Chapter Twenty-Four

I drive by my childhood home out of curiosity and a small bit of hope that no one has purchased it. It is 5:30 a.m so the sun isn't quiet up yet. My heart sinks when the house comes into view. Of course someone bought it, it's a great house.

I ease in front of the house and park on the opposite side of the street. I frown at the minivan in the driveway but my heart softens a bit when I take note of the two little girl bikes in the yard. I sigh in relief when I see my old tire swing is still hanging from the old oak tree.

I turn my truck off and just watch. Not in a stalker type way, just in a reminiscent type. I loved that home the memories that came with it. I had decided on the drive back to Georgia that even though Nicholas had lied to me my entire life, it didn't take away any of the magic from my childhood. My Nanna and Papa. I wonder if they knew I wasn't really theirs?

I watch as a small young woman walks outside while shuffling two little princesses along with her. I smiled. They were exactly what the house needed- a fresh start with new memories. And from the looks of it, the house was just what they needed.

I left a little while after they did. I drove to the spot on the side of the road where my trail through the woods and to the river went. I climbed out of the truck and I breathed the fresh air in. Oh, I had missed that. I walk slowly, my mind absorbing every single detail, no matter how small.

I watched the little brown squirrel with the furry tail race up the tree. I paused and silenced my breathing as much as I could to watch a mama deer and her spotted baby. I watched the mysterious hawk watch me. I knew I had made the right decision. This was home.

I sat down at my favorite spot in the world on the riverbank and watched the water flow. The sound was exquisitely peaceful and I lost myself in it. My eyes lit up as a giant bass broke the water. I didn't even back up when a water snake swam by. God, I loved it here.

I don't know how long I sat there, I just know it was dark by the time I made it back to my truck. I have no idea how I lost such track of time and to be fair, I really didn't care. I did care about the growling in my stomach though. Gosh, I was starving.

For old times sake, I went to Nanny's Diner. "Riley Brinks! What on Earth are you doing here? I thought you were some big city girl by now!" I laughed and shook my head at the infamous 'Nanny' herself.

"I couldn't hack it, Nanny. Georgia is home." She gave me a stern look. "Where is your father?" I kept my face as neutral as I could. "Back in Cali. He loves it there." She looks at me like she's mentally calculating something.

"When is the last time you are girl?" I look down and think. I really didn't know. "It's been a minute. Double my usual?" I look at her with puppy dog eyes. She just walks off, shaking her head.

I stare out the window at the dark, familiar streets and find myself wondering what Trevor was doing right now. Probably balls deep in some bleach blonde sleaze. My mouth drops open a little. Okay, Riley. Easy tiger. You left. You wanted him to move on.

I look up as Nanny places two plates and a bowl in front of me. Heaping piles of scrambled eggs, bacon, and two biscuits on one plate. A king sized waffle on the other. And a bowl solely dedicated to my beloved hot, steaming grits. She even brought me a coffee and a Mtn. Dew. And this is why this place is home.

She sits down across from me and watches me closely. I'm too tired engrossed in my food to care. Finally, she speaks. "Eat up and then head to my house." She slides a key towards me. "You know your way around my house. The guest room is now your room." I go to object because in all honesty there is no way in hell I was planning on staying in this town. I was just passing through. But she keeps going. "You're going to school in the morning so you better get some rest. I talked your father down and told him to let you be for now. He agreed. Now eat and go because we have a lot to talk about later."

I stare at her for a moment, contemplating what to say. She could be quite the stubborn lady but so could I. "Now Mrs. Janson, I appreciate you caring about me but I wasn't planning on staying in Collins. I was actually just passing through." She squints her eyes at me and I gulp a little bit. She could be scary as well.

"Young lady, you aren't eighteen quite yet so the way I see it is that you have two choices. Number one. Turn your little hiney around and head back to California. Number two. Take your stubborn ass on to my ass and get comfortable. It's one of the other baby because I'm not going to sit back and watch you ruin your life. You've come too far for that." I stare at her, the wheels in my mind turning. "Riley, I love you like you're my own granddaughter but I will call the police to escort you back to your father, baby girl. Try me if you want to." I gawk at her.

"I'm nearly an adult!" She laughs as she gets up. "Nanny, this is ludicrous. I had plans!" I stand up as well.

"Legally, you might be close to being an adult, but you ain't ready yet girl." She winks at me. "See you at home."

I shake my head. Unbelievable. I can't believe I was dumb enough to come here. Hunger pains obviously did not mix with nostalgia. I grab the house key from the table and head outside.

Twenty minutes later I'm driving up Nana's ridiculously long driveway and pulling up to her old but well kept plantation style house. I had always loved this place. People always called Nanny crazy for living in such a big house out in the middle of nowhere all alone. But I never did. I got it.

I make my way up the beautiful steps that lead to the grand front door. Nanny hadn't always been alone. Her husband had actually purchased this home with her back in the eighties. He died in a horrible accident before I was born but she still spoke of him like he was still here. She never had kids of her own and had never remarried but she adored this town and all of its residents. All of the kids adored her as well which is where the nickname "Nanny" comes from.

Despite living alone and staying busy with her diner though, Nanny still kept this place immaculate. I run my fingers on the dustless banister as I make my way upstairs and to the guest room. It's not as big as my room back in California but I loved it.

I sit my bag down and run my hand across

the hand stitched quilt that was laid across the wooden bed. It was beautiful. I walk across the room and set on the bench at the window. I watch the reflection of the full moon on the flowing water of the river and smile. Despite the change of plans, I honestly felt like I was home.

I lay my head against the wall as I continue watching the water. My eyes are starting to feel really heavy and I let out a light yawn. I wonder what dad is up to. If he is okay. Is he thinking of me at all? Or is he relieved the burden of me is gone? I felt guilty for weighing him down for the past seventeen years.

My eyes widen slightly as I watch a mama deer and her baby. She's checking her surroundings carefully as baby huddles close to her. I smile but I'm a little sad. I'll never know that kind of love. Motherly love. I'll never have one to braid my hair or help me get ready for prom or for my future wedding. I sigh. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Riley.

I thought of Trevor. I can't believe I threw my phone away. It was probably for the best if I was being honest though. I'm back home now and he can get back to his throne.

Would I ever find someone else that could make me feel like Trev did? I doubted it. I really didn't feel worthy of it anyway. He would have eventually ditched me. I just wasn't worth holding onto.

My eyes get even heavier and I know I'm losing the battle I had been fighting. I look at the bed but doubt I have the energy to make it. I stretch my legs out and stare back out at the water. And then I sleep.