Fortuity (Transcend 3)

Encircling her wrist to keep her thumb at my lips, I nibble it. “This … selfish … un-fatherly part of me wants to die right now.”

Her brows knit together. “Why?”

“So I can come back in another body and be the young nurse you have an affair with in the nursing home.”

Her head inches side to side as her mouth inches closer to mine. “So intoxicating …”

“Dad?” Morgan calls from the living room.

We smile. I release her hand, and we descend the stairs.

Neighbors.

Friends.

Pen pals.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Gracelyn

“Nathaniel is quite handsome,” Mom says as we swing on the deck, watching Nate swim with the kids while Dad and Mr. Hans get groceries for our holiday celebration tonight.

“He’s fine.”

“Fine or fine?”

I grin. “Your point?”

“I see him look at you.”

“We’re neighbors. Gabe and Morgan are friends. It’s hard to not occasionally look at each other.”

Nate’s mom pushes through the screen door, carrying a glass of lemonade. She takes a seat in the rocker opposite us.

“I was just telling Gracelyn how handsome your son is.”

Thanks, Mom …

She smiles. “Just like his father. Nathaniel has been through so much. I’m glad he took Morgan away and lived the dream he and Jenna had always hoped to share with their little girl. We didn’t think he’d do it. So much happened after Jenna died. Nate’s past. His nanny. Trying to figure out how to be a single dad.”

The nanny. I need more information on this nanny. Why mention her unless there was something to it beyond just hired help? It’s odd.

“We’re glad it’s about over, though. Eight years is a long time to go without being able to hug your child and your granddaughter.” She frowns. “I’m sorry, Sharon. That was insensitive. Nathaniel told us you lost a child. It’s unimaginable.”

Mom keeps her gaze on the water as we swing our legs in unison. “No apologies. You weren’t insensitive. I’m sure eight years felt like a lifetime. Honestly, I still keep thinking I’m going to see Kyle or that he’s going to call me. It might take me eight years or more before reality really hits. It’s easier to think that he’s traveling.” She rests her hand on my leg, and I rest my hand on hers.

“Our little granddaughter sure thinks the world of Gabe.”

“I HATE YOU, GABE! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!”

Our three heads whip toward the beach, the commotion, and Morgan marching up the sandy hill in her red bikini, hands fisted and wet hair plastered to her face.

“I may … have spoken too soon,” Nate’s mom murmurs.

Nate follows Morgan, shooting us a confused expression while Gabe grabs a towel and dries off, not seeming the least bit phased by the recent outburst.

It’s so very … male-female, yin-yang, Mars-Venus.

“You’re up,” Mom says, nudging my arm as Nate’s mom sets her drink on the little round table and heads to their house.

“I’m up.” I nod. “Yeah, I’ll just … talk to him.”

“You let him know you’re on his side, no matter what.”

After standing, I glance over my shoulder. “What if he’s in the wrong?”

“He needs a team. He’ll need you the most when he’s wrong.”

“You know I’m terrible at this, right?”

She smirks. “Doesn’t matter. I’m always on your side. I’m your team.”

Tears burn my eyes as I smile. “Thank you,” I whisper over the lump in my throat.

If I don’t mess this up, if Gabe turns out okay, it’s because I’ve had the very best mom setting the very best example. There are so many things I remember about her raising me, but the underlying emotion has always … always been love.

After Brandon died and his family left his bedside, she stood in the doorway to his room and refused to let anyone take him away until my last tear fell, until my hand released his. She insisted I stay with her for two weeks after Andy cheated on me so she could protect me from anyone telling me to just “get over it and move on.”

When Michael left me at the altar, she had the DJ play my favorite songs as my family and friends stayed to eat all the food, drink all the alcohol, and cake … Mom insisted I cut the cake. I’m pretty sure I ate most of it too. She never asked me why Michael walked away because she knew.

She knew it was my fault. Yet … she was on Team Gracelyn.

When Gabe makes his way to the porch with messy hair and a towel wrapped around him, Mom goes inside. I nod to the steps, and we sit next to each other, staring out at the water.

“So …” I sigh. “What just went down?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Well, I guarantee you Morgan is over there telling her dad everything. It—”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Trust me. She’s not.”

“Why do you say that?”