by Holly Jacobs
“He’s not that confused, Sebastian. He might get mixed up, especially at night, but he’s not going to drive his car off the bridge,” Lily said.
“What if he went down to one of the beaches?” Sebastian asked. There were docks and piers. Any number of ways a confused old man could end up in Lake Erie.
Sebastian had striven so hard to be all sunshiny rainbows like Pollyanna here, but all he could do for the remainder of the trip was think about the ways Hank could be injured or worse. Sebastian knew that even the most mundane moment could turn to tragedy in a heartbeat.
Everyone seemed to sense his need for quiet.
Lily continued to sit next to him and hold his hand for the entire ride.
And what little comfort he found was there in her grip.
* * *
LILY WISHED SHE COULD do more than hold Sebastian’s hand on the bus. But she couldn’t come up with anything. She speculated where Hank might have gone, but again, drew a blank.
She could practically feel the tension flowing from Sebastian, but he held himself in check. Once the party bus eventually dropped them off at the library, they all drove to the diner and hurried inside what had become command central.
Red greeted them. “Megan’s still at your house, Sebastian. And...” He launched into who was where and what progress they had made.
Lily spotted her mother in the kitchen. “I’m sorry you had to deal with this, Mom.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry, Lily Claire. I’ve let you down again. I should have watched Hank closer.”
“Mom, you weren’t here to babysit. This is no one’s fault. If I’d been here, I’d have been in the office, and he’d have still left.”
“I wish I could do more.” Her mother had coffee brewing in every pot and was busy putting out snacks for people who’d been out searching for Hank.
“You’re doing a lot, Mom. I’m so glad you’re here.” She hugged her mom, and as her mother’s arms enveloped her, Lily felt safe.
“I want to help. I’ll do anything—”
“I know, Mom.”
“I feel like I let you down again. All those years...” Her mom went silent.
In the midst of the chaos, Lily spotted Sebastian heading toward the door. She knew he was going out looking. If he hadn’t taken off, she would have.
She followed him. “How about another pair of eyes?”
For a moment she thought he would say no, but he nodded and said nothing. He’d been pretty quiet ever since the bus, not that she blamed him.
His cell phone rang and he whipped it out of his pocket, hitting the speaker button. “Colton?”
“I stopped home to get a floodlight and found your grandfather’s car parked behind my barn,” Colton said. “I can’t find him, but how far could he have gone on foot?”
“I’ll be right out.” Sebastian turned to Lily. “I’ll take that pair of eyes.”
“Let’s take more than mine,” she said, running back into the diner and giving everyone the news. “We’re moving the search out to Colton’s. He found Hank’s car, but no Hank yet.”
Sebastian was the first in a line of cars driving to the farm north of Five. Lily’s eyes were glued to the road on her side of the car, just in case. “We’ll find him,” she repeated softly, as much because she needed to hear the words as Sebastian did.
They parked by Hank’s car, and Colton came down from the house to meet them. “I’ve been all over the yard and buildings. No sign of him. Finn and Mattie should be here in a few minutes—they were on the far side of town when I called. And Dylan’s on his way.”
“Let’s head to the woods,” Sebastian said. “I can’t help but worry about the creek. What if he falls in in the dark? There are a few sections that are deep.”
Lily voiced her barely formed thought. “I was thinking of way back behind the barn. When we were out here for the picnic, Hank went in that direction with Mickey.”
Colton nodded. “Mickey and the girls helped me put up a surprise for Sophie back there.”
“If Hank’s confused, I think he’d head somewhere he’d been recently rather than the woods,” she said.
“But what if he did?” Sebastian barked. “The creek’s not deep, but he’s an old, confused man. And the swimming hole is downstream. He could...”
Colton gave her a look that said, I’ve got this. “Seb, I don’t know that he’s ever gone in the woods, much less the swimming hole. If it were you or Finn who was missing out here, that’s where I’d look, but Lily’s right. Hank would go somewhere familiar to him, and other than my yard or house, the only place I know he’s ever been is with Mickey.”
“Fine,” Sebastian said. “We’ll start there and then we’ll move toward the woods.”
“I’ll stay here and whoever arrives first I’ll send to the creek. I’ll ring the bell if someone finds him.” Colton looked at Lily. “That bell can be heard for miles. It’s how we got called into dinner every night.”
With giantlike strides, Sebastian started for the area behind the barn.
“Slow up a bit,” Lily begged as she hurried to keep up.
“I don’t know why he’d go this way,” Sebastian grumbled.
“I don’t, either, but his car was parked by the barn, not back behind the house or closer to the woods. It makes as much sense as anything.” He’d slowed down, but she still had to sprint to match his pace. “What did Colton put back here?”
“Sophie wanted their wedding on his land. On the land where they’re planning to spend their future and raise a family. She’d chosen to have the ceremony under the trees, but he wanted something more, so he built an arbor and he’s got viney, flowery stuff on it. It’s supposed to bloom in mid-June. He wanted to surprise her.”
“He is a perfect guy, isn’t he? He knows her so well and would do anything for her. Sophie will love it.”
He paused and then said, “I hope so.”
“Perfect,” she murmured.
Lily was so invested in Sophie and Colton’s relationship because she needed a couple to believe in. She needed two people to marry and actually be happy. She thought of Finn and Mattie. She hadn’t seen much of them together lately, but she suspected they might be on their way to a happily-ever-after, too.
She looked at the intense man walking next to her and suddenly wished things were different. She wished she could be Mattie or Sophie and build a life with a man. This man. But she knew how it would end. She remembered when she said she’d marry Justin. Panic had swept over her even though she’d pushed it aside and convinced herself she could ignore her past. “They’re going to be happy, aren’t they?”
“I think so. There will be good times and bad, but yes, I think they’ll be happy.” He stopped a moment, put his hands on her shoulders and made her face him. “He’d never hit her.”
Lily almost laughed at the thought of Colton ever doing anything to hurt Sophie. “Well, obviously. I mean, if I thought he might, I’d never be in the wedding. I’d do whatever I could to stop Sophie, but he’s not like that at all.”
Sebastian nodded.
“I’ve seen all kinds of men at their worst, Sebastian. When they’re sick or injured. Joe’s dad, for instance. He was in so much pain, and his wife had walked out on him and the kids, but even when he was grumpy with me, I knew he’d never hurt me. I really do know that all men aren’t like my father. They don’t drink and they don’t prey on people who are weaker than they are.”
She began walking toward the field again.
“Lily, I’ll never hurt you,” he said from behind her.
She didn’t turn around. “I told you. I know that, too.”
“You’ve trusted me, even when I was at my worst.”
She wasn’t sure why she’d trusted him at first, but he was right. She had. “I did. I do.”
“So when I tell you that—”
She pointed at the gazebo that was visible in the moonlight. “There he is.”
She ra
n toward the figure, or maybe she was running from whatever Sebastian’s declaration was going to be. She didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to deal with it. “Hank?” she called.
Sebastian jogged close behind her. He still had a slight limp that was evident when he moved faster than a walk.
“Well, hi, you two,” Hank said, as if nothing was wrong. As if they came to Colton’s fields on a regular basis.
“Hank, what are you doing out here?” She spoke gently.
“I had a present for Sophie and Colton, but I didn’t bring a ladder.”
“A ladder?” Sebastian’s concern sounded more like anger as he barked out the question.
“Betty and I got married on her father’s back porch. All our guests were seated in chairs on the lawn. I know this isn’t a porch but when Mickey showed it to me, I remembered. And hanging on the porch, there was a very small set of wind chimes. As Betty and I said our I-do’s, they tinkled in the background. Betty told me afterward that it was the fairies blessing our wedding. She’s always believed in things like fairies and happy endings, my Betty. I wanted to give that gift to...”
Hank hesitated.
“To Colton and Sophie?” Lily asked.
He sighed. “Yes.”
“Hank, you should have let someone know where you were going.” Again, Sebastian’s worry seemed more like anger.
Lily watched Hank bristle. “I’m not a child,” he proclaimed.
“No, you’re not,” she agreed. “But we love you and you worried us. No one knew where you were, and it’s awfully late to be traipsing through fields.”
Hank looked up as if he was surprised that it was dark. “What time is it?”
“After eleven.”
“I didn’t... I wasn’t... I found the wind chimes at Quarters, and I thought I’d surprise Colton. I didn’t realize it was so late. I only meant to be a minute.” Hank was clearly rattled.
Lily hugged him. “It’s okay, Hank. We found you and that’s all that matters.”
“I’d still like to put up the chimes.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of chimes that were smaller than her hand. He gave them a shake, and a soft tinkling sound filled the evening air. It seemed fitting among the chirps of crickets and other nighttime insects.
“I bet if we ask Mr. Lieutenant Marine here, he can take care of this.”
Sebastian took the chimes and placed them easily on the frame.
“Thank you, Seb,” Hank said.
Lily gave Sebastian’s hand a small squeeze.
He sighed as if he were physically releasing all his anger. “You’re welcome, Hank. Let’s get you home.”
Sebastian fell into step behind them. Lily could hear him making calls, letting everyone know that Hank was all right.
“He’s mad,” Hank whispered conspiratorially.
“Only because he was concerned for your safety.” She took the older man’s hand in her own. “It’s okay, Hank. We’ll just do our best. We’ll get through this.”
He nodded, but she didn’t think he believed her.
They got back to Colton’s house, and Sophie rushed out and hugged Hank, then Lily. “I’m so glad nothing bad happened, Hank.”
“I’m fine. I wanted to give you a little surprise on your wedding day.”
Sophie smiled. “First Colton’s got a surprise for me, now you, Hank? I’m a lucky, lucky lady.”
Dylan showed up with a group of folks, and as they all reassured themselves that Hank was indeed all right, they headed back to town.
Lily went to find Sebastian. “Why don’t you take Hank home in his car? He has to be exhausted. I’ll drive yours to the diner and make sure the place is closed up. I’m also going to make an executive decision—we’re all taking the day off tomorrow. I’ll post a sign and spread the word. I can’t imagine we’d have much business anyway. Half the town was out tonight looking for Hank.”
“Okay” was all Sebastian said.
“Listen, I know I don’t have any rights and that nothing I say is going to make you feel better right now, but we’ll make this work. I read about shoes that have GPS in them. I don’t really think Hank’s there yet, but we’ll get him a pair. That should buy us both a measure of comfort. And we’ll—”
She was silenced by Sebastian kissing her long and hard. “You do make me feel better. Just knowing I’m not in this alone makes me feel better. And telling you about...” He held up his left hand. “It’s made a difference, too. Colton said something earlier about me wearing my dress blues to the wedding, and I didn’t feel the guilt I’ve lived with since the accident.”
The words came out rough, as if they were hard for him to say. Lily got that. There were suddenly things she wanted to say in return, but in the end, she couldn’t. “I’ll see you when I get home.”
He nodded and turned to get Hank.
Lily watched him put his arm around his grandfather, wave goodbye to their friends and get in the car.
Sebastian had come back to Valley Ridge with visible scars. He definitely had more hurdles to overcome, and watching Hank decline would probably be the hardest thing he’d ever done, but she was sure he’d come out on the other side.
She wished she felt as if she would.
What she wanted to say was I’ll be here for you as long as you’ll let me. But the truth of the matter was she didn’t know how to say those words. For years she’d told herself that she’d overcome her childhood. She lived life on her own terms and did a job that had meaning. And yet, she couldn’t tell a man who meant the world to her that...well, he meant the world to her.
She watched his car turn south onto the street and head back to Valley Ridge.
She found Sophie and Colton. “Sebastian and Hank are on their way home in his car. I’m taking Sebastian’s, but before that, I wanted to tell you both how sorry I am that your party got interrupted.”
Sophie hugged her. “Lily, I’ve been to countless parties in my life, and I can say this with a certain amount of expertise.... Parties are part of a day—they’re only a couple of hours. Friends are for life. You, Sebastian and Hank mean more to me and Colton than any party. I know you want everything about my wedding to be perfect. And I love you for wanting that for us. But—” she leaned into her fiancé “—as long as this guy’s waiting for me when I walk down the aisle, the wedding will be absolutely perfect.”
Lily smiled. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
She started to walk toward Sebastian’s car when Sophie called to her. “Lily, you and Sebastian need to remember that you have friends and we’re all here for you two and Hank.”
The fact that Sophie paired her with Sebastian should have bothered her.
But it didn’t.
She tried to decide how it felt, and despite Sebastian’s insistence that she was Webster, the only word that came to mind was...right. It felt right being paired with Sebastian Bennington.
* * *
LILY PURPOSEFULLY TOOK her time closing the diner. She didn’t want to face Sebastian tonight, now that she knew he wasn’t leaving Valley Ridge. Maybe she’d always known. But until the words were actually spoken, she’d been able to convince herself otherwise. There was no more lying to herself. No more stalling. When she saw him again, she’d have to break things off and find a way to be friends.
She was almost at the front door of Hank’s house when the glider creaked. She should have known. “You didn’t have to wait up for me.”
“We need to talk. Dylan told me that he told you I was staying.”
He patted the seat next to him, but she stood beside the glider. If he touched her she might... Well, she wasn’t sure what she might do, but what she might not do was end things between them, and the sooner that was done, the better. “Then I think it’s time we called off our...”
“Love affair?”
“No. Tryst. That’s a better description. A secret meeting. Only, now we’re done meeting.”
He got out of the gli
der. “No. It’s not a secret. Half the town knows, and the rest will figure it out when we start dating in earnest.”
Lily frowned. “That’s not going to happen.”
“It is. I’m going to court you, Lily. We can take things as slow as you need to, but we have something too precious to throw away because you’re afraid.”
“I’m not afraid of anything. I just know what a mess it will become. I tried it with Justin all those years ago. I can’t—”
“I love you.”
The words hung there and Lily felt that same sense of panic. She couldn’t even begin to formulate a logical answer. “No, you don’t.”
He reached for her, but she took a quick step back.
“I didn’t want to say anything, Lily. Didn’t want to push you, but life’s too short, so you might as well adjust your reality to the fact that I love you. There’s not a damned thing you can do about it.”
“You’ll get over it. Maybe you and Maeve?”
He laughed then, as if what she’d said was the best joke he’d ever heard. “Lily, haven’t you learned anything? Benningtons aren’t like that. We love once. And we love with our whole heart. My mother loved my father like that. When he left, he took her everything from her, and there was nothing left for me or for herself. Hank loved my grandmother like that. And I love you.”
“So stop.”
He started to reach for her again, but put his hands behind his back. “Might as well tell me to stop breathing. That would be easier. Listen, I was going to wait till after the wedding, let you realize I wasn’t going.”
“You could still go. You wanted to find yourself,” she tried.
“I don’t need to go anywhere to do that. I’ve found what I needed right here in Valley Ridge, with you and Hank. The boy I was is gone. The student, the marine...they’re gone, too. Not really gone. Those facets are still part of the man I am now. I’m Sebastian Bennington. Loving grandson, diner owner, a possible town-council candidate. All those things define the new me. But number one, I’m the man who loves Lily Claire Paul.”
“Don’t. I already told you I can’t.”