Something I hadn’t seen until I looked into the eyes of my best friend’s daughter.
Hope.
Taylor
A few hours later, Luke buckled a sleeping Mireya into her car seat while I kissed Libby goodbye. Trey had already fallen asleep a couple hours earlier and was safely tucked into his car seat.
Turning to Luke, I hugged him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for bringing the kids. They were exactly what I needed.”
“We love you, Taylor and there isn’t a damn thing we wouldn’t do for you.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“Let me know if you need anything, okay?” Libby said as she got into the truck.
“I will.”
With a barely-there smile, she took my hand in hers. “I love you, Tay.”
Stumbling on my words, I tried to grin. “Love you too.”
I watched them pull off and drive away and tried to ignore the heaviness in my chest.
Jumping when I felt hands on my shoulders, I turned to see Whitley. “It’s late, why don’t we have a cup of tea and then try and get some sleep?”
Not having the energy to argue, I agreed. My parents were staying in one of the guest rooms, but they had excused themselves right before Luke and Libby left.
Walking into the kitchen, I couldn’t help but think of when I blurted out to Whitley that Jase had asked me to marry him.
I glanced down at my engagement ring and dropped down onto a chair. “Bella?” I asked, looking at her.
She smiled and said, “Colt and Lauren have her.”
I shook my head. “I just abandoned her.”
“Nonsense. She’s been fine. If you’d like for them to bring her here, you’re more than welcome to have her.”
“I’d like that if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
Her eyes were filled with love as she replied, “Of course not, sweetheart. This house has always been filled with dogs except for the last few years. Honestly, I’ve missed having a four-legged friend. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve asked Lauren to bring you a few changes of clothes and some other items, like your toothbrush and such.”
Looking down, it was then I noticed I was completely dressed in Jase’s cloths. An old pair of sweets and one of his high school football shirts.
“You can wear them, Taylor. But I thought you might like some of your own as well.”
Whitley set a cup of hot tea down in front of me while she waited for her own to brew.
“I’ll never love anyone like I love him,” I said as I looked directly into her eyes. “And as much as my heart feels broken, I don’t feel like he is gone.”
A single tear slowly rolled down her cheek. “I feel the same way. He’ll always be with us.”
I wanted to clarify with her what I meant, but she looked so tired.
When she got her tea, she sat down across from me. I wasn’t sure what came over me, but I had to say what I felt.
“I don’t think he’s dead.”
Her eyes lit up.