Chapter 1 #2
A small tree sat in the corner, adorned with a strand of lights that weren’t plugged in.
It was topped with a gold star, and traditional silver and gold balls along with vintage icicle ornaments hung from its branches.
The exact same decor had been in here when she and Chase and Sadie had stayed in the cabin two years ago.
“Yes, Jennifer loves Christmas, especially her grandmother’s old ornaments. She didn’t want to take the tree down before she left, and I just haven’t gotten around to it,” Melinda said.
Tisha’s gaze swept over the cozy furniture—a gray microfiber love seat and a recliner, a sturdy wooden coffee table, matching side tables, and a fireplace with a stone hearth that beckoned for a fire. It felt like a place they could make a home, even amidst the memories.
An urn wrapped with a stunning watercolor image of a plane soaring over water sat on a small table pushed against the wall.
More hot tears pricked her eyelids. Chase’s ashes.
She’d promised Melinda and Tom that when she and Sadie got to Redemption, they’d make plans to spread the ashes out at the lake.
Together. But now that she stood here, staring at the urn, she wasn’t sure she could follow through on those plans.
“I brought over some tomato soup and groceries—just a few basics. I thought you could have grilled cheese and tomato soup.” Melinda pulled a lighter from a drawer and lit a candle nestled in the faux floral centerpiece on the coffee table. “You both must be exhausted.”
“Soup and grilled cheese sounds perfect. Thank you.” Tisha ran her hand over the gray-and-white-striped blanket draped neatly over the arm of the recliner. It had a thick, soft texture—perfect for snuggling under with a good book.
“Let me show you where I put everything,” Melinda said.
Tisha crossed to the small kitchen. Stainless-steel appliances, an L-shaped granite-topped counter, and white Shaker-style cabinets provided all they needed.
“Skye and Tyler gave me a case of bottled water plus two bags of cleaning supplies and paper products this morning before we left their house. I still can’t believe they gave us their car. ”
Melinda opened the pantry cabinet. Sugar, flour, coffee pods, honey, tea bags, a couple of boxes of crackers, granola bars, and a box of cereal sat on the shelves.
“Tyler really misses Chase. He’s had a hard time dealing with the loss of his brother.
I’m sure he and Skye will do whatever they can to help you and Sadie make a fresh start. ”
“I really appreciate this. All of it.” Tisha gestured toward the food. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Well, you’re a godsend, stepping in and offering to bake pies for us.” Melinda closed the pantry door. “It’s not easy to find reliable, skilled help. Especially this time of year.”
“Happy to do what I can,” Tisha said. “Sadie, please put your coat on the hook by the door.”
“Oh-kayyy.” Sadie dragged her coat from where she’d dropped it on the sofa and plodded across the room, her shoulders slumped.
Melinda gave Tisha a questioning glance.
“I’ve probably pushed her a little too hard,” Tisha said quietly, then joined Sadie by the door. “Here, sweet pea. After you hang up your coat, you can put your boots on this cute tray. See?”
“When Tom comes in, I’ll have him start a fire,” Melinda said. “That will make everything feel extra cozy.”
“There are a lot of pictures of my daddy here,” Sadie said after hanging up her coat and tugging off her boots.
“There certainly are.” Tisha hung her coat beside Sadie’s and lined up their boots on the tray.
“Look at that one.” Sadie’s eyes lit up as she pointed to a gorgeous photo of Chase standing beside his seaplane out at the lake. His close-cropped blond hair, bright blue eyes, and charming smile instantly took Tisha back to that perfect summer.
“He looks so young,” Sadie said.
“That’s because he was.” Tisha turned away from the framed photo. “It’s been almost ten years since that picture was taken. Want to help me plug in the lights on the Christmas tree?”
“Sure.” Sadie skipped over to the tree in the corner. “I can do it by myself.”
“All right.” Tisha hovered while Sadie fumbled with the plug in the outlet. Then the lights turned on, casting a golden glow into the room.
“Yay.” Sadie clapped her hands. “I’m glad Christmas can last a little bit longer.”
More framed photos were scattered throughout the room, a mix of black-and-white and color images capturing Chase on a fishing trip, on a hike, hunting for moose, and riding four-wheelers with Tyler.
“I pulled out some of his old artwork, and Jennifer helped me frame it,” Melinda said, smiling as she pointed to a trio of framed drawings hanging on the wall above the small round table and three chairs. All three featured airplanes flying over what looked like mountains.
“That’s sweet.” Tisha rubbed at the dull ache forming behind her sternum, but she forced herself not to dwell on it. If she wanted to keep Chase’s memory front and center, surrounding themselves with photos and artwork was the way to go.
Just then, Tom came in, stomping the snow from his boots. He had a backpack hanging from each shoulder, and a suitcase in each of his gloved hands.
“Oh my goodness, Tom, let me help you.” Tisha hurried to take the luggage from him.
“No, no. Stay in where it’s warm. I’ll just make a couple of trips,” he said, his voice warm but dismissive.
He piled the backpacks on top of the suitcases, then went back outside.
Tisha winced. She had probably overpacked.
The movers hadn’t guaranteed when they’d deliver their things though.
The Binfords had generously offered to provide most of what they needed, and Tisha and Sadie had crammed as much as they possibly could into their suitcases.
“Once your luggage is inside and Tom starts a fire, we’ll give you and Sadie some space,” Melinda said. “Is there anything else you need that I might’ve forgotten?”
Sadie yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Can I watch a show, please?”
“Let’s go see your new bedroom.” Tisha guided Sadie down the short hallway lined with more pictures of Alaska and the Binford family.
They entered Sadie’s room, where the white metal-framed twin bed was decorated with a new polka-dotted comforter, matching dust ruffle, and a half dozen decorative throw pillows shaped like hearts and candies.
“Oh wow, Sadie.” Tisha stopped in the doorway. “Look at those super-cute pillows. How did Grandma and Aunt Jennifer know you like polka dots?”
Sadie shrugged, then walked a slow lap around the room. A white dresser with pastel glass drawer pulls stood against the opposite wall. The matching nightstand and a small bookcase with books and three more framed photos of Chase, Tisha, and Sadie filled the adorable space.
“Jennifer gets all the credit.” Melinda stood in the doorway. “She worked really hard to redecorate.”
“It’s beautiful.” Tisha made a mental note to send her sister-in-law a photo of Sadie sitting on the bed.
Melinda towed a suitcase into the room. “Want me to heat up the soup while you unpack?”
“But what about my show?” Sadie whined, hugging Ollie close.
“Please find your pajamas, toothbrush, and your favorite blanket first, and then you can watch a show,” Tisha said. “I’m going to help Grandma.”
Later, after they’d said good night to Tom and Melinda and finished a quick meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup, Tisha tucked Sadie into her new bed.
“I need a night-light, okay?” Sadie said, her eyes wide and earnest.
“I’ll see what I can do. We might just have to leave the hall light on for now. I didn’t pack a night-light.” They said their prayers, and Tisha kissed her good night, then turned off the lamp and stepped out into the living area.
Sipping a cup of decaf tea, she settled onto the sofa and propped her feet on the coffee table. Fire crackled in the fireplace, and the warmth made her drowsy. She reached for her phone and scrolled to the group chat she’d started with her sisters, Natalie, Cami, and Kirsten.
Cami
Hey. Checking on you. Did you make it to Redemption yet?
Tisha
Hey. Thanks for checking in. All good! Sadie and I got here a little before supper.
Natalie
You’re up late.
Tisha
It’s not that late in Alaska but I don’t want to go to bed.
Kirsten
Memories of Chase?
Tisha
He’s here. Everywhere I look, he’s here. And of course the last time I stayed in this cabin, we were together and married. Just don’t want to sleep in the bed alone.
Cami
“Mama, help!”
Oh no. Setting her tea aside, she pushed to her feet, then hurried down the hall. Sadie sat up in bed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” Tisha rushed to her side.
“I had a terrible dream about Daddy. He was waiting for me in a field of pretty flowers, and I was running to him, but no matter how far and how fast I ran, I just couldn’t get there.”
Tisha swallowed back a sob. She’d held it together all day, but Sadie’s heartache threatened to unravel her. “Oh, sweet girl, come here.”
She lifted Sadie into her arms, grabbed Ollie and the tattered blanket Sadie had clung to since infancy. “Let’s snuggle on the sofa by the fire.”
Sadie swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “Now?”
“Yep. Here we go.” Tisha carried her out into the living room. They pulled blankets from the cedar chest under the window, and Tisha quickly stoked the fire with another log. Then they constructed a cozy fortress, piled under layers of quilts and blankets.
“Tell me a story about Daddy,” Sadie said softly as she nestled against Tisha.
“Sure, which one?”
“One where he’s flying his favorite airplane.” Sadie yawned, then balanced Ollie on top of their blanketed laps.
“All right, one where he’s flying.”