Page 30 of By Your Side

“I don’t think I want more animals, so I hoped to turn it into a creative space and workshop. And now that it needs to be rebuilt, maybe build a guest suite on the second level, it would be a really nice space with privacy for when my parents visit.”

Nodding, I make some notes for adjustments.

“If we want to build it this year, we should start right away. Are you okay if we push back main floor work until after?” I ask, waiting for her to nod. I continue writing what needs to be coordinated, setting my pen down when I’m done. “I will be gone the first week of November to go visit my mom, but we can pick up the renovations when I’m back.”

She stills, her expression turning sad. “That’s okay. My parents will be here supporting me through the anniversary of Scott’s death.”

“Damn, I didn’t know it was coming up so soon.” Frowning, I bite back the urge to tell her I will reschedule. I can’t push back my visit at this point, it’s too late.

Adeline nods, her eyes glistening. “It will be a hard week.”

Rubbing my hands on my knees, my curiosity gets the best of me. “How did he die?”

Cringing as she closes her eyes, a tear falling. I open my mouth to take it back, but before I can, she’s speaking.

“It was the wrong place at the wrong time kind of thing. He was walking down the street after a meeting to grab some lunch and got hit by a drunk driver who then crashed into a pole and died on impact.” Her voice chokes, but she continues softly, “They told me he didn’t feel any pain.”

Holding my hand out, my heart aches as she slides her hand into my grasp, trembling as I hold it tight. There are no words I can say to take away her pain and I wish I could.

Instead, we sit silently until the sheen to her eyes clears.

“There’s never anything people can say that takes away the ache of a lost loved one, but I know that his life was amazing because he had you in it and vice versa.”

She gives me a small smile. “A short time with a soul mate is better than not at all. We had a lot of love in our life together and I can honestly say I look back on our time with no regrets.”

“Wasn’t it hard to leave the home you built with him?”

She sighs, her shoulders lifting a little. “I couldn’t stay in a house that felt haunted to me. It was the home I built with Scott, and staying there without him didn’t feel right. I don’t know if that makes sense. I know many people don’t agree with me. I’ve heard it all. It felt like no one could see me anymore. I was Scott’s widow.

“I was closed off from everyone. Not including my family, most people pulled away from me. And the judgment because I wasn’t a crying mess . . . they didn’t see me when I was home away from them. There were days I was so angry he left me. And I couldn’t handle the judgment from people who have no freaking clue. My mom had to intervene, she dragged me out of the house in the new year to go to counseling. I had already bought the property as a means for a fresh start, and I’ve never once regretted the decision. His memory isn’t in a place, it’s in the life we shared.”

She releases my hand and gestures around her. “Since coming here, I’ve felt more at home and more supported than in the seven months after Scott passed away.”

She wrings her hands together, lost in some memory. “The nail in the coffin was when I overheard Scott’s mom and my supposed best friend ripping me apart at his funeral. It wasn’t long after that I called Raelynn and put the offer in on the house. Hilary, Scott’s mom, hasn’t reached out since that day. It’s not surprising, she was never really involved in our life. Lizzie, my ‘best friend,’ sends a text every now and then, but she’s never bothered to apologize. The first text was some stupid excuse and the few since then have been attempts to pretend nothing happened. I don’t think she misses the friendship; I don’t really know why she bothered since clearly our friendship was meaningless. She hasn’t bothered trying for a few months and I’m okay with that.”

Scowling, I growl, “Sounds like you’re better off without the whole lot of them. I don’t understand people who place judgment on someone going through something they can’t even fathom. Some days I wonder what happened to empathy.”

Adeline waves it off, her voice soft but firm. “Honestly, the experience showed me who my true friends were. They showed me that when it came down to it, I didn’t matter in their lives and I’m okay with that. People can perceive me differently, but I know who I am.”

“You’re right. Life changes show you people’s true colors. I like the way you look at it.”

Her eyes lighten as she smiles at me, a genuine smile. “Honestly, most days I just focus on appreciating the day and the life I have. It was something I learned not to take for granted. And I appreciate the friends I’ve met along the way.”

She elbows me with a soft chuckle. “Even a grump like you.”

Her taunt makes me grin. She doesn’t realize I’m only grumpy with her. The way I was instantly drawn to her the day we met and how my heart jumps every time I see her, it scares me. I don’t want to risk my heart when I don’t know if she’s ready to open herself up again.

Shrugging, I joke, “Well, you did almost run me and Wally over. I figured you were a menace just here to wreak havoc.”

She covers her face with her hands and groans. “It’s mortifying that the entire town knows that story.”

Pulling her hands away, I hold her gaze. “I’m happy you’re here. And so is everyone who has met you. We’re a close-knit community and it didn’t take long to figure out you belong here.”

She smirks. “Does that mean you lost the bet for when I would run away from this house and town?”

My lips quirk. “I won. I bet you would stick it through.”

eighteen

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