That was good to know. “He’s everywhere,” he repeated, letting his gaze rest on the sloping land outside the tall windows of his home.
“It still hurts,” Sue said simply.
It did. Far more than he’d realized. “We don’t talk about him enough,” he said. “I want to talk about him. I want to hear the stories.”
“Yes.”
“We should have a memorial,” he heard himself say. “Bring our people together to talk about my father’s life.”
Sue pulled back. “It’s been years. We had a memorial.”
Had they? He supposed so, but he could barely remember it—a solemn, silent affair that hadn’t eased their pain.
“We need another one. A celebration this time of all he was.” He waited, knowing Sue would pull no punches if she thought it was a bad idea.
She took a deep breath and let it out. “Yes.”
“He was a good man.” He held his breath.
“He was a good man.” Sue’s eyes shone. “My boy was a good man.”
“Time to tell his story.” As soon as he said it, he knew it was true. No one died on the reservation without it affecting everyone else. The unspoken pain of Joe’s passing must still be carried in everyone’s hearts, given how firmly it had lodged in theirs. They needed a chance to clear the air, remember the good times along with the bad. Remember all the ways they were still connected despite the pain that had come with their losses.
After a long moment, she nodded. “You’re right.”
He took her hands in his and squeezed them. “We’ll heal the old wounds,” he promised her. “We’ll build a better future.”
She admired him in all his wedding finery. Nodded. “You already are.”
“I told you to be patient, and your true love would find you,” Avery’s mother said, joining her in one of the large guest rooms on the second floor of the manor. Her parents had stayed all week, delighted with an extended visit to their daughter’s new home.
“Never doubted it for a minute. No daughter of ours could ever be lonely,” her father chimed in.
Avery smiled, her heart full of love for her parents even as she acknowledged to herself there was a lot about her they never seemed to see. That was all right. Caught up in their own happiness, they imagined everyone else felt similarly, and bearing witness to such a complete relationship had brought her two pieces of knowledge. One was that she wanted a true, strong love of her own, and two was that she’d always make sure to leave the door of that love open a crack so she could share her attention with everyone else in her life, too.
“I’m so glad you could stay until the wedding. I’m sorry it got postponed.”
“We got to spend a week in Chance Creek! And help our daughter get ready for her wedding instead of showing up at the last minute.”
“I’m glad it all worked out. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Our little girl is all grown up. Our little actress is a star.”
“Hardly.” Avery laughed. “I still haven’t done what I set out to do.”
“Star in a romantic comedy? You sure about that?” her mother teased her.
“More like a romantic horror show,” Avery joked, but she was grateful for all she’d gone through since it had led her to a life with Walker. And she was still working on her screenplay. These days Fulsom seemed more approachable. Maybe she’d try for a conversation with him again.
She’d build an acting career for herself sooner or later.
“This dress is beautiful. It’s perfect for you,” her mother said, and Avery understood she wanted to turn the conversation to happier topics. That was fine with her. She’d had all the drama she could stand, and for now she wanted nothing other than some smooth sailing with the man she loved.
“I wish you could have seen the original. I really loved it, but it was ruined when I was kidnapped.”
“You liked it better than this one?” Her mother frowned in concern.
“Actually… no,” Avery admitted with a laugh. “I did love it, but then Alice came and made this one even better. She’s really something.” The new version of the gown was embroidered to the hilt. Avery wondered if Alice had known all along she’d need a second version and had been working on it behind the scenes ever since she’d made the first one. Avery thought any museum or art gallery would be proud to display this gown after her wedding. It was a masterpiece.
“You’re something special, too,” her father said. “And as beautiful as ever.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Are you ready?” Riley came into the room, followed by the other women of Base Camp. Under Maud’s insistence, they’d planned the wedding all over again, making it bigger and better this time. While the ceremony was invitation only, the reception would be open to anyone in town who wanted to come. The women of Base Camp were her bridesmaids.
Alice Reed had spiffed up their gowns, too. There had been trips back and forth to Two Willows at all hours of the day and night during the past week. All the men would stand up with Walker. All the women would stand with her. Her father would do the honors and give her away. Her mother followed Sue everywhere, because The Mothers, as she’d designated the two of them, had to stick together. Sue had grown increasingly harassed with each passing day, but Avery thought she was pleased with her mother’s attention.
Avery took a final
