Page 25 of The Last Key (Baker Girls #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

KENNEDY

The entire ride back to Brighton, my mind was ablaze, but this time in the best way, as I figured out what I’d need to do to stay in Brighton permanently. That word is still a little scary, but in an exciting way.

The top three things on the list were:

Pack my apartment and ship my things out here.

Get a car and probably a California driver’s license.

Figure out a job.

Then I realized I don’t need to figure out a job. I already have plenty to do in Brighton. And I love it all. I get to be a part of this community and bring people together.

That’s when Gladys’s words hit me all over again. “It’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are.”

I was so focused on having a career that I never stopped to think about whether I enjoyed it.

I suppose on some level I did, but I wasn’t nearly as happy as I’ve been being a part of this community.

I love writing, yes. But what I love more is what I use writing for—to connect with people.

Something that’s always come naturally, that’s important to me.

That’s who I am. And it’s what I want to do.

While I’ll never stop writing, I decided I’m going to return to freelance work—writing the stories I want to write. The ones that mean the most. Then I’ll balance the rest of my time between working at the inn, volunteering at the library, and occasionally helping Claire.

That’s when I found myself tearing up in the back of Chris’s van and trying not to be obvious over the fact that I was crying.

My mother’s words flashed through my mind again. It’s always the last key that opens the door. I finally found the right key, and it turns out I had it all along. I just needed to know where to look.

I considered going straight to the inn and jumping into Devon’s arms, but opted to have Chris drop me off at the house instead so I could set up a surprise for Devon.

When we got here, Devon’s car was gone, and so were both of the boys.

Justin must’ve gone with Devon to the inn, which is a plus for me, because I can get him to persuade Devon to come back here early.

I wipe some sweat off my brow as I step in the back door.

I just finished setting up the tent in the backyard, which was more physical labor than I remembered.

Probably because Devon usually set the tent up.

But I’m determined to surprise him. I want him to know this is what I want more than anything.

This is where I want to be. Building a life here with him.

After grabbing a glass of water, I check my phone, which I left sitting on the kitchen counter, and see texts from Justin and Gladys .

Justin: Hey, so Devon is being a stubborn moron and not messaging you, but I thought you should know his dad fell. It’s not horrible, but we’re all at the hospital. Maybe message or call him when you can.

I’m already locking the back door as I check the text from Gladys.

Gladys: Hi honey, hope your flight is going well. Listen, Lon fell this morning. He’s doing okay, but Devon is upset. I’m not sure why he hasn’t called you yet, but I think he needs to talk to you. I think hearing your voice would do him good, if there’s any way you can swing it. Love you.

Shit! But also, why didn’t he call me?

Whatever. It doesn’t matter. He needs me right now, and the rest of it can be sorted out later.

Spinning around, I dash toward the front of the house, unbelievably thankful to find the keys to Justin’s rental car on the hook by the door. Grabbing my purse and the keys, I quickly head outside, locking the door behind me as I go.

I need to get to Devon. That’s the only thing on my mind as I drive to the hospital.

That and I hope his dad is okay. It didn’t sound horrible, but it sounds like Devon is taking it hard.

I wouldn’t know since he didn’t call me.

Of course, he thought I was on the plane, but still. Not even a message?

Now I’m even more grateful I didn’t get on that flight. I don’t ever want him to have to go through things like this alone. That’s why he has me. I hate that we wasted so much time getting together, but now that we are, I’m never letting him face the hard things in life alone ever again.

I park near Devon’s car and head in through the emergency room entrance. The woman at the check-in desk tells me the family is in a nearby waiting room and ushers me through a set of locked double doors.

When I find the waiting area, Devon is sitting next to Justin across from his mom and Gladys.

Gladys looks up and sees me first, shooting me a wink. Then she elbows Sharon, who looks at me and smiles. Off their looks, Justin turns and looks at me, smiling knowingly. Devon, who is still engrossed in his phone, hasn’t looked up. Quietly, I walk over and sit down next to him.

“Couldn’t even message me, huh?”

He spins to face me with wide eyes, sputtering for words. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on the plane?”

I shrug and smile. “Found a parachute.”

“Kend…”

“I—”

“Is this the family of Lon McGregor?”

We all turn toward a doctor who has stepped into the room.

“That’s us,” Sharon says, gripping the edges of her chair and pushing herself up to stand as Devon stands, ready to jump in and help her.

I stand too and take his hand. I have so much respect for the way he gives his mother space even when it’s hard for him.

He wants to help and protect her, but she wants to hold on to her independence.

It takes strength to recognize how to help someone and both be there but not overstep.

I squeeze his hand harder as I realize just how much of a toll all this has taken on him.

He hid it well, and I wish he wouldn’t have.

Being a caregiver is hard. When my grandmother was at the end of her life, my mom and my aunt took care of her nonstop.

They refused to hire an aide, switching off time with her.

It took so much out of them. Devon isn’t even thirty, and he’s doing it for both of his parents.

He deserves to have someone to take care of him.

Even if he’s not particularly good at letting anyone do that.

I’m just going to have to force it on him.

“Your husband is doing well overall. We’re going to keep him overnight for observation. We did both a CT of his head and an MRI. The CT showed no trauma, and we’ll have the MRI results back in a day or two. The MRI will indicate if he’s having a flare-up, so we can be prepared.”

“Okay, thank you, doctor. When can I get back to see him?”

“They’re in the process of getting him a bed for the night. For now, you can come back to his room in the ER. Just one at a time.”

Devon nods at his mom, and she slowly follows the doctor down the hall. Once she’s out of sight, his gaze turns back to me.

“Seriously, Kend, what are you doing here?”

I put my free hand on my hip and narrow my eyes at him. “We can talk about that after you tell me why you didn’t call or message me.”

He stares at me for a second, then sighs. “Come on. Let’s find somewhere private.”

I nod, and though I’m feeling more than a little frustrated with him right now, I don’t let go of his hand.

We end up in the backseat of his 4Runner.

“I’m sorry,” he says after a moment. “I should have talked to you as soon as I heard about my dad. I didn’t want to worry you before your interview.”

“This is more important. Things like this will always be more important,” I say, hand still wrapped around his. I’m mad, but we’re in this together. Whatever it is.

“Why didn’t you get on the plane?” he asks softly.

“Because I didn’t want to. I stood in front of the airport and felt like I was leaving my home—the life I really wanted.”

His eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yes. In the last week and a half, I’ve been happier than I have been in a long time. I enjoyed my life in New York, but I wasn’t happy like I am here. Brighton feels like home. It’s where I want to build a life. With you.”

“But not just because I’m here, right? Because I don’t want you to stay just for me. ”

I tilt my head as I take him in. “No. I just told you, it’s everything. You are a part of that happiness, not all of it.”

He lets out a long breath. “Okay, good. This is where I want to be, too.”

Well, he could’ve told me that.

I probably would’ve come to my own conclusion about that a lot sooner if he hadn’t been so pushy about me going.

He leans forward and wraps his arms around me, but I give him a little shove backward. His brow furrows in confusion as he looks at me.

“Devon, what would you have said if I had wanted to go back to New York?”

He gives a little shrug. “I’d have gone with you. I just want you to be happy.”

I grab his hands and squeeze them tightly.

“Let me make one thing very clear, I’m never going to be happy if you’re sacrificing yourself and not communicating with me.

I know we didn’t admit our feelings for a long time, but otherwise, we’ve always been open and honest with each other…

” I trail off. “Or at least I have. You haven’t been honest with me when you’ve needed help or support.

That has to stop. I respect what you’ve done for your parents.

You’re a good man and a great son, but hiding your feelings and never asking for help stops right now.

You don’t have to handle anything alone anymore.

You’ve got me. Lean on me. I’m here for you. Every step. I promise.”

“I’m sorry. I love you. Can I kiss you now?”

“Only if you promise to share your feelings and needs with me from now on. And no more blind sacrificing.”

“I promise.” He leans in and softly kisses my lips, increasing the pressure and drawing me closer with every movement of his lips.

When he pulls away, he asks, “What about the job, Kend? It’s what you’ve been working for.”

“It was,” I say softly. “But over the last week and a half, I’ve realized it’s not what I want after all.

I want to do something I enjoy every day.

And that’s what working at the inn and volunteering at the library, and even helping Claire, have given me.

I’ll never stop writing, but now I’m going to switch back to freelance and write what I want to write. ”

“As long as you’re happy?—”

“As long as we’re both happy.”

“You’re staying, I have a job I enjoy, a great community, and a home I love. I’m happy.”

“Yeah? Does that mean you want me to live with you?”

“Fuck yes. Where else would you live?”

“I’m assuming there are apartments in Brighton.”

“There are. But you aren’t living in them. I already told you, I dreamed of having you stay with me. There’s no way I’m letting you live anywhere else.” He leans in and kisses me. “You’re staying right here.” Another kiss. “With me.” One more kiss. “I love you.”

I loop my arms around his neck and lean into him.

“I love you too.” Then I trace my tongue over his bottom lip before pushing it into his mouth and deepening our kiss.

I can’t believe I waited so damn long to go for it with him.

I knew it would be a risk, and that scared me off, but I never factored in the rewards.

Falling for your best friend is scary as hell, but when it works, it really works.

I sigh against his lips and pull away, resting my forehead against his and looking into his eyes.

“We should probably go back inside.”

“Yeah, probably. I need to be sure my mom eats something.”

I kiss him again before he can move. “Remember, we’re in it together.”

He grabs my hand and kisses it. “I know. Thank you. We better get out of the car now or we never will.”

I laugh at that and swing my door open.

As we walk back to the hospital hand in hand, Devon says, “So, I know you’re still figuring out the specifics of job stuff, but if you’re interested, Gladys and I have been talking for months about creating a new part time position at the inn.”

“Doing what? ”

“Event planning. We have weddings there throughout the year, and they’ve steadily increased since I’ve been back.

People often ask if we have an on-site event planner or even someone their planner can coordinate with.

Gladys helps with coordinating, but I think you’d be incredible at it.

You’re great at putting people at ease, listening, and getting to the heart of what they need.

I know it would be a career pivot, so I don’t want an answer right away. Take some time and think about it.”

“I’m definitely interested. Maybe I could try it out for a little while and see how it goes.”

“That sounds perfect. That way you can figure out how much of your time you want to spend on each thing.”

“It’s funny, I was so focused on having a specific career, I didn’t realize how much I could enjoy myself by doing what comes naturally to me, and following my heart.”

“And that’s what you’re doing now?”

“Absolutely. And building a life here, with you, makes me more excited than I’ve been in a long time.”

“Good answer,” he says with a quick kiss, then together, we walk inside.