Page 188 of Trapped With You

Ella pointed to the figure on the left. “That’s Vera.” To figure on the right. “That’s Ronan.” And then to the small figure in the middle. “And that’s you as a toddler.” She glanced up at me,noticed the moisture in my eyes, and grazed her knuckles along my cheekbone. “Julia told me your mom painted this after she had a dream…when she was pregnant with you. This is the kind of life she wanted for you all.”

Quiet. Peaceful. Away from this wretched world of ours.

I missed my parents now more than ever.

A tear unexpectedly fell down my cheek. Ella gasped under her breath and kissed it away gently. Unable to utter a single sentence, I crushed her to me, silently thanking her for giving me such a thoughtful gift.

Ella rested her head on my chest, hugging me tighter.

We stayed locked in an embrace for what felt like an eternity.

The world could end this very moment and I would be fulfilled with her in my arms.

“Thank you,mo chuisle.” My voice was thick when I found it again. “My parents would have loved you.”

It was the very truth. Mom and Dad would have adored the ever-loving hell out of Ella.

She wiped under my eyes with her thumbs and kissed my lips. “And I would have loved them too.”

Ella picked up a manilla envelope from the coffee table. She extended it my way. “This is also for you.”

I weighed it in my hands. It was thick and heavy. Ella watched intently as I opened it and pulled out a slew of documents.

It took me a minute to register the surprise.

And when I did, I felt speechless once again.

Deed to a property in Ireland under my name.

Questions buzzed through my mind, but all I could focus on was the four-by-six-inch photo tucked in between the papers.

It was a vast land with a beautiful home.

Just like the one from the painting.

Stunned, I just stared at Ella, my heart expanding in myribcage with all the affection I felt for her. “Is this the exact place my mom painted?”

Ella nodded. “Yes. After I found the painting, Julia told me Vera was inspired by a particular place she’d seen on a family vacation in Ireland. I did some research, found it listed, and bought it for you. I hoped it would make you feel closer to your mom and dad.”

My voice was raw as I whispered, “Ella…”

“I wanted to gift you something meaningful and memorable. You always do so much for me and sometimes I don’t have the words to convey how thankful I am. But this? This is my way ofshowingit to you.” She framed my face with both hands, peering up at me with so much tenderness, my chest constricted. “You once mentioned that your parents had planned a trip to Ireland for your sixteenth birthday and you were looking forward to it…before they unfortunately passed away. They may not be here physically, but I like to think they’re still here spiritually. And while I didn’t have the privilege of meeting them, I also like to think that they would have wanted you to go on that trip.” She smiled at me. “So I say let’s do it. Go on the vacation you always wanted and stay at this very place, Cade.”

I was floored by the depth of love this girl possessed for me.

“I think that’s a fantastic idea.” I tightened my arms around her waist. “Thank you for giving me one of the greatest gifts.”

She kissed my dimples. “And what’s the greatest gift you’ve ever received?”

I smiled and kissed her right eyelid. “You, Ella.”

E P I L O G U E

Ella

A few years later…

The sound of a pebble hitting my balcony doors had me placing the romance book I was reading face down on my blanket. With a frown, I headed out of bed and towards the source of the noise.