Part 106
Wednesday morning, Kevin wandered out onto the deck and spotted Sarah sitting alone on an old swing under an oak tree. He wandered out to talk to her and as he approached her, he saw the tears. He started to turn away but Sarah saw him.
"No, Kevin. Please stay."
Kevin looked over his shoulder at her, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
Kevin went over to join her and sat at the base of the tree. "It’s really beautiful here, Sarah."
"Thanks. This was one of Mama’s favorite spots on the farm to sit. She could watch us playing and Daddy too."
"You miss her?"
"Yeah, I do. It was different before…me in Florida and her here. I
could pick up the phone and call her whenever I needed to hear her voice. Now,
she’s gone."
"I understand the feeling, baby. It’s the same for me with my father."
Sarah looked over at him and saw the tears. "I’m sorry, ‘Boo’."
"It’s okay."
"It’s just that I miss her so much."
Kevin moved to Sarah and she stood into his embrace as she began to cry. He whispered softly, "I know, baby. God I know."
The two stood silently holding on to each other. They both cried as the memories of their lost parent came flooding back.
Finally, Kevin asked, "Where’s Howie?"
"He took off with Daddy somewhere early this morning."
"How about we go for a walk then…just the two of us?"
Sarah pulled away and looked up at Kevin. "I have a better idea."
Kevin looked at her curiously. "What?"
Sarah took him by the hand and led him down a path away from the house. As they walked, Kevin told Sarah that he’d talked to Vanessa the night before and she sent her condolences. He also told her that they had been talking and things seemed to be going much better and over the break, he intended to work on the relationship even more.
It didn’t take long for them to reach Sarah’s surprise…stables. Kevin laughed and hugged her tight. "You always seem to know just what we need to relax."
"I figured that once Nick gets here, I’ll get my nephews to play some basketball with Nick and Bri. Come on, let’s go riding."
"Only one horse?"
"Got any objections to riding with me?"
Kevin grinned, "None….any excuse to have you in my arms."
Sarah laughed, "You’re bad, Kevin."
"But you love me anyway."
"Yeah, I do."
The two worked together to saddle and bridle the horse. When they were ready, Kevin helped Sarah up and then mounted behind her. He reached around her to take the reigns and headed towards a path that Sarah pointed out. They rode through the woods at the foot of the mountains and when they reached the open fields, Kevin gently nudged the horse into a slow canter. The two laughed and talked, enjoying being together as they spent the next couple hours riding. Sarah showed him all of the farm and her favorite spots to go and hide when she was mad at her brothers.
On the other side of the farm, Sarah spotted Howie and her father looking at some land and talking.
"Kevin, let’s head over there," said Sarah pointing to where Howie was.
Kevin spotted them and headed over.
Howie looked up as the two rode up together. He grinned and greeted them, "Hey you two. What are you doing up here?"
"We were just out riding and I was showing Kevin the farm. What are you doing here?"
Mr. Taylor spoke up, "Just making an offer to your husband here for some land."
Sarah looked around, "Isn’t this the spot you told me I could have if I ever wanted to build?"
"Yes, it is and Howard and I were just discussing that."
Kevin slid off and then helped Sarah down. Howie took her in his arms giving her a kiss. "Angel, I thought maybe this would be a good place to build a little get-away for us."
Sarah was shocked that Howie would want to build in Virginia. "D, are you sure? I mean, your home is in Florida…with your family."
"You’re a part of that family too, Angel."
Mr. Taylor asked, "Sarah, should you be riding like that?"
"I’m okay, Daddy. Besides, Kevin was holding me so if I get dizzy, he’ll keep me on the horse. What kind of house have you two been talking about?"
"Your dad gave me the floor plans to a house you said you liked," said Howie as held them in front of her to see.
Sarah laughed, "I can NOT picture you living in a log cabin, Howard. That’s something Kevin would want."
"Yeah…but it’s also something you want so if it makes you happy, then that’s all that matters. How about we get the construction company started before we leave Virginia?"
"Are you kidding?"
Howie laughed, "No…I’m not."
Mr. Taylor said, "I’ll be around to make sure everything goes okay and by the time the tour is over, it should be ready for you to come in and decorate. That way, when you come up to visit, you have a place to stay and have some privacy. I know Howie and the other boys don’t want to have to deal with the girls EVERY time they come here to visit."
Sarah moved to her father and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Daddy."
Mr. Taylor hugged his daughter and said, "You should be thanking Howard. He knows how much you miss your family and was willing to just stay at the main house whenever you two were here."
Sarah looked back at Howie, "I’ll thank him later."
"Why don’t you two head back?" suggested Mr. Taylor. "Howard and I will be there shortly."
"Okay," said Sarah and she went to Howie to give him a kiss. "I love you, D," she whispered in his ear.
"I love you too, Angel. Be careful and I’ll see you at the house."