Beautifully Hurt (Beautifully Broken)

Finlay wraps her arms around me, and for a good minute, we just hold each other.

When I pull back, Finlay wipes a tear from her cheek, then she gives me a trembling smile. “I’m glad too.”

“I hope those are happy tears,” I say, giving her a worried look.

“Yeah. Of course.” Her smile widens. “Let me look at you.” Her eyes drift over me, then they lock on mine again. “Dang, girl, you just keep getting prettier.”

I gesture at her light brown hair that has natural blonde highlights and her gray eyes. “You’re one to talk.” Then I notice how skinny she is. “I’ll have to feed you, though. Don’t they have food in Napierville?”

Finlay just smiles as we move closer to the bus to collect her luggage. I grab two bags while Finlay gets the other one, and as we turn around, Ethan comes toward us to help.

Nina’s taking care of my bakery, and Alex had to help Eli at the hardware store, so I asked Ethan for a ride.

Finlay takes a step back, her eyes going wide.

I let out a burst of laughter. “Ethan is Eli’s brother.”

“Oh.” She looks thoroughly uncomfortable, and I assume it’s because she’s shy like me. It runs in the family.

I grew up around the Jackson’s, but I can see how meeting one of them for the first time can be intimidating.

“Thanks, Ethan,” I say as he reaches us. “This is my cousin Finlay.”

They glance at each other before Ethan reaches his hand out to her. “Nice to meet you.”

Finlay hesitates, but then she shakes his hand. “Same.”

He takes the luggage from us, and heading to his truck, he places it in the back, then straps the bags down.

He glances at Finlay. “Gonna keep the guitar with you?”

“Oh… yeah.”

We all pile into the truck, and an uncomfortable silence falls around us. I glance over my shoulder, giving Finlay a smile.

Just as I turn back in my seat, Ethan says, “Seat belts.”

I let out a chuckle. “You sound like Eli.”

Ethan grins at me. “Dad ingrained it into us.”

“You should stay for dinner,” I say. “I can ask Eli to get us a couple of pizzas on his way home.”

“In that case, I’ll definitely stay.” Ethan glances in the rearview mirror, then says, “Quinn said you’re from Chicago?”

“Yeah,” she murmurs.

Ethan shoots a look my way, a slight frown on his forehead.

I give him a reassuring smile, then ask Finlay, “Did you manage to get everything into storage?”

“Ah… no. I needed to get out of Napierville. Dad said he’d have it taken care of,” Finlay explains.

“Dang, was it so bad staying there?” I chuckle.

“You have no idea,” she mutters.

Ethan brings the truck to a stop in front of the house, and then he helps us carry the luggage inside.

“The first guest room,” I say, giving him a thankful smile.

I turn to Finlay. “Welcome.”

She glances around, and it has me proudly saying, “Eli built the house.”

“Wow, he sure knew what he was doing,” Finlay says as she walks into the living room. “It’s a lovely home.”

Ethan stops at the entrance of the living room. “I’m just going to head home and shower. I’ll be back in time for dinner. Oh, remember extra cheese.”

When I start to walk toward him, he says, “I’ll close the door on my way out.”

“Great, see you later. Thanks for your help.”

Only when we hear the front door shut does Finlay say, “Please tell me he’s the scary brother, and Eli is the nice one.”

Letting out a burst of laughter, I say, “You’ll see, they’re both really sweet. Intense, but sweet as pie.” Taking hold of Finlay’s hand, I pull her up the stairs. “Let’s get you settled.”

Walking down the hallway, I gesture to our left. “You’ll have your own bathroom. It’s through there.”

I tug her into the guest room, then say, “I hope blue’s still your favorite color.”

Finlay glances at the baby-blue bedspread. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”

“We wanted you to feel at home. The last thing I want is you leaving again.”

Finlay’s eyes drift over my face. “How are you holding up?”

“Every day, it gets better. I still miss Katie.”

Finlay comes to give me a hug. “I’m really sorry I didn’t come sooner.”

Hearing the regret in her voice, I hold her tightly. “You’re here now.”

Pulling apart, we begin to unpack her clothes and personal belongings.

“So, are you going to help me at the store?” I ask as I hang one of her dresses.

“Yeah, but beware, I’ll probably eat all your profit,” she chuckles, finally seeming to relax.

“If it means you putting on some weight, I’ll just have to bake more muffins.”

Finlay gives me a nervous glance. “Ah… so I’ll probably only stay here until I can find a place to buy.”

“Do you have enough money? There’s no rush. You can stay here as long as you want, and there’s always Dad’s house.”