Page 19 of Quietly Falling
The tears that fill my eyes are unexpected, as is the emotion that clogs my throat as her words crash over me.
“Thanks, kiddo,” I manage, and her smile is bright as she leans over and wraps me in a hug.
“Don’t cry.”
“They’re good tears, I promise,” I tell her, chuckling as I drop a kiss on the top of her head. “It means a lot to know you think I’m doing a good job.”
She shrugs one small shoulder as she pulls away. “You always do.” The words are delivered like it should be obvious, that I’m not as broken as I feel most days. “Mom said I can play softball this year. Will you come to my games?”
“Can I make a big sign that saysGo Hollandwith your number on it?” I tease and she giggles.
“Maybe.”
“Well then, I’ll be there.”
I’llalwaysbe there.
10
BODHI
“Hey, Bodhi!” Ella says brightly on Thursday morning, her smile almost blinding as she throws her bag into the back seat of Sorren’s truck. “I brought snacks.” She winks and damn if I don’t feel that everywhere.
The week had gone by in a blur, all the fun I’d had with my nieces over the weekend replaced with the familiar pang of anxiety as my boots scrape over the dirt.
“You know where you’re going, right?” Sorren says pointedly to her and she huffs.
“Yes.”
“You should miss the storm rolling in but again…”
“Yeah, yeah, I won’t crash your truck. My cousins in Trappers Ridge used to take me out to drive in the snow when we went there over winter breaks growing up. We’ll be fine.”
Like a couple inches of snow or actualhave to dig yourself out of a snowbanksnow?
Also, why is she driving?
I lived in New Hampshire my whole life.
I’d asked Sorren as much but he’d brushed me off with a sigh, sayingit’s just easier if we let her.
We.
As if he’s taking this little trip with us.
“Rhea packed you guys snacks and lunch and,”—he peeks in the bag—“something wrapped that I can’t see.”
“Ooo, I hope it’s those new chocolate raspberry croissants she’s been experimenting with. They’resogood.” She does a little dance, and it takes everything in me not to let my eyes trail down her body as she shimmies in the lot.
“And Mama Thayer packed extra when she found outyouwere goin’ on this little adventure,” Sorren adds pointedly, his gaze locked on me, his lips ticking up on one side.
“Great,” I manage even as my heart warms a little. Flora Thayer, Sorren’s mother-in-law, welcomed Mason and me with open arms the minute we landed here—never once discouraged that it took me longer to warm up to, well,everyone.
She’s just treated me like family, right from the start.
“Please do not crash my truck,” Sorren pleads, his words now directed at Ella as he throws her the keys before sending me an apologetic look. “Good luck.”
“Hey! I am an excellent driver. I just get car sick in the passenger seat if I have to read directions or something.”
