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“It was the easiest thing to ever do, Amy. Helping you was one of the few things I don’t regret.”
“She would have been proud,” I said. “I know she would have.”
Mr. Buford gave me a sad smile. “I don’t think she could have felt anything for me but hatred. And that’s okay. I didn’t do what I did for a reward. I did it because I wanted to.”
“Still, you did it. God, I ... I hate that she’s gone. I wish you got your happy ending.”
“Oh, Amy. I did. She’s in everything. Those tulips that are blooming right now? She planted them all those years ago. I see her in those. I see her in bright days and in the stars at night. I see her in the places I can. And then I got the greatest gift of all.”
“What was that?”
“I got to see her inyou. Your smile pulled me through my grief. Your laugh made me laugh. And sometimes I wonder if she sent you as one last thing I didn’t deserve. A second chance, if you will.”
“But if she were here, maybe I could have given you that second chance.”
He shook his head. “I don’t need that. Just this is enough. I got to see you fall in love, Amy. With a man who deserves you. For me to see you be happy, to end up with someone you love, it’s like I’m giving it tohertoo. She would want this for you. She would rest easy knowing you have what she wanted for you. Yourlight.”
I wiped at my eyes again, which now steadily streamed tears. “You’ve done more for me than my own family, Mr. Buford. Do you know that?”
“I’m happy to do it. I never had grandkids of my own. I’m sure she’d have something smart to say about me stealing hers, but?—”
“I think she’d thank you for being here when she couldn’t.”
“I’d like to believe that too.”
“Thank you for testifying,” I said. “You have no idea how much I owe you.”
“The only thing I want for you is to live the way I didn’t. Be happy, Amy. Find what you deserve. Don’t linger in the pain of your past. It doesn’t get you anywhere.”
“I won’t. I’m gonna be free of them. I’m done.”
“Good. It’s what you deserve. You have so much life, Amy. Spend every second of it with the people who seeyou.”
“I will,” I promised before pulling him into a tight hug, mind swirling with all of the things I’d just learned.
Mr. Buford knew Gram. He hurt Gram.
And he lost her.
I was still wiping at my eyes. I could see why Gram hated him. I would hate anyone who cheated on me too.
But he also stuck around and watched her to be sure she was okay. And then when she was gone, he did it for me.
If that wasn’t love, then I wasn’t sure what was.
“I hope you aren’t too mad,” he said when I pulled away.
“I’m not,” I said. “You may have been wrong, but you’ve also been right too. Especially when it mattered.”
“I tried. And I got the best neighbor out of it.”
“And I’ll continue to be. Gram may have planted tulips, but I’m adding lilies. You’ll never forget me now.”
“Oh, I won’t. Now, get back home and enjoy the rest of your day. Don’t think too hard about this.”
“You know I will.”
“Live in the moment. Be happy. And bring Levi over again. I enjoyed watching that boy get smashed.”