a marching band.
Baskets of flowers hung from streetlights. Banners and ribbons fluttered in the breeze. The sky was blue and the temperature perfect in the seventies. But what caught his attention were the people. He saw a group of parade-watchers part to allow a family with small children room to go to the front. Once there, the stroller was positioned on the street, right by the curb. The mother sat down next to her baby, while a toddler was lifted onto his father’s shoulders.
There wasn’t any pushing or shoving, nothing but laughter and smiles. Two teenagers giggled as they texted friends. An older couple whispered to each other.
This was normal, Alistair thought. Familiar. Unlike the life he’d been living since Sara and his daughter’s deaths. He’d been on the go—constantly moving from country to country. Despite his parents’ phoning him on his-mobile and asking him to visit, he’d stayed busy and far away.
As he stood next to Paige, waiting for the small-town parade, he realized he hadn’t just been fighting the measles and exhaustion. His illness had gone much deeper—down to his heart. He’d been unable to face his own devastation. Unable to accept how much he’d been responsible. He’d been running so fast, he hadn’t had time to stop and look around. He hadn’t had time to heal.
Paige had offered him more than a bed for his body—she’d given him a refuge for his soul. Her gentle kindness had made him realize it was time to look forward. While he would never forget those he’d lost, he was finally ready to start living again.
“There they are,” Paige said pointing. “The one in front is Athena. Oh, look at the ribbons! She’s so beautiful.”
Alistair saw a perfectly ordinary goat with ribbons around her neck. Ribbons Athena was busy trying to eat. But in Paige’s mind, the goat was beautiful. Because that’s how Paige would see everything. Her worldview allowed her to see what could be rather than what was. She’d truly been given a gift in that regard.
He put his arm around her and drew her close. She leaned into him, then raised her head and smiled at him. As he stared into her hazel eyes, he knew she had given him a gift. A second chance. He owed her and he needed to make sure that, before he left, he did something for her as well.
* * *
“You don’t mind?” Paige asked.
The parade had been spectacular, as always. Animals and antique cars, although her favorite part was the kids on bikes. She loved watching them ride past—so excited to be a part of the day.
“I’m honored you’ve asked me to accompany you,” Alistair told her.
“It won’t take long.”
“I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The words, along with his yummy accent, made her insides get all twisty. “You’re too kind.”
“I’m not, but I’m glad you think I am.”
He took her hand as they crossed the street. They each held a bouquet of colorful tulips in the other hand. Once they reached the park, they walked around to the far side and the small cemetery by the church.
Alistair offered her the flowers he carried and waited by the gate as she went inside. Sophia’s grave, marked by a small, modest headstone, stood at the edge of a beautiful garden. She’d picked the space and the marker herself. Because she took care of Paige, even after she was gone.
Paige placed the flowers on the grass, then knelt down. As always, she felt the loving presence of the woman who had raised her. But this time, there was a difference. An urging, as if a message were being communicated.
Paige wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but, after a while, strong hands settled on her shoulders. Alistair drew her to her feet and then wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I can’t go,” she whispered, her mouth trembling. “I promised her I would follow my dreams. That I would travel. I stayed because she was old and I wanted to be here for her and now that she’s gone, I can’t leave.”
She pressed her hands together. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. She wouldn’t want this. She wouldn’t want me living such a small life. We had dreams together and I swore I would make them happen.”
“You will.”
“You don’t know that. I haven’t yet.”
“You’re afraid.”
She nodded slowly, knowing he’d found the truth on his first try. “As I said, Aunt Sophia would be very disappointed in me.”
He lightly kissed her forehead. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
Alistair led her back through town. Paige let herself be taken to the house where she’d grown up. He settled her in the backyard, and brought her a glass of iced tea, then sat next to her and held her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
“I’m all better now.”
She smiled. “It’s a casserole miracle.”
He leaned toward her. “Paige, you’ll get there. Losing someone you love is difficult. You’ve been through a lot. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
She nodded, knowing he was right and it would do her well to listen. She was about to tell him that when his cell phone rang.
He pulled it out of his pocket and took the call.
“Woodbury.” He paused, then smiled. “Hello, Simon. Yes, the doctor was here.” His smile faded and his gaze settled on her. “Ah, of course. You’re right. It’s been too long already.”
There was more, but Paige wasn’t listening. Simon wanted Alistair to move in with him and Montana. It made sense. They were the people he’d come to see in the first place. It wasn’t as if he were going to live with her forever. Still, she’d thought…hoped…they would have more time together.
When he hung up, she forced herself to smile. “Simon finally believes it’s OK for you to be around Montana?”
He nodded. “I have been pronounced measles-free. He suggested I return to his place. I have imposed on your hospitality long enough.”
“You’ve been a good guest.”
“Speaking in my sleep while recovering from a fever?”
“It was refreshing to play nurse. Plus, I got that mac and cheese. That made everything worth it.”
She spoke lightly, not wanting him to know how much she was going to miss him. Alistair was the first man she’d been attracted to in a very long time. The first man she’d imagined she might be able to fall in love with. When he talked about all the places he’d been, he made her dreams seem possible.
She stood. “You’d better get to your packing.”
He rose and looked at her. “Paige,” he began, then shook his head. “I haven’t the words to thank you.”
“No
