The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(18)

“Those are your favorite flower,” she remarks. “How interesting.”

“I know. What are the odds?”

She shakes her head, fighting a smile. I narrow my eyes on her, but she’s not looking my way. I can’t help but wonder if she knows something about Thayer. I don’t see how, but— “You better get my stuff packed up if we’re going to leave in an hour.”

I set the vase in the center of the table. “When did you get so bossy, Mom?”

She grins at me, her lashes non-existent. “When you’re dying, you don’t have the time to be any other way.”

I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat. Clearing it, I say, “Right. I’ll pack your bag and we’ll head out.”

“Salem?” She calls after me before I can leave the kitchen.

“Yeah?” I pause, turning to look back at her.

“I know…” She wets her dry lips with a swipe of her tongue. “I know I didn’t let myself love again, after your dad, but promise me you won’t close your heart off forever? If there’s anything we all deserve in this world it’s to love and be loved.”

My mouth twitches as I hold back tears. “I promise.”

I’m not sure how easy of a promise it’ll be to keep, but I’ll try, if only for her sake.





CHAPTER 14





SALEM





We pull up outside the brownstone, the car barely in park when the door opens. I expect it to be Seda, but instead it’s Caleb. He walks down the steps, through the front gate, heading straight for my mom’s door on the passenger side.

“Allie,” he says, smiling at her. “It’s so good to see you.”

She pats his cheek. “It’s always nice to see you too.”

“Do you need some help?”

“I’ll never turn down help from such a fine gentleman,” she jokes.

He chuckles, helping her with the seatbelt and out onto the street. Since he has her under his care, I hop out and grab her bag. I didn’t bother packing a bag for myself since I have everything I need here.

Caleb helps her inside with me following behind.

“Where’s Seda?” I ask.

He chuckles, looking back at me over his shoulder. “Believe it or not, passed out napping. She went to the trampoline park with Maddy,” he mentions one of her good friends, “and came back exhausted.”

“Sweet girl,” my mom croons. “I can’t wait to see her.”

Caleb looks back at me, worry in his eyes. Worry for me and worry for her. He knows that losing my mom is going to be hard on me. It doesn't matter how far you know in advance, losing a parent isn't easy. She's been my rock and my sounding board. She's gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life. And now when I wish I could repay the favor more than anything, I can't, because nothing can overcome death.

Caleb settles her on the couch in the family room.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” He asks her.

“Maybe just some water.”

He smiles and passes her a blanket. “Make yourself comfortable and I'll be back with your water.”

Caleb leaves and I help her lay down. Wrapping the blanket around her, I prop her legs up with a pillow beneath. “Are you tired?”

“A little,” she admits reluctantly.

“Just rest.” I kiss her forehead and back away.

In the kitchen, I lean my hip against the counter watching Caleb fill up the cup with ice and then water.

“How’s she doing? For real—no sugarcoating things.”

I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. “She has good days and bad days. I feel so helpless, Caleb. It's like watching the sand in an hourglass and I know at some point the sand is going to run out. And when it happens, I'm going to lose my mom. And I just,” I pause, catching my breath. Feeling the tears burn my eyes. “I don't know how to live life without her.”

“Come here.” He flicks his fingers, pulling me into the safe embrace of his arms.

I lay my head on his chest, his fingers gently combing through my hair. I can't stop it when the tears come, soaking into the cotton of his t-shirt.

“It’s okay,” he croons, continuing with the gentle strokes of his fingers through my hair. “Just cry. I’ve got you.” And I know he does. He always has. Caleb is my rock, my safe place. “You’re strong,” he reminds me, “but even strong people need to cry now and then.” His arms are tight against me, holding me together.

“Why are you so good to me?” I only cry harder at the question. Caleb should hate me. He should be pushing me away instead of pulling me into his arms. But he's so good. He's not the kind of person that will shove you away just because you broke his heart. I know that there's someone out there for him. It's not that I'm bad for him, but I'm not good enough for him. And that thought makes me cry a little harder. I'm not deserving of him. Even though I might have asked for the divorce. Even though I'm the one walking away from him. I still love him and a part of me always will.

“Because,” his voice rumbles against my ear where the side of my head is pressed firmly to his chest, “you’re a better person than you think you are.”