Page 39 of Shattered Melodies

“It’s nothing, Ma. Just strange, is all. Seeing that old house come back to life after all these years.”

She nodded, her expression softening. “I can imagine. That place holds a lot of memories for you, doesn’t it?”

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly tight. “Yeah. Yeah, it does.”

She came over to the table, settling into the chair across from me. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. Because the truth was, I did want to talk about it. I wanted to pour out all the fear and the confusion and the longing that had been building up inside me ever since I’d seen those trucks, ever since I’d felt that flicker of hope and dread and something else I couldn’t quite name.

So I just shrugged again, forcing a smile that felt brittle and false on my face. “Nah, it’s all good. Like I said, just strange is all. I’m sure whoever bought the place will take good care of it, give it the love it needs.”

My mother studied me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. But she didn’t push, didn’t pry. She just reached across the table and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

“I’m sure they will, honey. And if they don’t, well that’s their loss, isn’t it?”

I laughed, the sound a little rough around the edges. “Damn straight.”

Just then, the front door opened and my father’s voice rang out from the entryway. “Honey, I’m home!”

My mother rolled her eyes, but there was a sparkle of amusement in her gaze. “In the kitchen, dear.”

My father appeared in the doorway a moment later, a paper cup in his hand and a grin on his face. “I come bearing gifts,” he said, handing the cup to my mother with a flourish.

She took it, her eyes lighting up as she caught a whiff of the contents. “Is this…?”

“Your favorite latte from that little shop in the city? You bet your sweet ass it is.”

She laughed, taking a sip and letting out a moan of pleasure. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

He grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek. “Not in the last hour or so, but I’m always happy to hear it.”

I watched them, feeling a pang of something that might have been envy, might have been longing. They made it look so easy, so effortless. The love, the laughter, the little gestures of affection and care.

I wondered if I would ever have that, ever find someone who knew me inside and out and loved me anyway, loved me because of all my flaws and quirks and rough edges.

Someone who could make me laugh and think and dream, someone who could set my soul on fire with a single touch or a single glance.

Someone like…

I shook my head, banishing the thought before it could fully form. That way lay madness, lay heartbreak and regret and a whole host of things I wasn’t ready to face.

Not now, maybe not ever.

I cleared my throat, pushing back from the table and standing up. “I’m gonna head out, see if Hank needs any help with the fences on the north pasture.”

My parents looked up, twin expressions of concern on their faces. “You sure, son? You’ve been working awful hard lately,” my father said, his brow furrowed.

I waved him off, forcing another smile. “I’m good, Dad. Just need to keep busy, you know? Idle hands and all that.”

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. “Alright then. But don’t overdo it, you hear? And make sure you’re back in time for dinner. Your mama’s making her famous pot roast, and you know how she gets when we’re late to the table.”

I chuckled, the sound a little more genuine this time. “Wouldn’t dream of missing it.”

I grabbed my hat from the hook by the door, settling it on my head with a practiced motion. And then I was out the door and into the bright, blinding sunlight, the dogs falling into step beside me with wagging tails and lolling tongues.

I paused for a moment, kneeling down to scratch them behind the ears and ruffle their fur. They leaned into my touch, their eyes closing in bliss, and I felt a rush of affection for these loyal, loving creatures who had been by my side through thick and thin.

“You guys always know just what I need, don’t you?” I murmured, pressing a kiss to each of their heads.

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