Page 120 of Trusting Skulls

“Yeah, so?”

“Do you know how often that happens?”

“I’m going to guess not often.”

She chuckles sadly. “He has this obsession with being the tough guy. The one that everyone can depend on never to falter, but we all deserve to feel what we feel. Even Dirk. You must have felt like a very safe space if he cracked.”

I shrug and brush my chin over my shoulder. I don’t want her to worry I’ve shared more than she was ready for. “He wanted to know what we were doing during our “sessions.” I told him you were preparing to say goodbye.”

“You didn’t lie to him, and I’m sure he respected that.”

She stares out the window for a long moment, lost in thought. “They’re going to have a hard time after I’m gone, at least for a while. It’s not your job to fix it. I’m just asking you to nudge them toward the people who love them. Remind them they aren’t alone.”

I nod, wiping my eyes. Life is so unfair. I don’t understand how she can be so content with her situation.

She reads my mind and smiles. “Lexie, I’ve lived the best life. It hasn’t always been easy, but man, has it been worth it. It’s time for me to see what is on the other side. I’m grateful to be a part of Raffe and Jackson’s story, but they have to move on to the next chapter without me. It’s going to be a beautiful one. I just know it.”

Someone knocks on the door, and we both turn to see Jackson peek his head in the door. “Where’s my favorite momma?” he asks.

She laughs and waves him in. As he’s hugging her, I close the lid on the box.

“I’m going to head out,” I say, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot.

He pulls away from her. “Don’t leave on my account. I just stopped by on my way to collect rents.”

“Is Willow with you?”

“No. She’s back at the farm. Jesse is starting on the mural today.”

I nod, moving toward the door. “Tell her hi for me, and I can’t wait to see how the baby’s room looks when it’s finished. I have to head out. Ash and I are having dinner with JD and Elizabeth.”

He flashes me a grin. “I saw Ash at the bike shop. That fucker is on cloud nine.”

My cheeks pinken, and I dip my head.

Rachel pulls him down to sit on her bed. “Let the poor girl be.”

When I get home, I see a car in the driveway I don’t recognize. Elizabeth steps out of the greenhouse. “Can you help me a minute?” she asks, her eyes going to the house before coming back to me.

“Uh, yeah. Sure.” I reluctantly follow her inside.

I can tell she’s quickly trying to make up a reason for calling me in here.

“Here, can you help me move this pot? It’s too heavy for me.”

As we’re carrying it across the room, I sense she’s stalling me from going inside.

“Whose car is that?” I ask.

She brushes her hands down her pants. “It’s Anthony’s. He’s married to my friend Danielle.”

“Oh, yeah. They were staying with you when I first went to the cabin. That’s why you couldn’t stay with me. I remember.”

“Yeah, he just stopped by to say hi.”

“Don’t they live in California?”

“Um, yeah. He’s just going through on business.” Her fingers are flying across her phone screen.

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