Chapter 62

We stood on the edge of the driveway of the house, all of us surveying our yard. Lush green grass stretched across the lawn, and a light wind played with the leaves on the tree. The dipping sun tinged the sky purple and cast Mom's lilacs in a delicate glow. I'd seen it all the night before, but daylight magnified its beauty times a thousand. I couldn't keep the smile from my face. Whoever had healed the yard from its nightmare status deserved a medal.

"Your mom..." Dad said with a grimace and swallowed thickly. Tears traced his cheek and dripped into his blond stubble.

I took his hand and squeezed. "She would've loved this."

Darby knelt and weaved her fingers through the tufts of grass. "We'll keep it like this. We'll take care of it for her. And we can take a picture of it and give it to her in heaven." She looked up, blue eyes bright and shiny behind her glasses. "Okay?"