He has to want it all.
“Okay then. I’m glad we got that settled.”
Only I don’t feel good or glad or settled. I feel sad and like a part of my soul has just left me.
Chapter Fifteen
Sydney
Ugh. This puking thing is for the birds. I thought I was done with the morning sickness thing, but apparently, I am not.
I get up, wash my mouth out, and brush my teeth. Today is the annual Country Tractors and Treat fair in Sugarloaf. It’s one of my favorite things we do, but I’m just not feeling it. Tonight is Ellie and Connor’s joint bachelor and bachelorette party, and I can’t miss that. I figure if I can rest and keep my stomach settled, maybe by tonight I’ll be good.
Not that I understand why the hell they want to do this as their send off to being single. A small country concert is not exactly my idea of a good time. At least, not anymore.
Once upon a time, I loved the fair’s concert. We would listen to whatever local band or singer they found at the karaoke bar pretend to be the next American Idol, dance, and have fun. I loved how Declan would dance with me, laugh as we made fun of the bad singers, and talk endlessly about our future.
I haven’t gone to the concert once since he left. It’s not the same anymore, but for my friends, I’ll suck it up.
There is a knock on the door, and I head down, not sure who the hell would be at my house now.
When I open the door, I’m greeted by the huge smile of one of my favorite people, who just happens to be in the arms of the man who starred in my dreams last night.
“Good morning, Aunt Syd!”
“Good morning, Miss Hadley!”
“I brought Uncle Declan.” She beams.
“I see that.”
“Morning, Bean.”
I really wish he’d stop calling me that. I’m not his bean anymore. “Dec.”
“We’re going to the festival today!” Hadley pipes up.
“You are?”
She nods quickly. “Uncle Declan said we’re going on a date.”
I laugh and lean against the door. “Well, you are a very lucky girl. You know, your uncle loves to buy things and carry them around all day. So, you make sure you take him to every single stand, and don’t be afraid to ask for anything you want.”
Hadley beams up at him. “You do?”
Declan looks at me with his lips set into a thin line, which disappears when he turns to his niece. “Not every stand, but—”
“Oh, don’t let him fool you, princess. He loves to spoil the girls in his life.”
Declan clears his throat. “You know, Syd, you’re right. I do. And that’s why I’m so excited that you’re coming with us.”
My lips part, and I scramble to think of a way out, but Hadley squeals first.
“You are! I knew it! I knew that was why we were coming. Uncle Declan said he had to come do something here and then we could go, but I was hoping we would be picking you up first. And I was right! Aunt Sydney, it’ll be so much fun. We can go see the animals and eat all the food and then they have tractors and all kinds of toys and games. You have to go get dressed so we can go!”
I look down at my attire and quickly put my arms over my chest. I have on a black tank top, my sleeping shorts, and no bra. Great.
“I think Aunt Syd could go just like that.”
I glare at him. “Funny.”
“Well, what do you say? You want to come to the fair?”
“Of course she does!” Hadley answers for me.
I guess I don’t really have a choice. “The child has spoken,” I say with a smile.
“She does that a lot.”
I giggle and nod. “Yes, she sure does. What was it that really brought you by, though? I know we’re all meeting later for the joint party, but I wasn’t expecting anyone this early.”
“I figured I would stop to put the for sale sign up in the yard, and I wanted to give you the paperwork. You are officially on the market as for sale by owner.” Declan lifts the lawn sign that was resting on the other side of the door.
“Oh, wow. I mean, this is great.”
He looks back at my chest and then turns away. “Why don’t you get dressed while Hadley and I take care of putting the sign up?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
I head upstairs to my room, feeling a little dizzy at how quickly my plans for the day have changed. Ten minutes ago, I was going to eat, try not to puke again, and then lie in bed with a book before I had to go to the concert. This sort of screws it all up, but I can’t seem to say no to Hadley.
After getting dressed in a pair of leggings and an oversized sweater, I head downstairs. I’m far from glamorous, but at least I’m comfortable.
“Are you ready?” Hadley bounds forward.
“Easy, Monster, give her a second to get off the stairs.”
I smile down at her and push her light brown hair back. “I’m ready.”
“I want to eat everything they have. I didn’t get to go to the fair the last three years. Dad, er, Kevin,” she corrects, “didn’t let us go, and Mommy didn’t want to make him mad, but I could smell the food from my house. If I went all the way to the back fence, I could hear the music, and it was so nice.”
This kid never fails to make my heart break just a little. She has the most beautiful spirit of any child I know, and I shudder to think what her life would’ve been like had Connor not found her.
“Well,” Declan says with a tightness in this voice. “I think we might have to stop at every stand,
