Family Pieces (46 page)

Addison pulled the car onto the shoulder of the narrow road and parked so that other vehicles had room to pass. There was a faint dusting of snow on the ground and the remaining leaves on the trees were hues of orange and red. She opened the trunk to retrieve the floral arrangements they’d purchased while Karsen crawled in the backseat to take out the infant carrier. They walked together across the grass. Karsen directed her to the gravesite. Addison’s arms overflowed with flowers for the vases secured on both its sides.

Karsen set the car seat facing the headstone.

“Hi, Mom.” She knelt next to her daughter and adjusted her blanket to keep her bundled. “I’d like you to meet your granddaughter. Her name is Katherine Addison Woods after the two women who’ve influenced me the most. We call her Kaddy for short.”

Addison listened as she arranged the flowers.

“She smiled for the first time this week and it looked just like yours,” continued Karsen. “Addison’s here, too. You know, Lily. We both understand you had your reasons for keeping your secret. Maybe this was the way it was supposed to be. We miss you though.”

She glanced at Addison.

“And we both love you.”

She stood back up, kissed her hand and touched it lovingly to the headstone.

“We should get going,” she said to Addison. “Dad will have a conniption if we’re late for Thanksgiving dinner.”

“It’s never good to keep men waiting,” agreed Addison. She had learned that lesson well. She adjusted one last flower then touched the headstone herself. “I wish we could have met,” she whispered. “Karsen.” Addison reached into her pocket. “Maybe this is an awkward place to give a gift, but I wanted to do it where Mom could be here, too.”

She pressed a small, jewelry box into Karsen’s palm. Karsen tucked the box under her arm and removed her gloves to open it. She pulled out a petite silver chain. On the end dangled a puzzle piece charm.

“I had it made by the same jeweler, so it should match up,” Addison said. “Mr. Milton was amazed to say the least. So, what do you think?”

Karsen held the charm up to hers then focused on Addison through teary eyes.

“It’s perfect.”