Dare Me(77)

“It’s me,” I whisper, wanting him to know he’s not hallucinating. I’m here. And I’m not leaving him again. Ever.

He swallows hard and clears his throat. “I know. Don’t you ever leave me again.” He reaches out his hand for me to take it, but I step forward and fall into his arms instead. I hug him and let him hug me back. It’s there in his arms that I feel myself truly coming back to life.

I close my eyes and whisper against his neck, “It’s so good to be home.”

I can hear him smile. “I knew you’d miss Chicago.” His arms tighten around me, and I feel at peace in his embrace.

“Not Chicago, Holt,” I explain. “You. You are home.”





Holt

“What do you think?” I ask as I turn onto the newly paved driveway. It’s almost a half-mile long and is lined with trees that are probably a hundred years old. I can see why Saige loves this farm so much. October is the best month of the year in North Dakota, she says, and I can understand why from how beautiful it is.

“I can’t believe they paved the driveway,” she says, her hands pressed to her mouth in disbelief. “Brent says that the work has been moving along fast since they wanted to get it all done before winter.” She sits back in the seat and peers out the passenger window.

The large SUV slowly rolls up the drive until we round the final bend, approaching the house.

“Oh my God!” she gasps. “It doesn’t even look the same!”

The large farmhouse has been completely redone. New roof, siding, and the old front porch demolished and rebuilt.

“It’s looks really good,” I comment, worried that she’s not happy with her childhood home’s renovations.

She nods her head quickly and leans forward, looking out the windshield at the beautiful two-story house. “Hurry up,” she says, urging me to park faster.

I barely have the gear in park before she’s hopped down and sprinting across the front yard. She bounds up the four steps and stands on the giant wraparound porch. I know exactly what she was running for, and I smile when I see her tense body relax.

I meet her on the porch and she grins up at me. “They saved the swing.”

I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into me. “I knew they wouldn’t get rid of it.” I press a kiss to her temple.

She leans down and runs her fingers across all the initials carved into the old wooden swing. Saige’s, her mom’s, Brent’s, her father’s, and even her grandparents’ initials are all there. The history carved into that swing was of utmost importance to her, and I’m happy to see it’s still there.

“Come on. Let’s get the bags inside and say hello.” I pull her hand into mine, and we walk across the dead grass. With fall and the cooler temps, the lawn has long died out, but the beautiful colored leaves still hang from the trees.

As I pull the bags from the back of the SUV, Brent walks up from the barn, two small puppies following behind him.

“What are these!” Saige squeals, falling to her knees. The two puppies jump on her and lick her face. She tips her head back in laughter as they vie for her attention.

“The mutts,” Brent says with a laugh. “Nice to see you again, man.” He holds out his hand to shake mine and I accept.

“Good to see you too.”

“I missed you, Piglet,” Brent says, and I try not to laugh as Saige shoots him a look of death at his nickname for her.

She stands up and the puppies jump at her feet. “I missed you too.” She leans in and gives him a quick hug.

“Your mom has been antsy all day waiting on you two. Let me help you get these bags and get inside.” Brent helps me gather the luggage and deliver them to Saige’s old room. A minute later, we find Saige and her mom laughing together in the kitchen and catching up.

Brent grabs two bottles of beer, and we head out to the back patio to catch up. We take a seat at the patio table. Out here, it’s even easier to take in the beauty of this land. Rolling hills and trees that are turning color highlight the landscape.

Swallowing a sip of the full-flavored microbrew, I ask, “So what do you have left for renovations?”

Brent looks over my shoulder and behind me, nodding. “Just the barn and a new chicken coop.” He pauses and takes a sip of his beer. “I’m really glad you were able to bring her back here. That damn barn has been the source of so much pain over the years. I’m really hoping that demolishing it and building a new one will help her begin to heal.”

He and I have the same goals. I swallow hard. “She’s done so well this last year, but I hope this gives her some resolution.”

Brent nods in agreement, inhaling deeply before changing the subject. “So, you nervous?” he asks with a chuckle.

“That would be putting it mildly,” I admit.

“When are you going to do it?”

I turn and look over my shoulder at the beautiful land, then back to Brent just as the back door opens and Saige steps outside.

“What’re you two doing out here?” She rubs her arms with her hands to warm them from the cool fall air.

“Just guy talk,” Brent answers her, but she looks at me.

“Just guy talk,” I confirm with a smile.

“Well, come inside.” She waves us in. “Mom has food ready.”