Me: Cop? What Cop?
Millie: Doorbell is ringing! I’ll explain later!
Me: Millie! You did that on purpose! Thank you so much for making my night. Have fun. Be safe.
Millie: You’re welcome. How much trouble can I really get in? Love ya, girl.
Me: Love you, too.
After finding some of the short, silk pajama sets, I zipped the red suitcase back up. The bed was soft like a cloud. Sleep found me as soon as I closed my eyes. Dreams filled with laughter and love followed giving me hope for what was to come.
“BYE, DAD. I’LL MISS YOU.” Tears choked my sentence. Now that the time was here, I wasn’t ready to let him go. Am I making a mistake? Would everything be okay if I stayed? Doubt filled me.
Dad hugged me. “Don’t overthink this. We’ll talk each day and I’ll be back before you know it. I want you safe.”
I wanted him safe. “I’ll be okay. I promise.”
The tears stayed at bay and I focused on the pain of biting my lower lip. Giving me a kiss on the forehead, Dad whispered, “I love you, punkin’. I’m a phone call away.”
“Love you, too.”
With his coffee in hand, he turned toward his truck while waving bye to Pam and Levi. I glanced back. They watched me as Levi put his arm around Pam—a gesture Dad did to Mom all the time when I was younger.
For a moment, I glanced up to gather my strength for the last wave. The morning sky cast hues of orange and red. As the truck cranked, I raised my hand. Dad’s arm came out of the window. I can do this. I can survive this. My heart ached more as the distance grew between the truck and the taillights disappeared.
This was it.
I was on my own.
Again.
Gathering my thoughts, I stood there for a few minutes, grateful for the reprieve the McCole’s gave me. An SUV pulled up with whom I assumed was their daughter, Sydney. A woman with strawberry-blonde hair, who resembled Levi, got out. She looked like I had guessed, mid to late thirties.
“Hey Mom, Dad. We’re headed to the airport. Ty had breakfast already this morning.”
Pam walked down the steps with Levi. The backseat burst open in a flurry of movement. Little limbs came flying out. “Grama and Grampa, Daddy’s coming in one more day! Grama, can you believe it? Aunt Sydney said he got me something special!”
Love shone from Pam as she watched her energetic grandson bound to her. Just before he got to her, Sydney picked him up, showering him with kisses. “I’ll miss you, squirt. Love you.”
He squealed and giggled. “I love you too, Aunt Sydney.”
Barely able to hold onto Ty, Sydney let him down as he rushed to Pam who hugged him. All of the love warmed me. Pam gave Ty a hug, responding to his earlier comment. “I know your daddy is ready to see you. He misses you dearly.”
A smile spread across his face. “He woke up Aunt Sydney this morning and told me so. Aunt Sydney says Dad sleeps less because he’s old.” Ty stopped abruptly and looked at me. “I’m Ty McCole. Who are you?”
I crouched. “I’m London McNally. Your grama and grampa are letting me work on the farm. I was wondering if there was anyone big and brave who could show me around?”
Ty’s little chest puffed up. “I can! I’m super brave. My dad says I’m getting so big he can barely lift me.” Leaning in closer, Ty whispered loudly. “You lose strength when you get old, but don’t tell him.”
Leaning back, I crossed my heart. “Your secret is safe with me. I promise.”
“Good. Want to be my friend?”
I held out my hand for a high-five which he gave me. “I’d love that. I brought my horse with me. Do you want to help me feed her this morning? I need to make sure she’s doing okay in this new place.”
“I don’t ride big horses.” His eyes were big as saucers. Almost scared, which surprised me considering he lived on a ranch.
I gave him a wink. “I’m not riding her. I want to introduce her to you. She needs another friend.”