Page 36 of Hope After Loss

“I hope Kaela was good for you,” I tell her.

“She was a little fussy, but I rocked her, and she finally fell out like a little angel,” Sara-Beth coos.

“Thank you for loving her.”

“Oh, I love you both,” she says.

“Mom, you want to stay the night? I’m making my famous pork chops and opening a bottle of vino,” Weston invites.

“I’d love to, but your father is expecting me, and we’re getting up early in the morning and heading to the farmers market.”

He helps her with her coat and kisses her cheek.

“Text me when you make it home,” he demands.

“I will. You two enjoy the rest of your night.”

I pick up my slumbering daughter and cradle her in my arms. I love watching her sleep. She’s so peaceful.

“I hope you’re having sweet dreams, baby girl,” I whisper.

“I’ll start the grill. While it heats up, would you like to see the rest of the house?” Weston asks.

“Sure.”

I stand and follow him.

“This is obviously the living room. The door at the end of that hallway is the guest bath. In here is the kitchen. The mudroom and laundry are off to the side here, and that door leads out to the garage. There is a deck out the sliding glass doors that stretches the length of the house,” he says.

He then leads us down another hallway.

“There are three bedrooms. This one, I use as a weight room, and the one across the hall is the guest room. It has a queen bed. Next, there is a full bath, and this one here is the master suite.”

The tour ends in Weston’s bedroom. It’s a large room with a fireplace, handcrafted king-sized bed, and large floor-to-ceiling windows that face the gorgeous view of the mountains. The decor is simple in dark navy and soft cream tones.

“You girls can sleep in here. I’ll take the guest room,” he offers.

“No, we don’t want to kick you out of your room. We can take the guest room.”

He shakes his head. “No, ma’am. This bed is bigger and much more comfortable. Plus, it has a private bath. You’ll stay in here. My T-shirts are in the top drawer on the left in the closet. You’re welcome to grab one to sleep in,” he insists.

Giving in, I lay a sleeping Kaela on the big bed, and Weston helps me place pillows around her.

“Want to see something cool?” he asks.

“Sure.”

“You have to swear to never tell anyone,” he says.

“I have to know what it is before I make such a promise.”

He grins. “That’s not how it works.”

“Fine. I swear.”

He takes my hand and leads me to the walk-in closet.

“Um, you don’t have a dead body stored in here, do you?”