Page 146 of Take This Heart
Tears are dripping down my cheeks and when I look up at Ava, she’s been crying too.
There was a lot in there that got me, but her saying that I forgive easily hit home. Because I used to be that way…before Wes. I’d almost forgotten.
“She ends all her letters that way,” Ava says, laughing quietly. “Mom (or Stella).”
“Mom was never pushy.” I laugh and reach behind me for the tissues.
I hand her the box and we both blow our noses.
“Thank you for showing me that,” I manage.
“I can show you the others sometime, if you want.”
“If you’re truly okay with showing me. They’re personal, so you don’t have to.”
“I’d like to. I like hearing what you have to say about her. Like that she was never pushy. I could imagine that from the letters, but I wouldn’t know for sure without your input.”
“Then I’d love that.”
She smiles, and for the first time, it feels like the space between us is closing.
CHAPTER FORTY
LEAD THE WAY
MILO
Goldie has no idea that yesterday I wasn’tjustgoing to work in Minneapolis. After I finished an early meeting, I went to my parents’ house.
Grandma was there too and she was so sweet.
“I can’t believe I haven’t met this girl of yours yet,” she said.
“I can’t either, Grandma. We’ve gotta fix that. When can we come see you?”
“Well, I can make it easier on you by letting you know the next time I’m in town.” She laughed and patted my face. “I’ve got something for you.” She picked up the box from the side table and waved it in front of me. “I had it cleaned up and it’s so sparkly.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
I open the box and swallow hard. My grandma told me along time ago that when I found the woman I loved, I could have her ring.
“There was a lot of love surrounding this ring,” she said. “It’s a relic now.” She laughed. “But it’s still beautiful, I think.”
“Oh, it’s definitely beautiful. And it’s the most unique ring I’ve ever seen.”
With Goldie’s love for sustainability and repurposing, I think she’d appreciate many different styles, but this one…I think she’ll flip when she sees it.
“It was new in the ‘40s and quite outrageous.” She chuckled. “White gold,” she says, tapping the ring. “The center diamond is three carats and all these smaller diamonds add up to a carat. I think the way it’s set gives the illusion of motion, almost like waves colliding.”
“That’s a perfect way to put it. I think you’re right.”
The sun is rising as I walk down to the water. I take in the beauty, still in awe of this beautiful place. We’ve had warm days and chilly nights for the past few weeks, so the leaves are spectacularly vibrant. There are still patches of green grass, but many orange, red, and yellow leaves are still hanging onto the trees for dear life, and the rest are quickly dropping to the ground. I miss the great restaurants and quick access to the office, but otherwise, I don’t miss the city much. The sound of the water lapping against the shore and the blue stretching as far as I can see grounds me. I’m allowing myself this calm only for the time it takes me to drink my cup of coffee.
“Hey, Mildie,” I hear behind me.
I look over my shoulder and see Goldie walking toward me in a pretty dress. I put the box back in my pocket and enjoy the view. My stomach falls out, seeing her smile, the way her curves fill all the right places, the deep V that peeksout at her neckline, and her perfect ass and long legs. Her delicate fingers, the mouth that I obsess over. Every inch of her is staggeringly gorgeous, sexy, and all woman.
She watches me check her out and her smile deepens.
