by Lea Coll
“I’m needed up there.” He nodded toward Lena and the make-shift stage. “I’ll see you in a few.”
Why was he going onstage? Was he planning to speak?
“Is he presenting?” Avery leaned closer to ask.
“I don’t think so. I went over the program with Lena a few days ago. He wasn’t listed.” Hadley was due to speak since it was her organization, Lincoln Aldrich as the owner, and a guest speaker. It was my understanding it was someone from the community who’d experienced impaired speech.
I crossed my arms over my chest, my heart thumping wildly in my chest as I watched Reid greet Lena with a smile.
“Does he have a speech impediment? I thought he might when we played football together.” Avery lowered her voice, looking around so no one would hear.
“He wouldn’t want me to say anything.” I’d noticed he had been more relaxed that day as if he didn’t care if my friends figured it out. I’d hoped it was him realizing he didn’t have to be so on guard all the time, at least around friends.
Avery nodded. “I can understand that.”
“Have a seat so you can hear.” Hadley led us to our table to the right of the podium before she moved to sit next to Reid on the stage. The team and front office staff took over the rest of the tables toward the front.
Lena welcomed everyone. I kept my eyes on Reid. He looked nervous yet at the same time excited. His fingers curled into fists then slowly relaxed.
I wanted to tell him he didn’t have to do this. He didn’t have to prove anything to me. I wasn’t his father. I should be a safe place for him, not someone who was pushing him to do things he wasn’t comfortable with.
Hadley stood, speaking about her vision for the organization, her satisfaction when kids grow in self-esteem and confidence. Lincoln Aldrich stood next, explaining he wanted to partner with Kids Speak to satisfy a need in city schools.
I couldn’t take my eyes from Reid who finally looked up at me. The audience clapped, signaling the end of Lincoln’s speech. Reid’s face smoothed out as he smiled, winking at me. Then he stood, making his way to the podium.
I fisted my hands on my thighs under the table. My stomach churned with worry for him. I didn’t want people talking about his speech or speculating about him.
“Good evening. I wanted to thank everyone for coming this evening. We’re celebrating an organization near and dear to my heart.”
His r’s were nearly perfect. My chest was bursting with pride. I wanted to close my eyes as tears formed. Was he working on his speech with a therapist?
I was slightly aware of Avery moving closer to me, silently showing her support.
“I was resistant to volunteer at first, not because I didn’t want to be involved but because I was scared. You see, I’ve suffered from a speech impediment since I was a child. I never received services. Instead I became a pro at hiding it, avoiding words that caused me trouble, and limiting situations where I’d have to speak. When I slipped up, people speculated that I was not smart.” He looked up from his speech, letting his gaze travel around the room before resting on me, his face filled with admiration and love.
The room was silent.
My heart beat loudly in my ears. I couldn’t believe he was talking about his dad, putting himself out there to be judged.
“A few weeks ago, someone very special to me, Dylan Gannon, encouraged me to tell my story. She said people would rally behind me, they’d support me. She knew there might be people who’d say nasty things. It would be worth it because I could be an example for so many people, young and old. I resisted because I was scared. I was still worried about what people would say, how they’d react.
“I started taking speech lessons a few weeks ago to work on my enunciation. In the last few weeks, I’ve made progress. It’s not perfect, but I’m getting there. A speech impediment can affect someone’s life, lower self-confidence. They might limit themselves, not going to college or taking certain jobs. It’s one of the many reasons why the work that Kids Speak does is vital.”
He sighed before taking a deep breath, his fingers brushing a lock of hair off his forehead. “I lashed out at Dylan when she urged me to be the spokesman for Kids Speak. I’d been encouraging the kids I mentored to be brave when I was a coward. I love you, Dylan, because you pushed me to be a better person. I’m amazed every day how hard you fight for what you believe in, how selfless you are with your family and people you care about. I’m a lucky man to have found the person who’s perfect for me.”
I stood, unsure what I planned to do, just knowing I wanted to be near him. He moved away from the podium, hopping off the stage before stopping in front of me.
Love for him flowed through me, filling the empty spaces of my heart that were waiting for him to come into my life. My heart throbbed as I searched his face.
Lena thanked everyone, telling the waiters to serve dinner.
When people murmured around us, Reid touched the side of my face, I leaned into him. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. This was all you. You didn’t need to do this. I shouldn’t have pushed you. You were right to suggest it. I can do so much more being honest than I can hiding my truth. How can I be an example to kids otherwise?” He smiled and his face relaxed.
My heart filled with so much emotion, elation, hope, love. It was everything I’d hoped he’d realize. “Is this what you were so secretive about the last couple of weeks?”
“I wanted to show my commitment to you, to us, and myself. I can’t be the man you need if I’m hiding who I am.”
A roaring started in my ears making me sway on my feet. I looked around for a place to be alone. “I’m not sure I deserve you.”
“Why, because you put others first? That’s not bad. You just need to remember to take care of yourself. That’s why your parents hiring a nurse when your mother needs assistance is crucial. You should talk to your parents about their expectations.”
I nodded. “We did after the accident. They apologized.”
Reid told the world that he wasn’t perfect, in doing so made himself the one for me. It was our imperfections that made us who we were. It was how we handled them that defined us. Whether we hid away or revealed it, ignored it or celebrated it.
He was celebrating his differences, using them to be an example for others.
My heart overflowed with love. “I love you, Reid Everson.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Hey, lovebirds, you have families here that want to see you,” Callie interrupted.
“My parents are here?” My heart rate picked up as I looked around for them. I hadn’t expected them to attend. Dad said Mom was too worried about walking in with a walker to enjoy the evening.
“They are.” She gestured toward the middle of the room where they were seated with Reid’s family. They were laughing about something his sister, Grace, was saying.
“They seem to have bonded quickly.” Reid wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side.
“It’s a little overwhelming. I was so worried.”
“You worry because you care so much.”
He was right. I wanted our families to get along. I wanted mine to make the effort to get to know Reid because he meant so much to me. Instead of sitting at the head table, we sat with our families.
I kept a watchful eye on Mom. She seemed happy to be here. I hoped she saw that living life even if you needed a walker or assistance was better than staying home. That wasn’t living at all. Being here, with friends and family, was what mattered.
Later I stood alone watching my friends dance on the dance floor while Reid was talking to some of the kids who’d come to the dinner.
Reid’s mother approached. “You’re good for him.”
She had a knowing smile on her face. “He told me everything you did. How you encouraged him to get up there tonight, to get speech lessons.”
“I told him speaking about his experiences would help th
e kids he worked with. The organization wanted him to be the spokesman. I thought it was a good idea, but this—” I gestured at the stage where he’d spoken earlier “—was all him.”
She tilted her head. “Would he have done all of this if you hadn’t met?”
Remembering how he was during our blind date, the few interactions after that, I wasn’t sure.
She nodded as if my silence answered her question. “You were the reason he did all of this. I’m happy he met you. He wasn’t really living before.”
Thinking about how he’d played football in the park with abandon, the expression on his face when he helped Quinton, he was happy. “He makes me happy too.”
“That’s all that matters.” She smiled, conveying acceptance and approval in that one action.
It felt like I’d gained so much tonight. It wasn’t just me taking care of my family. I had Reid and his family on my side too.
Epilogue
DYLAN
The day after Christmas, we celebrated with our friends, Cade and Hadley, Avery, Griffin, and his nephew Declan, even Taylor and Gabe were in town from New Orleans visiting her family.
Reid’s mother and sisters were here for Christmas Day but flew back this morning because his sisters had basketball practice over their holiday break.
We walked around Annapolis, hot chocolates in hand, with our friends enjoying the decorations in the store windows, the lights wrapped around the street poles, the elaborately decorated Christmas trees on the sidewalks, and the sailboats decorated with lights.
“The bed and breakfast finally sold.” Cade pointed to the side street, where a large Victorian home stood. It had been sitting on the market for close to a year because the owner died. Her children were asking an astronomical amount to purchase it.
Nolan seemed upset about that. “Who got it?”
“A realtor I work with, Juliana Breslin.”
“Wait, the one whose signs are all over town?” Nolan’s expression was incredulous.
Cade nodded.
“They’re so unprofessional,” Nolan bit out.
“Why are they unprofessional?” I had a knack for not only drumming up investors but an interest in branding.
“Her signs are an image of her and her kids. It’s not a picture, more like someone painted it. Probably her kids.” He shook his head in disgust. “She named her company Annapolis Mom Realty or something like that. I can’t imagine it brings in a lot of clients.”
It was clear from his expression he thought it was stupid.
I wasn’t sure if it was good branding, but I had seen a lot of those signs around town. Maybe it was working for her.
Cade’s brow raised. “You have a problem with her?”
Nolan shook his head. “Just her business plan. I can’t imagine she gets clients that way.”
Cade chuckled. “She’s actually very business savvy. She mentioned she has too many clients. It’s difficult to balance it being a single mom to twin girls. She wanted to try flipping houses, thinking it would be easier.”
“Who is she?” Nolan’s jaw was tight.
“She’s loyal and hard working. Her clients rave about her. She routinely recommends Morrison Construction to her clients, and she needs our help.”
I’d searched her business name on my phone, finally pulling up her site, Annapolis Mom Realty. The pictures of her staged homes were gorgeous.
I tilted my phone toward Cade and Nolan. “Her staging is beautiful. She has a real eye for design. She has an interesting business model. I’d love to meet her.”
Nolan rubbed his chin. “Why does she need our help?”
Cade started the business around the time his wife died. He’d recently partnered with Nolan who was also a contractor, changing the business name to Morrison Brothers Construction.
“She hired Harbor View Construction because he fit into her schedule. He took her money, did some work, left more problems than fixes.”
Nolan shook his head. “Why would she hire him? Everyone knows he’s unreliable.”
“She said he was able to start work earlier than us. Now she’s desperate. She does a lot for us. She refers us clients, she talks us up in the community, plus she directs potential Rebuilds clients to us. I want to come through for her. I’d like you to help her.”
“If she’s so important why don’t you help her?
“You need to take lead on this one. We’re acquiring so many more clients through Morrison Rebuilds, I need to focus on that.”
The Morrison Rebuilds program was a separate nonprofit Cade ran, renovating homes to make them handicapped accessible. He got funding through government grants and investors I found for him.
“That’s amazing, Cade. Congratulations,” I said, hoping to break through the tension.
“It’s all thanks to you. You promoted Morrison Rebuilds every chance you got, made it possible for it to be funded through investors.”
“The program sells itself. It’s a matter of talking to the right people.” I was considering stepping away from the firm so I could focus on the nonprofits as their director of marketing. Both Kids Speak and Morrison Rebuilds were expanding at a fast pace, making it difficult to focus on the firm.
I hoped Taylor would consider moving back to Annapolis to be with her family, possibly taking my spot. I wanted to mention it to her while she was in town.
“Whatever you’re doing has been huge for us. Thank you.” Then to Nolan, he said, “What do you think about helping Juliana?”
“I’ll think about it,” Nolan finally conceded.
We walked toward the harbor, the crowd heavier near the water, carefully weaving around couples in embraces, families with little ones running around. We finally find an open spot on the brick dock.
“I want to open a sports center for kids in Anne Arundel County, you know, for indoor sports like football, soccer, and basketball,” Reid said to the group hesitantly.
He was worried what people would think of his plan. He wasn’t a local, even if he’d made the area his home since he’d signed with Baltimore.
I was so proud of his plan. He’d gotten several endorsements after his speech at the gala. Like Lena predicted, when he came out revealing who he was, companies wanted to identify with him and his brand.
He wanted to use the money for something for himself for after he retired, something good for the community, something to solidify his legacy in the area. The best part was he was putting down roots here.
Cade looked at him with a mixture of surprise and respect. “We could use one.”
“Would you help me with it?” Reid asked Cade, his tone uncertain.
“Of course. That would be a huge project for us. We might need to pull in other contractors.” Cade’s tone was excited.
“Let us know the timing so we can clear our schedules.” Nolan seemed interested.
It would be a huge project for them. We’d researched their past clients which had been primarily residential homes. It would be their first foray into a large complex. Reid wasn’t sure they’d be interested. He hoped they would, wanting to help his friends.
“Of course. I’m thinking in the off-season when I have time to supervise.”
“How are you going to manage that in season?” Cade asked.
“I’m going to have to hire someone to manage it. I’m thinking about Callie. She graduates from college this spring with a degree in sports management.”
“You sure you want someone who doesn’t have any experience?” Hadley asked.
I could see the wheels turning in her head. She’d started Kids Speak and we’d started the law firm without any business experience.
“I trust Callie. I don’t want to hire someone I don’t know. I haven’t asked her yet so don’t say anything.”
He was torn because it meant losing her as a personal assistant. He didn’t really need her anymore because I helped him with anything he needed. He wanted to take care of her, make sure she had somewhere to
go. I thought she’d jump at the chance. She loved sports and this would put her in a managerial role.
We stopped at the harbor, admiring the reflections of the Christmas lights on the water, classical Christmas music played softly from speakers.
Reid’s arms wrapped around me as I swayed slowly to the music.
A few flurries floated in the air. “It’s snowing.”
Reid pressed his lips to my neck. They were cold, sending a shiver down my spine.
I held my hand out to try and catch a flake. It melted as soon as it landed.
“Trying to catch a snowflake?”
I turned in his arms. We stood in a crowd of people, our friends, yet I felt like it was just him and me.
He’d maneuvered me so I was facing him and the water.
Each snowflake was unique, capturing its beauty, the uniqueness impossible. “I feel like I’ve been trying to do the impossible for years. Hold everything together. Starting a new business, the nonprofit, and take care of my parents. Then you came into my life and everything came together.”
I figured out what I wanted, how to get it.
He brushed my hair back from my face, cupping my cheek. “Are you saying you finally found what you were looking for?”
“I did. I didn’t even know I was looking.”
“I love you so much.”
“Me too.” My heart was overflowing with it.
Reid dropped to his knee, holding my hand in his.
It was if time stood still, flakes falling around us, the lights of the boats twinkling in the reflection on the water. My heart beat loudly in my chest.
I looked into his eyes, shining with love for me. “Dylan, I love you more than I thought was possible. You filled my life with happiness, opened my life to friends, possibilities. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Will you love me forever, standing by my side, always supporting me, and I’ll do the same for you?”
Tears blurred my vision. I nodded, unable to speak over the tightness in my throat.
“Will you marry me?” His eyes were shiny.
A sob broke out of me. “Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”
