Page 36 of The Promises We Broke
Maybe I could learn to extend that same grace to the man who'd failed to protect me.
"Okay," I said quietly. "We can try."
The relief on his face was immediate and profound. Like he'd been holding his breath for eleven years, waiting to exhale.
After he left, I sat on the cottage porch with the inheritance documents in my lap, staring across the ranch toward the direction of the old swimming hole where I'd spent so much of my childhood. Toward the house that had been sitting empty for years, waiting for someone to see its potential.
For the first time since the accident, I felt something that might have been excitement. Not just about staying in Willowbrook, but about building something here. About taking the skills I'd developed in eleven years of construction work and using them to create something permanent.
Something that might convince Billie Schulster that I was finally ready to stop running.
Chapter 12
Billie
Tuesday morning in Willowbrook meant errands, which also meant exposure to the town's gossip network whether you wanted it or not. I'd barely made it through the door of Marie's bakery before being cornered by three different people who wanted to hear about Gage's recovery "from a medical perspective."
"I'm afraid I can't share his medical details with anyone without his permission," I said for the third time, plastering that fake but hopefully convincing smile on my face that generally came with whenever someone thought they had the right to ask me that question.
The birth story had already grown in the telling. According to Mrs. Patterson, Gage had delivered Barrett single-handedly while suffering from multiple life-threatening injuries. According to Tom Fletcher, he'd performed emergency surgery with nothing but a pocket knife and determination. I wasstarting to think by Friday, the story would involve him delivering triplets during a natural disaster.
"Such a blessing that he was there when Delaney needed him," Marie said, sliding a box of pastries across the counter. "Providence, really. All those years away, and he comes home just in time to help bring that precious baby into the world."
I nodded and smiled, accepting the pastries I definitely didn't need while trying to ignore the warmth spreading through my chest at the pride in her voice. The whole town was talking about Gage like he was a hero, like his return was something to be celebrated instead of questioned.
"How's his recovery going?" Mrs. Patterson asked, leaning in with the enthusiasm of someone who lived for medical updates. "Such a blessing that he was there when Delaney needed him. Real hero, that boy."
"I'm afraid I can't share his medical information," I said automatically, the professional response rolling off my tongue. "But I'll pass on your concern so he knows you're thinking of him," I added to soften the blow and what would no doubt be the continued pressure for information if I didn't try to avoid it.
"Of course you can't, Billie dear, you just ignore all these gossips and keep up the good work! Always knew that boy had good instincts," Marie beamed. "Remember when he organized that fundraiser for the Miller family after their barn burned down? Couldn't have been more than fourteen."
"Of course, he always was a bit wild," Mrs. Patterson said with a knowing look. "Remember when he crashed his father's car into that oak tree? Fifteen years old and thought he was invincible."
I felt my spine stiffen automatically. "That was an accident," I said before I could stop myself. "He was hurt badly. Could have died."
"Oh, I know, dear. Just saying he always had a tendency toward... dramatic gestures." Mrs. Patterson's tone carried the faint disapproval of someone who'd never forgotten a teenage mistake. "Hope all that reckless behavior is behind him now that he's got family counting on him."
"His reckless behavior?" The words came out sharper than I'd intended. "You mean like stepping up to deliver a baby when no one else was there to help?"
Marie and Mrs. Patterson both looked surprised at my defensive tone, and I realized I'd just revealed far more personal investment than any medical professional should have.
"The other Farrington boys must be so relieved to have their brother back," Marie said quickly, clearly trying to smooth over the sudden tension. "Blake mentioned they've been searching for him for some time now."
Searching. The word hit me like a reminder of how he'd walked away.
"Well, give him our best," Mrs. Patterson said as I gathered my things, though her tone was cooler now. "Tell him the whole town's talking about what he did."
I couldn't decide if she meant helping Delaney deliver her baby, or what had happened when he was a teenager. I'd been away just long enough that I'd forgotten about this part of small town life. Being suddenly refreshed on it now wasn't exactly the best thing that had happened to me since I'd returned.
I made my escape before anyone could launch into more detailed medical inquiries, but the conversation followed me as I continued my errands. At the pharmacy, at the bank, at the grocery store, it was the same story. Gage's heroic delivery had captured the town's imagination, and his return was being treated like the homecoming of a prodigal son.
By the time I reached the old doctor's office that Blake was turning into a gallery space, my professional composure was starting to fray around the edges.
"You look like you've been through a war zone," Blake observed as I collapsed into the chair across from the dusty desk they'd set up in a corner with plans laid across the surface. "Let me guess. The Willowbrook information network has been in full force today."
"Everyone wants updates on his recovery. Everyone has an opinion about Providence and blessings and heroic family genes." I slumped back in my chair, suddenly exhausted. "I've been defending him all morning without even realizing it."
Blake's eyebrows rose. "Defending him how?"
