And when Andrew said good night and headed home and Ava went to her room to study for her upcoming final, Kennedy cried herself to sleep.
The next morning, she lay in bed to think. She owed both Dr. Weaver and Dr. Choi an answer. When she’d told Dr. Weaver about losing Hugo, he’d been kind enough to extend her decision date on the ER position. He understood that grief took over all rational thought, as well as a person’s time, and a move across the country required careful consideration.
Staring at the ceiling, her mind drifted, as it often did, to Maverick. This time, though, to his letters. He’d used them as a coping mechanism. Maybe she could, too. She pushed herself to a sitting position. It didn’t feel right writing a letter to Hugo. But…
She slipped out of bed and sat at her desk to pen a letter to the one person in her life who would understand.
Dear Maverick,
Hugo passed away four days ago. I’m devastated and sad and so angry. I’m not sure what I believe in, but when a smart, kind, funny boy dies, I wonder why I ever say a prayer or make a wish. How come good people leave us before we’re ready? I know you’ve asked the same question, and Mav, I didn’t know. I didn’t know until now how much it hurts. I’m so sorry about Nicole. I’m sorry you lost someone you loved.
As I write this, you’re traveling in her honor, and I hope you’re finding peace. Happiness. She was lucky to have you love her. When I left to go to Boston, Hugo had looked good. He’d felt good. He was good when I got back, too. And then he wasn’t. His heart stopped on the operating table, and they couldn’t save him.
You lived with Nicole’s illness for two years, knowing she wasn’t going to survive it. Hugo was gone unexpectedly in the blink of an eye. I’m not sure which is better. Suffering is horrible, but your loved ones got to say goodbye. Hugo’s mom, Maria, didn’t get to do that, and I couldn’t take away that heartbreak. I wish so much that you were here to hold me, to tell me it gets easier. I miss you. A lot. If it’s possible to fall in love with someone in one week, then I fell in love with you, Maverick Owens.
I do hope we meet again.
Love,
Kennedy
She folded the letter and put it in an envelope. Wrote his name on the outside and held it in her hands. She’d mail it to him at the inn. Maybe. She had time to think about it. He didn’t know it, but he’d been a source of comfort to her over the past few days. A happy memory in the middle of the crappiest week of her life.
He could have fought for you.
He could have said, “Let’s see each other when I get back.”
People who really cared about each other didn’t give up so easily, did they? They figured out a way to keep in touch. To discuss possibilities. Not leave things to hope or fate.
Did she want a long-distance relationship with him? She gazed out her bedroom window, eyes unfocused. It didn’t matter what she wanted; she’d fallen for a man currently unavailable, and she’d best remember that.
She had plenty of time for a romantic relationship later. Right now she had a career to launch.
The problem was, which one?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Three months after they said goodbye
Maverick stood outside his house knowing what waited for him inside. His family was about as stealthy as an elephant in a swimming pool. He’d caught movement through the window on the walk up, not to mention noticed the cute face belonging to his niece pressed against the glass.
“He’s here!” he heard Jenna call out before disappearing from view.
The smile taking hold of his face felt good. He’d missed his family.
His mom flung open the front door. “Hi, honey! Welcome home!”
He rolled his luggage inside and stepped into her open arms. “Hi, Mom.” If hugging were an Olympic sport, his mom deserved a gold medal.
On the release, he found the rest of his family standing side by side ready to greet him. Jenna launched herself at him first, Rumi right on her heels. He lifted Jenna off the floor and squeezed her while the playful pup with huge paws jumped on his legs, reaching close to his waist. “Hey, pipsqueak.”
“I’m so gratified you’re home,” she said.
“Me too.” He grinned over her head at his brother and sister-in-law. Gratified? That was a new one.
“On her vocabulary list this week,” Cole said, proud as ever.
“Get over here,” his dad said next. John Owens had a few more gray hairs on his head but, other than that, looked fitter than ever. Hunter had mentioned their dad and uncle were in some kind of fitness competition, and it appeared to be paying off.
“Looking good, Dad.”
“You too, son.” They embraced, and then came Cole and Bethany.
Nova had tears in her eyes when she wrapped her arms around him next. “Don’t ever leave for that long again,” she whispered.
“I won’t,” he whispered back. “I missed you too much.” That got a smile out of her as she wiped the back of her hand across her cheek.
Last came Hunter, who took him in a brotherly bear hug. “Welcome home, bro. I missed your ugly face.”
Maverick chuckled. “Missed yours, too.”
“You hungry?” his mom asked. “We’ve got all your favorites ready, and you can tell us the highlights. You must be tired.”
They moved into the kitchen where balloons and a handmade sign courtesy of Jenna greeted him. On the counter were several dishes of food—lasagna, roasted chicken, barbecued ribs, bacon-wrapped asparagus, chocolate chip cookies—plus plates, napkins, and utensils.
Hunter handed him a beer.
Jenna gave Rumi a dog bone to chew on. He quickly looked away, not quite ready to love on the dog Kennedy had named because then his thoughts would go straight to her. Three months had gone by and he still couldn’t get her out of his head.
Not that he wanted to.
He filled his plate and took a seat at the table. Late-afternoon beams of sunshine spilled inside the room and cast a glow on everyone as they squeezed in around him, Jenna sharing a chair with Nova.
“First things first,” his dad said, raising his drink. “A toast to OFO.”
Maverick drank to that. Owens Family Organics had been born after Marco agreed to invest in the nonharmful pesticide company. Plans were almost complete for a nearby factory, Uncle Tim taking the lead on manufacturing. Mav may have used his chemistry background to create the product, but after a couple of virtual family meetings online, everyone knew he liked being outside with the trees best.