Chapter 27 Collie
COLLIE
I feel like my heart has personally betrayed me.
This gesture from Easton is unmatched. Something that I could have only dreamed would be waiting for me in this life.
A life much different than my current one.
I’m blessed. I’m not taking away from that, but I’ve spent the last thirty-three years of my life being taken care of and appreciated for who I truly am by no one other than Capri and my dad.
That’s it. There’s never been a man or woman I’ve looked at and seen brighter, better days with. Never.
How tragically sad is that?
But Easton has known me for a whopping two weeks, and it’s as if he can read my every thought.
And fuck if I don’t feel the same about him. I shouldn’t, though. He’s been through the unthinkable and somehow has still managed to do things to make me smile.
To make me feel seen and cared for.
The man was almost married. He should be married right now. But instead, he’s on what was meant to be his honeymoon with me. Doing kind things for me like this.
A Western movie on a big screen in the middle of Yellowstone National Park. Add that to my list of memorable blessings to write on my tombstone when I leave this world.
Today is a new favorite day.
No bets have been transcribed. Just vibes. Just feeling and a multitude of orgasms.
“Do you like living in Salt Hollow?” I ask Easton, taking a bite of a Red Vine as we enjoy the stillness of tonight, Tombstone playing in the background, a soft glimmer of string lights above us, and the world’s best company.
Rattling the popcorn bowl in his hands, I laugh as he searches for the M&M’s I poured in there. You can’t have popcorn without some type of chocolate mixed in. “I like it for now,” he answers truthfully and for some reason, his answer surprises me. “I’m always prepared to leave.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Does he want to leave because of everything that’s happened?
“I could never picture myself living anywhere that isn’t outskirts kind of living. But I just never know where my job will take me next. It’s part of linework. You go where the work sends you.”
I guess that makes sense. “So, what do people do with families and kids in school? They just pick up everything they have and leave?”
He nods. “They can if they want. My buddy Ridge has three kids. He and his late wife made it work when she was still alive. She would stay back home in Salt Hollow when he was on temporary work in North River. He would drive home on the weekends, and they made the most of it. It sucks and it’s definitely not for everyone, but then again, it comes with the job. You sacrifice a lot in linework.”
“Sounds like it,” I sigh. “So, you’ve never been sent away?”
“I have for storm work. When a hurricane or snowstorm rolls around, line crews are called in for help from all across the country. We typically follow the weather patterns and chase them before they hit, that way we’re parked out and ready to help right away.
It’s thrilling, actually. The wives and kids adapt better than you’d think.
I just haven’t personally had to leave Salt Hollow for anything longer than temporary work.
There will be a day, though, where the work runs out in town and I’m forced to work somewhere else. ”
Sounds like my kind of life, actually. Never staying in one place for too long.
“If I were a single guy, I think I’d like that life.”
Easton smiles. “My lost little wanderer.”
“What did Ben do for a living?” Hopefully my question doesn’t upset him. I’ve noticed Easton smiles more and more when Ben is brought up.
I’m glad for that.
He throws a piece of popcorn at me playfully.
I love this side of him. “He actually owned a mechanic shop. Lived and breathed grease and motor fuel. We sold it right before he passed. Donated the money to a start-up fund for kids who always struggled in school and wanted to attend trade school. Any type of blue-collar work, really.”
“That’s incredible and sounds like such a rewarding way to honor his memory.”
He nods, lips curling into a soft smile.
“It was hard to part with it, especially since he spent most of his adult life under the hood of an old car. Hell, he taught me everything I know, too. Makes me want to buy a beater and fix it up just because those were the small things that brought him peace. But selling the auto shop was the one thing he asked of us. Well, that and everything with Sydney of course.”
Silence finds him and as if I can read his thoughts, I know he’s thinking about them together. Ben and Sydney. “They really loved each other, huh?”
I’d expect him to get defensive when talking about the woman he almost married, but instead he laughs—it’s full and genuine—smiling so bright it tugs at my heart.
“It was almost sickening how much. Sydney was Ben’s everything.
They had that ‘to the ends of the earth’ kind of love.
Never hot and cold. Always headfirst and resilient, despite anything that came their way. Especially cancer.”
Why do the good ones always die first? Why can’t it be the molesters? The child abusers? The rapists and the true criminals? They are the ones who deserve that kind of penance.
I know voicing that won’t change anything. He’s already gone.
“I wish I could have met him. And her. I think watching the three of you together would feel like my sister and me spending years apart and being reunited again.”
His eyes lift to meet my thoughts. “If only, right?” I catch the double meaning in his voice. The way it makes him both happy and sad to think about Ben being here.
In his current now.
Meeting me. The woman who was once nothing more than a stranger, turned acquaintance, turned friend, turned…something more.
“There’s actually something I wanted to ask you,” Easton stammers, and my heart races fast. “Remember how I told you Ben left me a note before he passed?”
I nod. “Yeah, of course I remember that.”
“Would you…” Oh no…shatter me in two, Easton Voss. “Would you mind reading it for me? Reading it to me? I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it alone.”
This sweet man. Sweet, kind, and compassionate man with nothing but love to give in his misunderstood heart. But one thing has changed—he’s no longer lost.
No, Easton Voss has found his purpose. His greater meaning. His asking for my help is the purest sign of it.
I love this freedom for him. I’ll cheer him on with green flags waving.
My hand finds his, and my heart stirs a bit in my chest as he pulls me to sit on his lap. “I’d do anything for you, East. Just say the word.”
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and his forehead meets my chest as he exhales deeply. “I wish I could keep you, Cols. Bring you home and show you my world.”
Cols
We’re on the same page.
“We bloom where we’re planted,” I whisper to him softly. “And we both have some neglected watering to do.” Lifting his head slowly, I pull his distraught gaze to mine. “I’ll find you where the mountains of Salt Hollow meet the ocean of Timber Heights. Remember?”
Easton nods, not entertaining the conversation anymore. We both know it’ll make leaving tomorrow that much more difficult. “Let’s see what Ben has to say, okay? I’ll handle it with care. I promise.”
And he hands me the letter.