Page 69

DAVINA

I carried a small bouquet of sunflowers as I walked through a field of soft grass. It was fairly hot for a June morning, but there was a nice breeze going, causing my pink sundress to blow in the wind.

I passed through rows and rows of flat marker headstones until I found the one I was looking for. It was next to a cluster of bushes, the stone a glossy black with white lettering.

I read the headstone, which was flush with grass, the flower container empty, proof that no one had been here in a while. That hurt my heart a little. The headstone shimmered in the sunlight like it was smiling at me.

LEWIS C. ROBERTS

1988–2021

LOVING SON, HUSBAND, AND FRIEND

I bent over, tucking the sunflowers into the container and adjusting them. A breeze sailed by as I cleared my throat.

“Hey, Lew. It’s been a while.” I huffed a laugh, studying his name. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited as much, but like I told Octavia, I don’t think you’re really here. Your soul isn’t, anyway. But just in case you are, I want you to know that I’m engaged now—wanted to tell you that. The wedding will be next summer.” I bit into my bottom lip, running the sole of my sandal over a patch of grass. My eyes prickled, but I blinked and drew in a breath.

“You told me it was okay to move on and be happy, and I didn’t believe you. I couldn’t see how I could move on when you weren’t there. It just didn’t feel possible. But you should know that I appreciate you so much for leaving me with that—for letting me know it was okay. It’s still taking me a while to block out most of the guilt, but I’m getting there. And even when the time comes when I’m numb to it, it won’t stop me from missing you.”

I lowered to a squat and ran my hand over his headstone to swipe some of the dirt away. When I stood up again, a dragonfly swooped down and landed on top of it. I sucked in a sharp breath, and there was no stopping the tears this time, because I knew what the dragonfly signified and who it was from.

I grabbed at the collar of my dress, pulling out my dragonfly pendant.

“I see you,” I whispered, voice cracking. “Thank you.” The dragonfly took off, and I watched it fly away until I could no longer see it.

I returned to the parking lot, where Deke was leaning against the side of my car. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and a smile graced his lips as he offered me a hand. I smiled back and felt my heart skip a beat. Sometimes it still surprised me that I would be marrying this gorgeous man.

“You ready?” he asked, stroking the top of my hand with his thumb.

That seemed like such a loaded question at the time.

Was I ready to let go?

Ready to move on?

Ready to create new adventures and a new life?

Ready to leave the past in the past to make space for an undefined future with him?

I looked into my fiancé’s eyes, rose to my toes, and kissed him.

“Yeah,” I said when our lips parted. “I’m ready.”