“Everything from the start?” She cut me off with a little laugh. “No, honey. We knew something was off, sure. But we didn’t know what until Easton picked him up that night, walking on the side of the highway, in the dark, like a fool. Over a few drinks at Fiddlers, he finally broke down and told them. But only because he thought it was already over.”
Her words knocked me sideways. I’d assumed Miles meant that they knew the truth the whole time.
“I think he got shook up,” Grams said with a sly smile. “That was the moment he realized he was in love with you.”
“It wasn’t about love,” I choked out, fighting tears.
She shook her head. “That’s where you’re both lying to yourselves. The rest of us saw it clear as day.”
I pressed my lips together, unable to deny it. Because every time I told myself I hated West, the truth whispered louder: Iloved him. Probably from the first moment I met him. He wasn’t the only one who’d been good at pretending.
But I wasn’t about to admit that out loud. Not here. Not now. So I changed the subject. “What brings you in today?”
“Probably the same as you.” She winked. “Tammy called me about some pillows.”
“Yeah,” I said, almost laughing. “Figured I should pick mine up. I was going to take them out to Fiddlers.”
Her eyes softened. “Speaking of Fiddlers, what are your plans for the place?”
“Nothing. I’m not accepting the deal. I didn’t hold up my end anyway. I don’t even know if I can step foot in there again. It’s just a reminder.”
Tammy reappeared then, waving me forward. Grams squeezed my hand once more. “I’ll let you handle the pillows,” she said. “But don’t make the same mistake West has. Don’t walk away from something you love just because the memories are hard. If you’ve learned anything from that grandson of mine, it’s that money doesn’t buy happiness. People do. Places do.”
She gave me a wink and wandered off toward Tammy, already talking about the fabric that was on my pillows and how she wanted it for a new tablecloth. I couldn’t help but smile, picturing her at Sunday dinner with the gaudy spread. Tammy’s nostrils flared in a way that made me laugh under my breath, and for the first time all week, I felt lighter.
“I’m here for my pillows.”
The next day, I was standing in my bedroom, staring at those same pillows. I still hadn’t found the courage to take them toFiddlers. I was taking baby steps but I was running out of time because I knew it was reopening tomorrow.
The doorbell rang and I knew Dad and Lisa were out back, so I went to get it. A man in khakis and a polo stood on the porch, holding a cardboard box.
“Caldwell?”
“Yeah,” I said warily. “What is this? New post office uniform or something?”
He laughed. “No, ma’am. I work for Brooks Enterprises. I was asked to bring this to you.”
I frowned. “What is it?”
He only smiled and handed me the box, along with a small envelope. “Just told to deliver it carefully.” Then he turned and walked away.
I closed the door and ripped open the envelope. A short note sat inside, scrawled in West’s handwriting. addressed to my dad.
Dear Mr. Caldwell,
I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to hurt Blue. It was supposed to be an innocent ruse, but it ended up being a lesson I’ll never forget. Just know there were more truths than lies. Please accept this as a peace offering. You’re the only man I know who will appreciate it as much as I do.
West
Tears blurred my vision before I could even finish reading. Dad and Lisa came inside, pausing when they saw my face. Ihanded him the note and he read it, then looked up at the box, brows furrowing.
“What’s in it?” he asked.
I shook my head. “It’s not for me. It’s for you.”
He opened it, and his breath caught so I leaned closer, and my own gasp slipped out.
The Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon LEGO set sat fully completed in the bottom of the big box. It was the exact one West had kept hidden in his secret room. The one he and my dad had bonded over the day they met. He even included the first edition certificates.
