Honor

Chapter 73

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

E vie

We wave goodbye to Lottie as the car she’s in drives away, headed to Manhattan. I’m glad she didn’t insist I go with her. I want to talk to Kevin more about Reid and this house we’re still standing in front of.

“Do you think you can convince Reid to hire someone else to take over until I feel up to it again?” He adjusts the sling he’s wearing. “The doctor said I’d need a few weeks of physical therapy once the cast and sling come off, so I should be good to go in about a month and a half.”

“I can take care of all of it,” I assure him. “I’ll help out today. I’m dressed for work.” I stop talking to let out a burst of laughter. “Yard work, that is.”

He glances at the purple T-shirt, jeans, and black sneakers I’m wearing. Unlike Lottie, I didn’t opt for a showstopper outfit when I got dressed earlier. She decided on white pants, a red blouse with a tie at the waist, and bright red kitten heels.

“You want to take on some of this yourself?” He perks both brows. “You don’t need to get to the office?”

I understand his curiosity, but I shake my head. “I used to love helping my dad out in our yard. I miss it.”

He doesn’t react to the fact that I skipped over his question about the office. Instead, he nods. “I can help with my left hand, too.”

“No.” I reach for his forearm. “You can keep me company for a bit. Only if you have time, though.”

“You bet I do.”

I smile. “I’m going to find a gas station or a corner store first. I need a drink of water before I get to work.”

“No need for that.” His left hand dives into the front pocket of his shorts. A keychain with at least a dozen keys attached to it comes into view. “I keep a few bottles of water in the fridge just in case I get thirsty when I’m here. I stop by once a week to make sure the house is still standing.”

I wasn’t expecting to see inside of the house, but I won’t turn down the chance to get a glimpse into the home Reid grew up in. “That sounds great. Thank you, Kevin.”

“Follow me.” He makes his way up the walk toward the house. “I had no idea when I came by today that I’d find you here. What did your friend say about her luck turning around today? I think mine is, too.”

I smile because I feel the same way.

After Kevin let me into Reid’s childhood home, everything changed. I saw glimpses into the life of a boy who had lost more than most people could fathom.

After I opened two bottles of water, we sat on a faded light blue couch in the living room while Kevin told me stories about Reid’s childhood. Almost the entire time, I stared at a half dozen framed photos on a wooden mantle above a red brick fireplace.

Each of the photographs captured a moment in time. The first must have been of Reid, Melody, and their parents. Their faces were lit up in happiness as they gathered around a Christmas tree. Kevin explained that Reid had moved in with his grandparents just months after that picture was taken. It was soon after his parents died.

Some of the other photographs were of Reid and Melody with two people I assume were their grandparents. It was the picture on the far left that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. That’s because I’d seen it before. It was the image of Randall and Reid at the beach house. At some point, the photo was important enough to garner a prominent position on the mantel, and regardless of everything that has happened since, it hasn’t moved.

“Wow, Evie!” Kevin’s voice comes at me from behind. “You’ve made some real progress.”

He left thirty minutes ago with the promise that he’d be back with something special. I see what that is now. He’s holding a bag of take-out. Based on the smell, we’re about to dine on burgers and fries.

All I’ve done is pull a few dozen weeds out of one of the front flowerbeds. It’s been cathartic, though.

“Let’s eat, and then I can mow the lawn if you help me get the mower started,” he says.

I shake my head. “I’ll start the mower and take care of the lawn. I’ll weed the rest of this flower bed when I’m done.”

He takes out the keychain again to shove it at me. “Why don’t you take the key off the ring and keep it for now? That way, you can lock up when you leave. I’ll stop by the office next week to pick it up.”

I slide the tarnished gold key he used to unlock the door off the keychain and shove it into the front pocket of my jeans. “I’ll take good care of it.”

“You take good care of him too, don’t you?”

I don’t have to ask who. I know he’s talking about Reid. “I try to.”

“That boy has been to hell and back more than once. I’m glad he has someone like you working for him.” He winks. “Or is there more there?”

“More,” I admit because I trust he’ll understand. “I’m still trying to figure out if it’s good for me.”

“You won’t find a better man than Reid Hunt,” he says confidently. “In fact, I’d venture to say, he’s one of the best men I’ve ever known.”