Page 26 of Here With Me

Sadie made an appointment in her calendar, with three alerts, so next week she didn’t forget the video chat with Lottie’s aunt.

If only saving a store, supporting a grief-stricken nine-year-old, and keeping her treacherous heart from speeding up around her ex could be as easy as setting a reminder on her phone.

He should let it go.

David’s hand shook as he picked up another box in his grandpa’s barn Saturday morning. The sun shone through the open barn door. Dust danced in the light. Much the way the light had streamed through the now clean window at the hardware store yesterday. The way it had haloed around Sadie when he’d held her hand.

Sadie carried the grief she felt so tightly wrapped away it still had David wanting to race back to the hardware store and offer his shoulder for her to cry on. It wasn’t David’s fault someone thought Lottie was his daughter.

But the picture of happily ever after that came wrapped up with that—well?—

Not another second could be given to that thought.

Even if things had changed with Sadie since their conversation on Monday. As foolhardy as it had been to bring up the past, hashing everything out had changed things. Gone was the lonely bitter feeling every time David thought about Sadie, replaced with gut-wrenching thoughts of what if.

What if he’d talked to her before he left for Costa Rica?

What if he’d verbally extended his offer to join him?

What if he’d reached out over the years?

Regret was a horrible companion.

Metal clinked loudly as David set the box on the workbench. Saw blades—but not lawnmower blades, which is what he was looking for.

A low rumble of a car motor sounded before it shut off and doors closed. David grabbed a rag sitting on the workbench and wiped off the dust coating his hands as he walked to the barn entrance. He wasn’t expecting any company today.

Nate walked toward him as Olivia unbuckled their two-year-old daughter, Charis, from her car seat.

“You brought Olivia for backup. Something must be on your mind.” David didn’t have enough energy to tag team an argument with his cousins.

Nate chuckled and looked back at his wife. “We stopped to see Mr. Washburn. Do you remember him?”

“Not really.”

“He’s been in charge of our summer Bible camps for years. Well, until the last few. His daughter and son-in-law have been caring for him, but the end is near. Olivia wanted to make sure they had some dinner since the whole family has been called into town. On the way home, Charis said she had to use the potty, and when a potty-training toddler says it’s time to go, you stop. So, here we are.”

“Hi, Unca David,” Charis called as Oliva hurried toward the house.

David waved back. “She does know I’m not her uncle, right?”

Nate shrugged. “Probably not. But like Caroline’s kids call Austin and me uncle, I think it’s okay. We’re family, after all.”

Family. A luxury David had given up when he moved to Costa Rica. In so many ways, he’d been a recluse long before he was forced to return to Heritage.

David walked back into the barn. “While you’re here, I need some help. Bent the mower blade and Grandpa had a few extras listed on the log he kept of the items in the barn. I’m hoping they’re still there. Make yourself useful.”

Nate cleared his throat as he opened a box and pulled out a paintbrush. “Oh, this reminds me. Mrs. Allen wants someone?—”

“To paint her kitchen. I know. She stopped by Hoover’s last night for Canary or Daffodil or some kind of yellow. Thought I was Lottie’s dad.”

“That’s why you’re not working today?”

“I closed last night. Sadie said to take the weekend off. I’ll go back Monday. Maybe.” David set another box down. Sprinkler parts.

“Why wouldn’t you go back?”

“Did you know Lottie’s dad passed away? And as a toddler, her mom was killed in a car accident?”

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