When August Ends(50)

“Just give me a minute to pull them up. I keep everything I’ve ever shot on a special drive.”

I watched as Noah logged in. It took him about three minutes to locate the file containing the photos.

When he placed the computer on my lap, nothing could have prepared me for the emotions I felt looking at image after image of my beautiful, smiling sister. We looked more alike than I remembered. Now that I was getting closer to the age she’d been in these photos, I could really see the resemblance.

Wiping a tear, I asked, “Did she seem off the day you took the photos?”

Noah moved closer to me. “Not at all. That’s why it was so strange when the messages started coming in.”

“That was typical. She was like two different people in many ways, depending on whether she was taking care of herself.”

“Yeah. None of it made sense.”

Not taking my eyes off the images, I said, “I really want to see the letter, too.”

“I have it at home. I know where it is and will have my dad scan it. I should’ve brought it with me. I just really wasn’t anticipating telling you.”

The questions kept coming to me in waves. “Why did you decide to tell me tonight?”

“Because I couldn’t hold it in any more, couldn’t stand the thought of keeping anything from you. A lot has changed between us, and I don’t know how to handle it. I just know I never want to be anything less than completely honest with you. That goes for my feelings about you, too.”

A part of me wanted him to elaborate on that—his feelings for me—but I knew I couldn’t handle anything more tonight. I needed to absorb this.

“Can you download these photos for me?”

“Of course. I’ll buy a thumb drive tomorrow.”

“Thanks.” I continued sifting through the photographs, starting again from the beginning. “I don’t think I’m gonna tell Mom about this. I don’t know how she’d handle it. I don’t want her to view you differently—not that I think there’s any reason to feel differently about you, but I don’t want to upset her.”

“That’s up to you. I get it. I’m okay with anything you decide, but I think that’s a good call. There’s too much going on right now as it is.”

I stared at the screen. “I’m still in shock.”

“It would be strange if you weren’t.”

I needed to be alone to process this.

Getting up off the couch, I wiped my eyes and announced, “I’m gonna go home. I just need to be alone for a while.”

He stood. “Yeah. Of course.”

I handed him the laptop and headed for the door.

Noah looked concerned. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nodded, then walked home in a daze.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN




* * *



NOAH




Heather hadn’t come by since my revelation. An entire day had passed. Even though I was tempted to go over to the main house, I tried to give her space. My news was a lot to take in.

I couldn’t help but text her, though, to ask if she was okay. She assured me she was, but I didn’t entirely believe her, because it wasn’t like her to stay away. I’d told her I made her a thumb drive of the photos she’d requested and asked if she wanted me to bring it over. She said no. I’d also had my father scan the letter from Opal and added it to the memory stick. The fact that she didn’t even want to see me long enough to receive it confirmed that she was still processing.

At least I hoped that was it.

I’d done nothing all day but pace and drink coffee in between feeding the guinea pigs. As the afternoon turned into evening, I decided to call my father and fill him in on what happened.

After I told him the story of my conversation with Heather last night, he tried to convince me I’d done the right thing in telling her.

“She said she wasn’t mad, but it’s going to hit her later—or maybe that’s what’s happening now, why she’s staying away.”

“What does she have to be mad about?” he asked.

Is he serious? “Oh, I don’t know…the fact that I came here under false pretenses? The fact that I could’ve potentially done something to save her sister’s life if I’d gotten her help? She has a number of options.”

“No one knew what was going to happen, Noah. You were a married man getting explicit messages from a strange woman. You had no idea what it was. A lot of delusional people aren’t suicidal. You didn’t know her, God rest her soul. Stop blaming yourself for something that’s not your fault.”

I wanted to believe his words, especially since they echoed Heather’s, but I still struggled. I still wondered if removing myself from the situation might be best all around.

“I feel like the right thing to do now might be to go home early.”

“You’re gonna be able to walk away from her?”

“The longer I stay, the harder it’s gonna be. Leaving is inevitable. Why prolong it?”

The thought of leaving now made me sick to my stomach, but maybe it was best for both of us. The property was under contract. Heather was enrolled in college, and she’d have the money for it even if her father took half the real estate proceeds. There was nothing stopping her. I’d be leaving in a few weeks anyway. Staying would cause nothing but more confusion for both of us.