Epilogue
I t’s the one-year anniversary of Sam’s death, and on the marker of one of the hardest days of my life, I have Isabelle to hold me up—when a year ago, I was desolate and alone.
We hike, hand in hand, to the spot of Whitetail River where we released Sam’s ashes to the wind so he could become one with his favorite place. This year, we invited our extended family-group to honor Sam. It only felt fitting, as the love surrounding him has only grown.
As one huge family, we gather. My parents and James, Greyson and Olivia, Quincy and Connor, Delilah, Isabelle, and me. I know Quincy’s torn up her folks and Lucas couldn’t make it, but we will hold her up.
It’s so different than it was a year ago. Time heals a lot, but sometimes I wonder if some wounds ever truly heal. In a moment of grief, I step away from the group to collect myself.
Isabelle is by my side, not saying a word, just being my person. I know beyond a doubt that as long as I have her, I can make it through anything.
Quincy and my parents are the first to leave. I think Mom could see that Quincy was barely keeping it together, so under the guise of being cold, she wrangled my dad, and they escorted Quincy back to the car.
James, Grey, and Olivia have formed a triangle, talking about I don’t know what. But what I do know is that Greyson’s little sister is standing awfully close to my older brother. And when Greyson isn’t looking, they exchange several heated glances.
I don’t even want to know what that's about.
Grey already told James he’ll kill him if he so much as talks about Olivia again. But my big brother always did have a rebellious streak.
Delilah and Connor’s voices rise above the crunch of boots on snow. Isabelle speeds up and wraps her arms around her sister from behind, giving Connor a pointed look.
“What’s going on, twinie?”
“Nothing!” Delilah answers too quickly.
“Go on Delilah, tell your sister what Ivy did,” Connor snips.
Delilah turns red, just like Isabelle does when she's embarrassed.
“Mom must’ve gotten into some gambling trouble again, because last night, some really scary guys came to the trailer and there was yelling, and things were breaking.
I was terrified, and I didn’t want to leave mom there, but I snuck out my window and called Connor while I ran to the streetlight off Main. ”
Connor takes over, “She was fucking frozen when I found her, Iz. She’s not going back to that fucking trailer. I don’t care that she’s your mom. Ivy can take care of herself. You’ve enabled her for too long.”
Delilah rears back like he slapped her. I step in before this gets out of hand.
“Delilah, I’ve offered before, but now I’m insisting. Come live in the guest house at the ranch. You won’t have to pay rent and you’ll always be welcome to eat with me and Isabelle, or with my folks at the main house.”
“Please, Lilah, I can’t stand you living in that trailer. Come stay at the ranch,” Isabelle pleads with her twin.
Just as Delilah looks like she's going to agree, Connor comes out swinging.
“No. With all due respect, Andersen, Delilah will be coming home with me.”