“I missed everything with him. First smile, first laugh, first step, first word. The list goes on. What if I never get that back?”
She reaches her hand across and laces her fingers with mine. “You didn’t miss it, Jack. You were there for every one of those things, you just don’t remember at the moment. Itwillcome back to you. It has too.” She whispers the last part, her voice barely audible.
“Zara has no photos of him on her phone. Don’t you think that’s weird? The only photo I’ve seen of him was the one you showed me in the hospital.”
“Libby has photos. She was always showing me ones you’d sent her. You used to send her new ones every week. I know how much she missed you two. You should ask her.”
“I will. Thanks, Aria. Maybe seeing some old photos will help.” I smile at her. “How’s the rest of your week looking? Got any plans?”
“I’m going to Llano with Sav tomorrow. She’s looking at buying another horse. Then on the weekend we’re off to Austin, bridesmaid dress shopping.”
“Brody did tell me he and Quinn are getting married. Isn’t the wedding in a few weeks? How come you don’t have your dresses?”
“We were waiting for Lib to have the baby. She didn’t want to pick a dress and have to guess her size.”
“That makes sense.”
“Do you think you might still be here for the wedding?” She looks nervous as she asks and bites down on her bottom lip.
“Yeah, I think so. My parents told me I took voluntary redundancy at work and gave up the lease on the house we were renting to spend a few months out here.” I shake my head. “I’ve got to admit, I was a little surprised when they told me. I don’t remember loving my job, but to just give it all up…” I shrug. “Seems a little extreme to just walk away from everything, even for a few months.”
“I think you missed Lib and wanted to be here when she had the baby. I’m sure it will all make sense when you get your memory back.”
I nod but don’t say anything. Everyone seems so sure I’ll remember, but I’m sceptical. Other than a random smell, I have nothing that makes any of the last three years any clearer, and the more days that pass, the farther away I seem to get from them.
Jack
After spending a few hours by the river, I bundle everything in the back of the truck, and we head home. Jacob sits on my lap again as I drive, his little chubby hands gripping the steering wheel. Aria’s quiet on the ride back, and I want to ask her if she’s okay, but I know she’ll tell me she is, even if she isn’t.
“Oh, great,” I mutter as the ranch house comes into view and I see Zara standing on the porch steps. Even from here I can see she looks annoyed.
“What’s wrong?” Aria asks as she looks across the cab at me.
I gesture with my head to the house. “Looks like Zara’s back from Austin.”
She swings her head around to look at where I’m gesturing. “Did you tell her we were going on a picnic?”
I shake my head. “She never would have gone to Austin, and I really wanted to spend some time with you.”
“I thought you said it was Jacob who’d been asking for me?” she asks, her eyebrows raised in question.
“It was. He has…” I trail off as I park the truck.
“Why do I feel like we did something wrong?”
“We did nothing wrong. I’m allowed to have friends.”
“Looks like it. I should go.” She leans over and strokes Jacob’s face. “Bye, little man. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Aria, wait.” I don’t want her to leave like this. I’m a grown man. No one is going to tell me who I can and can’t be friends with.
“I’m just going to cause an argument if I stay. I don’t want Jacob to see that. I’ll see you later. Thanks for the picnic. I had fun.” She climbs out of the truck before I can stop her, my eyes following her as she walks up the porch steps. When she gets to where Zara is, I frown as Zara grabs her arm, forcing her to stop. Jumping out of the truck, I walk toward them, Jacob in my arms.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I reach the bottom of the steps.
“Just reminding Aria what’s mine, that’s all,” Zara spits, her eyes fixed on Aria, whose back is to me.
“Excuse me,” Aria says quietly, shaking off Zara’s hold on her.