Page 55 of Grand Slam

I’m at a complete loss.

When I hear a knock on the door, I hurry to let Gran in and help take some of the items weighing down her arms.

“How is she?”

“Shower,” I say, moving over and placing the bags on the counter.

“And Kelton?”

When I lift my gaze and find her watching, I feel like an ass instantly.

“He’s the exact opposite of Liz in this situation.” Granny June places her hand over mine. “He loves to talk about her. Sharing stories, it’s hard on him, it is, but he gets through it by remembering.”

“I wasn’t sure and I didn’t want to be a bother to him on a day when he’d preferred to be left alone.”

“What I can tell you is that even if that man wanted to be left alone, that would almost always exclude you. He’s told me himself how you managed to make everything feel better.”

My chest tightens at her words.

“So let me fuss with all this, and you go give him a call.” She nudges me along. “Make it a video chat.” With a wink from her I make my way to my room and close the door. Making sure I don’t look a mess I take her advice and make that call.

He answers and I can tell he is outside sitting near the pool. What kills me the most is the red rimmed eyes and two-day old stubble. I just want to reach through the phone, grab hold of him and pull him through. I want his head on my lap while I comb my fingers through his hair.

“Hey, you,” Kelton whispers, smiling though his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I was just thinking about you.”

“Are you okay?”

I watch as his shoulders lift, as he takes a deep breath. “This day is never easy,” he says, as he looks off at something in the distance. “Every year, it’s almost like I relive it all over again. Watching her slowly fade, the last breath. They say time heals and all that shit, and here I am still waiting for that healing to start.”

My heart literally aches in my chest, burning from the emotions his words trigger.

“Your mother was an amazing woman.” I choke back my own tears because this isn’t about me. Today is not for me. “I could never get over just how big her heart truly was, never saw her treat anyone like they were beneath her.”

“That’s because everyone is equal, she drilled that into each of our heads since birth. Didn’t stick so well with Brigette,” he chuckles, “but I think Liz and I do alright.”

“Your mother is proud, and even though Brigette is difficult, I think she is proud of her too. You’re all good people and look at you.” I smile when he turns his attention back to me. “You’re doing something she loved watching you do. The light in her eyes when you were on the field, I’ve seen it, everyone’s seen it.She was in awe of you, and here you are now, out there living out your dreams and hers.”

He nods, lowering his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, and I know he’s lost control of his emotions for a moment. And it’s okay, he deserves to fall apart.

“You are a good man, I’ve always known that. She knew that, and you’ve spent every single day since she’s been gone living up to the strong man she knew you’d become.”

I give him some time, and then when he lifts his head again and looks at me, any last reservations I may have had about moving to Tennessee dissolve.

I knew right then, I’d move anywhere just to be with him. I knew I wasn’t given up who I was to chase a man, I was choosing to weave my life with his. I understood that even if I fell, he’d be there to pick me up and reset me. Because Kelton James wasn’t the kind of man that sat back and watched someone crumble. He was the first person in line trying to help you rebuild the foundation to sturdy you.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Kelton

“Right here.”I stand in the open space and look around, moving in a complete circle. “She’ll have nice space to sit out on a patio, a small pool, and even a hot tub. Two bedrooms, one bath would be enough. Small eat in kitchen, with windows lining the back. I’d like her to have a view of this open space here.”

I walk a little further and stop, staring at the spot I’d picked out days ago.

I stare at the new weeping willow tree that my landscaper planted. “I want Liz to have this tree out her bedroom window.”

Jerry stands behind me, saying nothing, just listening to the plans I’d laid out with the contractor that would set this into motion. “When it gets big enough I want to have a custom swing built beneath, maybe some planters that Liz and I can plant with our mother’s favorite flowers each spring.”

I can already image Emerson sitting on the swing with our son or daughter at her side. Maybe reading them a book or telling thema story, both of them smiling, a little giggle as they move their legs making the swing sway.

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