The headlights cut out when he shut off the engine. He didn’t move, but waited for Sadie to come back to herself. He stared at his home. The lights in the windows welcoming him, letting him know his grandfather and brothers were there waiting. He didn’t want to take Sadie back to her empty, dark place. Too many memories for her right now. Besides, this was where he wanted her to want to be.
“I thought you said you were taking me home.”
“I did.” He didn’t say whether he meant that’s what he’d said, or that’s where he’d brought her. He wondered which one she thought he meant.
“I like it here. I like seeing you with your family. You’re so close to all of them.”
“They like having you here. And so do I.” Rory opened the truck door and slid out. He held his hand out to her. “Come inside with me.” Sadie took his hand. “Bring your purse and bag.”
“You’re not taking me home later.”
“Stay here with me.”
Their gazes held for a breath, then Sadie grabbed her stuff and slid out of the truck, her fingers linked with his as they walked up to the house. Rory opened the front door and greeted his brothers and grandfather with a nod.
“Come here.” His grandfather held his arms open. Sadie let Rory’s hand go and walked right into them. She held tight to his grandfather. “I’m sorry for you loss, pretty girl.”
“Thank you.” Sadie choked out the words and gave his grandfather a squeeze.
Granddad released her and Ford stepped in to hug her, too. “My condolences.”
Ford released Sadie into Colt’s embrace. His little brother kissed her on the head and held her close. Rory wanted to smack him, but refrained because Colt only meant to comfort her. “Sorry about your dad. I don’t really remember mine and the loss is a pain that aches. I can’t imagine how it feels for you when you’ve had him so long and it’s still not long enough.”
Rory thought about his parents all the time. He tried to keep his memories fresh, but they faded over time and he had to work to bring them into focus. He’d often wondered if Colt’s few memories stayed clear, or if he remembered them at all now. The sadness he felt for Sadie’s loss intensified with his brother’s poignant words.
“Thank you, Colt. That’s exactly how it feels.” Sadie stepped back and kept coming until she ran into him. He wrapped his hand around her middle and hugged her close. She pressed her hands to his arm at her stomach and held him tight. He kissed her head and glanced at Colt, seeing the same hurt he saw in Sadie in his brother’s eyes. He glanced at Ford and Granddad and saw it there, too. If he looked in the mirror, maybe he’d see it in himself, though he tried to hold it together and not make Sadie’s loss about his. Still, when someone died, you remembered those you’d lost, too.
To help keep her from falling into her sorrowful thoughts, he nudged her to walk toward the dining area off the kitchen. “Something smells good.”
“Tonight, we cooked for you, pretty girl,” his grandfather said, leading the way into the other room.
Sadie stopped in front of Rory. He put his hand on her shoulder and stared over her at the table his family set for her. Chicken pot pie casserole. A bouquet of wild daisies and white candles, their flames dancing and making the wineglasses sparkle. His grandmother’s dishes were set out with the silver. A table set for family and a special occasion.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“You must be hungry,” Ford said taking his place at the table.
“Rory said you’ve barely slept or eaten,” Colt added.
Sadie turned and stared up at Rory. “You called them and set this up.”
“I made the call. They did all this for you.”
She went up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. She hugged him tight, kissed his neck, and whispered in his ear, “Thank you.”
His family watched them. Each of them gave him a nod. They approved of her. Not that he needed their approval, but he appreciated that they gave it. Sadie saw and understood they’d done this because they cared, and because they thought of her as part of the family. They accepted her.
“Let’s eat, sweetheart. You’re wiped out. You need to take care of yourself now.”
Rory held the chair out next to his grandfather’s place at the head of the table. Sadie sat. He took the seat next to her. Colt poured the wine, something special for Sadie. They usually drank iced tea or beer with their meal, but thought she might prefer this.
Once all the glasses were filled, his grandfather raised his glass. “A toast.” His grandfather took Sadie’s hand into his and held tight.