching for the dish towel and drying her hands before crossing over and giving me a quick hug. There was no shortage of hugs when it came to Maggie Silver. She squeezed my shoulders as she stepped back. “I’m so glad.”
I took a quick breath. “She hasn’t been here since we left.”
Maggie knew this, but I was almost talking myself through it.
“I know. Your dad and your mom loved each other very much. I’m sure the idea of coming back here was painful after he passed.”
“Well, that and—” I shook my head slightly. “He didn’t have to die.”
Maggie pressed her lips together as she rested her hips against the counter. “People are complicated. And who knows what he thought at the end? I will never stop being so sorry that you happened to be alone with him when he actually did pass.” She let out a sigh. “He was just…”
“Stubborn,” I finished for her.
“I don’t know how else to put it. And misguided. Alaska is the promised land for people like your father. They want to live off the grid and do it all on their own. Except they don’t realize how much even the idea of thinking you can do it all on your own is a privilege in our world today.”
“I know. So many things that support us are invisible.” A sigh slipped out. “My dad didn’t think modern medicine could help anyone.”
“Pneumonia can kill people, as he learned. I’m glad your mom is coming to visit. She probably won’t stay long-term, but a visit is good,” Maggie said.
I knew my mom wouldn’t ever return to live here, but I was glad she’d finally visit.
“When you talk to her, tell her I said hi. And of course, she is always welcome here,” Maggie said.
I didn’t realize I was crying until Maggie reached for a box of tissues and thrust it toward me. I swiped at my tears with my fingertips and blew my nose.
“Thank you. You all welcoming me here and letting me stay has made coming back so much less complicated.”
“Sweetheart, we’re happy you’re here.” A sly glint entered her eyes. “And I’m very happy about you and Haven.”
“Really?”
“You know that boy had a crush on you when you two were in high school.”
“What?” I sputtered.
She rolled her eyes. “Tell him I told you to ask him about it.”
I’d had a long day at work, hiking along a trail with one of the interns to clear old markers and install new ones. Haven had just come in, exhausted after working all day.
After he came out of the shower, my body hummed. Good grief, he was unfairly sexy. He wore a pair of loose sweatpants and no shirt.
I was instantly distracted, or rather, my hormones were. But I had a mission, and curiosity was getting to me. “Your mom told me to ask you something,” I said.
He filled a glass with water and took a swallow. “What’s that?”
I bit back a sigh. Even the flex of his forearm as he lowered the glass was sexy. “She said you had a crush on me in high school.”
He tipped his head to the side, pressing his tongue in his cheek before sliding it across his teeth. “I did.” He looked a little sheepish.
“Really?” I squeaked, resting my elbows on the counter.
“Oh, most definitely, Elsa. You were that girl. You are that girl.”
My mouth dropped open. “I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it,” he pressed.
