Chapter Twenty-Four
I texted Sam, Judy, and Steven before we left the park to let them know that Kara is safe and we’re on our way home. Judy said she’d meet us at the house. I’m glad because we do need to talk about Kara moving back home.
“Aunt Allie?” Kara says quietly, a little hesitant, from the passenger seat beside me. I sure do love seeing her there again.
“What is it, honey?” I glance her way as we turn into our neighborhood.
“I have a confession.” She chews nervously on the edge of her finger.
I wait, letting her find her courage. “I told Sam that you had women sleep over all the time. Especially that redhead, the one you bought the house from. I’m really sorry.
I just…I wanted to hurt you because I was hurting.
You didn’t deserve that. I’m an awful person. ”
“Hey.” I take her hand, making her look at me.
“You are not an awful person. Don’t ever say that.
Life hurts us sometimes, and we make bad choices when we’re lost. But you found your way back.
That’s what matters. Thank you for telling me.
” Her confession stings and explains a lot, but more than that, I’m proud of her honesty.
“Sam’s a good person,” Kara adds quickly. “Please don’t be mad at her because of my lie. I’m really sorry for messing things up so badly. That’s my fault, not hers.”
I squeeze her hand. “We’ll figure it out, okay?”
When we pull into the driveway, I turn off the engine and look at her fully. “Forgiveness is a powerful thing, sweetheart. Without it, we hold on to pain that only weighs us down. I love you, Kara. I’m so glad to have you back where you belong.”
A tear slips down her cheek. She brushes it away. “I love you too. I’m happy to be home.”
Before anything else can be said, Maisie whips open the passenger door. “Kara!” she squeals. “Are you home to stay?”
“I am!” Kara hops out, scooping Maisie into her arms and twirling her until they’re both laughing breathlessly.
Olivia rushes in for a hug while Steven, Luke, and Sam stand back watching with wide smiles.
I catch Sam’s eye. There’s warmth there now, but I can still sense the ache underneath.
Knowing what Kara told her, I now understand why she pulled away.
She thought I was promiscuous. When she smiles at me, it takes all my self-control not to go to her and wrap her in my arms.
Steven and Sam decide it’s their turn to shower Kara with affection as they step in for hugs. I’ve not seen her smile like this in a long time. It’s as if the weight she’s been carrying has finally lifted, leaving behind a lightness she’d forgotten existed in her.
Judy’s car pulls in. She steps out slowly, her eyes fixed on Kara.
The air tightens with tension as she walks up to her.
Kara stiffens as if terrified. I see now that being with Judy isn’t the life for my niece.
Even if she has helped Kara open her eyes, you shouldn’t be scared of the person who is to comfort and protect you.
Judy startles everyone when she pulls Kara into a tight embrace. Maisie quickly joins in, throwing her little arms as far around the two as possible. I smile, for the first time today after the news she was missing, knowing Kara’s back home safely.
“Let’s get your things,” Judy says, pulling back from the hug.
“No!” Maisie yells loudly.
Judy’s face scrunches in disdain as if she’s about to scold Maisie’s behavior. But Kara grabs Maisie’s hand, pulling her against her body protectively.
“Judy,” I say, stepping forward. “I appreciate all you’ve done for Kara.
You were there for us when things got complicated, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
But Kara and I have had a long talk, and we’ve decided that she should come home.
Things are going to change.” I look at her sternly as she nods her head in agreement.
“We talked in the car on the way home. She’s promised that moving forward she will start therapy, and we will have an open communication. ”
“I will,” Kara agrees, rejuvenation in her voice.
Judy opens her mouth, likely to object, but Kara takes her hand gently.
“I love you, Gigi. I love spending time with you, but this is my home. Here with Maisie and Aunt Allie.” Her voice trembles with courage she’s pretending to have.
“I wasn’t in a good place for a little while, but I know where I belong.
I want to make Mom and Dad proud. I hope you can understand and be proud of me too. ”
My girl said it perfectly. Judy’s shoulders drop as her posture eases. The sharpness in her eyes softens a little, letting me know that Kara’s words hit their mark. My chest swells with pride. She stepped up knowing how hard it could possibly get. I also know she did it for Maisie and me.
Judy’s silence says a lot. Beneath her hard edges, there’s a softness. Bill was the only person who seemed to be able to reach it. And now, somehow, Kara does too. He passed that torch on to her.
“I was thinking the girls need to spend more time with you, Judy.” I want to ease her aching heart. “They love their outings with you, and you’re welcome here anytime. You’re family.”
Judy looks around at everyone before nodding. “I’d love to spend more time with the girls.”
“Hot damn!” Steven claps his hands. I’m sure his nerves are getting the best of him at the moment. “Who’s ready to eat?”
I laugh along with everyone else, tension seeming to ease. “Judy,” I say, “would you like to join us for dinner?” I genuinely mean it. “The girls love and need their Gigi.”
Judy looks down at the girls, smiling faintly. “Sure, I’d love to.”
“Perfect,” Sam chimes in. “Luke’s brought food. We have brisket, barbecue pork, chicken, and enough sides to feed a small army.”
“Great.” Judy smiles, letting the girls lead her inside. “Come on, darling.” She motions toward Olivia. “You must be my granddaughter’s best friend that I’ve heard so much about.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Olivia beams, hurrying to catch up.
Steven lingers beside me as we watch everyone disappear through the door. “That was intense,” he says, wide-eyed.
“This whole day has been intense,” I reply.
“You’re not lying.” Steven shakes his head. “But we got our girl back and it seems in more ways than one.”
I nod, exhaling. “We talked it out. I’ll tell you…it was hard. I’m glad she finally opened up to me. I think we can move forward now.”
“That sounds like a plan to me,” he says.
* * *
The crickets chirp in the exceptionally warm night air. Their soft hum eases around us. Everything feels like it’s finally coming together. Well…almost everything.
The kids are inside watching a Halloween movie while the adults sit around the fire outside.
They swore it’s nothing too scary because Kara knows Maisie can’t handle it.
Dinner’s over. Judy’s gone. Oddly, Judy was pleasant, engaging with the kids about their interests.
It was wonderful seeing Kara smile, talk, and eat, more like herself than I’ve seen in a while.
“I’ll start clearing the dishes,” Sam says, tossing the blanket off her lap.
“No, no, no,” Steven says, jumping to his feet, dragging Luke with him. “Luke and I will take care of it. You two stay put. You’ve done enough today.”
Sam shrugs. “I’ll never argue with someone else cleaning up. Thank you.”
“Yeah, thank you,” I add, glad for the help.
Steven blows us a dramatic kiss. “We love you both!”
Luke shrugs. “Guess the boss has spoken.”
Sam snuggles back in her chair, pulling the blanket around her.
The firelight flickers across her face, painting her in gold and shadow.
She’s silent as she stares into the fire, gripping her knees with both hands as if lost in thought.
God, she’s beautiful. My heart picks up speed as I take her in.
“Kara told me about what she said to you about having women stay overnight,” I say, breaking the silence. “No wonder you thought Lorrie’s hug meant more.”
She lifts one shoulder while tilting her head. “It was hard to hear.”
“Why didn’t you come to me first?”
She shifts in her chair, settling her body toward me.
“Why do we do any of the things we do?” she says softly.
“I didn’t expect to feel such a connection to you so fast. And I’m not talking about the physical, which is off the charts by the way.
As I told you, it all scared me. You opened up to me about the girls, your life, things that matter.
I never had someone communicate with me like that.
Then our attraction is so crazy good. I just thought Kara was trying to protect me in her own way.
I didn’t realize she said it to hurt you. ”
“I would never do that, Sam. That’s not who I am.” I exhale. “It hurt me seeing you with Ginger. I had no clue what was going on or what I did for you to completely shut me out.”
Sam gets up and crosses to lower herself next to me. Her hand rests gently on my knee, our eyes locking. “That’s on me. I would never hurt you on purpose. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry too.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she insists. Sam takes my hand in hers.
I sigh. “I could have heard you out when you tried to talk to me.”
“I guess I was trying to protect Kara.” Sam looks down at our joined hands as she plays with my thumb.
“I know it’s been hard between you two. I didn’t want her to not have a friend in me during this hard time.
I told you enough that I hoped would rectify the damage I created.
” She looks at me again. “I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
“If we’re going to do this, then you have to be honest with me. You have to come to me with the hard things. We have to trust each other to make difficult decisions together as well the easy ones.”
The corners of Sam’s mouth turn up into a smile. “So…does this mean you forgive me?”
“Of course, I forgive you.” I smile back.
“And we’re giving this another shot?” she asks, squeezing my hand.
I can’t help laughing at how adorable she looks. “Sam,” I say, “would you be my girlfriend?” I mean it, as dorky as it sounds.
Before I can blink, she’s in my lap, arms around my neck, with her lips finding mine. “Yes,” she whispers against my mouth. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I savor the taste of her tongue as it brushes against mine. Her body ignites a fire hotter than that in front of us. My heart finally feels home.
“Eww!” someone yells, followed by giggles.
We break apart to see Steven, Luke, and the girls watching from the doorway. Maisie’s pretending to kiss her hand, while Olivia and Kara grin like it’s the best thing they’ve seen all day.
“It’s about time!” Steven calls out as Luke whistles.
“I love this family,” Sam says, and I can tell she means more than what she’s stating.
“This family loves you,” I whisper back.
And for the first time in a long time, everything feels right.