Page 14 of Ember’s Heart
Colton
A fter my conversation with Owen yesterday, the first thing I did was head home and discuss my plan with my dad. He thought it was a great idea, it’d get me out and keep me busy.
I found myself excited to be doing this as I drove towards the Habitat for Humanity office in the next town over.
I needed to do something, anything, to prove I was serious about working on myself and trying to make amends.
And Owen’s mention of Ember’s volunteer work seemed like a good place to start.
As I walk into the office, I’m greeted by a woman with kind eyes and a warm smile sitting behind a desk. “Hi there, how can I help you?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I reply, a little awkwardly. “My name’s Colton. I’m interested in volunteering.”
“That’s wonderful!” she says, her smile widening. “My name’s Susan. Let me grab Scott, he’s our director, he can give you all the information you’ll need.”
I watch as she gets up and disappears through a door marked “Director’s Office” and returns a moment later with a man in his late fifties. “Hi there. You must be Colton,” he said, extending a hand. “I’m Scott.”
We shook hands, and he led me to a small conference room, where he gave me a brief overview of Habitat’s mission, explaining how they built affordable housing for families in need, relying on volunteer labor and donated materials.
He outlined the various ways I could help, from construction work to administrative tasks, and I immediately opted for construction.
As we talked, he mentioned Ember’s involvement, which had me perking up and definitely paying attention.
“Ember’s a real asset to us,” he said. “She doesn’t just swing a hammer.
She helps the families get settled in, donates food from her farm, and connects them with local charities and services they might need.
She’s also great at organizing our supply donations from local businesses. We couldn’t do it without her.”
I listened, a strange mix of pride and guilt swirling within me. Pride in the woman she’d become, guilt for the years I’d missed, the years I hadn’t been there to see her grow.
After we finished discussing the volunteer opportunities, I filled out the necessary paperwork and shook Scott’s hand again.
“It was good to meet you, Colton,” he said, his smile genuine. “Good to have you home, and I look forward to working with you.”
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “Thanks,” I managed to say. “It’s good to be back.”
Getting back in my truck, I felt a flicker of something like hope for the first time in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make amends, not only with Ember, but with my past.
My next stop… the Carter farm.
As I pull my truck to a stop in front of the house, I make my way down to the barn.
The familiar scent of leather, hay and horses filling the air.
I wanted to talk to Richard and Garrett about an idea I had, a horseback riding program for kids in the area.
Riding was something I always loved to do, and I loved kids, so it was a win-win.
It’s also a way to give back to the community and it didn’t hurt that it’d give me a reason to be here… closer to Ember.
I find Richard and Garrett in the barn, deep in conversation. Richard is gently brushing down one of the horses, his hand moving in long, soothing strokes along her flank. The horse shifted slightly, but was relaxed and content. Garrett is leaning against the stall door playing with a rope.
Clearing my throat, I step into the barn. “Hope I’m not interrupting,” I say. Garrett’s head turns towards me, and I see Richard looking up as I approach, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Richard pauses his grooming and lays the brush down, stepping forward, and he extends a hand. “Colton,” he said, his voice a low rumble, his grip firm and warm. “It’s good to see you, son. About time you made your way to see me.”
Hearing the warmth in his voice made me wince. I nod to both of them before giving my attention to Richard. “Richard, I… I’m sorry,” I said, the words catching in my throat. “I know I should’ve been here sooner.”
“I’m sure you have your reasons, Colton.” He’d always treated me like family, like a son, and the genuine affection in his voice made the guilt gnaw at me even harder.
“I thought so, sir. But lately I’m not so sure.”
His gaze meeting mine, he says, “Look son, I know you already talked to the Mrs., and I know this knucklehead here,” he nods towards Garrett, who rolls his eyes, “along with my youngest son, already gave you the third degree, so I’m not about to do that.
But, I wouldn’t be doing my job as a father if I didn’t say something. ”
“I understand sir,” I said. “I deserve it.”
He nodded his head as he continued, his gaze hardening slightly.
“Nothing could excuse hurting my little girl.” He paused, patting the horse’s neck, before returning his focus to me.
“You know, I never served, so I can’t pretend to understand what you went through over there.
But I remember my mom and gram always saying how my dad and granddad came back different.
War changes a man. I get it. I’m here if you need me.
If you want to talk, or hell, maybe just sit and have a beer in silence, I can do that too.
Just don’t hurt my little girl again. Understand? ”
“I understand,” I said, my voice firm. “That was never my intention, Richard. And it never will be. And I’d love to have that beer with you sir.”
“Any time son, you know where to find me. Now,” He paused, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “What can I do for ya? Can’t imagine you just came to hang out with an old man,” he chuckled.
Garrett snorted, pushing himself off the stall. “Yeah, Dad, you’re about as exciting as watching paint dry.”
Richard rolled his eyes, a chuckle escaping him. “You’d be surprised son, both of you youngins’ would be, to know just how exciting this old man once was. Just ask your mom,” he said with a smirk and a laugh, which earned a laugh from me and a groan from Garrett. “Jesus, Dad.”
Once Richard stopped laughing, he asked, ”Alright, Colton, what’s on your mind?”
Clearing my throat, “I did want to talk to you about something.”
He listened while I explained my idea, the horseback riding program, the potential benefits for the kids, the ways it could help the community.
“That’s a good idea, Colton. A damn good idea,” he said, nodding slowly, a smile forming from ear to ear, Garrett laughing next to him. “But you know, I’m not the one who’s in charge of that sort of thing.”
I internally groaned. “Let me guess, Ember.”
Both guys nod their heads, while continuing to laugh.
“I guess there’s no way one of you could talk to her?” I ask.
Both just laugh some more before Richard shakes his head as he starts to leave the barn, he pats me on the shoulder as he passes and says, “Welcome home, son. And be sure to find me for that beer. I’m sure you’ll need it.”
Garrett and I watch Richard exit the barn before Garrett takes a seat on the bale of hay. “Owen told me about your little chat yesterday,” he said, his voice holding a little humor. “This horseback riding program, is this part of your grand plan to win Ember’s trust again?”
I hesitate, unsure how much to reveal. “It’s part of an effort to make things right,” I admit, meeting his gaze. “With everyone. But it’s also something I need to do for myself. And something I want to do for the kids.”
Garrett nodded slowly. “Look, I know I’m not Cade,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. “But he’s not here right now. So… if you need to talk, Colton, about anything… I’m here. You’re not alone. ”
A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me.
Part of me wanted to keep everything buried deep inside, hidden away in that tiny little box no one would find, and to pretend the past didn’t exist. But another part, desperately wanted to finally get it all out.
I wrestled with the decision, the words caught in my throat.
Should I tell him? Can I even put it into words?
The images flashed through my mind. The explosion, the screams, the faces of my fallen brothers.
It’s time, I thought, the realization hitting me with the force of a physical blow. It’s time to get it out.
Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath before I opened them again. I looked at Garrett. “Ok.”