Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
When it was Hayden’s turn, he shook Colt’s hand and then pulled him in for a hug. “I’m so sorry, man.”
“Me too. Nothing feels the same without him.”
Hayden understood.
Devorah was next.
Their gazes me, hers with unshed tears. Hayden pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck. “I’m here if you need me.”
She nodded against him.
Before she could pull away, he kissed her just below her ear.
“Hey, Conor,” Devy said.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” he told her. “We’re the same now.” Hayden turned and watched Conor interact with Dev. She crouched to his level.
“What do you mean?”
Conor shrugged. “My mom went to heaven too.”
Devy smiled softly and tugged on the end of Conor’s jacket. “We are the same, aren’t we?”
Conor nodded, and Devy stood, meeting Hayden’s eyes. She didn’t smile or offer any other words.
When Maren saw Conor, she hugged him. “I’m sorry about your grandpa,” Conor said.
“I’m so sad. But I’m also happy. Weird, right?”
Hayden paid attention to Maren and Conor’s interaction.
“Why are you happy?” Conor asked.
“Because my daddy’s here, and we’re going back to Chicago. Maybe you can visit someday.”
“Sure,” Conor said, without understanding the magnitude of her words. Hayden took Conor’s hand and led him out of the cafeteria. They didn’t need to stick around and wait for their hearts to break anymore. They’d had enough in their lifetime.
Hayden and Conor walked to the park. With everyone at the funeral, the space was empty. Hayden sat down on a swing with Conor next to him.
“Dying is weird.”
“What makes you say that?” Hayden asked.
“I dunno.” Conor shrugged. “When you die, people throw you a big party.”
“It’s not exactly a party, bud. People want to pay their respects. It’s what we do. Sometimes the gatherings are small, like your mom’s. But other times, like with Crow, they’re big.”
“How come Crow’s is so big?”
“Because he grew up here. He was the sheriff for a very long time. Everyone knew him, and a lot of people loved him. Or they love Colt, Devorah, and Maren.”
“Is that why Maren’s dad is here?”
He had no idea.
“I think so.” Hayden wanted to know, though, and he wanted an explanation. It was one thing for Chad to be there, but to act like they were a family or together was a whole other ballpark. He was in love with Devorah and had known it for a while but hadn’t found the right moment to tell her. And now Chad had sat next to her and Maren, in a spot Hayden thought he would be in.
“Do you think Maren will say goodbye before she moves away?” Conor asked, sadly.
Not if Chad had anything to do with it.
Hayden sighed. He had a hard time fathoming how Dev would want to go back to Chicago. She had started to build a life in Oyster Bay. She had friends, a purpose, and . . . him. They had each other, and Hayden wasn’t going to let her go so easily. He’d already told her that if she went back, he and Conor would follow. Hayden intended to keep his word to her. There was no way he’d let her go.
“Yeah, I’ll make sure you get a chance to say goodbye to her. You were a good friend to her. She doesn’t want to forget you.”
Conor was sad, and Hayden’s heart broke for his son. He watched him push the swing back and forth. Conor had known far too much hurt in his young life. Hayden would be damned if he was going to lose his best friend. When the time was right, he’d talk to Devy and get to the bottom of what Maren had said.
Before it was too late again.
After the parking lot had started to clear and cars headed out of town, Hayden and Conor walked back home. Lee and Darcy were there with dinner in the oven. As soon as Hayden walked in, Darcy hugged him.
“Where have you boys been?”
“The park,” Conor told her. “We had to do some deep thinking.”
Hayden tried not to laugh. His son was wise beyond his years.
“Is that so?” Darcy asked.
Hayden nodded.
“And?”
“And what?” He looked at his mom in confusion.
“And are you going to go get her, or are you going to let that sorry excuse for a man take her away from us again?”
Hayden’s eyes widened at his mother’s outburst. He opened his mouth to say something and then shut it.
“Don’t act like a fish looking for water, Hayden McKenna. Go get Devorah, tell her you love her, and, by all means, don’t let her go. I can’t bear you or her suffering any more heartbreak. You’ve both had enough to last a lifetime.”
Hayden looked at his dad for some help.
“Don’t look at me, son,” Lee said as he checked the oven. “The longer you stand there, the longer it’s going to take you to get over to Crow’s and save the girl.” Lee closed the oven and looked at his son. “If I were you, I’d run.”