*****
“Hold still, Autumn. I’m almost done with this section and then we can take a break,” my mother said as she ran the brush through the section of my hair that she was holding tightly. I knew that if I moved, she would pull my hair just enough to catch my attention and make me stop moving.
“I’m sorry Mama,” I said as I moved slightly on the hard floor between her legs. The pillow that I was sitting on did absolutely nothing to protect my bottom from the cold hold floor. I loved spending time with my mom, but I just hated getting my hair done.
“Mama, tell me about this picture,” I said pointing to the open page in the photo album laying open across my lap. I was trying to distract her from the task of taming my still wet locks.
Looking over my shoulder, “Oh! I was about six or seven in that one. I was picking apples on my daddy’s farm and he snapped that picture without me knowing.” Leaning back, I knew that my mom was taking a trip down memory lane. Her grip loosened on my hair and the brush that she was holding onto fell to the ground next to me.
“Mama. You look just like me in this picture.”
“No Autumn, you look just like me.” I could feel my mother’s full belly laugh as she reached down and picked up the brush that was resting next to me on the floor.
“Can we go?” I asked, hoping that I didn’t upset her like I did the last time I asked this very same question.
“I don’t know, Baby. I haven’t been back home in a very long time.” My mother sounded sad and I instantly regretted causing her any pain. We were having such a good day together.
Turning around and looking up at my mother, “I want to go apple picking like you used to do. I want to see the leaves change colors and jump in the piles.”
“I know you do, Baby. I promise that I will figure out a way to make things right and take you home. I know that my daddy would love to meet you and make you his famous warm apple cider.”
“Promise?” I asked, knowing that my mother had never broken a promise that she made me.
“I promise. Now turn back around so that I can finish your hair,” my mother said as she playfully popped me on the head with the brush.
*****
“Gina’s a beauty.” Gus’ voice broke into my memory and brought me back to the present.
Turning to look at the old man who I knew deep down in my heart was my grandfather, “Yes. She was.” Feeling the tears continue to roll down my face, I wiped them away and turned my attention to him. “I didn’t know that you were her father.”
“I figured that,” he chuckled as he continued to stare at me.
“I can find another place to stay if you don’t want me here,” I said. I knew that me being here must be a shock to everyone’s system and I didn’t want to do that. I also didn’t want to give this old man any false hope. I didn’t know how much time I had left on this earth and I didn’t want to fall in love with a new family only to have to say goodbye soon.
“Family is always welcome,” Gus said loudly. His voice sounded strong and kind at the same time. It reminded me of my mother’s voice. “You said that you were sick. What’s wrong with you?”
Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves and clear my head, “I have cancer.”
“Is it bad?” Gus asked me with a shaky voice.
“I’m dying,” I admitted, realizing that I wasn’t ready yet. Life clearly had more to offer me and I wanted all of it.
“Stay for dinner. We have a lot to catch up on,” Gus said as he turned and made his way back to the kitchen. “Jax! Skyye! My granddaughter is joining us for dinner. Make sure to set an extra place at the table.” Gus called out to the two as he walked past them and made his way to the door that led to the backyard. Opening the door and stepping outside, he looked up at the blue sky and let out a sob. “Bring her things inside and put them upstairs in Gina’s room.”
“Are you sure?” Jax asked.
“That’s my granddaughter and she is staying in her mother’s room,” Gus informed Jax as he sat down in the rocking chair next to the back door.
Chapter Twelve
A Month Later
Watching the sun rise in Gus’ old squeaky rocking chair had instantly become one of my favorite ways to start my day in my new home. Home...it felt right calling his house and farm home. I felt like I should have been here my entire life. I settled into my mother’s childhood bedroom without any problems. I spent my first week pouring through her things and getting to know her all over again. I learned so many things about her and the life she lived before me. I also learned about my father. Gus didn’t like him very much and had even less nice things to say about him. He still blamed my father for my mother running off in the middle of the night and never looking back. I also learned about my grandmother. She was a beautiful woman named Clara and she had cancer just like me. She also refused treatment and chose to live her final days right here, picking apples by Gus’ side. Gus told me that he understood my decision and would do everything in his power to make me comfortable and happy.
Gus and I also spent a lot of time talking about Jax and Skyye. Jax seemed to have a chip on his shoulder and having me around only seemed to make it bigger. He wasn’t mean or anything, but everytime I caught him looking at me, there was a scowl on his face. Whenever I spoke to him, I only got one-word answers or grunts in return. I got the feeling that there was an interesting story about him, and I wondered if he would let me get close enough to him to learn it. I wanted to know everything that I could about the mysterious and sexy Jax Morgan. What I did know is that he was a vet. He served in the army for four years. Gus told me that he got into some trouble during high school and enlisted right out of high school. He was sent over to Iraq and saw some things that no man should ever see. When he came back stateside after his tour, he decided not to reenlist. Jax was looking for a home and Gus was looking for help on the farm. Gus has been so thankful for the help and the company. I just wish that I would be able to get to know that Jax that Gus knows and loves. He sounds like an amazing man.
Pulling the soft purple blanket tight around my shrinking frame and shaking the thoughts of Jax Morgan from my head, I watched as the sky turned colors before my very eyes. Taking a deep breath, I reached over to the table and grabbed my cell phone and brought it up to my ear.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” I said to Paige as I started to rock slowly in the chair that I had claimed as my own for these private early morning conversations.
“The phone didn’t even ring yet,” Paige’s voice rang out from the other end of the line.
“You call every morning at the same time to check on me,” I sassed as I watched the sun climb higher into the sky.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” I responded, hoping that she would drop this line of questions. I didn’t like lying to my best friend. I also didn’t want her worrying herself sick over me.
“You know that you are such a bad liar,” Paige sighed. “I wish you would see a doctor out there.”
“I’m living my best life,” I informed her as I pulled the blanket tighter around my body. I could never get warm anymore and had lost my appetite. “I have my grandfather and the resident hottie to keep me company.”