Chapter 16 Nova
Nova
Last night, Easton told me about Rachel’s request, so we’re all getting ready to go to the beach.
I braid the last of Lainey’s hair and tie it at the end before saying, “Let’s go downstairs.”
When we leave Lainey’s room I glance into Rachel’s bedroom.
Yesterday, when I went to grab her pajamas, I found most of her clothes packed in boxes.
There was also a stack of letters, memory cards, and important documents on her dressing table.
She even thought to make a list of all the phone numbers we might need after she’s gone.
I think every night when she went to bed early, it was so she could prepare everything for her death to make things easier for us.
We walk down the hallway, and taking the stairs down to the first floor, we see people carrying a hospital bed into the living room. The couches have been moved to the side to make space for everything Rachel will need.
Easton notices us and says, “Hospice just arrived. Give them a few minutes, then we’ll get going.”
“No rush,” I reply. “Where’s Rachel?”
“Out on the veranda with Frances.”
I walk to the sliding doors and exit the house. “Easton says we’ll leave soon.”
Rachel struggles to lift her head but manages to look at me. When she sees Lainey behind me, a weak smile forms on her face. “B-beautiful.”
My goddaughter puts on a brave face as she walks to her mom. “Nova braided my hair so it won’t get in the way when I build you the biggest sandcastle you’ve ever seen.”
A soft chuckle escapes Rachel. “V-very big.”
Lainey nods and places her palm against Rachel’s cheek. Her tone is too serious for a ten-year-old as she says, “I love you the most in the world, Mommy.”
Rachel basks in her daughter’s touch. “L-love . . . you.”
Easton comes out accompanied by a woman who seems to be in her forties and says, “This is Harlow. She’s a nurse and will be with us during the days to help.”
I give the nurse a welcoming smile. “Hi, Harlow. I’m Nova, and this is Lainey.”
Harlow has a kind face, and her smile is warm as she says, “It’s nice to meet everyone.” She stops in front of Rachel. “Hi, Rachel, I’m here to help make things easier for you.”
My best friend nods. “Going to . . . beach.”
“Yes.” Harlow’s smile widens. “I hear we’re going to have a fun day. I didn’t bring my swimsuit, so I’ll just hang out with you if that’s okay?”
Rachel chuckles softly. “Okay.”
“Frances, will you let the people from hospice out when they’re done setting up?” Easton asks as he comes to pick up Rachel.
Frances doesn’t hesitate to answer. “Yes.”
“Let’s go,” Easton says.
“I’ll grab the wheelchair and anything else she might need,” Harlow mentions as we all head into the house.
I stop to get the camera and tuck it into my handbag before I catch up to Lainey.
Just like yesterday, we take two SUVs. One for the guards and one for us. I sit in the passenger seat again and glance over my shoulder at Rachel, who’s positioned between Harlow and Lainey.
I want to spend every waking moment with my best friend, but it’s no longer about me and what I want. Lainey comes first.
As Easton follows behind the guards’ SUV, I glance at him and notice the lines etched into his face.
Not thinking, I reach across the console and place my hand on his thigh. It’s meant to be a quick, comforting touch, but before I can pull back, he places his hand on top of mine. His fingers curl around mine, and he gives me a grateful look before turning his attention back to the road ahead.
I feel a little self-conscious, but thinking he needs the comfort, I push my own feelings aside.
After a few minutes, Easton lets go of my fingers so he can take a turn, but the moment I start to pull my hand back, he shakes his head. “Don’t.”
Leaving my hand on his thigh, I shoot a glance over my shoulder only to see a smile on Rachel’s face as her eyes move between Easton and me. I shake my head so she won’t get any ideas, but it only makes her chuckle.
His hand settles over mine again, and he lets out a slow breath as if he finds my touch soothing.
I glance out of the window at the passing scenery, but I don’t focus on anything around me except for the way Easton’s hand feels on mine.
All the little touches and hugs he’s given me have helped so much, and they mean the world to me. I just have to keep reminding myself not to read too much into it because he sees me as a sister or maybe a friend.
But that’s all it will ever be.
Seeing how those women lost their minds at the school made it very clear that Easton can have any woman in the world, and little old me doesn’t stand a chance.
I’m okay with that. I get to love him every day, and that’s enough for me.
Besides, I promised Rachel I’d see a therapist. I’ll have to heal from the trauma I’ve suffered before I can think of ever having another relationship.
When Easton brings the SUV to a stop, I see a gazebo has been erected on the beach. There are also lounge chairs and a table, and a grill stands to the side. A spacious area has been taped off around everything, and Sylvia walks toward us.
Easton gives my hand a squeeze before he lets go so he can climb out of the car.
While I watch as Harlow and Lainey get out, Easton glances at Sylvia. “Thanks for getting everything ready.”
“You’re welcome.”
She waits while Easton picks up Rachel, then she steps forward to give Rachel’s arm a squeeze. Unable to say anything, she quickly rushes away to where her car is parked.
We all head down to the beach, and after Easton sets Rachel down on a lounge chair, Harlow covers her with a blanket.
For a moment, I stare at the waves rolling in, then I say, “Come, Lainey. Let’s build the castle.”
I kick off my shoes and put my handbag down before pulling my dress over my head, revealing my only one-piece swimsuit. After I fold my clothes neatly, I dig the camera out of my bag and glance at where Harlow and Easton are sitting with Rachel.
Today is for her.
Walking to where buckets and shovels are lying on the sand, I sink down to my knees and ask Lainey, “Where do we start?”
“The foundation. We have to make the sand smooth and hard.”
I watch for a moment as Lainey pats the sand, and I do the same until we have a big square ready.
“You can load sand into the buckets while I build a wall,” Lainey orders.
I glance at Rachel and notice all her attention is focused on her daughter. Taking hold of the camera, I press record and focus the lens on Rachel. I zoom in to capture the look of pure love in her eyes before recording Lainey for a little bit as she concentrates on constructing the wall.
When I point the camera at Rachel again, she notices, and weakly lifting her left hand, she gives me a wave.
She actually looks happy right now, and I’m glad I captured this moment for Lainey. I press stop and glance at the waves again, appreciating the beautiful day we get to spend with Rachel.
Suddenly, the camera’s grabbed from my hand and dropped on the sand before I’m hauled into the air by Easton.
Hanging over his shoulder, I let out a shriek, but then I realize he’s running toward the waves and quickly say, “I can’t swim.”
“Don’t worry.” As he plows into the waves, he brings me down the front of him, and all I feel is warm skin and hard muscle.
Holy hotness.
My brain completely short-circuits.
A wave slams into the back of my legs, shoving me hard into Easton’s chest.
Thanks, Mother Nature. You won’t hear me complain.
His arm wraps around me, and holding me tightly to his body, he moves us deeper until the water reaches past my thighs.
Another wave knocks into us, and Easton falls backward, letting me use his body like a surfboard while the water pushes us back to the shore.
Laughter explodes over my lips, and even though I swallow some of the salty water, I couldn’t care less.
“It’s my turn,” Lainey calls out as Easton helps me to my feet.
With a wide smile around my mouth, I look up at him. “That was fun.”
There’s a hot smirk on his face, and drops of water run down his body. “Yeah?”
Oh yeah. My eyes rake hungrily over every hot inch of him. Definitely yeah. Like a lovestruck fool, I stare at all his bare skin, my hands splayed over his pecs.
“Watch out,” Lainey shouts, laughing.
Another wave plows into us, making Easton hold me tighter, and we stare at each other for the longest minute. It feels super intense, and I’m unable to gather enough brain activity to pull away.
“My turn,” Lainey says behind us, and only when Easton glances at her am I able to let go of him. Confused with what just happened and totally overwhelmed by the fluttering in my stomach, I quickly walk away and head straight for Rachel.
I grab a towel and wipe my face before wrapping the fabric around my body. Sitting down, I just stare at my best friend while my mind catches up to what happened.
She grins at me, a mischievous light in her eyes. “Fun?”
“Yeah.” My head bobs up and down, then I lean forward and whisper, “I’m trying not to see things that aren’t there, but it’s hard.”
“Not . . . imagining.”
What?
She reaches her left hand out to me, and I take hold of it. “Good . . . for . . . him.” She gives me a pleading look. “You . . . belong . . . with them.”
Knowing Easton is with Lainey, I pull my chair closer before sitting down again. Staring at Rachel, I ask, “How are you doing?”
She shrugs. “It is . . . what it . . . is.” She lets out a soundless chuckle. “At least . . . there’s a . . . silver lining. I get . . . to kill the . . . tumor . . . when I die.” The corner of her mouth lifts. “And . . . I can . . . rest . . . knowing you’re . . . with Easton . . . and Lainey.”
“I’ll stay with them as long as they’ll let me,” I assure her.
She nods, and sucking in a deep breath, she looks at where they’re playing in the waves.
Within seconds, Rachel falls asleep, and I take the time I have to just stare at her.
Harlow comes to adjust the blanket over Rachel and checks her pulse.
“Will she feel any pain?” I ask, my tone brimming with fear.
The nurse shakes her head, then meets my eyes. “You should prepare yourself. It won’t be long now.”
“How long do you think we have?”
“Days. She knows, and that’s why she wanted to give you all today. I don’t think she’ll be able to leave the house again, and we can’t stay out here too late.”
Even though I nod, I struggle to accept what Harlow’s telling me. Getting up, I keep the towel wrapped around me while I walk down the beach until I can’t hear Lainey’s laughter anymore.
I stop, and staring at the ocean, I let my tears fall.
I need more strength, Lord.
Much more.