Page 86 of The Guest Cottage
“She’s overloaded,” Marlow fretted.
“She’s fine,” he corrected. “She doesn’t have that far to go, and she’s feeling steady again. I bet she’s enjoying a little independence, being able to do for herself. It’s how you or I would feel.”
Very true. “She appreciates everything.” Marlow didn’t want to think she’d ever taken her life for granted, but had she truly appreciated each and every special moment? “I want to be her family.”
Cort glanced down at her. “Is that so?”
“An older sister, and an aunt to Andy. We discussed that today, before a fun shopping trip.”
His brows lifted, then he smiled and got back to work. “Glad to hear it.”
“I can only imagine what my mother-in-law will think, once she finds out that Pixie and I are friends.”
“I think it’s a blessing Pixie found you.”
“A blessing for her—and for me,” Marlow agreed.
“Might as well count me in there, too.” He started down the ladder. “I’m enjoying it all as well.”
Marlow moved out of his way, but when he reached the ground, he dropped his tools and gathered her into his arms. “Pixie is right. Dinner was great, not only delicious but incredible company, too.”
“Like family?” she asked, searching his gaze. Had Cort had many family meals? From what she knew, it was just he and his mom, and after an awful childhood, he’d spent a lot of his time serving in the Marines.
His broad chest expanded as he inhaled a slow breath. “I never knew much about family, really, other than my mom. She and I ate a lot of meals together whenever I was home. It was nice, but in a totally different way.”
Thrilled to have him open up a little, Marlow silently waited.
His forehead touched hers. “My best bud in the Marines was a family guy.”
Was. Her heart thumped heavily, and her stomach clenched. She could tell this was a bad memory, maybe the one Cort had been thinking of at dinner.
From the day she’d arrived, he’d been there for her. She wished she could have been there for him, too.
Lightly, she kissed him, then without a word, she wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed. She waited for his usual inscrutable reaction. Maybe he’d hug her and then get back to work. Whatever he chose to do, or not do, she wouldn’t pressure him, because he’d never pressured her.
Then suddenly, he held her closer with her face tucked under his chin so she couldn’t look at him. “There was a deadly Osprey accident when I was stationed in North Carolina. I was supposed to be there, on that flight, but I’d left earlier that day to be with my mother.”
Marlow’s throat tightened with dread. She nestled against him, which was all she could do in her current position.
His voice was still strong and steady, but she felt the pain in the words as he spoke. “Mom’s doctor had called, saying she might not make it through the night, so I was granted emergency leave.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “You had to be with her.”
He gave a single nod. “I was by her bedside when the Osprey left for Pensacola. Along the way, there was a catastrophic mechanical failure, and it went down.” His throat worked as he swallowed heavily. “Everyone on board died.”
Marlow didn’t mean to, but a gasp escaped her, prompting him to kiss her temple.
“Twelve Marines died, including my best friend, Nathan.” Silence stretched out. “He left behind a wife and two little kids.”
Breathing was difficult when all she wanted to do was sob. “I’m sorry, so sorry,” she managed to choke out. Good God, this was painful. She felt Cort’s agony, and his undeserved guilt.
“It should have been me, Marlow. I was supposed to be on that flight.”
“No.” Somehow she got out of his arms and glared up at him, furious that he would say such a thing. His expression was severe, yet wounded, softening her reaction. “No, Cort,” she whispered.
“My mother died that night, too. I didn’t have anyone else, but Nathan had a family who needed him.”
I need you, she wanted to shout, but it wouldn’t be fair to put that on him. “Everyone in this town needs you. Don’t you know that?”
