Page 70 of Angels and Skulls
Jackson and I both laugh.
“He’s worse than a damn dog,” Jackson teases.
“You’re just jealous because my sniffer is better than yours.”
My son waves him off. “No cookies until we get all of this unloaded.”
Brody groans. “They’re better when they’re warm,” he whines.
Jackson slaps his gloves on his leg. “You got me there.” He looks at me. “Are they warm?”
“Fresh out of the oven.”
“Fine, but then we gotta get to work. I’m worried that damn roof is going to come down on Mom, and we can’t have that.”
Brody nods in agreement as Jackson puts his arm around my shoulder, guiding me back in the house. It feels so good, it brings tears to my eyes. He pulls me close and kisses the top of my head when he notices my emotion.
“No need to cry. We aren’t going anywhere,” he assures me.
I pat his chest once we’re inside. “You are too good to me.”
He and Brody both sit down, helping themselves to the treats I’ve left on the table.
I glance out the window to see Aspen run on her little legs around the bend toward the house. “You didn’t tell me Willow and Aspen were coming!” I say excitedly, hurrying toward the door to greet them.
“Mom, wait!” Jackson says behind me as I step outside.
He bumps into my backside when I abruptly halt in front of him. I’d take a moment for my heart to rejoice at hearing him call me Mom, but it has completely stopped beating. My eyes lock on a man who has just rounded the corner, chasing my granddaughter. My son’s hand lands heavily on my shoulder.
Raffe’s big palm engulfs Aspen’s tiny one as he catches up to her. “You have to wait for Papa,” he scolds gently.
“Take a deep breath,” Jackson urges quietly, his hand keeping me securely in place.
“He’s … he’s really here?” I ask, still unsure whether or not it was me who died and this is all a slice of Heaven I don’t deserve. A painful noise erupts from my chest when he lifts his head and our eyes connect.
“Breathe,” Jackson reminds me, rubbing his hands over my arms.
Raffe continues forward, his gaze holding mine.
My entire body begins to tremble as he climbs the stairs. As soon as he’s within arm’s reach, Aspen dives out of his arms and into mine. It surprises us both.
“Nana!” she squeals.
“Oh, baby, I’m so happy you’re here,” I tell her, closing my eyes. An overwhelming feeling of love explodes from my chest as I realize my entire world surrounds me. Life could not be any more perfect than it is right at this moment.
“Guess what Nana made for us,” Jackson says, gently tugging her from my arms.
Raffe is still staring at me when I open my eyes.
“Cookies!” she squeals, raising her arms in a cheer.
“Oh my gosh, you are such a good guesser. I hope Uncle Brody hasn’t eaten them all,” he tells her as they disappear inside.
“Hello, Jenny,” Raffe says when the door closes behind them.
It takes everything in me not to swoon at the sound of his voice. It’s so much deeper than it was when we last spoke.
The thought makes me tear up, and I swallow hard, struggling to keep my emotions in check. Words evaporate in the ether before I can fully grasp them, and no matter how hard I try I can’t look at him.
