Clementine,
This was the first gift your father ever gave me. I’d like for you to have something of him.
As much as you hate it, you’ll forever be a Hawthorne. You’ll always have a home in Cherrywood.
Irene Hawthorne
“She didn’t sign as Mom.” I make a sorry excuse and fail miserably in finding some other horrible thing to say about the note and unexpected gift.
“I think it’s very thoughtful, especially given the sender.” Keith’s chin rests on my shoulder as he reads the small card.
I lean back, looking again at the words that turn blurry with the mist in my eyes.
42
CLEMENTINE
“This looks like a real house-warming party.” Connor rolls into the living room of our new house. Keith installed a wooden ramp last week so our new neighbor can easily come and go.
“Because it is. What did you think, we weren’t going to feed you?” I move the salad bowls for the hundredth time on the table.
Our shift to this house is more or less complete. We decided to purchase all new furniture as Keith wanted to start everything fresh. But I couldn’t leave the coffee machine behind, it holds too many special five a.m. memories.
As for tonight, Mere and I twisted Keith’s arm into agreeing to this small house-warming party.
“Your cooking skills are no surprise to employees of Kings Security, Clem. We have all heard stories of your burned dinners.” Connor investigates the table closely.
“You ratted me out.” I throw a napkin at Keith.
Hell with it!
The cloth swans are not coming out as shown by the perky Youtuber anyway.
“I didn’t rat you out. I just said cooking isn’t one of your top skills.” Keith’s hands circle my waist, pulling me closer, before placing a quick kiss on my lips.
Gavin grunts from the couch, where he’s sitting next to Mere. “Can you both just stop being so…?”
When he can’t find the right word, Mere supplies, “Adorable?”
“Irritating! You again lured me into this shit with food. Why the hell are we not starting already?” Gavin gives me a pointed look, crossing his arms over his bulky chest.
But I don’t budge. “We’re waiting for everyone.”
“Yeah, Lukas and his girl have yet to come.” Keith grabs my hand when I try to reposition the salad bowl again.
“Keith!” I free my hand from his grip and smack his chest lightly. “Can we please start using her name?” I yell for the hundredth time.
“What’s the fun in that? Until Lukas formally introduces her, we can call her whatever we like.”
As soon as the words are out of Gavin’s mouth, Luke steps into the living room from the main door. He’s still wearing a cast and there’s a visible limp in his walk. Trailing behind him is the person in question.
“Then you are in luck. Everyone, this is Autumn.” He pauses for a beat, his gaze flying between Mere and me. “My wife.” Swinging his perfect arm to and fro, Lukas makes the introductions, before glaring at Gavin. “And from now on, I’d like you to call her that and nothing else.”
I hear a muffled snicker from Keith and Connor beside me, but they sober fast.
Since his surgery, I’ve seen Lukas only a handful of times and very briefly. Tonight, he looks different. Tired. Exhausted.
My gaze flies to Autumn. I’ve only seen her in passing so far. But I don’t need to be her best friend to sense her anxiety. Her hands clutch the flowers she brought with her too tight.