Page 112 of The Summer We Mended
“So do I,” Luke said.“They didn’t have to help us.But they did everything they could to get us home.”
Anna reached up, brushed her fingertips over his jaw.She kissed him, soft and slow, with everything she couldn’t say.He kissed her back with a kind of desperation, like he needed to prove to himself that this, that she was real.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her lips.
She pulled back just enough to look at him.“For what?”
“For everything I missed.For putting you through that.For—”
“No,” she said firmly.“Don’t.You did what you had to.You survived.You came back to us.That’s what matters.”
He leaned his forehead against hers, eyes closed.The tide was creeping closer, curling around their bare feet in chilly waves.The light was fading fast, but neither of them moved.
“I didn’t let myself think,” Anna said after a moment.“Not really.I kept telling myself you’d come back, that you always do.But there were nights…” Her voice cracked.“There were nights I curled up in your sweatshirt and prayed I wouldn’t get a knock at the door.That the kids wouldn’t have to grow up without knowing what it’s like to be loved the way you love them.”
He kissed her again, harder this time, a kind of promise.Then he pulled her into his lap and held her like he was still afraid the wind might take her away.
They sat there until the stars came out, until the moonlight danced on the waves and the sand turned silver.They didn’t say much after that.They didn’t need to.
Their hands stayed intertwined.Luke rested his chin on the top of her head, and Anna breathed in the scent of salt and him and home.In the quiet, in the dark, they found their way back to each other.
“What happens next?”Anna asked.
“I don’t know,” he said softly.“I see how good your Mom looks, and how happy she is with you and the kids here, and I think…I think that it’s time for me to start processing my retirement paperwork.I think that we need to come back to the Vineyard and be as close to your mom as possible.”
“What?”she gasped.“Retirement?”
“I’ve put in my twenty and this has put a lot in perspective, Anna.I…I don’t want to leave you guys again.Life is too short, and I’d rather be here doing whatever, with you and the kids by my side every single day.That’s what’s important.We need to be surrounded by our family and friends.My parents are gone, but your mom, your mom is still alive, and we should be here with her.”
Tears rolled down Anna’s cheeks as she looked back at her husband in shock.She wasn’t sure if he even knew what he was saying, but she loved what she was hearing.
“I’m so glad you’re home safe,” she murmured.“And I love everything you’re saying.For right now, let’s focus on this moment, and tomorrow or the next day, we’ll talk about what’s next.”
“Deal,” he said as he kissed the top of her head.
Anna relished the feeling and fought back the happy tears that wanted to fall.She didn’t think she’d ever be in his arms or feel his kisses again.This was the best day of her life.
ChapterForty-Four
Lily
“Igot the door, Grandma!”Blaze exclaimed as he grabbed a few bags and rushed up the front steps to hold the door for his grandma and sister.
Lily smiled proudly as she and Nora grabbed the rest of the bags while Blaze waited with the door open.The three of them stepped through the front door, her arms full of grocery bags she hadn’t even needed to buy, only to be met by the warm, savory aroma of garlic, onions, and butter drifting from the kitchen.She blinked in surprise, then smiled as her eyes landed on Margot, Claudia, and Jess, all bustling around her kitchen like they owned the place.Margot stood at the stove, a large pot of clam chowder bubbling away, while Claudia expertly chopped herbs and Jess managed a tray of biscuits that were about to go into the oven.
“You three are a sight for sore eyes,” Lily said, her voice thick with emotion and gratitude.
The kids put the bags down on the table.
“Can we go outside, Grandma?”Nora asked.
“Of course,” she answered.“Thanks for the help.”
The twins rushed out the back door, where Maisie was already playing with Max.
“Put those down and come get a spoon,” Margot called.“We’re making this the proper way.No skimping on the cream.”
“And extra thyme,” Claudia added, without looking up from her cutting board.
