Page 64 of Never Left You

Flinging a blanket around my shoulders, I lightly stepped to my dresser, my eyes instantly finding our wedding photo on my dresser. I would never move that picture. It allowed me to see him every day, it always brought a smile to my face. Except for today. Today, I held back the tears.

Today I just wanted to see his bright smile as he turned to face me in the bed. I wanted to hear his voice telling me I deserved five more minutes of sleep. I wanted his finger tips touching my hips, his lips on my forehead. But…I sighed and touched the frame lightly…a photo would do.

It was early still. Not even Lachlan would be up yet. The house was silent, every move I made was amplified. I quietly made a pot of coffee with the glow of the oven light, the drip, drip, drip of the coffee maker sounding so loud in my ears. With the coffee in hand, I settled on the couch, my eyes focused on the rolling hills of Alpine Ridge as a slice of color popped against the dark sky with the rising sun.

Lachlan’s rig showed up sooner than I thought, giving me a good idea as to the time. I had been sitting here for a good two hours now, my coffee long gone. I watched as he plopped his black hat on top of his messy hair, sulking up to the door. He knew what today was. He would come in, give me a hug, and then start his day. It’s the same thing he did every year.

He opened the door, gave me a nod and waited for me to stand. I walked into his arms. He squeezed, letting me linger there a few moments, his warmth bringing more comfort then he knew, before he finally let me go.

“I made coffee,” I whispered.

“Thanks Abi.” He kissed the crown of my head, dropping his chin as he turned.

Instead of following him into the kitchen, I went back to my room. Throwing my hair into a braid, I dressed for a ride. I woke Stetson up with a kiss to his forehead, his eyes fluttering open softly. He smiled when I reminded him that today he didn’t have to go to school. His smile grew wider when it hit him. He always looked forward to today. For him it was a different experience, and he loved it every year.

“Are we going to see Daddy? Can we take Luna?” he asked in a whisper.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m gonna go saddle her up. Get some breakfast and meet me in the stable?”

“Ok, Mommy.” Stetson wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me close, tugging at my heartstrings.

The moment I walked into the stable, Luna peeked her head out of her stall. She knew, too.

“Hey girl,” I cooed as I slid my hand down her nose. “Wanna go for a ride?”

“A ride?” That low, Southern drawl sang through the hollowness of the stable, and a small smile spread on my lips. “On Luna?”

He was here. My chest began to swell.

Cash walked up to me, his gait seamless as his arms moved in sync with his steps. He wore a tan cowboy hat today, complete with his wranglers and denim button down. My stomach did that small flutter as he got closer, almost helping me forget what today was.

And then it dawned on me. He should be there, too.

“Yeah…” I hummed, turning back to Luna. “I think today calls for a ride.”

“What makes today special?” he asked, raising a hand to scratch behind Luna’s ear.

Instead of answering him, I asked, “Do you have a training session this morning, or does Lachlan have plans?”

“There’s always plans,” he answered, leaning his body against the stable door.

“Cancel them for the morning,” I said sternly, dropping my arm to my side.

He furrowed his brow. “Why?”

“Well, today…” I took a deep breath. “Today’s the day Sylas died. And every year, Stetson and I ride out to visit him. And…” I took a single step towards him, lifting my chin to look him dead in the eye. “I think you should come with us.”

Cash swallowed, his eyes widening as his Adam’s apple moved. Then, slowly, he nodded.

“I’ll come.”

Twenty

Cash

Theridetothecemetery was silent. Not even Stetson made a single noise. The only sound was the hooves hitting the ground. It wasn’t silent in my head, though. And I couldn’t turn my brain off.

How did I forget what today was? How did it not cross my mind that I lost someone so important to me five years ago today?

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