Page 45 of Letting Go
“Only you would know that random fact, brother,” Jack says as he twists the top off one of his obscure imported sodas. “But it sure is good to have you here, even if it comes with trivia.” Jack raises his soda in a toast before taking a drink.
“I’m not just a pretty face, brother,” Liam says as he replies with a head nod to Jack. My four brothers have all been heartbreakers in the past and Liam is no exception.
He has dark hair like all the Callahan boys do, but Liam’s eyes are icy blue like clear Caribbean water. He has the Callahan strong jaw and perfect smile thanks to the wonderful orthodontist each of us siblings saw as patients growing up. Jack may be the tallest brother, but Liam is off the charts intelligent. It got him in a lot of trouble when he was younger, but since he has channeled his focus, Liam has been incredibly successful in whatever it is he does. We’re not allowed to know the full scope of his job, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his own wealth was comparable to Jack’s at this point. Liam isn’t one to flash any of it, and his career keeps him moving around almost constantly so he isn’t able to enjoy it with the toys that Jack has—like his private jet. I’m grateful my brothers are generous and do whatever they can to take care of family without question or hesitation. Maybe that’s why I feel so comfortable around Walker; he is very similar to the men in my family, and I smile at the thought of him fitting in well here.
Whoa … where did that thought come from?!
“Hey, baby sister.” Liam pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head. “How are you doing, sweetheart?” Liam has always been the brother that people don’t see coming, and it would be easy to assume he is the most laid-back brother. That assumption would be completely inaccurate. The truth is he’s the most analytical of all six of us and no detail gets past him. I know he’s already analyzing me for whatever I don’t say verbally, but I take a moment and a deep breath before responding.
“I’m alright, definitely better now that all of us are back under one roof, even if only for a meal,” I say as he keeps his arm around my shoulders and looks down at me.
“Hear, hear,” Daddy calls. “A toast! Everyone grab one of these silly sodas Jack brought.”
“They aren’t silly, they’re fun. There’s a difference.” Jack defends himself.
“I like the pink sparkly one the best, Uncle Jack!” Eloise declares. Jack takes her bottle to pop the top off before handing it back to her.
“See? Eloise approves, so it was worth it for me!” Jack’s satisfied smug says it all.
“To my children and my grandchildren, all together back in their mama’s kitchen where they belong,” Daddy begins as we raise our soda bottles. “I know this year didn’t go quite like anyone thought it would, but I’m grateful to have each one of you here. Home doesn’t feel quite right until y’all are together again, so I just want to say thanks for coming home. And to my love, Caroline, I hope you can see the joy and love in this room, baby. To your mama, and to our family, cheers!”
“To Mama and our family!” everyone echoes as we clink bottles in cheers. Liam pulls me in for another side hug as I brush away a tear, noticing Savannah doing the same thing. “I know, I can feel her here too,” Liam whispers in my ear. He’s right, you can feel Mama in her kitchen.
It was her favorite place to be, whether making food for our family, desserts for friends, or sitting at the counter with a cup of Earl Gray tea and a squeeze of honey.
“Let’s eat, y’all!” Daddy declares as we all grab the remaining dishes to carry out to the table on the covered porch. With the perfect playlist in the background and a beautiful sunset that may have been sent straight from Mama in heaven, my family sits down to a meal in the way Mama would have insisted—together.
Chapter twenty-one
Walker
Was it really necessary to drive out to Forrest Falls today?
No. But it’s been eight days since I last saw Vivian and that’s about seven and a half days too many. When I got home from Texas, I came right out to check the security updates Liam installed, which was also unnecessary. The man knows what he’s doing and I know he chose the best system on the market.
But did I admit that fact to Vivian before driving out to see her? Also no.
I told my team I was driving out to check in with Bill Thomas over at Thom’s Hardware, but I could have just as easily called him to follow up on the last report he submitted to Harlow. That man does not miss a single thing on Main Street and judging by the detail in his reports, I suspect Bill has had formal espionage training with the agency, but Liam was tight lipped when I asked about it.
I park in front of the hardware store and walk next door to Java Jive to grab a cup of coffee and maybe hope I run into a certain emerald-eyed beauty. Before I get to the door, Vivian’s sister, Savannah, walks out talking on her cell phone. “That’s so funny, I had no idea. Just give me a call when you get it all figured out … Uh huh, sounds good. Talk to you then, bye honey.” She tilts her head and a mischievous smile spreads across her face. “Well hello, Special Agent Bennett, how unexpected to see you in our neck of the woods.”
“Hello, Savannah. Nice to see you, and please, it’s Walker.”
“Alright then, Walker, what brings you to town this afternoon?” She assesses every inch of my face and I’m starting to wonder if they teach observation skills in elementary school in this town.
“I had some things to follow up on, and it seemed easier to drive out.” I shrug nonchalantly as I school my face. There’s no way I will crack under her stare, but her smile tells me she isn’t buying my lies either.
“Well what kismet timing, I was just about to run a few more errands, but I really needed to get this coffee to my sister first.” She shoves an iced coffee in my hands and starts to back away. “Would you be so kind to stop by and drop it off for her? She’s probably in the guest house, so just walk around to the back area and you can’t miss it. I’ll be home in about an hour after I finish errands and pick up all of our girls over at Daddy’s. Thanks, Walker! You’re the best!” She waves and hurries off to her vehicle.
What just happened?
I wanted an excuse to see Vivian and apparently fate thought Savannah was the quickest route, and if a lady asks for assistance, what else is a gentleman supposed to do? I get back in my truck, and wave to Bill Thomas as I drive by Thom’s Hardware en route to Savannah’s house.
Chapter twenty-two
Vivian
Cozy under a plush blanket on the couch, I smile as the scene unfolds on my Kindle. The FMC in my story was just hauled out of her own business over the shoulder of the very handsome—and much older—MMC after he confessed his hidden feelings for her. The spunky FMC sassed him, and he spanked her right in front of her friends. I giggle at her reaction when the doorbell pulls me back to reality.
