“Isn’t it though? I could just scream from happiness,” I said, laughing.
“I bet! I’d be shouting it from the rooftops. Tell me, it’s probably nicer now, isn’t it? You had some issues before—what was it? The roof? That leak last spring?”
I raised my eyebrows, impressed by her memory. “I did get the leak fixed, and it cost me a fortune. This time, insurance covered everything. A silver lining to all of this, I suppose.”
Mya rolled her eyes. “Insurance. Don’t get me started on that mess. Anyway, I have to see Alana’s room. Did you go with a full bath up there? Or was it always a full bath? I can’t remember.”
She darted up the stairs without waiting for an answer, her energy infectious. Smiling, I followed at a slower pace, listening as she chatted from room to room.
Halfway up, the sound of a car in the driveway made me freeze. Even though Roger was gone—truly gone—I still tensed whenever an unexpected noise broke the calm. My heart racedas I crouched slightly, trying to peer through the open door from the staircase.
“What is it, Savvy?” Mya’s voice was tight, her usual cheer replaced with concern.
“Someone’s here,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
I crept back down a few steps, straining to see who it was. A car door slammed, followed by footsteps approaching the porch. My breath hitched.
I couldn’t shake the memory of Mark Detwiler’s call, informing me of Roger’s early release. Even though he’d been transferred to a psychiatric facility, the knowledge haunted me.
The shadow stretched across the porch before the figure came into view. Relief crashed over me as Jackson stepped into the doorway, his familiar frame instantly dissolving my fears.
“Looks like your house is all done and ready to move back into,” he said, smiling.
His voice held a bittersweet edge, and I knew exactly how he felt. The idea of leaving his house—the haven we’d shared—filled me with the same mix of sadness and gratitude.
I descended the stairs, my heart tugging in two directions. I glanced back at Mya, who had conveniently disappeared into Alana’s room.
When I reached him, he opened his arms hesitantly, and I didn’t think twice before stepping into them. His embrace was strong, steady, and when his lips found mine, the world fell away.
The kiss that followed was deep and all-consuming, making my knees weak. He chuckled softly, holding me tighter as if he knew exactly what he did to me.
“You look beautiful today, Savvy,” he murmured, his forehead resting against mine.
I smirked, playing with the collar of his shirt. “Just today? Not every day?”
He laughed, and the sound filled me with joy. “You’re beautiful every day,” he said, his eyes sparkling with sincerity.
I gave him a quick peck on the lips, and his surprised grin made my heart skip a beat.
“Come upstairs with me,” I said, tugging his hand. “I haven’t seen Alana’s room yet, and I need to make sure they followed my instructions.”
We bounded up the stairs, our excitement matching Alana’s, even though she wasn’t there to share it. As we rounded the corner, we nearly collided with Mya, who was grinning from ear to ear.
The moment I stepped into Alana’s room, my breath caught.
The Noah’s Ark mural was exactly as I’d imagined, down to the tiniest detail. Giraffes peeked out of painted windows, their long necks stretching toward the ceiling, while elephants and lions crowded the lower decks.
The ark itself looked as if it could sail right out of the walls, its golden-brown hues glowing under the soft light from the elephant-shaped lamps.
I ran my fingers over the smooth surface of Alana’s new race-car bed, smiling as I imagined her jumping onto it, her laughter filling the room. The closet, slightly larger than before, was already stocked with a few of her favorite outfits, carefully hung in anticipation of her arrival.
“This is more than a room,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “It’s a fresh start for both of us.”
Jackson stood beside me, his gaze soft. “She’s going to love it, Savvy. You’ve thought of everything.”
I turned to him, my heart swelling. “I just want her to feel safe. Like this house is still her home.”
His hand brushed mine, and I felt the steady warmth of his touch, grounding me.
