Page 13 of Home Is Where You Are

“You said you wouldn’t laugh. Remember that. But, believe it or not, all four have helped.”

“I didn’t laugh. I smirked. There’s a big difference.”

“Not by much. Just remember, find somethin’ that helps you. What helps me may not be beneficial for you. I want you to heal. And seein’ you just now. Feelin’ the pain you felt as you cried. You need to heal, Ainsleigh, or you’ll never feel whole again.”

He might have been right.

Damn him.

“When did you get so wise?”

“I’ve always been wise. You just never listen to me. Mama made your favorite, and it’s ready. That’s why I came up here in the first place. Last one downstairs is a rotten egg,” he yelled with a laugh as he stepped away from me and started running in the direction of my bedroom door.

“What? Are we five now?” I screamed back as I took off after him.

Another small piece of me healed as I laughed and chased after Holden. They say laughter is the best medicine. Maybe, just maybe, I’d be able to believe that now.

Our mom’s pot roast was the best, and I couldn’t say no to tasting my favorite meal on my first night home.

I thought long and hard about what Holden said.

I just didn’t know if I wanted to move on.

To me, moving on meant forgetting.

And there was no way, no how, that I wanted to forget her.

six

GENTRY

Ihelped Lillian set the table because I needed something to occupy my mind or I’d do nothing but focus on the fact that Ainsleigh was home. I wanted to hash it out with her. Not because I wanted to speak with her, but because once we had that talk, she could go her way, and I could go mine, and I’d never have to speak to her again.

She raced down the stairs following her brother, and a smile graced her beautiful face. They chased each other down the hallway, her laughing the entire time as she tried to catch up with him.

But I could tell that she’d been crying.

It’s not your problem anymore.

I had to remind myself that I didn’t care about what she felt. I wanted to feel glad that she had been crying, but the sight of her tears always got to me.

I walked around the table and went over to the island in the center of the kitchen to grab the dishes full of Ainsleigh’s favorites.

Pot roast.

Ainsleigh’s favorite.

I wasn’t paying attention as I rounded the island, stepping right in front of her. A loud thud sounded behind me, and I knew before I even turned around that she’d hit the floor.

I tried. I really did. But I couldn’t help myself.

I let out a laugh at the fact that she’d just landed on her butt.

“It’s not funny. When did you get so solid?”

I turned around, trying to hold the laughter in as I offered to help her off the floor.

She swatted my hand away and used the doorjamb to pull herself up.