by Jordan Ford
Thank God it’s dark or my brothers would never let me live it down.
But this has got to be a day that will go down in history. I’ve figured out a lot of shit in the last twenty-four hours.
And finally, after all this time, I can move forward, freed from the torment of unsolved mystery and injustice.
Finally, I have the right to tell Caity I love her.
#39:
Home
Caitlin
The thing I hate most about hospitals is the smell.
Sure, it’s clean and sterile, but it’s such a stark reminder that I’m not home. Nothing in a hospital smells like home.
I don’t want to be here. I want to be in Legacy.
Never thought I’d say that, but there it is.
I want to be at Misty Mountain Inn with Riley and his family. I want to be sitting around a table, finding out every little detail about what happened at the cabin.
Dad refused to answer my barrage of questions as he drove me down the hill. He was too focused on getting me to the hospital. Much to my angst and annoyance, he took off without Riley. The guys had to hike back into town with Uncle Kurt.
I was livid but pain stole most of the fight from my argument and I ended up crying the whole way down the hill.
Crying and asking questions. Dad refusing to answer them only made me cry harder.
I was a blubbering wreck by the time we reached the ER. Dad carried me in and I then had to go through the trauma of telling my own story.
Because of how it all went down, they made me stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Observation, they called it.
I don’t care what the hell it’s called.
I want out.
My arm is set in a cast and my hypothermia was relatively mild.
I’m still aching all over and stupidly tired, but I’m fine.
I mean, I’ll no doubt dream about Antonio’s falling cry for a while yet, but I can manage it. If Riley can live through what he did, then I can live through this.
Riley.
I’m desperate to see him.
I spent most of yesterday begging Dad to drive back to Legacy and collect him for me. But he refused.
“You don’t get it!” I screamed. “I love him and even if you hate him, that won’t stop me!”
I may as well have slapped him in the face. Tia, my ally through this entire thing, gave me a look that said I crossed a line. Dad shuffled to the door, tired and rejected, while Tia took my hand and softly reprimanded me. “You have no idea what he’s been through. That man loves you more than life itself.”
“And I love Riley,” I argued back.
Her smile was sad but all-knowing. Leaning forward, she kissed me on the forehead and whispered, “I’ll keep working on him, but you be nice. Try to understand where he’s coming from, okay? He just needs time. You and I both know Riley’s a great guy, but after everything that’s gone down in Legacy over the past couple of days, your dad just wants to wrap you in cotton wool.”
I let out a dissatisfied sigh, but managed to mumble, “I get it. I’m sorry, okay?”
“I know.” She winked. “Now get some rest. Things are going to work out.”
She slipped out the door and Dad never came back in. Guilt sat on my shoulders, heavy and distressing. I managed a little sleep, but every time I woke I either felt bad because of what I said or angry because I was desperate to see the guy who climbed down a cliff for me.
Needless to say, I’m pretty damn tired right now.
Dad still hasn’t arrived to collect me. No one has.
I want Riley, but I doubt he’ll be walking through the door anytime soon.
He promised he’d never let me go again. Did he mean it? Or were we just caught up in the whole crisis of the moment?
Will he be waiting for me when I get back to Legacy, or has Dad shooed him out of town?
I squeeze my eyes shut, frustration rolling through me.
Tia told me the bulk of the story yesterday. Kurt filled her in and I now know all about the harrowing events I missed. Ana’s father is in FBI custody. He’ll go to prison for sure. Legacy has been turned upside down with the investigation, not to mention by the arrival of reporters who also got wind of the Eton Prep runaways. Tongues can’t do anything but wag about the haunted cabin, especially with Riley and his family staying in town. Ana’s mother is still with them. Apparently she’s really lovely and has already agreed to testify against her husband.
The search and rescue team that arrived for me is now looking for Antonio’s body. I shuddered when she told me that part. I wonder how Jules feels about it all.
Man, I want to see them so bad!
Glancing at my watch, I swear at the time. Dad was supposed to be here ten minutes ago.
I’ve already signed my own discharge papers. All I’m waiting for now is a ride home.
The nurse helped me get dressed into the clean clothes Tia brought.
I’m packed and ready to go, sitting by the nurses’ station, my knee bobbing impatiently.
“Come on,” I mutter, picking up my phone and checking the screen.
Riley hasn’t been able to call because his phone was smashed in the car accident. My insides crumple every time I picture his car getting slammed and rolling into the ditch. It’s a miracle he wasn’t badly injured.
Tia made him go to the doctor though, and he’s gotten his bangs and bruises patched up.
I want to see him.
I need to see him!
Gripping the bag between my feet, I glance down the corridor looking for Dad.
What I see brings tears to my eyes.
Riley.
He’s walking towards me, tall and handsome. I nearly didn’t recognize him without his short beard, but I would know those eyes anywhere. That clean-shaven guy with no glasses, faded jeans and pale blue hoodie is my man.
At least I hope he is.
The second he sees me, his face breaks into a grin.
I lurch out of my chair and run to him. I’d love to throw myself into his arms, but with the sling and everything, I have to settle for wrapping my good arm around his shoulders and kissing his neck.
He holds me tight on my good side, gently caressing my broken arm when I lean back to look at him.
“You’re here.”
He snickers. “Sorry I’m late. It took some pretty stern words from Tia before your dad would relinquish the keys.”
“He let you borrow his truck? I can’t believe that.”
“Yeah, well, he wasn’t having it until I yelled at him that I’m in love with you and I don’t care what I have to do to become your boyfriend.”
I go still, my heart starting to overflow.
“Tia heard me say it and busted into the store to back me up. It was seriously a thing of beauty.”
I laugh. “You’re a thing of beauty.” Resting my hand on his cheek, I gaze into those blue eyes. “You really told my dad you love me?”
“Yeah.” He splays his hand on my lower back. “And I probably should have told you first, but I figured he had a right to know.”
“You love me?” It’s hard to keep the shake from my voice.
Riley’s smile is tender as he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, Caity. I love you.”
“So, you’re not going to push me away again? Or leave me?”
He shakes his head. “Not unless you want me to.”
“No way. I want to follow you wherever you go.”
“Okay.” He grins. “Or maybe I should follow you.”
Pressing my forehead against his, I whisper, “Why don’t we just walk side by side?”
“Sounds perfect to me.” His voice is husky, his blue eyes swirling with emotion.
I can’t help a shaky laugh as he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. His mouth is warm and full, his tongue teasing my lips apart. I respond immediately, opening my mouth and not caring that we’re in a busy hospital corridor. At this moment, Riley
and I are the only people in the world. His tongue twirling around mine, his hand gliding up my back—they’re all that matter.
I have no idea how long we stay that way, but eventually the noises of the hospital come back into focus and we force ourselves apart.
Riley’s lips twitch, like it’s taking him a second to find his ground again.
I can’t help a triumphant smirk.
He snickers and shakes his head. “You all checked out of this place?”
I nod.
“Then I better get you home.” Riley lets me go and walks back to grab my bag.
Switching it into his other hand, he takes my free one and walks beside me as we head out of the hospital.
I can’t stop smiling as we weave through the corridors and out the front door. The day is overcast but it feels like the middle of summer. The cool wind can’t touch me today.
I’m filled with this overflowing kind of joy. It’s warm and happy, and scares away the doubts I’ve been fighting.
Riley loves me.
He told my dad and everything!
I can’t even explain how big my heart feels right now. I’m just so incredibly full.
“Hey, so I was thinking.” Riley glances at me as we head to Dad’s truck. “I was doing some research yesterday and it looks like I can finish up high school online. If I work really hard, I should be able to graduate by the end of the summer.”
Excitement spurts through me but I try to keep my voice casual. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Riley stops by Dad’s truck and gently pulls me against him. “Want to go to college with me, Caitlin Powell?”
I’m sure my smile could stand in for the sun today. Riley grins at my excited expression, then leans forward to kiss me again.
Our kiss is warm with desire, and fueled by an excited kind of hope.
College.
A future together.
Looks like Legacy might give me everything I ever wanted after all.
#Epilogue:
Until Caitlin
Riley
17 months later…
I glance across at Caity, reaching over to squeeze her leg as we drive up the mountain to Legacy.
She looks so freaking hot today I can barely stand it.
I’m not used to seeing her in makeup and heels, but she wanted to put on her best for Kade and Julienne’s pre-wedding party.
Yes, my brother is tying the knot. He waited until Spring Break so that Caity and I could come up for the full week. Celebrations start this afternoon, and the official wedding kicks off in three days.
Three days!
Can’t believe Kade’s the first to marry.
None of us saw it coming. Not even Jules.
Trey and I had no idea he was planning to propose. Hell, I don’t even think Kade did.
But apparently when he signed Ellen’s birth papers, naming him as the father, he turned to Jules and blurted, “I want to be an official family. You have to marry me. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Ana told me the story in full detail, calling it the most unromantic proposal in the world.
It worked for Jules though. Apparently her eyes welled with tears and she blubbered out a yes. Then they started making out in the courthouse.
I laugh every time I think about it.
“What’s so funny?” Caity brushes a strand of hair off her cheek.
“Just thinking about Kade’s proposal.”
She snorts and laughs too. It’s the prettiest sound in the world, I swear. I’ve been living with it for a year now and I love it more and more.
We moved down to Denver last summer. We’re not actually living together, but we’re on the same floor in the dorm.
The University of Denver.
They accepted us both. Caity scored herself a partial scholarship, and thanks to my parents setting me up for life, I didn’t need any extra funding.
I’m loving college life. It’s everything I wanted it to be. And having Caity only a few rooms away makes it perfect.
Well, not perfect.
I miss my family. They all decided to turn the cabin into a permanent home. I was kind of surprised at first. After the media frenzy died down and the investigation came to an end, we had the entire country to choose from.
Kade and Jules were engaged by then, and she had her heart set on getting married on Pinecone Hill. They figured they’d stay at least until then, and it’s taken them this long to finally arrange the thing.
The truth is, Trey and Kade love it up in the mountains and they keep finding excuses to stay.
I can’t begrudge them the life they want.
Now that they’re free to come and go from Legacy as they please, life up there is that much easier. The five of them live together, happy to work the land. Ellie is growing up surrounded by people who love her. Jules even brings her down the mountain a few times a week to hang out with Tia and the twins. Apparently there’s another young family who live in town as well. Jules has been hanging out with them too.
I can’t wait to see my family again.
Caity and I drive up to Legacy for all the holidays. It only takes about six hours, which isn’t too bad. We hang out in the cabin and down in town too. Al’s softening up, very slowly. I still get the evil eye whenever we arrive, but I think he notices how happy Caity is, and then he accepts the fact he can’t get rid of me.
Maybe one day he’ll greet me with a smile.
Maybe one day he’ll think of me like a son.
I keep my eyes ahead and hope Caity doesn’t notice the twitch of my lips. At the rate we’re going, I’ll be asking Caitlin to marry me as soon as we finish college. I’m kind of hoping we can find an apartment near campus in the new school year, but that’s something I’ll broach over the summer.
Summer.
Oh man, I can’t wait!
We’re planning on being in Legacy for most of it. We’ll fish, hang out. I’ll help Trey with his secret project.
I rub a hand over my mouth to hide my grin. I swore I wouldn’t tell a soul, not even Caity. It’s been a killer not to say anything, but he’s going to announce his plans the day after the wedding. I can’t wait to see Ana’s face.
For now, it’s all about Kade and Julienne’s wedding. It’s going to be a small affair. Julienne’s mom is bringing her brothers up tomorrow. I’m looking forward to meeting them. And even Kade’s parents said they’d come. Having him disappear for those months shook them up. Not enough to be decent parents or anything, but enough to come to his wedding. They’re still awkward weirdos who are allergic to parenting, but it’s nice that they’re coming to the wedding. I doubt they’ll stick around afterwards. It doesn’t matter though. Kade’s got enough awesome people in his life to fill that space. Tia and Al have become surrogate parents, along with Ana’s mother. She’s kept her home in Florida but ends up spending huge chunks of time in Legacy from May to September. The Misty Mountain Inn always keeps a room for her. From what Ana’s said, she’s becoming kind of friendly with the owner. He’s a fifty-year-old widow and totally smitten.
My nose wrinkles, but I have to concede that she deserves to fall in love with someone decent.
Lucca Sorrentino’s serving a lifetime sentence at a prison in Florida. As far as I know, he’s yet to have one visitor.
“Nearly there.” Caity’s voice is light and happy. She doesn’t admit it readily, but she secretly adores Legacy. The place is filled with people she cares about, and she gets giddy every time we turn that last bend and Main Street pops into view.
I slow down as we enter town and Caity’s already waving at someone. I glance in my rearview mirror and see it’s Kurt. I honk the horn to acknowledge him, then pull into the free space outside the General Store.
“Sweet Pea!” Al’s voice booms so loud I can hear it inside the store.
Caity’s out of the vehicle in a flash, hugging her father the second he appears in the doorway.
I take my time getting out of
my silver SUV. It’s brand new—a twenty-first birthday present to myself. I figured my parents would love my choice. Uncle Rafe would slap me on the shoulder and tell me I did good.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, I’m prepping myself for an awkward greeting with Caity’s dad but I don’t get the chance.
“Rywee!” a little girl yells behind me.
Spinning with a grin, I spread my arms wide and laugh as Ellie runs towards me on her little legs. Picking her up with a laugh, I throw her in the air and catch her against me. She giggles and wraps her pudgy arms around my neck.
“Rywee.” She giggles my name and kisses my cheek.
“Hey, bean.” I laugh. “I’ve missed you.”
“Hey, man.” Kade wraps us both in a bear hug before mussing my hair and walking past me to kiss Caity on the cheek. “Good trip up?”
He and Caity get caught up in a mix of banter and conversation. Al’s in on it too, and they’re all laughing over something I didn’t hear.
I don’t care. I’m having cuddle time with Ellie.
I grin at my niece, who’s growing cuter by the day.
“You’re here!” Jules grabs my attention. She runs across to me and gives me a hug.
“Rywee,” Ellie tells her mother while snuggling against my shoulder.
“I know, baby. Isn’t it great to have him home?”
“Staying?” She looks at me, her big eyes nothing but pure innocence.
I know what she’s asking, but I don’t have the heart to tell her it’ll just be for the week. Instead, I tip her nose and promise what I can. “I wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world. And I’ll be back again for the summer. We’re gonna have a blast you and me.”
She giggles and claps her hands, then gets distracted by the twins. With a high-pitched squeal she wiggles out of my arms and runs around to the girls, who are wrapped around each of Caity’s legs. She’s laughing and trying to hug Tia at the same time.
I watch with a smile, once again struck by the effect such a simple sight has on me.
“She looks gorgeous today,” Jules murmurs.
“My girl’s smokin’.” Glancing back at Jules, I grin and rub her shoulder. “And you are stunning.”