Page 8 of Reclaimed Roots

"The master bath has this incredible soaking tub," Liamcontinued, gesturing enthusiastically. "And the walk-in closet is practically the size of your current bedroom, Nat."

The fabric wrinkled between my fingers, creating tiny pleats that matched the growing knots in my stomach.When did I become a passenger in my own life?

Emma caught my eye. She was looking at me with that same maternal concern that used to make me spill all my secrets. She could already see that I was suffocating in this perfect life Liam was building around me.

A deep chuckle from across the room drew my attention. Jasper threw his head back in genuine laughter at something Chase had said. The sound wrapped around me like a warm blanket. All at once, I was a teenager again, sprawled in the bed of his pickup truck under a star-filled sky.

"The view from the master bedroom is incredible," Liam gushed. "You can see the whole city skyline."

Mom's hand pressed against my back. The familiar, soothing touch steadied my trembling muscles.

Emma and Jay shared that look—the same one they'd exchanged during those explosive teenage fights that would send Jasper storming out to the orchard and me to the kitchen to cry on Emma's shoulder. Hot discomfort squirmed in my stomach. I wondered if I was this transparent to everyone or just to people who had known me since I was in diapers. This was why I'd been dreading coming back here. You couldn't hide from people who had known you all your life.

"And of course," Liam continued, "once we're settled, we can start thinking about the next step."

My eyes widened.Oh god, please don't let him be talking about what I think he's talking about.

"Excuse me," I murmured, extracting myself from his grip. "I just need a minute."

I elbowed my way through the crowd, jostling people aside as I fled toward the kitchen door. Behind me, I heard the low rumble of Jasper's voice asking someone to "give her space."

Even after all this time, he knows exactly what I need.

Chapter Five

NATALIE

Wakingup in my childhood bedroom felt like taking a trip with Doc in the DeLorean. For a split second, I expected to hear Dad whistling as he made breakfast downstairs, the aroma of his famous blueberry pancakes wafting up to greet me.

But reality came crashing back. Dad was gone. And I was left with an ache in my chest and a head full of memories.

I stretched and sat up, glancing at my phone.

LIAM

Had to head back to the city but didn't want to wake you. Enjoy the time with your mom and call me if you need me. I love you.

NATALIE

K, thanks. Love you.

A pang of guilt hit me. Liam had been nothing but supportive through all this, even if he didn't quite get mycomplicated history here. I needed to woman up and end things. It wasn't fair to keep stringing him along.

I threw on some clothes and headed downstairs. Mom was at the kitchen table, clutching a mug of tea and staring blankly out the window. She looked so small, so fragile. It broke my heart.

"Morning, Mom." I dropped a kiss on her head before pouring myself some tea.

She startled slightly, pulling herself out of her daze. "Oh. Hi, honey. Sleep okay?"

"Yeah, fine." I slid into the chair across from her. "How are you doing?"

She attempted a brave smile. "I'm managing. One moment at a time, right?"

I nodded. "Listen, I was thinking we could go to Dad's office today? Start sorting through things?"

What I didn't say was that the sooner we got this over with, the sooner I could get out of Sable Point. I hated the idea of leaving her, but I couldn't be here.

Mom took a shaky breath. "I suppose we should. Your father loved that place. Put his whole heart into building that business."

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