Read Almost Summer for Free Online

Familiar. Unlike the life
he’d been living since Sara and his daughter’s deaths. He’d been on the
go—constantly moving from country to country. Despite his parents’ phoning him
on his-mobile and asking him to visit, he’d stayed busy and far away.
    As he stood next to Paige, waiting for the small-town parade,
he realized he hadn’t just been fighting the measles and exhaustion. His illness
had gone much deeper—down to his heart. He’d been unable to face his own
devastation. Unable to accept how much he’d been responsible. He’d been running
so fast, he hadn’t had time to stop and look around. He hadn’t had time to
heal.
    Paige had offered him more than a bed for his body—she’d given
him a refuge for his soul. Her gentle kindness had made him realize it was time
to look forward. While he would never forget those he’d lost, he was finally
ready to start living again.
    “There they are,” Paige said pointing. “The one in front is
Athena. Oh, look at the ribbons! She’s so beautiful.”
    Alistair saw a perfectly ordinary goat with ribbons around her
neck. Ribbons Athena was busy trying to eat. But in Paige’s mind, the goat was
beautiful. Because that’s how Paige would see everything. Her worldview allowed
her to see what could be rather than what was. She’d truly been given a gift in
that regard.
    He put his arm around her and drew her close. She leaned into
him, then raised her head and smiled at him. As he stared into her hazel eyes,
he knew she had given him a gift. A second chance. He owed her and he needed to
make sure that, before he left, he did something for her as well.
    * * *
    “You don’t mind?” Paige asked.
    The parade had been spectacular, as always. Animals and antique
cars, although her favorite part was the kids on bikes. She loved watching them
ride past—so excited to be a part of the day.
    “I’m honored you’ve asked me to accompany you,” Alistair told
her.
    “It won’t take long.”
    “I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
    The words, along with his yummy accent, made her insides get
all twisty. “You’re too kind.”
    “I’m not, but I’m glad you think I am.”
    He took her hand as they crossed the street. They each held a
bouquet of colorful tulips in the other hand. Once they reached the park, they
walked around to the far side and the small cemetery by the church.
    Alistair offered her the flowers he carried and waited by the
gate as she went inside. Sophia’s grave, marked by a small, modest headstone,
stood at the edge of a beautiful garden. She’d picked the space and the marker
herself. Because she took care of Paige, even after she was gone.
    Paige placed the flowers on the grass, then knelt down. As
always, she felt the loving presence of the woman who had raised her. But this
time, there was a difference. An urging, as if a message were being
communicated.
    Paige wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but, after a while,
strong hands settled on her shoulders. Alistair drew her to her feet and then
wiped the tears from her eyes.
    “I can’t go,” she whispered, her mouth trembling. “I promised
her I would follow my dreams. That I would travel. I stayed because she was old
and I wanted to be here for her and now that she’s gone, I can’t leave.”
    She pressed her hands together. “I don’t know what’s wrong with
me. She wouldn’t want this. She wouldn’t want me living such a small life. We
had dreams together and I swore I would make them happen.”
    “You will.”
    “You don’t know that. I haven’t yet.”
    “You’re afraid.”
    She nodded slowly, knowing he’d found the truth on his first
try. “As I said, Aunt Sophia would be very disappointed in me.”
    He lightly kissed her forehead. “You couldn’t be more
wrong.”
    Alistair led her back through town. Paige let herself be taken
to the house where she’d grown up. He settled her in the backyard, and brought
her a glass of iced tea, then sat next to her