Page 41 of Ruined
When Harper, Lizzy and the kids arrived a while later we eagerly tucked into Mama’s roast. It didn’t matter how old I was, there was just something about a home-cooked meal made by my mother that warmed my heart.
Practically ready to burst at the seams, I pushed my empty plate away and leaned back in my chair. Flicking my wrist, I noted that it was almost 9 P.M. Frowning, I asked Brett, “Have you heard anything from Kenzie?”
He pulled his phone from his pocket and swiped the screen to life. I could tell he was reading something, and it took everything in me not to demand he hurry the hell up. The drive back to Willow Creek wasn’t a short one, I needed to know Zoe was all right.
After what felt like an eternity, the screen went dead, and he put the device away. Pushing to his feet he said, “I should probably head home, according to Kenzie’s message, they’re not far out.”
I waited until he said goodbye to everyone before I walked to his truck with him. “Thanks for the help today.”
Brett pulled the door open but didn’t get in, “It was good fun. Took me back to the time the lot of us had worked on the cabin.” Not long after he’d moved to Willow Creek Brett managed to buy the patch of land his cabin sat on. He’d been adamant that he wanted to build a home from scratch, obviously, my brothers and I offered to help.
“Listen, man,” turning my gaze toward the darkened dirt road that led away from the house, I scrubbed the back of my neck. “Do you think you could let me know when Zoe and Kenzie are home?” I looked back at him, his face held a quizzical expression. With a sigh, I explained, “I never asked for Zoe’s number, and I’ll sleep a whole lot better if I know she’s safe.”
Brett flashed his pearly whites in a way-too-wide smile, “I could just give you her number, that way you can ask her yourself.”
I considered it for a moment then I pulled my own phone from my back pocket. My thumbs flew over the illuminated screen while Brett spewed digits at me. The moment he was done, he climbed into his truck and turned the key in the ignition. With a quick tilt of his head, he slowly pulled away.
Checking my watch once more, I figured it was time for Molly and me to make our exit too. Not only did she have school in the morning, I was beyond eager to call Zoe. Spinning on my heels, I made my way back to the house but froze when I saw Pops standing on the porch. With his hands shoved into his pockets, he studied me.
“Everything all right, Pops?” I stopped in front of my father. With us being the same height, we were eye-to-eye.
His face a picture of concern. “I could ask you the same question, son.”
When last did I sit and have a heart to heart with my dad? Hell, I couldn’t even remember. Deflating with a sigh, I raked my fingers through my hair. “Honestly, Pop, I don’t know.”
“Let’s talk.” He motioned toward the seating on the porch. The wood creaked beneath our feet with every step we took. Pops lowered himself to the porch swing whereas I chose to sit on the single-seater to his right.
He patiently waited while I tried to sort out the thoughts in my head, he didn’t push. “Melissa’s parents want to meet Molly.” Leaning forward in my seat, I rested my elbows on my knees and cradled my head in my hands. “I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Why now?”
A heavy sigh blew over my lips. “Apparently they had no clue Mols even existed until—” Lifting my head, I glanced at my father, “—over a year ago.”
“Hmm.” Pop ran a palm over his grayed beard. “Please tell me they’ve only contacted you now and that you haven’t been sitting on this for all these months.”
Too ashamed to look my father in the eye, I dropped my gaze to the floor, “You already know the answer to that.”
I wasn’t expecting it, so when he reached over and placed a hand on my back, I almost jumped out of my seat. “Why do you feel all your troubles must be carried alone, Eli? Do you not realize how desperate we are to help you?”
“It’s not right to place the burdens of my mistakes on others, Pops. I made my bed, I need to sleep in it.”
“That’s bullshit, son. You know it is.” He shook his head and leaned back, the swing gently rocking with the action. “You and your mother are cut from the same cloth.” Before I could ask what he’d meant by that, he pinned me with a serious stare. “I never told you this, but I did not care for Molly’s mama one bit. She had trouble written all over her. The day she left the way she did, I was relieved. Yes, my heart hurt for you too, son, but I knew it was for the best.”
This was news to me. I opened my mouth to say something, but Pop stopped me with a hand in the air. “Having said that, it seems a bit unfair to punish the parents for the sins of their daughter, don’t you think?” He jerked his head in the direction of the house. “You’ve raised a beautiful little girl who brightens a room by merely being in it. She’s strong and resilient, just like you.”
Well, shit.
“I know you’re right.” Leave it to Pops to cut me down to size with some valuable advice. And since he was in such a giving mood, I figured I’d get his input on something else that’d been stuck in my head. “How did you know Mama was the one?”
A chuckle filled the air before his voice sounded, “You know, not too long ago Logan asked me the exact same question.” He held my gaze, the knowing grin on his lips spreading. “I’ll tell you what I told him: You’ll feel it in your bones.” He closed his eyes, seemingly lost to whatever thought had taken over. When his gaze met mine again, he said, “I’m guessing this has something to do with the young lady having dinner with you tomorrow night.” Pops pinned me with a pointed stare. “Whatever you do, just remember that anything worth having is worth the fight.”
I couldn’t get Pops’ words out of my head. Long after we’d said our goodbyes and Molly was tucked in for the night, I stood on the deck, staring at the darkened sky. I didn’t get to speak to Zoe like I’d wanted to, but a quick text from Brett informed me that she was safe. Relief had washed over me and somewhere along the line something became crystal clear: I wanted Zoe to be mine.
It was as simple and as complicated as that.
Still gazing at the stars above me, a grin spread across my lips.Brace yourself, Sunshine, ‘cause I’m about to put on my fighting gloves.
