by Force, Marie
Noah and Brianna returned to the kitchen, and Molly immediately noticed the tears in her usually unemotional nephew’s eyes. She was appalled to know what his wife had done to him, keeping his son a secret.
“You talked to your mother?” Molly asked.
“I did. She can’t wait to meet her grandson, but like me, she’s upset to know he’s already more than two, and we’ve missed so much.”
“Don’t let it make you bitter, son,” Elmer said. “It’s a terrible thing she did, but what matters is now you know, and you can be part of your son’s life going forward. The blessing is he’ll never know you weren’t there at the beginning.”
“That’s true, Gramps. Thanks for that.”
“You wanted to show Brianna the house,” Molly said.
“Yes,” Noah said. “We’re thinking about going into business together, restoring old barns like this one once was and making them into homes.”
“That’s an exciting idea,” Linc said.
“I first started thinking about it when Gray moved into the church, and I thought that was the second-coolest house I’d ever seen, after this one, and how there might be a market for that sort of thing.”
“Especially among the folks who come up for ski season,” Elmer said. “I like it a lot. You’ll do great at that.”
“There’s an old horse barn for sale up by Gavin’s lumberyard,” Max said, referring to his brother-in-law. “You should check that out. The place is crumbling, but the bones are there.”
“We’ll take a look. Thanks for the info.”
“Let’s take that tour,” Molly said. “There’s nothing I love more than showing off this house. Linc bought it sight unseen, not knowing that cows used to live here.”
“No way,” Brianna said, laughing. “What did you say when you heard he’d bought it?”
“I told him he was insane, but it turned out that he was on to something.”
“He was definitely on to something.” Brianna took in the massive family room that occupied half the first floor. “This is incredible.”
“You should see this place at Christmas,” Noah said. “Aunt Molly puts a massive tree at that end, and everything is decorated. It was always my favorite place to be at Christmas.”
“I never knew that,” Molly said, touched.
“We all loved being here.”
“That’s very nice to hear, my friend. We do love a good holiday around here.”
She showed them the smaller sitting room where they spent most of their time.
“This is so cozy,” Brianna said.
“We almost always have a fire going in here, even in the summer, and this is where you’ll most often find us.”
“I love this room,” Noah said. “We’ve watched a lot of hockey games in here.”
Molly took them upstairs and showed them the master bedroom that she and Linc had expanded to include an en suite bathroom after their children left. Max had moved back home after becoming a single father to Caden, and they were more than happy to have the two of them around. Their big barn had gotten quiet after the kids moved out.
“I love everything about this lovely home,” Brianna said.
“The new master is awesome, Aunt Molly,” Noah said. “I hadn’t seen that.”
“You were still in California when we did that.”
“This was Wade’s room.” Molly showed Brianna a closet-size room that had little more than a twin-size bed in it. “He was our loner. I think if he hadn’t had this room to escape to, his siblings might’ve driven him mad.”
“That’s great,” Brianna said, chuckling.
They went back downstairs and rejoined Linc, Elmer, Max and Caden at the table. The little guy was now sitting on the lap of his delighted great-grandfather.
“This place is spectacular,” Brianna said. “I’m incredibly impressed that you did most of the work yourselves.”
“It was a labor of love,” Linc said with a warm look for Molly.
“It was a good thing I loved him when he told me he’d bought this place,” Molly said. “I had to break it to him that he’d bought a falling-down piece of crap.”
“All I saw the first time we came here was potential,” Linc said.
“Sure, you did,” Molly said, laughing. “It was a mess, but we made it work.”
“They were young and in love and determined,” Elmer said. “And look at what they built together.”
“A barn and ten children,” Noah said.
“We didn’t plan the ten children. That just kind of happened.”
“And we have a deal about not discussing how that happened,” Elmer said, glaring at her and Linc, who laughed the way they always did when he said that.
“We have no idea how it happened,” Molly said. “Especially the two sets of twins.”
Elmer covered his ears with Caden’s hands. “Make it stop.”
Brianna laughed hard, which made Molly happy. Her sister, Hannah, had told her about Brianna’s ex-husband’s murder as well as the hell he’d put the poor girl through before they split.
“We’ve got to go,” Noah said. “I thought I might take Bri up to see Colton and Lucy and the sugaring facility. I also want to take her to meet Hannah and Dexter.”
“Make sure you call before you go up to Colton’s,” Molly said. “According to Lucy, he likes to run around naked up there.”
“Dear God,” Noah said. “He really is feral.”
“We did what we could with him,” Linc said as Brianna laughed helplessly.
“May I use your phone again?” Noah asked.
“Our phone is your phone.”
While Noah went to call his cousin, Molly placed her hand on Brianna’s arm. “We’re here for you and Noah if there’s anything at all either of you needs.”
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Abbott.”
“It’s Molly—and he’s Linc, and he’s Elmer.”
“And I’m Max,” her youngest son said with a cheeky grin.
“Your family is very kind and welcoming,” Brianna said. “I’ve appreciated that more than you know in the last few days.”
“We were sorry to hear about your ex-husband,” Elmer said.
“Thank you, but I don’t feel right about accepting condolences for him. We had a very acrimonious split more than a year ago, and while I wouldn’t wish what happened to him on anyone, I’m relieved to no longer be married to him.”
“It’s a strange mix of emotions, I’m sure,” Elmer said.
“It is,” Brianna said with a sigh.
Noah returned to the kitchen. “Colton assures me he’s fully clothed and would love to show us his mountain.”
“You’ll enjoy that,” Molly said. “But I apologize in advance for my son.”
Brianna laughed. “Thank you so much for showing me your gorgeous home and for the delicious hot chocolate.”
“Come any time. We still do Sunday dinner, Noah, and you’re always welcome.”
“Thanks, Auntie.” He hugged her, Linc and Elmer and gave Max and Caden pats on the head. “Good to see you guys.”
“You, too,” Linc said. “We’re looking forward to meeting Elliott.”
“I am, too. You have no idea how much.”
“That boy has hit the father jackpot, son,” Elmer said. “He’ll find that out soon enough.”
“Thank you, Gramps,” Noah said gruffly.
Molly walked them to the mudroom and waved them off as they drove away.
“It seems our Noah is rather smitten,” Elmer said when Molly returned to her seat at the table. “And with a lovely young woman.”
“She is. I love that they’re talking about going into business together.”
“Weren’t they fighting constantly a few weeks ago?” Max asked.
“That they were,” Elmer said with a chuckle. “But your father and I conspired to see if there might be some sparks under the animosity, and lo and behold, look at them now.”
“You’re so
full of yourself, Gramps,” Max said with a chuckle.
“What can I say? I know love when I see it brewing.”
“I can’t with this,” Max said. “Unless you’ve got something brewing for me, that is.”
“Not yet, my boy, but your day will come, and when it does, I predict an epic love for the ages.”
“As I said, I’ll believe it when I see it,” Max said.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“So it’s true, when all is said and done,
grief is the price we pay for love.”
—E.A. Bucchianeri
“That was fantastic,” Brianna said. “What a gorgeous home. My brain is exploding with ideas and barn doors and wood-planked floors and cased openings.” She gave a little shiver of excitement. “To be honest, that’s the part of each project I enjoy the most—the design decisions. If I hadn’t gone into architecture, I think I might’ve ended up in interior design.”
“I’m glad it inspired you. Before we go up to the mountain, I want to stop at home and check my messages to see if she called me yet.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Noah reached for her hand. “I can’t believe I’m looking forward to a call from her.”
“Only so you can see your son.”
“Yeah.”
“Your grandfather was right, you know.”
“He usually is.”
“Elliott will never remember the years you weren’t there. You’ll be his dad, and he’ll love you.”
“I hope so.”
“He will, Noah. I promise.”
“I know nothing about kids.”
“You’ll learn the same way every new parent does. We’ll put together a room for him at your place and get him some toys, and you’ll teach him to ski and take him sledding, and before long, he’ll be following you around like a happy little puppy.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It’ll be great.”
“Thanks for the support today. I’d be going crazy without you here to keep me sane.”
“Same goes, love.”
“I’m sorry that my thing has taken over your thing.”
She waved a hand to dismiss the statement. “Your thing is a big deal.”
“Yours is, too.”
“No, mine is a sad thing that happened to someone I used to know. It’s got nothing to do with my life today, which is pretty damned good and getting better all the time.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“I never thought I’d be so excited to check out a junky old horse barn.”
“We’ll do that on the way back from Colton’s. I know exactly where it is.”
Brianna clapped her hands together. “I can’t wait.”
At Noah’s, they were surprised to find the house free of Colemans.
“Wonder where they all are?”
The red light on the answering machine flashed with a message. Noah pushed the button to play it.
“Um, Noah, it’s Melinda. I, um, Gray was here, and well, I wanted to arrange a time for you to see Elliott. I, um, I’m sorry, Noah. I didn’t know what to do after everything happened, and I, ah, I’m sorry. Call me.” She recited her number, which he wrote down.
Noah called her right back before he could come up with a thousand reasons to be nervous about talking to her for the first time since that dreadful day three years earlier.
Melinda answered on the third ring.
“It’s Noah.”
“Hi.”
“When can I see him?”
“Would tomorrow be okay?”
“Yes. You’ll bring him here?”
“I will.”
“By yourself.”
“I understand.”
“What time?”
“Around four?”
“See you then.”
He ended the call before he could lose his shit and start screaming at her. That wouldn’t help anything.
“She’s bringing him here tomorrow.”
Brianna came to him and hugged him.
It took a second for him to release the rage and tension that made him want to recoil from her touch, until he remembered it was Brianna holding him. He loved her and was safe with her. Noah sagged against her, soaking up the love she gave him so willingly.
“It’s going to be okay,” she said softly. “I promise.”
Because there was nothing else he could do, Noah grabbed hold of her assurances. “Thanks.”
He held her for several more minutes and then pulled himself together to salvage their day. “I promised you a visit to Colton’s mountain.”
“We don’t have to do that if you’d rather not.”
“I want to. I need to keep busy so I don’t spend the whole day stewing.”
“Then let’s go.”
* * *
While Noah ran upstairs to put on warmer boots, Brianna took a second to check her phone while connected to Wi-Fi. She’d received a text from her cousin, Dominique.
OMG, Bri. Heard about Rem. Are you ok? I don’t even know what to ask. I’m here if you need me for anything. Love you.
I’m ok. I was shocked, of course, but ok. The cops questioned me, but I couldn’t tell them much. It’s all so tragically sad—every bit of it.
So sad. You have to figure you weren’t the only one he pulled his gaslighting shit on.
Definitely not. Talked to his parents. I feel so bad for them.
Ugh, those poor people. They’re so sweet, and he put them through hell. Do you want me to come up? I can if you need me.
Thank you for offering, but Noah is here, and he’s been great. He’s got some crazy stuff of his own going on (ex-wife with a 2 y/o son that’s his, and she never TOLD HIM), so we’re propping each other up.
OMG, seriously? Wow. So things are good with him?
Really good. Thinking about what’s next after the inn and hoping it includes him.
OH, BRI! I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to meet him! I told you he was worth a second chance.
I can’t wait either, and yes, you were right about that. I’ll call you to catch up soon.
Take care and let me know if I can do anything.
Appreciate you checking on me. Xo
Noah came stomping down the stairs and walked into the kitchen as she finished the last text to Dom. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, that was my cousin. She heard about Rem and was checking on me.”
“I guess the word is out.”
“I suppose so.”
“Do you want to see what the Boston media is saying about it?”
“No.” That was the last thing she wanted to do. “I think I’m better off not knowing.”
“I tend to agree. You still want to go to Colton’s?”
“Absolutely. Let’s go.”
Noah drove them up the mountain to his cousin’s home at the top of a steep incline that required four-wheel drive to navigate.
“Do they ever get stuck up here?”
“Sometimes for days at a time.”
“Gulp. Not sure I’d like that. What does his wife say about that? She’s Emma’s sister, right?”
“That’s right, and Lucy is a good sport. She’d have to be to put up with Colton.” He took another curve and headed up an even steeper incline that seemed to go straight up into the clouds.
Brianna held on a little tighter to the armrest. “Are you sure this is safe?”
Noah laughed. “Perfectly safe, or I never would’ve brought you here.”
“How do we get back down?”
“Carefully.”
“I can’t with this place.”
“I thought you were going to give us a whirl year-round.”
“I was going to until you brought me to the top of the world.”
“Good news. There’s cell service up here.”
“Of course there is.”
The road finally leveled off into a yard with a driveway and several log-cabin-style buildings.
Two yellow Labs came running over to greet them.
“The dogs are Sarah and Elmer, named for our grandparents.”
“How does your grandfather feel about having a great-granddog named for him?”
“He was very honored.”
A bearded man with long hair, wearing only a flannel shirt and jeans, came over to greet them.
“Is he barefoot?” Brianna asked.
“Looks that way.”
“Are my eyes deceiving me, or has my cousin Noah Coleman come to visit?” Colton asked in a big booming voice as he hugged Noah and lifted him right off his feet.
“Put me down, you oaf.”
Colton released him and pounded him on the back. “Good to see you, bud. I was so glad you called and asked to come up. I even put clothes on for the occasion.”
“You forgot shoes,” Noah said.
“Ah damn, I knew I forgot something. Who’s this lovely young lady you’ve brought to meet me?”
“Brianna, meet my cousin Colton Abbott. Colton, Brianna Esposito, the architect on the inn project.”
Colton gave him an arch look. “The architect, you say. Hmmm, it seems I’d heard about some—what’s the word I’m looking for—animosity between the two of you.”
“That was so last month.” Noah put his arm around her. “We get along much better now.”
Colton flashed a big, goofy grin. “Is that right? Well, good for you. Come in out of the cold and meet my Lucy.” He whistled for the dogs and led them all into a cozy cabin, where the heat from the woodstove was a welcome relief after the icy air outside.
How did he walk around out there with no coat or shoes?
“Luce, we’ve got company. Noah has brought Brianna to meet us.”
Brianna could immediately see that Lucy was hugely pregnant. “Don’t get up.” She crossed the big, open room to shake hands with Lucy, who had shoulder-length red hair and green eyes. Brianna noted an uncanny resemblance to her niece, Simone. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Welcome to our mountain.”
“That ride up was quite something.”
“You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the ride down,” Lucy said with a grin.
“Ah, God, I’m already terrified.”
“No need to be terrified,” Colton said. “Noah knows his way around these parts.”