Chapter 13 #3
"I had my opinions about him a long time ago," Sonny continued, his voice softening slightly.
"When he broke your heart. But he was a boy then and didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground." He paused. "I wasn’t sure he’d changed when he walked through that door a few years back. But I’ve been watching him.
He's a different man now. A good man, April.
If you can't see that, you're cheating yourself out of love. "
Through the window, Shane, Kevin, and Pete turned to come back in from their walk. Shane was carrying a flat stone, demonstrating the right wrist motion that would send it skipping across a lake. He handed it to Kevin who practiced the same motion.
"And you're cheating Kevin out of it, too," Sonny said quietly.
The words hit like a punch to her sternum.
April watched Shane ruffle Kevin's hair when he finally got the throw right. Watched her son beam up at him like Shane had just handed him the moon. Watched Pete dance around Kevin's feet, tail wagging.
Love isn't about biology. It's about showing up.
Shane had shown up. He'd shown up at Riversong when he’d returned to town.
When he heard the report of shots fired.
When Kevin needed a bodyguard. He'd shown up on her porch with her favorite wings and ranch dressing.
He'd shown up this morning with donuts and a plan to help her dying espresso machine.
And he radiated a quiet steadiness that said I'm here, I'm staying, you can count on me.
He's been showing up for years, she realized. Sending those anonymous loan payments. To think she’d thought last night that he’d only sent them out of misguided guilt.
No—he’d sent them because he still loved her.
And yet, he’d kept his distance when she got scared after the drive-by. Respecting her boundaries while making it clear that the door was open whenever she was ready. April pressed her fingers to her mouth, trying to hold back the sob that wanted to escape.
"He loves that boy and he loves you," Sonny said. "Anyone with eyes can see it. Question is, are you brave enough to love him back?"
The front door opened and Kevin burst through, Pete wiggling past and bounding ahead. "Mom! Shane taught me how to skip a stone! It's all in the wrist!"
Shane followed more slowly, brushing dirt off his cargos. His eyes found April's immediately, reading something in her expression that made him still.
"You okay?" he asked.
April nodded, not trusting her voice.
Ben returned minutes later, notebook in hand. "Good news," he said to Sonny. "I've got most of what I need and what I don’t have will be shipped overnight on Monday. I can have parts ready by Wednesday, Thursday at the latest."
"What's it going to cost me?" Sonny asked.
Ben named a figure that was absurdly reasonable, and when Sonny tried to argue, Ben just shook his head. "Shane's family. That makes you family. Family rate."
Shane's ears went red to the tips.
April decided the next moment she got him alone she’d kiss the hell out of him.
Ten o'clock rolled around and the morning rush started. April worked the counter with her dad, making drinks and ringing up orders, while Shane sat at a corner table with Kevin, helping him finish the last of his homework. They looked like they were having fun.
"I thought you hated math," April called over during a lull.
Shane looked up, grinning. "Nah. Math's easy now. I had the best tutor in Colorado."
"You did not."
"Scout's honor."
"You were never a scout."
"Details." His eyes were dancing. "Besides, this isn't math. It's spelling. Which I'm very good at."
"Oh really? Spell antiestablishmentarianism."
Shane's grin faltered. "That's a trick question."
Kevin cracked up, and April found herself laughing too.
At noon, Miriam came in to take over for April.
“Are you sure you guys are okay with the store today?” April asked her parents. Hannah had decided to take the day off, and it felt weird to leave them.
“We’re fine, sweetie,” her mom said. Sonny shooed her out the door with a thermos of hot chocolate and a container of scones for the hike and a meaningful look at April that said don't waste this.
Shane loaded Kevin and Pete into the SUV while April stood in the parking lot, looking back at Riversong—at this place she'd helped her family build. Outside of time spent with Kevin, she’d poured every spare drop of her life into it since coming home.
But maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to do that anymore.
Sonny caught her watching them through the window. He set down a mug, covered his heart, and made the hummingbird flutter. I love you forever.
He immediately followed it up with another shooing motion. Laughing, April sent him a hummingbird right back.
"Ready?" Shane asked, opening her door.
April looked at him—really looked at him. At the man he'd become. At the way he waited, patient and sure, for her answer.
Ask me again after the hike, she'd said.
She already knew what her answer would be.
"Yeah," she said, climbing in. "I'm ready."