Page 90 of Sneak Attack

I stood and helped Marley into the Adirondack chair, so she didn’t fall.

“It was okay. Good, I guess, but strange.”

“Healing takes time.” She patted my hand and then clasped hers gently together in her lap.

Healing. Was that what I was doing? If so, it was making my skin itch and my mind race. There was Cole. My parents. Family dinners and laughing with Kate and Dave. There was Sarah and Nora, who had called to see if I wanted to join them at McLaughlin’s again, which I declined.

Healing involved a lot of people I once again had the power to destroy or let down and I wasn’t sure it felt all that great.

“Gorgeous night,” Marley said. “Got a lovely phone call today from Mrs. Griffith.”

“You did?”

“She talked to Cole when he took Jasper in, said he had a great day today, by the way.”

I was, I’d been thinking about the boy all day.

“She leads a Bible study at church, and I haven’t been there recently. She thought maybe they could begin meeting here so I can continue for a while. Would that be okay?”

“Of course it is. It’s your house.”

“Yes, but you’re living in it, and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Since when?” I teased. All she’d done since I’d been back was make me face uncomfortable truths.

“Ahhh…but pushing and stretching is supposed to be uncomfortable or else you don’t grow.”

She had a point.

“I’m scared,” I admitted.

“Life gets that way sometimes.”

I settled my head back into the chair, turning toward her. Marley was resting casually in her chair, head tipped up to the night sky, eyes closed. “Aren’t you?”

“Not scared. I have regrets, wishes on things I would have done differently over the years, things I can’t go back and say, adventures I can’t take, but no fear.”

Damn. If only I could say the same.

“Days go by slowly but the years fly, Eden. Never forget that. Someday, you’re going to be old like me, and hand to God, I hope you have more to show for it than I do. I hope you have a family, take the greatest adventures of your life. I see you with kids, maybe grandbabies, sitting around and listening to your stories of everything you accomplished and all the things you have left to try. Dogs. All the dogs. Your home will be such a warm welcoming place because you’ll have worked hard and suffered much to get there, so you’ll enjoy every moment of blissful peace. That’s what I want for you, girl.”

It was a lovely vision and tears stung my eyes as she spoke it.

She hadn’t mentioned his name, but as I closed my eyes and tried to picture it, it was Cole I saw. Carrying a baby close to his chest like he’s probably already done, helping a little girl ride a bike, and teaching a boy to hunt. It was Cole I saw, throwing balls across a vast backyard with dogs at his feet and kids using him like a jungle gym.

“It’s a pretty dream, Marley.”

“And all you have to do is reach out and hold on.”

Maybe. Maybe we could have that.

Some day.

CHAPTER28

COLE

Iwasn’t supposed to be there, but thankfully, I not only had the night to myself, but an understanding quarterback coach. When I approached Kollin, asking if I could skip out of the morning practice to meet Marley’s nurse, he’d said absolutely yes.

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