Chapter 7 #2
"They usually hold meetings in the main meeting room where they host bingo and other events."
Blaire approached us at the doorway. "Oh, good. You're here." She grabbed Hayden's hand and tugged her toward the table where a few other teenagers were already seated. There were boys and girls, all around Hayden's age.
"Was this the right thing to do?" I asked, my eyes on the boys.
Saylor nudged me with her shoulder. "She's only thirteen. Relax."
Tension crept into my shoulders. "I don't even know if she's into boys. Shouldn't I know?"
Saylor rolled her eyes. "Relax, Dad. You're going to push her away."
I ran a hand through my hair. "Should we hang out or disappear?"
"You can help me with something outside." Saylor led me down the hall and outside where there were two Kingston Construction trucks.
"What are my brothers doing here?" I asked, a little uneasy. I hadn't had a heart-to-heart with them since I'd been back.
"They're building more flower beds. They did the front lawn last year. Phyllis wants different areas where people can congregate and enjoy the view."
There was a large deck on the back of the building that was lined with rocking chairs.
"Are we helping them?" I asked cautiously.
Saylor stopped walking. "If you want."
I looked at Hudson, Shepard, and Brady who were carrying boards from their trucks and dropping them in the grass. "Okay."
"Yeah?" A smile spread over her face.
"I might as well. Hayden's busy in her meeting."
"I thought it would be nice for us to pitch in. I'm going to help Elena and Hazel carry the plants over. You probably know what you're doing with those boards."
I ran a hand over my neck, then let go. It was time to bridge the gap with my brothers. "Yeah, okay."
Saylor resumed walking toward the pile of boards. "I brought someone to help." When an awkward silence ensued, Saylor slowly backed away. "It looks like the girls could use some help."
When she left, Hudson threw his load on the pile. "Didn't think we'd see you here."
I threw a thumb over my shoulder. "Hayden's in a meeting about volunteering around the center."
"Is she doing that?" Brady asked. His expression was more open than Hudson's. I felt tension coming off him.
I shrugged. "She wanted to check out the meeting, and I'm hoping she'll meet some friends in the process."
"It's a great organization to volunteer for. They're appreciative of everything we do." Brady glanced at Hudson who held himself stiff. "We could sure use the help. The girls want to start planting today, so we're on a tight timeline."
"I'm fine with that," Shep added.
"I can help if you need it." If Hudson wanted me here.
"Good." Brady walked with Shep toward the trucks, leaving me alone with Hudson.
"I haven't been by to talk to you or the family yet," I said when he didn't fill the silence.
"That's obvious."
Hudson wasn't going to make this easy on me. "I know I upset everyone when I left."
Hudson grunted.
"I don't know how to make up for how I left or the fact that I did at all—" I wasn't even sure what to say to my brothers.
I wanted to pick up where I left before, but that wasn't fair to anyone.
"I'm trying to get to know my daughter, which has been tough.
She's a teenager and wants nothing to do with me.
It's nothing I don't deserve, but I was hoping that a few months in a beach house would break her down. "
"Yet you're living there with Saylor." Hudson inclined his head toward the girls who were carrying boxes of plants.
"It was a mix-up, and there was nowhere else to go."
He tipped his head to the side, considering me. "There's nothing going on there?"
"With Saylor?" I asked him, and at his nod, I said, "Not at all. She's been helping Hayden, showing her some graphic design program. She's able to connect with Hayden in a way I can't."
"Probably because she's a woman," Hudson said.
"That might be it. I don't know if it's that I've been gone so long, or she'd be like this at her age anyway. I'm just hoping to make a connection with her somehow."
"I'm sure you will," Hudson said dismissively.
"And I'm not quite sure how to fix things with you and Dad. I know I hurt you when I left."
Hudson stretched his neck, contemplating me for a few seconds before he said, "I don't know that you can fix it."
My stomach dropped, but I said, "That's fair."
"You can help out if you want." Then Hudson turned on his heel and headed toward the truck.
Brady dropped more wood on the pile. "That go well?"
"I guess?" I said, still not sure what had happened.
Brady chuckled. "I, for one, am happy to have you back. We missed you." Then he pulled me in for a brotherly hug, one I hadn't enjoyed in far too long.
The tension eased from my body slightly at the gesture.
Brady pulled back with a grin. "Now let's get to work before big brother yells at us."
I couldn't help but laugh at that. Hudson had been the one who kept us in line, and I had been usually by his side. It felt a little different being on the other side of that. But I hoped we'd be able to regain the friendship we used to have. He couldn't hold a grudge forever, could he?
With the four of us, we had the wood on the grass in no time. Shep showed me the configuration that Phyllis had approved. We each got to work on our own flower box, so I wasn't working directly with Hudson.
It was almost better because we worked together but not talking.
We were in each other's presence but not forced to deal with the unfinished business.
We could just be. And it felt good to work with my hands again.
In no time, I had the sides built, then set them in the dirt, referring to the plans as I went.
Once it was done, we filled it with potting soil, then Saylor arrived with the flowers. "Can you help me plant these?"
"I don't know what I'm doing."
Saylor smiled at me. "Don't worry. I'll help you."
She dug small holes for the plants, then handed me a hand shovel so I could do the same on the other side of the box.
"Did you and Hudson talk things out?" Saylor asked softly.
I sighed. "I think it's going to take a while for us to work on our issues."
"This is a start, isn't it?"
I had to admit it was. "Thanks for inviting me here."
Saylor nodded toward Hayden, where she was helping Elena plant her flowers. "If Hayden decides to volunteer here, then we'll call it a win."
I had to admit it turned out to be a better morning than I expected. "I think I'd like to do more things like this. At least until I have to get a job."
Saylor beamed. "Phyllis would love another volunteer around here."
"I should probably talk to my dad about that." I wasn't sure if he'd want me offering my services to the community unless I was officially on board with Kingston Construction.
"I'm sure he'd love to talk to you."
I wasn't so sure about that, but after Brady's welcome hug and Shep's indifferent acceptance, I thought it was possible my family might be happy to have me home.
At least some of them. Hudson would take more work, but I was patient.
I had a lot of time to think about the way I acted, and I knew I had some things to make up for.
I just hoped Hudson was willing to listen.