Had she actually done it? All for what?
Did she really think that would be the thing to make Jude go back to Seattle? It wasn’t just the business that kept him here. It was the same reasons that cemented me to this town.
The community.
His family.
Wanting to belong to something bigger than me.
To give back and to protect.
Money wasn’t the sole purpose for that. Our project was just one of many that went to prop up the town. And yes, dammit, we did turn a profit, but it wasn’t just to pad our bank account. It was for the families in Cove Gardens who wanted to fill their houses with kids, dogs, and a yard full of toys.
The bikes on their sides next to a skateboard left behind because they were called in for dinner.
Once the houses were built, I’d sometimes take a ride through the development to see what came after the build. The life that blossomed in the houses we made sure were safe for a family. Not quick, shoddy work with base materials. We made sure they’d last forty or fifty years without needing much more than maintenance.
It had been so much more rewarding than riding the high of a stock market deal.
And I’d never have found out I needed more than what I’d been groomed to do if my sister Luna hadn’t come back into my life. If she hadn’t showed me that family could be warmth and laughter.
She’d been the first step in showing me I didn’t have to live with the path chosen for me.
And I’d thought Sydney might be the next one.
But she’d lied.
I pushed away from my computer. I was too strung out seeing where she’d been in our files. Her tainted fingers touching everything we’d built. Everything we’d trusted her to be a part of.
My phone chimed in my pocket.
I had it on silent for everyone save one.
My sister.
Luna:
Hey big brother. Got that tool belt handy? I need some help. I’ll pay in chicken and mac salad.
My fingers hovered over my screen, ready to reply “no.”
I was in no shape to be around anyone.
Then a photo of Luna and Milo came through.
Luna:
Cute nephew photo included for extra added pretty please buttering purposes.
I laughed.
See you in a few.
Luna:
Yesssss.
Then came a series of GIFs expanding in her joy that only my sister would send. Since Luna rarely asked for help, I imagined it was a doozy.
