Okay, the answer was fairly obvious–more of what happened today. But beyond that, he had to think about what was practical. There was so much going on right now and once again, the timing wasn’t good for them. She was here for a short period of time right now and then she would go back to her home and job up in New York and he would still be here with more work than he knew what to do with. So again, why was he looking to pursue anything?
Good question.
Finishing his sandwich, he quickly cleaned up the kitchen, grabbed his phone and tablet, and headed for the door. And only one answer came to mind…
Because I need to get her out of my system…
Mallory looked down at the phone in her hands and blinked.
Jake: Main house passed inspection. You can move back in tonight.
She was sitting at her aunt’s massive dining room table surrounded by most of her family and she hated to interrupt the conversation to tell them about Jake’s message.
Her uncle was sitting at the head of the table and was currently talking about the conversation he had earlier with the funeral home. Mallory couldn’t make herself focus on it. It was too much. She hated thinking of Pops being somewhere like that–even though she knew it was exactly the way things needed to be. He was cold and alone and the thought of it broke her heart.
Beside her, her mother glanced over. “Everything okay?” Mallory held up the phone and showed her Jake’s text. With a small smile, she said, “It’s wonderful news.”
“What is?” Aunt Georgia asked, clearly not listening to her husband either.
“Oh, um…Jake Summerford just sent word that he had inspectors out at the house and the main structure passed inspection. Mallory and I can move back over tonight if we want.”
Georgia’s face pinched just ever-so-slightly before she put a smile back in place. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? There is still so much damage all around with the deck being gone and the front wing being crushed.”
“The front wing is only partially crushed,” Susannah corrected mildly, “and we would just keep that part of the house closed off for now. I know I’d feel better just going over and doing a walk-through myself. Not that I don’t trust Jake or the engineers, but it’d help give me my own peace of mind.”
“Well…no one’s throwing you out of here, Susannah,” Georgia said pleasantly. She was the epitome of the typical Southern belle who was always gracious, with a smile on her face even when she was mad as hell.
And Mallory had a feeling her aunt was mad right now because for years it had been well known that she had wanted Pops’ house for herself. When Susannah had moved down to help care for Pops, all of Georgia’s plans were put on hold.
Hopefully indefinitely.
“And I appreciate your hospitality,” her mother said with a smile of her own. “And if it’s okay with you, I will stay here tonight. Tomorrow, though, I’m hoping the power will be restored and we can start letting life return to normal.”
At that point, Uncle Beau went back to talking about the plans he had discussed with the funeral director – visitations, flowers, a suit for Pops - and Mallory couldn’t take it anymore. When she pushed her chair back and went to stand, everyone stopped talking and looked over at her.
“Sorry, but…I just need to go get some air,” she said apologetically. Then she looked at her mother. “Can I borrow your car?”
“Why don’t you go over and walk through the house?” her mother suggested. “I think we both know that’s where you’re going to go.”
Smiling sadly, Mallory nodded. “Thanks.” Then she looked up at everyone. “I’ll see you all later.”
It took less than five minutes for her to get her things and be in the car, pulling out of the driveway. The sun was setting and she realized a little too late that she wasn’t going to have much daylight to help her see things in the house. Surely she’d be able to find a flashlight or something if she needed it, right?
When she pulled up in front of Pops’ house, she didn’t pause or hesitate. She was practically frantic to get inside.
Once she was through the front door, she realized she was breathless and shaking.
There was no one to call out to and no one to respond.
Walking slowly, she peeked into Pops’ office and couldn’t bring herself to stop. The house was eerily quiet and when she looked at the closed door to the downstairs wing, she was almost relieved. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle seeing his room right now.
By the time she walked around the downstairs, she realized it was almost pointless to be here. Her thoughts were scattered in what felt like a million different directions and with the fading sunlight, there wasn’t anything she could even do. Going to the kitchen pantry, she found a flashlight and took it with her before walking out the front door. She closed and locked it behind her and decided that maybe a little time down at the boathouse would be better for her.
Careful of the multiple fallen branches, Mallory walked around the side of the house and down to the pier. Sunsets were always beautiful out here and even with the overcast sky, she knew she would sit up on the party deck and enjoy it.
Down the pier and up the ladder to the deck she climbed and tossed her purse down on the floor. None of the furniture was up here so it wasn’t like she had somewhere to sit, but it didn’t matter. Standing at the rail looking out at the water was exactly what she wanted.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly, feeling all the tension leave her body. If she could, she’d camp out right here tonight and skip going back to her aunt and uncle’s house. It wasn’t anything personal; this was just the kind of mental health therapy she needed at the moment.
Between this reprieve from her hectic work life and her grief over Pops, Mallory knew she’d take this kind of alone time over anything else. This had always been her happy place–the only place she ever felt like she could come and truly relax. At least, for a long time that had been the case. After her breakup with Jake, the boathouse held too many memories–ones she didn’t want to think about. But after their kiss earlier, it was really no surprise she ended up here.
It was also no surprise when she heard footsteps on the pier.
Jake.
She didn’t move. Hell, she had to make sure she was even breathing by the time he was up on the deck beside her.
“What are you doing up here?” he asked quietly, looking out at the Sound just as she was.
“I had to get out of there. They were talking about the funeral and…I just couldn’t. It was too much.”
Beside her, he let out a long breath. “In my head, I knew this day would come. Knew we’d be facing a day when Zeke wasn’t here anymore. The reality of it is much harder than I thought it would be.”
Unable to speak, Mallory simply nodded.
They stood like that for a long time. The sky was almost dark and she couldn’t see much of anything anymore, but she could feel Jake beside her. More than anything, she wanted to lean into him and feel him wrap his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. Logically, she knew it would–knew she would always mourn the loss of Pops–but right now she wanted comfort and to just…feel something other than grief.