Page 129 of The Lies I've Told
I sent a silent prayer up to the heavens as Dean took the podium, and although he and Jake were two of the actual survivors of the ferryboat accident—the reason for the memorial—I thought the majority of the crowd this time around had come for someone else entirely.
The blind stone carver.
Aiden had tried to keep a low profile, not wanting to make a spectacle of himself. A simple life—that was what he’d wanted.
He wasn’t joking when he’d asked to rent a space in my shop for his work.
We’d negotiated on the price, and he paid me well for it.
But not in cash.
At first, the sales had been few and far between. His stuff wasn’t cheap. But then word had gotten around, thanks to a few local bloggers, that Ocracoke had itself a blind sculptor, and sales had kind of skyrocketed after that.
So much so that I’d had to kick him out of my store and force him to get a real place of his own. Now, he took commissions like a proper artist again.
And he was about to deliver his biggest one to date…to the town of Ocracoke.
“As much as I’d like to believe you’re all here for me,” Dean began, causing muffled laughter among the crowd, “I know that’s not entirely true. The town of Ocracoke grew a bit larger a year and a half ago when Aiden Fisher came to stay with us. I can honestly say I was puzzled when he agreed to come to our sleepy town and carve a replacement for the beautiful memorial we’d lost to a thoughtless vandal. But what I’ve realized over the years is that this town has a way of being a beacon for those who are weary, lost, or even a little broken.”
Aiden’s gaze met mine and even though I knew he couldn’t see me—his sight so poor now that he could only make out blurry images from such a distance—I gave him a warm smile.
“This memorial is about survival, perseverance, and honoring the ones we lost so tragically. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect individual to capture these ideas into our memorial, and I am honored to introduce him to you today. So, without further ado, Mr. Aiden Fisher.”
The crowd erupted in cheers, and I joined them. Jake and James, who flanked Aiden on each side, stood up and helped guide him to the podium. When I’d offered, he’d shaken his head, saying he wanted me to be in the crowd.
“Knowing you’re out there will calm me, love,” he’d said.
So, I’d agreed, and allowed someone else to be at his side.
I took a moment to drink him in as he took his place up in front of the crowd. He might have lost his sight, but it hadn’t diminished the power or the raw sexual magnetism he had.
And, with all the carving he was doing, he was still every bit as ripped.
If not more so.
I couldn’t help but smirk a little.
Standing before them, I watched as he turned his head toward the memorial.
“How does it look?” he asked, making everyone chuckle a little under their breath. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get it back to you. I know this town has gone on a while without it, and I thank you for your patience as I figured out how to do the impossible.”
His gaze turned back to me, and he smiled. “You see, I’m engaged to a wonderful woman who reminded me a while ago that nothing is impossible with a little patience and prayer. Well, she can attest to my mastery skills in the practice of patience, but prayer, that was a little harder. But I took her advice anyway, and you know what I found?”
He paused for dramatic effect.
“You,” he said simply. “I found a town eager to take me in. I found a soon-to-be father-in-law willing to step out of retirement and become my assistant.”
I leaned over and found a big, happy smile across my father’s face.
Their bromance or father-son thing they had going on really was adorable.
Possibly bordering on disgusting.
He really had become the father Aiden never had, but always wanted.
“And I found a family and love. Love that will last through all the trial and tribulations life has to offer. You, Ocracoke, are the answer to the prayers I hadn’t even realized I was sending up to the heavens. So patience and prayer,” he said once again, his voice growing heavy with emotion, “you’ll find it at the base of the memorial next to my signature.”
My eyes followed everyone else’s. He’d changed the familiar bird carving a bit. It was no longer one bird but two, as he’d realized he had his own path to live, outside of honoring his brother. From now on, he’d be remembering Ben and forging his own path at the same time.
