A devilish grin twisted Nash’s lips as he pressed his forehead to mine, struggling to catch his breath and gain control over his need for me. “Let’s head to my place then.”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip, and I took his hand in mine. “Okay.”
We climbed into his golf cart, and Nash pushed the little engine as fast as it would go. He was just as eager as I was to pick up where we’d left off. When we reached his cabin, our lips fused together before we even made it to the door. Somehow we still managed to make our way inside to his bedroom. The instant his mattress pressed against the backs of my knees, I reached for the edge of his t-shirt and peeled it off. We stripped each other down, discarding articles of clothing like they were suffocating our need for air. Then we fell onto the mattress, eager to connect in a way we hadn’t in far too long. Fissures spidering through the walls I’d built around my heart widened and spread to the point of crumbling. Warmth filled me, and I swore Nash’s kisses and his tender touch healed me. I was right where I needed to be.
Chapter Thirteen
The sun had already started to set. Nash dropped me back at Gran’s cabin hours ago so he could get back to work, but all I could think about was him and what it had felt like to be with him again.
“You’re happy,” Gran said, tossing me a sideways glance. We were sitting on the back porch, watching streaks of color slice through the sky.
Warmth filled me as I shifted to glance at her. “I am.” I took a sip from my lemonade. “I’m planning on moving back here too.”
“Good,” she said with an air of knowing.
“I’m sorry I ever left.”
“Don’t apologize for that,” Gran insisted, her eyes narrowing. “That was your path, honey. You had to leave to learn how much you’d miss this place. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
My heart contracted and then expanded. Every second with her felt as though it was my last. I would miss her wise way with words and views on life.
I would miss her.
“I love you, Samantha, and I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown into.”
“I love you too,” I whispered. “And I am who I am because of you, so thank you.”
She coughed and then nodded to her empty glass. “Can I get a refill?”
“Sure.” I took the glass from her and headed inside.
Once I’d gotten her a refill, I made my way outside again and set it on the table between our chairs. Gran’s eyes were closed and her lips were twisted into a tiny smile. She looked more peaceful than I’d ever seen her.
“Gran?” I called to her, lightly touching her arm. “Gran, let’s get you inside so you can rest.”
My body froze when she didn’t stir. My bear picked up on the stillness of her and released a loud growl, realizing before I could that she was gone. The porch swayed beneath me as the knowledge settled in. My lungs burned for air, but I’d forgotten how to breathe. Tears filled my eyes.
Even though I’d known this moment would come, it didn’t make it hurt any less.
My fingers fumbled for my cell in my back pocket, and I dialed Nash’s number. It rang once before he answered, almost as though he knew Gran would pass tonight.
“Hey. Is everything all right?” He asked. I couldn’t find my voice to answer him. “Sam?”
I swallowed hard and then pulled in a breath. “No. It’s Gran.” The words fell from my quivering lips twisted within a sob. I couldn’t say that she was gone, but I knew that I didn’t need to. Nash would understand. He would know.
“Shit. I’ll be right there.” He hung up, and the silence that echoed around me was deafening.
My gaze drifted back to Gran. I focused on how peaceful she looked, thinking she almost looked as though she was sleeping. While my heart ached because she was gone, I found solace in her slight smile. It had hope blooming through me that her passing might have been peaceful.
I clung to that thought.
I didn’t know how long I stood there, locked inside my head, but soon strong hands slid along my shoulders and turned me to face a solid chest.
Nash.
I melted against him and the flood gate that had been keeping my tears at bay lifted. My tears drenched Nash’s gray t-shirt, but he didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he squeezed me tighter, tucking my head beneath his chin and holding me close.
“I’m so sorry, Sam,” he whispered, and I knew he meant what he said because he felt the loss of Gran as deeply as I did.
“I think she’s in a better place,” I said, my voice shaky and soft. “I think she went peacefully.”
“Yeah, me too.”
My tears flowed harder.
“Tell me what you need,” Nash insisted. He wanted to comfort me, and for that, I was thankful. “Tell me what I can do.”
“Just hold me. Stay with me.”
“For as long as you want.” He placed a soft kiss to the top of my head. “And always.”
I buried my face into his chest and let myself fall apart.
When I wasn’t able to produce any more tears, I untangled myself from Nash and took a step back.
“We should call the others. Everyone needs to know that she passed,” I said, wiping my nose with the back of my hand.
“I’ll call them.”
Nash pulled out his cell and began tapping around, the blue glow of its screen illuminating his face. His brows pulled together, and sadness swirled through his eyes. I ran my fingers through my hair and tried not to look at Gran as I headed inside for a sip of water. Nash’s voice was muffled as he talked.
