Home on the Ranch: Tennessee Homecoming
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April Arrington
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Chapter 1
Landon Eason always found a sound, logical answer to every question, but this particularly painful answer eluded him.
“Why?” A shaky feminine voice pitched higher at his back. “Why leave them to her? Why not me? I’m their grandm—”
A choked sob then silence followed.
Landon stared out the bay window of Patricia Richards’s stately home, a burning sensation heating his chest and pricking his eyes. Blinking hard, he focused on the two children sitting outside on the wide porch swing. Matthew, ten, stared down at his dark dress shoes as they dragged across the floor with each slow movement of the swing. His five-year-old sister, Emma, leaned against him, tears rolling down her cheeks, soaking the lacy collar of her black dress.
Any other day the two of them would be tearing across the sprawling green fields, splashing in nearby mountain streams and soaking up the Tennessee sun. It was a perfect day in Elk Valley for play—warm air, blue sky, strong budding trees to climb—but Matthew and Emma weren’t interested.
They had good reason not to be.
“I’m their grandmother,” Patricia continued firmly. “I was the one who held Jennifer’s hand each time she gave birth. I was the first one to see them, to hear them cry. And you’ve always been there for Frank and these kids, Landon—always. How could they do it? How could they name you second to Katie? How could they just cut us out of their lives and hand them over to her?”
How? Throat tight, Landon gentled his grip on the small bundle in his arms and faced Patricia. Hell, he didn’t know how Frank and Jennifer had made the decision regarding guardianship of their three children. Or why. All he knew was the wrinkled papers trembling in Patricia’s clenched fist had the power to take away three kids he’d grown to love as his own over the years, their cute faces and familiar voices the only tangible reminders left of his two best friends.
“I can count on one hand the number of occasions Katie has spent time with them,” Patricia continued, “and she doesn’t know the first thing about being a parent. Not to mention she never follows through with anything. She left here to pursue a singing career but pitched that after less than a year to take up bartending. Then it was landscaping, and now she’s in marketing—for however long that will last. She’s not dependable enough to be trusted with children.” Mascara streaked her powdered cheeks. Patricia shook her head, a gray curl slipping from her elegant topknot as she looked toward Emma and Matthew. “She’s unfit.”
She’s also your daughter. Landon bit his tongue and looked away. Why Patricia held such disdain for Katie still confused and shocked him. Yes, Katie had been levelheaded Jennifer’s opposite in her teenaged years and probably gave stiff-upper-lip Patricia hell. And no, Katie wasn’t equipped to be any kid’s guardian. But did that justify Patricia damn near disowning her?
Maybe Patricia’s resentment was rooted in the fact that Katie rarely returned to her hometown of Elk Valley—or, perhaps, it was the way she’d gone about leaving.
He remembered the day Katie left. While Jennifer had graduated as valedictorian of her and Landon’s class, Katie, eighteen, five years younger than Jennifer and ten times more outspoken, had scrambled onto the football field at the last second, last to be seated, last to receive her diploma and last in academic achievements. The moment after she’d tossed her graduation cap in the air, Katie had jogged to the parking lot, hopped in a car stuffed with bulging suitcases and peeled out of Elk Valley. Her car’s sporadic skid marks clung to the cracked pavement in the parking lot throughout the ten years since she’d left.
If Landon drove to that parking lot today, the muscle memory in his hands and feet would know exactly where to turn his truck’s steering wheel and press the brake to catch a glimpse of their faded outline.
The thought stirred a sick sensation in his gut. That was it most likely. That disgusting hollow Katie had left behind in those who’d cared about her—Jennifer, Patricia and...him.
“She won’t agree to it,” Landon said. “When she finds out, she’ll sign over her rights to the kids then go back to California.”
Patricia relaxed slightly. “And they’ll stay here with us.”
“That’s the plan.”
At times, Patricia wasn’t the easiest person in the world to get along with, but if he had to share custody with either her or Katie, Patricia was the better choice and, altogether, the best scenario for the kids. At least, he supposed—his throat tightening—in the absence of their parents.
“We’ll proceed with moving the children’s things to your ranch tomorrow morning.” Patricia hesitated. “I think it’s a good idea if they stay here with me tonight. That is, if you agree?”
He nodded. “Sophia’s room is already set up but that’ll give me time to finish clearing out the bedrooms for Matthew and Emma tonight.”
A whimper emerged from within Landon’s arms and small feet thumped his abs. He glanced down at the little bundle cradled against him and smoothed a hand over the baby’s back. Brown curls snagged on the stubble lining his jaw as Sophia, Jennifer and Frank’s six-month-old daughter, nuzzled her face against his neck then settled back into sleep. The small pink rose on her thin headband—an accessory Jennifer had added to the baby’s outfits daily—slipped behind her left ear.
Three nights ago, Sophia had been asleep in the crib he’d made for her when Patricia had called to give him the awful news. It’d been almost impossible to believe. Just hours earlier, Jennifer and Frank had smiled, waved, then gotten in their car and driven away from his ranch. It was supposed to be a romantic getaway for Jennifer and Frank and another fun-filled weekend of babysitting for him. There’d been sunshine, blue sky and the scent of honeysuckle on the breeze.
There hadn’t been a single sign of what was to come. Not of the woman in oncoming traffic eighty miles down the road who stole glances at her cell phone, and texted her teenaged daughter as she drove. Not of Frank’s carefree speed that accelerated a bit more the closer he and Jennifer drew to their relaxing destination. And certainly not of the sharp mountain curve where both drivers would collide, ending all of their lives before the tires stopped spinning on the overturned vehicles.
Telling the children the news had been the hardest thing he’d ever had to do and though Sophia was too young to be told or comprehend, she’d cried more often the past three days. As though instinctively, she knew something had changed. As though she somehow felt the loss.
“Would you like me to take her?” Voice thin, Patricia tossed the papers she held on to the coffee table then crossed the living room with outstretched arms. “I could put her down for a nap in my room.”
“No.” Eyes blurring at the reminder of their loss, Landon faced the window again and hugged Sophia closer. She made a sound of contentment, the rhythmic puff of her warm breath and healthy beat of her heart against the base of his throat easing the tremor in his limbs. “She won’t have time to settle. We need to head out soon.”
Patricia sniffed. “If Katie isn’t here within the next ten minutes, we’re leaving without her.” Her high heels clicked across the gleaming hardwood floor, and a sharp edge returned to her tone. “I won’t be late to my own daughter’s funeral.”
As if on cue, a dusty red sports car growled down the long graveled driveway. It slowed as it neared the circular end, then stopped beside his truck. Landon eased closer to the window, narrowed his eyes and waited.
The car’s windows were tinted too darkly to see inside and the doors remained closed. A good five minutes passed and still no one emerged from the vehicle.
Landon guessed it was Katie sitting in the car. Who knew what she was driving now. Jennifer had told him she changed vehicles as often as some people changed their oil—though with her family’s wealth she could afford to do so—and it’d been two years since he’d last seen her. During her most recent visit home one year ago, Katie had stayed only one day, arriving and leaving town before he had had a chance to catch a glimpse of her. And she hadn’t returned to Elk Valley at all for Sophia’s birth—a fact Jennifer had lowered her eyes and sighed over each of the many times Patricia had mentioned it.
“It’s about time.” Patricia, makeup repaired and composure regained, returned to his side and looked out the window. She frowned. “Why is she just sitting there?” Her silk sleeve brushed his arm as she headed for the door, heels clacking. “Doesn’t she know the wake starts in half an hour?”
“Patricia.” Landon touched her elbow and gestured toward Sophia. “Why don’t you take Sophia and I’ll check on Katie? Is Harold ready?”
She hesitated, nodding absently as her eyes darted from Sophia to the red car then upstairs. “He’s putting on his tie now. He—” Her voice cracked. “He’s having a hard time. I hope you don’t mind, but I think it’d help if you and the children rode with us.”
“And Katie, too?” Landon asked softly. “I know you have your differences but I imagine she’s hurting as much as Harold, and the kids could use all the support they can get. On the way out, if you’d like me to, I could ask David to bring the car around.”
Patricia stared at Katie’s car then nodded stiffly and reached for Sophia.
Landon helped settle Sophia into Patricia’s arms, made a quick call to David, Patricia’s driver, to request the limo then walked to the front porch. Early-afternoon sunlight glared down at him just beneath the porch’s roof and he threw up his hand to shield it.
“Is that her?” Matthew had stopped the swing, planted his feet on the floor and pinned his narrowed gaze on the red car. “She actually showed?”
Landon studied the muscle flickering in Matthew’s jaw and the tight grip of his hand around the swing’s armrest. “Yeah.”
“She never bothered coming before,” Matthew bit out. “Why’s she here now?”
Emma sat up and rubbed her wet cheeks. “Why’s who here now?”
“Your aunt Katie,” Landon said gently.
Expression brightening, Emma glanced at the driveway. “Can I go see her?”
“Soon,” Landon said. “Matthew, would you please take Emma inside and help your grandmother get Sophia’s bag together? We’re leaving soon and we’re gonna ride with your grandparents.”
Matthew scowled and jerked his chin toward the driveway. “Is she riding with us, too?”
Landon walked over and crouched in front of them. “I think it’ll help us all feel better—especially your grandparents—to go together.”
“You mean Gammie won’t cry anymore if we ride with her?” Emma blinked up at him, her lips trembling.
Landon managed a strained smile. Man, he wished he could take this hardship away from them. Wished he could put his hand out, roll back the clock and edge Frank’s truck two inches to the left at just the right second. Or at the very least, tell a white lie and ease their grief. But reality—painful or joyful—had to be faced, and in his opinion, obscuring the truth never made dealing with it any better.
“She’ll still cry, Emma,” he said. “We all will. But it won’t hurt as much if she has you and Matthew nearby.”
Emma’s brow furrowed as she pondered this then she nodded matter-of-factly. “I’ll hold her hand.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Landon helped her down from the swing, kissed her forehead then looked at Matthew. “How ’bout it, buddy? Will you help me out?”
He shrugged stiffly, cast one last sour look at the red car then trudged inside.
Landon stood and stared at the darkened car windows. His flesh tingled and he balled his hands into fists at his side. Of all the occasions he’d imagined seeing Katie again, none of them had involved these circumstances.
He hated this day. Every damned second of it.
Forcing himself to move, he approached the vehicle. He stopped by the driver’s-side door then knocked on the dusty window. “Katie?”
Muffled sounds emerged. The catch of breath? A sob, maybe? “I—I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Hey.” He dragged his hands over his thighs, the smooth material of his dress pants wrinkling beneath his touch. “Everyone’s waiting for you. Why don’t you come on out and ride to the church with us?”
The quiet sounds from inside the car stopped; only the chirps of birds and soft whistle of the cool breeze rustling trees filled the air.
Landon’s shoulders sagged. It wasn’t like Katie to hide out or avoid trying situations. For as long as he’d known her, she’d been headstrong, vivacious and defiant of fate. But then again, she’d never experienced a loss like this.
“Katie?” He tried for a laugh, the nervous sound making even him cringe. “You’re not gonna leave me to ride with Patricia on my own, are you?” His boots scraped across the paved driveway as he shifted from one foot to the other. “I know we egg each other on from time to time but that’d be taking it to a new level.”
The door clicked then slowly opened.
Landon stepped back, a calming warmth spreading through his chest as her long limbs and dark curls emerged from the car. She straightened to her full height—all six feet of lithe, graceful strength accentuated by soft curves—and faced him. Black sunglasses shielded her eyes, a red flush stamped her cheeks and the smooth contours of her kissable mouth shook.
“It’s been a while.” His voice was husky. He cleared his throat then tried again. “You wanna take those glasses off so I can say hello properly?”
She didn’t speak. Her shaky hand curled tighter around the frame of the car door, the metallic silver polish on her nails sparkling in the sunlight. A tear rolled out from beneath the thick bottom frame of her sunglasses then trickled down her face in an erratic pattern.
Hesitating, he reached out, touched the bridge of her glasses with a fingertip then nudged them down her nose. Her thick lashes lifted and those beautiful browns of hers focused up at him, the dark depths heavy with pain, the surrounding whites cloaked in a pink haze.
“I was getting myself together.” She dragged the back of her hand across her cheek. “I didn’t want to upset Matthew and Emma after what they’ve already been through. I haven’t seen them in so long, and I didn’t want to make the day more difficult for you, either. I’m sorry. I know you and Frank were as close as me and...”
Her chin wobbled and a fresh trail of tears coursed over her skin.
“Katie.” His tongue barely moved, her name escaping his lips on a strained whisper that made his whole body ache.
Against his better judgment, he spread his arms, palms tilted up in invitation. She released the car door, moved into his embrace and pressed her cheek to his chest. The sharp hinge of her sunglasses dug into the base of his throat but the sweet scent of her hair—strawberries—and the sun-kissed warmth of her smooth skin coaxed him into holding her closer. Her heart pounded against his chest in almost the same place Sophia’s had.
Landon winced. Katie had never set eyes on Sophia. How would she react to the news? And how much would it hurt for her to sign away guardianship of her nieces and nephew? Not as much as it would for someone else in her position, for sure. She barely knew the kids and Patricia had been shockingly accurate in her estimation of how much time Katie had actually spent with them.
But the last thing he wanted to do was add to her pain. Surely there’d be a better moment to tell her. To gently explain why Matthew, Emma and Sophia would be better off here with him and Patricia, and reassure her that she’d always be welcome in the kids’ lives. For now, offering comfort superseded everything.
Landon released a heavy breath, ruffling errant strands of her silky hair against his nose. “We’re glad you came home for the funeral. Before you leave, we need to—”
“I’m not here just for the funeral.”
He froze. Did she already know? “What?”
Katie raised her head from his chest, stepped back then plucked the sunglasses off her nose. The tears had stopped, determination warring with the grief still shadowing her eyes. “I’m here for the kids.”
Buck up, Katydid. There’s nothing you can’t handle.
Throat tight at the memory of Jennifer’s words, Katie hung her sunglasses on her pants pocket then peered up at Landon. Sharp rays of sunlight beat down on her burning eyes, and made it difficult to discern Landon’s reaction to her announcement.
She shifted until his towering height blocked the glare. It didn’t help. If anything, a clear view of his face—as handsome as ever—only increased her tension.
“I came for an extended visit to help Matthew and Emma through this,” she said. “My dad, too, and—” Lord knows if she’ll accept it “—my mom. I didn’t want you to think I was just blowing in and out of here like I have before.”
His blue eyes narrowed and a muscle ticked in his strong, stubble-lined jaw. The heat of his consoling touch still lingered on her thin blouse, seeping through to her shoulders and lower back. The delicious sensation tingled against her skin.
He’d held her once before—years ago at Jennifer and Frank’s wedding—in much the same way. As maid of honor, she’d spent the hours before the wedding applying Jennifer’s makeup, smoothing her long hair and fluffing the train of her wedding dress. During the ceremony, she’d stood by Jennifer’s side, praying silently for a happy future for Jennifer and Frank, then smiled bravely as they’d walked arm in arm back up the aisle, down the front steps of Elk Valley Baptist Church then slid into a white limo idling by the curb.
She’d continued smiling as Jennifer had waved from the back window. Her beaming parents and a slew of guests had followed the newlyweds for over a block, cheering and laughing. But the farther the distance, the more Katie had struggled to smile, her heart breaking, feeling as though Jennifer—her older sister, best friend and confidante—had left her behind.
It’d been selfish, really, and she’d never felt more ashamed. When Landon had looked at her—the two of them, best man and maid of honor, the only ones still standing on the church steps—she’d known it must’ve shown on her face. She’d expected a look of admonishment or a few words of disapproval. Instead, he’d called her name, opened his arms then held her while she’d cried.
Katie swallowed hard, choking back a renewed sob. “I reserved a room at the Elk Valley Motel on the way through town. Paid for a week in advance.”
Landon relaxed. One corner of his sensuous mouth curved up as he slid his big hands in his pockets. “You’re staying for one week?”
She nodded. “A little longer if they’ll accept my help.”
“That’s good, then.” He looked away, his thick blond hair tumbling over his tanned brow as he stared over her shoulder.
Landon hadn’t changed much except for a brawnier build and more noticeable lines beside his mouth that deepened into grooves when he smiled. Laugh lines. He’d always been optimistic, cheerful and fun-natured, even if his high standards were a bit rigid and legalistic. His blue eyes were as sharp and wise as ever. He’d be thirty-three now. The same age as Frank and Jennifer.
Or rather, the same age Frank and Jennifer would be if they were still here.
“There are things we need to discuss.” He returned his attention to her. “Some loose ends need tying up, but they can wait, if you’ll set aside time for us to talk?”
“Of course.”
Her focus darted over him—his broad shoulders, solid chest, lean hips and muscular legs. Every bit of his masculine stature was as imposing as her parents’ sprawling estate at her back but infinitely warmer and more welcoming. It was a familiar feeling he’d always conjured up deep in her middle that she’d stifled long ago and had not expected to resurface today of all days. If anything, she’d expected him to be polite but resentful of her long-standing absence.
A choice she resented herself for making and hoped to rectify over time.
“Sophia’s inside,” he said. The small smile vanished. His lips firmed. “She’s six months old now.”
And you haven’t bothered to visit her.
Face burning, Katie closed her eyes. He did resent her. The words might not be there, but the tone was. “I know. Jennifer emailed me pictures and we videoconferenced every week. Sophia’s beautiful. Of course, she would be. I’m glad she and Emma inherited Jennifer’s curls.”
Landon’s pensive gaze traveled over her hair, followed the length of it past her collarbone, lower, then snapped back to meet her eyes. He cleared his throat. “Yours, too.”
“No.” She picked at a curl. “These are courtesy of hot irons and hair spray. Mine’s as straight as a stick, normally. Nothing like Jennifer’s.”
And that wasn’t the only difference. All her life, her mother had pointed out the other ones on a routine basis and for years Katie had tried her best to mimic Jennifer’s best qualities, though none of her attempts had ever met with her mother’s approval.
Tires crunched over gravel and the sound of approaching footfalls mingled with that of an engine.
“Finally.”
Katie tensed. There was no mistaking that brisk voice and cool tone. Reluctantly, she pulled her attention away from the sympathetic light in Landon’s eyes and faced the source.
Her mother hadn’t changed much, either. Clad in a pink blouse and formal pantsuit, Patricia stood beside the black limousine that had just arrived. Her brown eyes were already sizing her up and judging. And she sported the same staid demeanor along with a classy topknot, flawless makeup and high-end jewelry.
But...her fingers, balled around a crumpled tissue, shook slightly, and the necklace resting at the base of her throat jerked as her throat moved on a hard swallow.
Katie walked over and embraced her. “I’m sorry, Mom,” she whispered against her perfumed neck. “I’m so sorry.”
Her shoulders shook. She patted Katie on the back twice with one hand then drew away. “Had you arrived sooner, we would’ve had time for pleasantries but as it is, we’re late.” One eyebrow lifted as she studied Katie from head to toe. She leaned close and whispered, “Leather pants to your sister’s funeral? What were you thinking, Katie?”
“Not much of anything,” she said, clenching her teeth and blinking back tears.
It had hurt too much to think about what had happened to Jennifer and Frank. She’d been too afraid to imagine what their final moments had been like, how Matthew and Emma had felt after hearing the news or what a future without parents held for them. Instead, she’d gotten off the phone with her mother, bought a plane ticket, rented a car and called her boss to let her know she’d return in a week or two. She’d concentrated on the rugged peaks of the Smoky Mountains as the plane had descended then followed the curving yellow and white lines on the pavement as she’d driven the rest of the way to Elk Valley. Nothing had mattered other than getting to Matthew, Emma and Sophia as soon as possible.
It was only after she’d arrived, her composure finally breaking down in the car and her palms rubbing repetitively across the material covering her thighs, that she’d realized she had put on the same pants Jennifer had mailed to her for Christmas three years ago.
For the Sunset Strip, Jennifer had said over the phone, laughing. I ordered them online. Wear them to The Viper Room and send me pics. Mom will have a hissy!
“I like your pants, Aunt Katie.”
A small hand patted her knee and she looked down. Emma, eyes sad and cheeks wet, blinked up at her.
“Oh, Emma.” Katie sat on her haunches and wiped away one of Emma’s tears with her thumb. She had Jennifer’s creamy complexion and long lashes and had grown at least two inches in the months since she last saw her. “Thank you.”
At a loss for more words, she tugged Emma forward and hugged her tight. The little girl’s warm palms curled around her nape and the scent of fabric softener—Jennifer’s favorite—wafted up from her black dress. It was like hugging a little piece of Jennifer even after her sister had well and truly left her behind for good.
Katie squeezed Emma closer, imagining all the big moments in Emma’s life Jennifer would miss and how painful life would be at times for Emma without her mother’s support. Her heart broke all over again.
Emma shifted against her chest, her lips brushing Katie’s ear. “You want me to hold your hand? Uncle Landon said it won’t hurt as much if I do.”
Uncle Landon? Katie glanced up at him. Jennifer had told her the kids spent a lot of time at Landon’s ranch. That he was as good with them as Frank. Obviously, he was as much a fixture in the kids’ lives as he’d been in hers and Jennifer’s.
Landon smiled stiffly, dragged a hand over his face and walked toward the limo.
“I’d love that.” Katie kissed Emma’s cheek then stood.
Immediately, Emma slipped her hands in hers. Katie summoned up a smile as her dad walked over, Sophia cradled against his side.
“I’m glad you came home, Katydid.” He kissed her forehead, hugging her close with his free arm.
Chest aching at the sorrow in his voice, Katie forced a laugh. “I’m too old for that nickname, but it’s great to see you, too.”
“You’ll never be too old for it.” His green eyes clouded with pain. “You’ll always be my little girl no matter how old you get.”
Katie smoothed a hand over Sophia’s back. She was sound asleep and as precious in person as she’d been in her pictures. “Hi, beautiful.”
A fresh wave of guilt rolled through her at having missed Sophia’s birth. She should’ve come home long before now despite family tensions.
Frowning, Katie glanced around. “Where’s Matthew?”
“Over here,” Landon called.
Katie looked back at the limo. Matthew stood by Landon’s side, mouth tightly set and eyes glaring. His lanky ten-year-old frame was stiff, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
“Hi, Matthew.” Katie took a hesitant step forward. “I’ve missed you.”
His dark eyes flashed—grief, anger and pain warring within—then he turned and slid inside the limo without saying a word.
Landon leaned inside, his voice muffled as he spoke to Matthew, then straightened and shook his head at Katie. “We’d better get on the road. The sooner we get this over with, the better.”
Katie nodded, straining for another glimpse of Matthew. She curled her fingers tighter around Emma’s hand, wondering how many pieces the kids’ hearts would be in at the end of the day. Would it even be possible to put them back together again?
Two hours later, Katie stood by two coffins in Elk Valley Cemetery, holding back tears as mourners lined up, gave their condolences then returned to their cars. Some people she remembered, some she didn’t. She stared at the roses adorning the caskets, their blooms full and bright beneath the late-afternoon sun, then looked at Matthew and Emma who stood nearby, staring silently at the ground.
True to her word, Emma had held her hand throughout the service then released it during the final prayer to wrap her arms around Landon’s leg instead. Landon’s strong shoulders had begun to sag and his eyes were tired. He’d cradled Sophia against his chest with one brawny arm the entire service, walking to the limo once to console her when she’d woken restless and grumpy, then returned with her sleeping in his arms.
“Landon.” Katie touched his shoulder. “Would you like me to hold Sophia for a while?”
He turned away briefly to shake the last mourner’s hand and thank her for her well-wishes then shook his head. “We need to head home soon. It’d be best not to disturb her this close to leaving.”
Her heart sank just a bit more. She had no right to infringe on his bond with the kids, but her arms ached to comfort them.
“Okay,” she whispered, glancing at her parents. They were both crying, obviously exhausted, and her mother had pulled away during each of her attempts to console her. All in all, home sounded like the better place to be right about now. “I could take Emma and Matthew back to the limo while you—”
“Katie Richards?” A man approached her, voice soft and hand outstretched. He tilted his head back to look up at her. She had a good six inches on him which, given her above-average height, was a common occurrence.
“Yes?”
“I’m Cecil Jenkins. Jennifer and Frank’s lawyer,” he said, extending his hand closer. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your sister and brother-in-law. They were wonderful people.”
Katie shook his hand. “Thank you.”
“I know this must be a difficult time for you, but your sister secured my services three years ago and insisted that I give this to you in the event that...” He shrugged awkwardly. A blush stained his cheeks and spread over his bald head as he retrieved a white envelope from his jacket pocket.
“Cecil, this isn’t the right time.” Voice hard, Landon shifted Sophia to his other side. “Can’t this wait until later?”
“I agree.” Her mother, eyes red, moved to Landon’s side and shook her head. “You’re not to do this now.”
Katie frowned. “What’s going on?”
Cecil held up a hand. “Forgive me, but this isn’t up to you, Patricia. Or any of us, for that matter. Jennifer and Frank were thorough in their wishes and this was part of their instructions. I’m legally bound to deliver this letter just as Jennifer requested.”
Katie took the envelope, the pristine paper smooth beneath her fingertips. There were no markings other than her name. It was written in Jennifer’s hand with an elegant flourish and a small heart dotting the i.
“It’s time we get the children home.” Patricia placed a hand on Matthew’s shoulder, steering him toward the limo. “Let’s go, Harold.”
Her father nodded, took Emma’s hand then followed.
Katie stared at the envelope, her fingertip tracing the curves of her name.
“Are you coming?” Landon half turned several feet away and peered at her over his shoulder. “We’ll go back to your mom’s, get the kids settled then talk.”
“I...” Her hand tightened around the envelope and an urgent need to see more of Jennifer’s familiar handwriting moved through her. “I’d like to read this now, if we can spare the time?”
Brow furrowing, Landon glanced down at Sophia, who still slept in his arms. “The kids really need some rest.”
“I’d be happy to give Katie a ride back.” Cecil smiled at her. “If you’d grant me the privilege?”
Katie nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”
Cecil left to wait for her in his car and Katie watched as Landon settled Sophia inside the limo, cast her one last look then got inside, too. She waited until the limo rounded the cemetery’s driveway then drove out of sight.
Hands shaking, she eased her fingernail underneath the lip of the envelope and carefully retrieved the letter. It was handwritten, just as she’d hoped. Warmth pulsed through her chest at the sight of the familiar script.
You’re going to laugh, Katie. I know you will.
If I’m right, decades from now, when we’re old and gray and living next door to each other with five cats like we planned, you’ll find this letter and tease me with it and I’ll regret ever having written it. But for now, I’ll just say that Frank talked me into drawing up a will. Matthew is seven now, Emma just turned two and someday soon, we hope to have one more baby. I’m hoping for a pretty, passionate little girl that’ll give us a run for our money. Someone like you. Which brings me to the reason I’m writing.
If I’m wrong, one day you’ll read this and I won’t be with you. If this is the case, I’m sorry, Katie. Sorrier than I could ever say.
The words blurred. Katie blinked hard and hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
I don’t know why things turn out the way they do sometimes and I have no idea how old my children will be or what they’ll be facing. What I do know is that I want them to be raised by the person I admire most in the world. You.
Katie jerked her head up, stared at the empty stretch of road the limo had just traveled, then spun around and looked at the caskets. The breeze picked up, scattering red petals across the dark wood.
So here it is: Matthew can be prideful and stubborn. He’ll need your heart. Emma tends to be timid and too trusting. She’ll need your strength and discerning eye. And if Frank and I are lucky, you’ll have one more niece or nephew to get to know.
Frank has chosen Landon as secondary guardian, which means you’ll have a partner in this, and he’ll be an excellent help if you need it. He’s a wonderful man and loves our kids as much as if they were his own. Please give him as much time with the kids as you can. And spend time with him, too. I think you’ll grow to trust and respect him as much as Frank and I do. Landon will step in if...for whatever reason, you’re unable to follow through. But I hope that’s not the case.
Will you do it? For me? Because you love me? And because I’ve never loved another soul walking this earth more than I’ve loved you? I understand if you can’t, but I hope you will. Because no matter how sad or afraid you might be, I promise you things will work out. My kids will love you as much I do and you’ll love them, too. You’ll help them laugh again, Katie. And you’ll teach them how to live life to the fullest. I know you will. So, please do it for me.
And if you’re second-guessing yourself, well...buck up, Katydid. Because there’s nothing you can’t handle.
