Page 22 of Willow Vale

“Yeah!” River chuckled, looking to me with big eyes that struck me right through the heart. “Lila, I’m going to see a horse!”

Amelia looked up at me then and smiled when I mouthed a grateful “thank you.”And with that, all my doubts about leaving River here went out the window.

After River said he for sure wanted to stay with Amelia while I went to work, I went to the Bronco to grab his backpack, blanket, and the muffins I’d bought from the coffee shop. That was when my cellphone started ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket to see my mother’s name pop up. That was the third call today.

I stared at the screen until the ringing stopped. At war between answering or blocking her number all together, while knowing that I’d never truly do the latter. It was always the same thing. Face her again or run away. Both seemed terrifying for different reasons. And I just didn’t know what to do. I’d done this song and dance with Irene too many times toknow exactly what the outcome of our conversations could be.

She asked for money until I gave it. Or I told her no and she got mean. In the end, neither of us were happy.

When my phone didn’t ring again, I blew out a breath and got back to what I was doing.

I only made it as far as the porch with all the things in my hands before Desmond took them from me, ignoring my protests.

Sighing, I followed him back into the house until I couldn’t help but glance at one of frames on the wall. Standing in front of the main house was the entire Adler family. My eyes immediately snagged on Travis standing to Desmond’s left, a grin on his lips as he stared at the camera. He looked much younger so I knew the photo must have been taken years ago.

His arm was wrapped around a young woman with long blonde hair and a bright smile—Wren. Last I heard, Travis’s little sister got a job out of Wyoming as a horse trainer. She was as beautiful as Amelia. Like a painting you’d see in a museum. She was also Finn’s fraternal twin. Finn stood to Amelia’s right, the youngest of the two brothers sported a goofy grin of his own that was as genuine as the kid in the photo.

Staring at the photo now, they all looked…happy. All smiles and full of love.

Complete.

“We really should take another picture one of these days.” I startled as Desmond walked out of the kitchen and spotted me. “Amelia loves to take one every year in the summer. Says it’s good to take one that way we can see how we all get wrinkles and grays in our hair. I think she just likes to force the kids to smile in front of a camera.”

I smiled and teased, “Sounds like torture to me.”

Desmond’s eyes softened as they focused on me. “I’m glad you decided to bring River here. Taking care of another kid will make Amelia happy. She likes the noise in the house. Ever since our own kids grew up and started to get lives of their own, the house tends to get a little too quiet.”

“Well, River is quite energetic, so I doubt there will be much peace and quiet when he’s here. Thank you again for this. I…”I really needed this.I couldn’t bring myself to admit those words out loud. Try as I did, I couldn’t get past how admitting I needed help always felt like admitting defeat.

Desmond patted my shoulder. “I know. That’s why we offered.”

His words nearly brought tears to my eyes.

The sound of a door opening kept me from losing it completely, thankfully. Footsteps trudged down the hall and we both turned in time to spot a familiar man wearing a ball cap, a gray t-shirt smeared in what I hoped was mud, and a pair of faded Wranglers. He stopped as soon as he spotted us, his gray eyes widening before a big grin spread across his lips. “Well, I’ll be damned. Our very own Lila North in the flesh.”

“Hi, Finn.” I waved as he walked our way. In a few long strides he was towering over me, the same way Travis and Desmond did. Muscles lined his tattooed arms beneath his shirt, making the fabric stretch as he folded them across his chest, clearly earned after years of working on the ranch. “You look good.”

Two dimples appeared when his smile widened. “You must remember how I love a good compliment. Please keep flattering me, don’t hold back. It does wonders for my confidence.” He winked before giving me a quick side hug.

“Because you’re clearly lacking in that department, son,” Desmond grunted, clapping his son’s back in a greeting.

Finn got swept up in banter with his father before turning and heading into the kitchen in search for Amelia. I made to join them when another picture on the wall caught my eye.

It made me stop in my tracks.

My reflection blurred in the glass as my eyes fixated on a younger version of myself sitting beneath the willow tree with Travis sitting right next to me. I’d never seen this picture before. It made my heart clench painfully in my chest.

And just like that, the memories came in full swing.

“You want to see something?”Travis asked when we finally pulled away from each other.

“S-sure.” I giggled when he kissed me one more time before telling me to stay put. Then he was jogging around the truck until I couldn’t see him, but I could hear him moving around. Opening one of the doors before closing it.

He took long enough that I could take a deep breath, run my hands over my hot face while I tried and failed to stop myself from smiling until my cheeks ached.

Now that we were finally alone, away from his siblings’ mischievous eyes and a curious Desi, I felt light. Like nothing and no one could burst this perfect bubble we’d created in our favorite spot on Silver Hill. Like I could kiss him and love every second of it without feeling rushed.

“Okay, all done,” he said when he made his way back over to me.

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