Page 93 of The Refiner

“I’m asking for time, Astor. Can you give me that?”

A stranger would think we were a family.

They’d see Keagan’s bracelets scattered about on end tables and countertops in my house—even her bra hanging to dry in the laundry room.

They’d see an unmade bed and leftovers in the fridge.

But most of all, they’d see that we started a grocery list that’s hanging on the refrigerator next to the picture of us, smiling down at a little girl.

From all the pain and heartache, Keagan and I managed to build our own family. It isn’t perfect. It isn’t typical, but it’s ours.

At least it was until last night.

“All that’s left is for you to sign here, Ms. McKellan.”

Tears well in Keagan’s eyes as she looks at me. There’s something she wants to say, something we both do, but we haven’t.

Because I promised her time.

Time that I don’t want to give her, but time that she deserves.

I think what scares me the most is that she’ll be like me. She’ll know what she needs, but she’ll let fear stand in the way of the life she wants.

Because time doesn’t always heal all wounds.

Sometimes, time is simply a reminder of what you lost and what you will never gain.

Keagan and I were forced together by tragic circumstances. Our love story began and, will ultimately end, with tears.

It’s not the relationship we imagined—it’s not the life we dreamed of.

But through the pain and the grief, we did find happiness.

We found it in each other.

We found it in Tatum.

Keagan is wrong. Love can be born from grief; she just needs to realize it.

So I’m giving her the space her sister once gave to me.

I’m giving her time to come back to us.

With one last look, Keagan turns away and signs her name on the line, handing the pen to me.

Piper’s will has been executed.

Her estate is finalized.

And Keagan will leave.

“We’re all set.” The attorney stands, extending his hand, not reading the tension in the room. “Again, I’m sorry for your loss. Piper was a wonderful woman.”

I nod, agreeing, and shake his hand.

Piper was truly an angel.

And in her usual fashion, she left most everything she had to Tatum, setting up a trust for when she’s older. The rest of her money and assets, she gave to Keagan, who never even looked at the check or the deed. She just slid it over to me and said, “Give it to Tatum.”

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