The sliding glass door opens and Landon steps onto the patio. I’m huddled under a large blanket. The mornings are cool and the air is getting more brisk every passing day.
“Hey,” he says, closing the door behind him. He takes a seat in the large chair next to me.
“Hey, are you just getting home?” His clothes are wrinkled and he has dark circles under his bloodshot eyes.
“Yeah. Had an exciting night.” He winks at me. “You’re up early.”
“I am. I like getting up early. I like watching the sun rise. It’s kind of my thing now.” I smile at him and sip from the steaming mug of coffee. We sit in silence and watch the orange sky become brighter. A few leaves on some of the trees are just starting to turn in color and the dew looks frosty on the green grass. Fall is my favorite time of year.
“Can you believe you’re getting married in a little over a week, and going to be a dad in six months?” I ask, taking another sip of my coffee.
“I’m ready,” he says quietly. He turns to look at me and, for the first time, I see how much my brother has changed.
“I know you are, and I’m glad,” I tell him.
“Life just has a funny way of falling into place when it’s the right time.”
I snort and roll my eyes. “For you.”
“It’ll happen for you too when the time is right, Linds. Believe that.” He stands up and opens the door to go back in the house. “Oh, I tried calling you last night. Your voice mailbox is full.”
“I haven’t turned my phone on since I left for rehab.”
“Lindsay, do you realize how long ago that was?”
“I haven’t had a reason to turn it on.” I shrug.
“Charge it and turn it on.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I wave him off.
“Do it!” he mouths through the glass door. He’s so bossy.
I spend the day running errands with Reagan. We’ve met and finalized all the details with the florist, the church, the bakery, and the caterer. We’ve picked up programs from the printer and settled the final payment with the pianist and violinist for the wedding. The wedding details are officially done. To celebrate, Reagan pulls into a small bistro that overlooks the beach to treat me to lunch.
“They have amazing sandwiches and salads here,” she says.
“Did you finally get your appetite back?” I ask, stepping out of the car and closing the door behind me.
“I did. That nausea was brutal,” she said.
“Well, you don’t look pregnant, so I think your secret will be safe until after the wedding.” I giggle.
“I have one last fitting on Wednesday with the seamstress and I’m so nervous. She said not to worry, but Lindsay, my dress is skintight and fitted.”
“You’ll be fine. You don’t even have a bump.”
“A lot can change in a few days.” She laughs. “Trust me. I’ve seen it all!”
We take a seat on the outdoor patio and I order a bowl of chicken noodle soup and Reagan orders a salad. We both tip our heads back into the late afternoon sun, soaking in the last few rays of the day.
“Feels so good,” I mumble.
“I thought you hated the heat. Landon told me stories of you bitching that you thought you were living in hell when you were in Phoenix.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Let’s just say Phoenix is an entirely different kind of heat that you never hope to experience.” She laughs and shakes her head at me. Speaking of Phoenix,” I say, sitting up and clearing my throat. “I need to make a trip back there to settle a few loose ends.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” she asks me, genuinely concerned. She unwraps her silverware, sets it on the table, and sips from her iced tea.
“It is. I have to make a few amends, wrap things up at the condo, and I need to get to California too. I have to see Jess.”
“Lindsay, I’m just worried…”
“Don’t be,” I cut her off. “I need to do this and I’m ready. I’ve given this a lot of thought and it just seems like now is the right time.”
“Okay,” she whispers. “But Landon told me you haven’t turned on your phone.”
“I haven’t. I will tonight. It’s charging.”
“You cannot leave without us being able to reach you, Lindsay.”
“You’re already sounding like a mom, Rea,” I joke with her.
“We love you, Lindsay. All of us, and we’re just worried about you.”
“I love you guys too, and I appreciate your concerns, but I need to do this.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I know.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you for everything you’ve done for me.”