Page 48 of Wild Mistake
“You remember where it is?” She glances out the window. “Because I don’t think getting lost in the middle of the night would be a great way to end the day.”
“I remember.” I remember everything. But also, I did call my little brother and confirm the springs’ location. I couldn’t chance tonight going wrong or me looking like an idiot.
“Thanks again for bringing my family dinner. And for buying. You didn’t have to do that, but I think my mom appreciated the break.”
“She was very excited when I dropped it by.”
“Oh, God.” Sarah groans. “What did she say?”
“Nothing embarrassing,” I say, chuckling. I always got along well with Sarah’s mom and stepdad when we were dating, but I would understand if I wasn’t their favorite person anymore. “She did mention your boys eat more than anyone she’s known.”
“Yeah.” Sarah sighs. “I think she was unprepared for how much two teen boys can put away.”
“My mom used to tell the neighbors she would triple recipes to feed all of us.”
“I bet!” Sarah smiles. “Can you imagine feeding five children? Every day. Your mom was a saint.”
“And she made it look effortless!” I shake my head. “It’s weird, but being back I think about her more. It feels like she should be here. I guess she still is. The memories are everywhere.” They’re all I have, because I couldn’t find it in myself to return to this place after Sarah broke my heart. I stayed away too long. I missed precious time with my family I’ll never get back. I wasn’t here when Mom got sick. The regret sits heavy in my gut.
“I’m sorry, Aiden.” Sarah’s hand brushes my arm. “You must miss her so much.”
“Yeah.” I swallow back the hurt. “Enough of that. How about you?” Sarah always talked about raising a family in Wilder Valley. “What kept you away for so long? I thought you would have moved back sooner. Or was your ex not interested in small town living?” It’s none of my business, but I want to know.
“I couldn’t come back here with him.”She lifts her gaze and offers me a sad smile. One that cuts straight through my heart. Somehow I know what she isn’t exactly saying.
“Because of me?”
“Because of me.” She says sharply. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“All my dreams of having a family here included you.” She glances down at her lap. “I couldn’t just recreate them with someone else. That wasn’t fair to Jake. I’d constantly be comparing him to everything you and I planned to do. To every conversation. To every letter. I couldn’t do that.”
“I’m sorry I made you feel you couldn’t call the place you loved home.”
“It was my choice to leave.”
“But I forced the decision.”
“We were just kids, doing the best we could.”
That’s the damn truth. But now what? Was there still a chance for us?
“So, there’s something I’ve been wondering,” Sarah says from across the truck cab, her tone light and flirty.
I welcome the change in conversation. “Yeah?”
“What do you do all day?”
My lips pull with a grin. “You mean when I’m not pestering you at the diner?”
She crosses her arms. “You weren’t pestering me this week.”
So, she did notice my absence.That’s got to be a good sign, right?“I’ve been taking my dad out.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Just little trips. A drive up the rim. Fishing at the lake. Watching Ryan and Jackson work at the ranch.” I shrug. “We stopped by the diner one day last week, but you weren’t working.”
