Losing Him (Mitchell Family #8)(61)

I sat down my beer and just looked at the three of them. Seconds before I could say anything, three little kids came running into the house. “Christian hit me with the baseball.”

A little girl held her hand on her head and cried.

Colt got up and walked outside. I could hear him yelling for his daughter. At that same time, Van got up and walked over to check on her child. Once she was sure the little one was unharmed, she sent her back outside to play.

“We come here for the kids to spend time together and all mine do is fight with each other.” Van put her hands in the air and walked back into the dining room. I followed her and looked at how much she had accomplished.

The beading that had been damaged was fully prepared. “It looks great!”

She smiled and ran her hand over the fabric. “Thanks. I’m pretty proud of myself.”

I touched her shoulder, making her turn to look at me. “I really appreciate you doing this, especially considering that you two aren’t exactly friends.”

She smiled and sat down at one of the chairs. “Listen, Jessie. I’m not going to lie to you. Heather and I have had our differences, but the bible says that we have to forgive. I’ve seen beautiful people taken from this world too soon. I’ve watched the people that I love suffer and have hardships. I’ve had my own demons to battle. At the end of the day I just try to see the positive in people. Honestly, I feel so sorry for Heather. For her whole life all she wanted was to be loved, first by a father that she never had and then by a guy who gave his heart to another, instead of choosing her. I can’t imagine what that kind of rejection can do to someone.”

“That’s why I want to make things right.”

She smiled and touched my arm. “Heather is going to be thrilled.”

“I’m sure she thinks this dress is lost forever.” I touched the fabric and smiled at Van. “Now I just have to pull this off.”

Colt came into the room and put his arms around his wife. They really were a good looking couple. “Darlin’, it looks as good as new.”

She turned her head and reached up to kiss his cheek. “Thanks, babe.”

I wanted to have what they had with Heather. It was refreshing to know that it was possible. “Now, I just have to get her to agree to marry me.”

They both laughed. “That would be a good start.” Colt added.

Van looked at her husband. “Just call her darlin’. That’s how Colt got me.” She giggled when she said it.

He leaned over and kissed her nose. “I hope that ain’t the only reason. I have other good qualities, you know.”

I put my hands up in the air. “TMI guys!”

“Sorry!” She said.

After we all shared a laugh, Van folded the dress into a box. I thanked them again for doing something so kind for us. They wished me luck and I was on my way to Heather’s.

This was it!

My last chance!

Chapter 36


Heather


I was flipping through the channels, debating on calling and talking to Jessie. He needed to know about the money and my intentions. After my late night drinking binge, I’d woke up wondering if I should consider selling my mother’s house so that I could be closer to them. I didn’t want Jessie to have to suffer and be without his son. In fact, I wanted him to be able to see him whenever he wanted.



A knock at the door startled me and I realized that I wasn’t even decently dressed. My hair was a mess and I hadn’t even brushed my teeth. I yelled as I ran into the bathroom, not knowing who could be at my door. “Just a second!”

When I heard the front door opening my heart dropped. Only one person knew where the hidden key was kept. I finished brushing my teeth and didn’t even bother to look in the mirror at my hair.

Jessie was standing in the living room with a book bag around his shoulder and a big box. “Do I get a hug?” He asked.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Jacob?” I was realizing that he was probably here to talk to me in person. He wasn’t happy with my decision to leave and having to share visitation with me living so far away.

“We need to talk.”

“I gathered that, already.” I motioned for him to sit down on the couch.

“So, you’re not going to hug me?”

I smirked and tried to read his intentions. He was acting weird. “Hugging you leads to other things and I can’t do that with you anymore.”

He sighed and looked down at the big box. “I brought something for you.”

He sat down and waiting for me to sit next to him before he handed it to me. “What is it?”

He sighed. “Just open it.”

I wasn’t really used to getting presents and had absolutely no idea what it could be. Jessie just sat there smiling, with a shit-eating grin on his face. I opened the package and couldn’t understand what was happening. As I stood up and pulled it out, I finally realized what it was that I was holding.

“This is my dress.” Immediately I began to cry. “How did you…Jessie, how did you do this?”

He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “Don’t cry.”

I looked up into his eyes and saw him smiling. “Why would you do this? I don’t understand?”