Defining Moments (33 page)

The boys and I chat as we make our way down to pick up my luggage. I only have one suitcase because I shipped everything else back. I mean, I was in Italy for more than six months. I accumulated a lot of shit. I can’t wait to unpack all of the new kitchen stuff in my new place, which I haven’t even seen pictures of yet. The boys were very insistent that it be a surprise, which scares me a little. They swear it’s perfect.

Over the course of my time in Italy, the boys haven’t asked about Cord since the first week or so. I finally just told them it was over and to stop asking about him. I basically told them they had Cord’s phone number if they wanted to talk to him, but I had been finished with all of it. Not a peep from them about Cord since then. While I am thankful they respected my wishes, it took every ounce of strength to not ask them if they’d talked to him or seen him and how he was doing.

When the truck comes to a stop, I’m speechless as I look at the house they’ve chosen for me. It is a small brick cottage-style home with ivy growing up one side. The small driveway is made up of cobblestone and lined with beautiful flowers. The guys already picked up my car and it’s parked there. This place is absolutely breathtaking. I slowly get out of the truck and make my way to the front door, the boys following behind me quietly.

When we get to the front door, I turn and look at them, all of their faces laced with concern. “What do you think?” Ben smirks. He knows I love it.

“I absolutely love it! It’s perfect, guys,” I choke out. If I had seen this place myself, I’d have chosen it immediately. It is serene and every single thing about it is “me,” and I haven’t even seen in the inside yet.

Destry steps forward, handing me the key. When I unlock the door and see what they’ve been up to, a sob tears out of me. All of my things are here and they’ve even hung my pictures. The wildflower pictures I took are front and center in the living room. Walking slowly into the kitchen, I see they’ve unpacked it as well. I’d truthfully just expected them to drop the boxes and let me sort it out when I got back, but they’ve done it all. I’m completely moved into this beautiful home.

“So, this will do then, huh?” Destry laughs because I’m sure I look like a fish out of water, mouth hung open.

“It’s beautiful,” I choke out.

I walk slowly through the entire house, taking in all the things they’ve done. I have a few new pieces of furniture, like a bookshelf, which is stuffed full of all my old books and new end tables in my living room.

Eli comes over and pulls me into his chest, hugging me tight. “We are so glad you’re home, Mama.”

“Me too, baby,” I squeak out.

“Now, it’s late and all this excitement has made me want to fall asleep standing up. How about you boys come over tomorrow morning and I’ll make a big breakfast?” I ask.

“Yes,” they basically shout, before laughing.

“I take it you guys haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a while?” I chuckle.

“Well, Sara tries to cook for us, but it’s just not the same,” Destry barks out through a laugh.

“Shut up, dude. She tries!” Eli glares at him. There’s a story there.

“You can explain that to me tomorrow, Eli. Cooking for you guys? Sounds like Sara spends a lot more time at your place than you let on,” I tell him seriously, then burst out laughing at the horror on his face.

“Just kidding, bud. You’re a grown man. Just behave yourself and make good decisions. That’s all I can ask,” I tell him with a smile.

Ben and Eli both cock their heads sideways like they’re confused, before Ben booms out, “Who are you and what have you done with our mom?”

“Ha ha . . . right here. I’ve just realized over the past six or so months that it’s time for me to let you guys be the men I raised you to be. Do I worry? Absolutely. But I know you boys know what’s right in your hearts because we taught you right from wrong. Now it’s up to you to be the men I know you can be.”

They smile and pull me in for another tight group hug.

“Now get out of here so I can get some sleep. My sleep pattern is going to be messed up for a few days, so bear with me. Your breakfast tomorrow might not happen until lunch,” I joke. “I’ll text you guys when I’m up and about.”

We say our goodnights and the boys head off. Making my way over to the couch, I sit down, running my hand over the blanket draped over the back. That’s new too.

I pull the blanket down with me as I lay back and close my eyes. I’m exhausted, and as much as I want to explore this place and go to the grocery store, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

CLAIRE ARRIVES BRIGHT
and early the next morning, banging on the door, and then almost tackling me when I finally open it. She looks happier than I’ve ever seen her, and I hug Tyler a little tighter than necessary, knowing he is the reason. We chat about their wedding coming up this weekend. When the boys show up for breakfast, and I haven’t made it to the store yet, so we all decide to go out for breakfast instead. The boys will have to wait for the home-cooked meal.

Once we are all seated, Claire dives right into the one conversation I don’t want to have yet.

“So, when are you going to talk to Cord?” she asks without a care in the world.

I choke on my coffee, bringing my napkin to my mouth quickly. I glare at her as she sits stoically, never taking her eyes off mine.

“I’m not sure, Claire. I just got home,” I snap.

“Well, you need to do it soon or the wedding will be awkward. He’s already RSVP’d with his plus one,” she notes, my heart instantly clenching. His plus one. He’s bringing a date. I excuse myself without another word and head to the bathroom to collect my thoughts.

I’d hoped, while I was gone, Cord had been able to find happiness, but hearing he is dating someone is harder for me to handle than I expected. I focus on the fact my best friend is happy and getting married and try to push out the thoughts of Cord with someone else. At least she told me now and I won’t be surprised by it at the wedding. That would have been a million times more awkward, because I’d have been devastated to have to see it with no warning.

I make my way back to the table and see the boys are all whispering and stop the moment they see me heading that way.

“All right, what the hell is going on?” I demand. “What’s with the whispering?”

Claire looks at Ben and Eli, then back at me, before replying, “We are just surprised at how well you are handling the bomb I just dropped on you. I’m proud of you, Ellie.”

They are all acting like I should be having a breakdown. Well, they obviously don’t know the strength I found while I was away. Does it hurt that Cord is seeing someone? Yes. Am I going to let it break me? Nope. If he found happiness with someone else, it’s obvious it wasn’t meant to be between us.

“Let’s order. I don’t want to talk about Cord and his girlfriend anymore,” I tell them just as the waiter comes over for our orders. Claire goes to say something to me in response, but I hold my hand up to stop her and turn my attention to the waiter.

“So, tell me about the venue you guys chose,” I ask after the waiter has walked away.

“Well, it’s just amazing, and I can’t wait to take you out there to see it. It’s out near the lake, and there is a huge building with no walls. It’s like a gazebo on crack. It has these huge exposed wood pillars holding it up and hardwood floors. We’re going to hang white fabric everywhere. I don’t know how to really explain it. It’s beautiful and you are going to love it,” Claire rushes out and I laugh at how giddy she is about it.

“Maybe we should run out there after breakfast so you can show me this ‘gazebo on crack,’ ‘cause now I’m fascinated.” I smile at her. I love seeing her so happy.

“We can, but you won’t get the full feel of it until we get all the fabric, lights, and flowers up. We are doing all of that on Friday evening since the wedding is Saturday afternoon. The weather is supposed to be perfect, so if we can get it done Friday, that’ll be a few less things to worry about,” she rambles, mega-watt smile lighting up her face.

“I’ll wait till we go out Friday then. That’s only a couple days, and truthfully, I have some things I need to take care of today,” I add.

Our food arrives and we all dig in. I ordered biscuits and country gravy, and the moment it hits my tongue, I’m thankful to be back home. I haven’t had good ole stick to your ribs country food since I left for Italy. This is definitely a United States’ thing.

We all chat amongst ourselves, and as I watch everyone I love sitting at this table, laughing and joking, my heart is full.
This
is what life is about.

Once we’re all stuffed to the gills, we hug each other and head off to get on with our day. The boys remind me they are in serious need of a home-cooked meal, which I promise to give them on Sunday, but insist Eli bring Sara. He’s hesitant but agrees.

I figure a trip to the grocery store is first thing on my to-do list today. The boys had put some bottled waters in my fridge, but nothing else. They know I’m picky about the food I buy, so it doesn’t surprise me they didn’t try to do it themselves.

Considering I’m starting from an empty house, I start with the basics like toilet paper, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, and then head to the cooking/baking aisle for oils, vinegars, spices, flour, and sugar. By the time I’m done, my cart is overflowing. I make my way toward the check stands but just as I’m about to start unloading my cart, I realize I forgot coffee. Immediately, I get déjà vu. As I back up to get coffee, my heart stops when I hit another person’s cart.

When I turn, my heart starts beating again and I choke out a laugh. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I wasn’t paying attention. I forgot something.” The older lady scoffs at me and moves out of the way so I can pass. My heart is still beating wildly when I reach the coffee aisle and stop in my tracks, my sight collides with the side of Cord’s face. I freeze, unable to tear my eyes away from him. He looks amazing. When he starts to turn my way, I quickly push my cart toward the front of the store. I don’t think he saw me, but I don’t want our first encounter to be here. Coffee will have to wait.

The entire time the cashier is ringing up my groceries, my eyes scan the store, catching glimpses of him as he moves from one aisle to the next. He hasn’t looked toward the front that I’ve noticed, and I’m thankful for that. I’m pretty sure the cashier thinks I’m a psychopath. I duck down every time he leaves an aisle and then pop back up after a few seconds to see if he’s moved to the next. She keeps giving me sideways glances like I’m making her nervous.

“Your total is $623.97, ma’am,” the snarky cashier tells me. I slide my debit card but my hands are shaking as I put in the pin number, causing me to have to do it twice. “Thank you, have a nice day,” she says as she hands me the receipt, before moving on to the next customer. I hand the bagger a $5 tip and head toward the exit.

Without thinking, I turn my head back to see if I can get one last look at him and immediately regret that decision as my eyes collide with those amazing green eyes. Pushing the cart as quickly as I can, I start throwing bags in my trunk as soon as I get there, hoping to get out of here before Cord makes it out of the store. I know we need to talk, but I don’t want to do it here.

Just as I pull out of the lot, I look in my rearview mirror and see Cord walking out of the store, frantically scanning the parking lot.

Holy hell. I was not prepared to run into him today.

OVER THE NEXT TWO
days, I basically live and breathe Claire’s wedding stuff. When Friday rolls around and we head out to decorate the venue, Claire jumps in my car and Tyler jumps in his car. I should’ve known something was up when she chose to ride with me. They’ve been like Siamese twins since I’ve been home.

“So, have you spoken to Cord yet?” she asks the moment I start the engine.

“What is it with you and wanting me to talk to Cord so bad? I haven’t had time since I’ve spent every waking moment with you or doing something for the wedding,” I laugh.

“It’s just that Cord and Tyler have become really good friends since you left and Cord may be out here to help decorate. We haven’t really had an opportunity to talk about this without all the guys around.”