My eyes bulge at the same time a loud, strangled cough comes from where I left Pierce standing. He pokes his head around the corner. “I’m going to stand outside the door long enough to escort both my girls back to the table. Maya, you okay?”
“Yeah, Dad, I’m good.”
“Love you, baby girl.” He gives her a smile, flashing me a look loaded with challenge, and disappears.
•—•—•—•—•
There are no tears left in me. Jill and Warren showed up early this morning. My parents, Evin, and Miller arrived in time for breakfast. Cole and Maya fluttered around, bragging on their efforts while I was fixated on how easy we all moved throughout the kitchen that Pierce had unintentionally built with me in mind.
Runner was almost one-hundred percent back to normal, but Cole and Maya babied him like crazy. He loved it.
My first outburst came when Pierce announced it was time for them to go back to Connie’s. I helped them pack a few things, both their moods sinking low. When we said goodbye, Cole flung himself at me and buried his little head into my neck, sniffling.
That was all it took. I lost it. Maya joined us, and I ended up in a heap on the floor with Runner sprawled on top. Pierce had to peel everyone apart, and for the first time, I witnessed him cradling Cole in his arms and whispering in his ear until he calmed. Maya was teary-eyed but more reserved, though still clinging to me, kissing my cheek, and hurrying out the door.
My family left, giving me time with Jill, Warren, and Miller, while Pierce hit the noon deadline to return the kids to Connie.
This was another tear-fest but in the best way. Jill and Warren couldn’t stop gushing, while Miller decided he was taking advantage of my family discount this season to hone his skiing skills.
We laughed, we joked, and when they left, I was composed. It gave me a few minutes to look around and reflect on everything. By the time Pierce returned, I was ready to go.
My family, Lynda, and Ray were waiting for us at the shed. While Pierce and Evin loaded the car, Mom was her usual self, driving me crazy and insisting that the time on the road would give me a chance to start planning the wedding. She harped until Pierce came to my rescue and threatened to stop at a Justice of the Peace in Kentucky.
Everyone thought it was hilarious, except her. She’s now shooting death glares his way.
“If you get hitched by the JOP, I’m going to hunt you down.” Evin throws his arm around my shoulders.
“Why?”
“Because she’ll laser in on me, and I’m nowhere near ready to get married.”
“All the more reason to get her off my back and sic her on you.”
“Hunt. You. Down. Darby,” he repeats.
“Baby, it’s time.” Pierce slams the tailgate and whistles for Runner.
“I’ll be there Labor Day.” Evin turns me fully in his arms. “You’ll be working, but it’ll give me time to scope out the place.”
“I’m going to miss you.” My voice cracks.
“You’re not going to have a chance to miss me. I’m on the permanent guest list, your money manager, and the brother who expects a nightly call.”
“I love you.”
“Get on the road.” His own voice is hoarse. “You can make it to Nashville tonight.”
I give him one last squeeze, kiss the underside of his jaw, and turn to my dad, who’s waiting with open arms.
“Kick ass.”
“I will, Daddy.” His eyes grow warm and soft at the endearment.
“Okay, we’re not going to have a mushy, gushy, tear-infested send-off.” Mom yanks me from him into a hug. “Jill said this morning was humiliating the way you cried and carried on.”
This is a lie. Jill said no such thing, but this is mom’s way. She’s never been one to show emotions in public.
“That’s right. It was mortifying.” The best thing to do is to go along with it.
“You’ll be home before any of us have time to miss you,” she adds. “Get going before you cause us to miss the beginning of the next NCIS.”
“I wouldn’t want to get in the way of you and your all-day marathon.”
“Don’t get smart. You know I have a thing for Mark Harmon.”
“God, I’m crazy for even saying this, but I’m going to miss you, Mom.”
Her chest spasms against mine, and she pulls away, dropping her sunglasses, but not before I catch the moisture in her eyes. Dad steps in, folding her into him.
Pierce makes his rounds while I say goodbye to Lynda and Ray.
“Pulling up here in April seems like a lifetime ago,” I say with a sense of melancholy, scanning my parents’ property as we drive away.
“You okay?”
“Yes, it’s just amazing how things change. How I’ve changed.”
“Do you think you’ve changed?”
“In a span of the last eight months, I’ve packed up to move twice. I relocated my business, started over only to join a hotel conglomerate, which is still unreal to me. I reconnected with you, got engaged, arranged to put my house on the market, and sometime in the future, I’ll be a stepmom.”