Falling Softly: Compass Girls, Book 4 (16 page)

“I’d forgotten about that.” Jade grinned. “Way to go, Vivi.”

“Tell her we say hello. And thank you.”

The Compass Girls and their respective guys left in pairs, plus a trio, but they’d never be apart again, joined by their matching declarations of their heritage.

Compass Girls for life—by blood, and by choice.

Chapter Fourteen

Sterling couldn’t stop staring at the modest round brilliant cut diamond on her finger as Viho drove them back to Compass Ranch. Well, it was a tossup between that and the colorful artwork decorating her arm, which peeked through her clear bandage, vying for her attention. They both meant so much to her, more than she could have expected a few short months ago.

“You know, you could reset the stone. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you made it your own.” Viho stopped just short of calling Jake “Dad”. Still, he’d quit referring to him by his first name. It was progress. And in time,
Dad
would come naturally—she knew it would.

Sterling reached across to squeeze Viho’s thigh.

He’d only been part of their lives for a quarter of a year, but a season was long enough to change a person’s entire trajectory. Hell, a single moment could do the trick if it was the right one. At the right time. Lived in with the right person.

A memory of Viho, standing on the side of the road with his arms behind him on the bed of that rusty truck flashed into her memory, and she grinned. He’d been there, just waiting for her to pick him up.

“No, it’s perfect like this.” There was nothing she would change. About the ring. Him. Their future.

They sloshed inside the Jeep as the vehicle pulled onto the gravel road leading into the heart of Compass Ranch where Vivi waited for them. She was the only thing Sterling wished she could change. The baby growing inside her would never know the woman who had done so much to shape Sterling’s life, her beliefs, her personality.

Except through the endless stories they would share about her.

“Do you think…?” Sterling cut herself off.

“Hmm?” Viho glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. He reached over and held her hand. “What were you going to say?”

She swallowed.

“If the baby is a girl, do you think we could name her after Vicky?” Quickly she realized that might be selfish. “Or something for your mom. Maybe both?”

“Of course.” The look he shot her was filled with gratitude and love. “What if I tell you the name of each of the flowers in my people’s language? You could pick something you like.”

“That’s perfect.” She blinked to clear the mist from her vision. “I want our child to learn your customs. Maybe you could teach me too?”

“You’d do that?” He peeked at her from the corner of his eyes.

“Yes. I want to know all of you. Understand your history.”

“I’m more concerned about my future.” He shrugged.

“Me too. But those things are part of who you are, and I love you because of them.”

Viho didn’t reply right away, but he toyed with the ring on her finger. “This is the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”

“Well, technically, I did it for you.” She giggled as they pulled up to the house. Before she could climb out herself, Viho had jogged around and opened her door. He plucked her from the car and spun her around in his arms a few times before letting her slide down his sculpted body, pausing only to steal a kiss before her toes touched the ground once more.

“Oh, come on already.” Jade stood at the top of the porch stairs. “You can molest each other later. Everyone’s here. And I can’t wait anymore to show these bad boys off.”

“All right, all right.” Sterling took Viho’s hand and raced up to join her cousins and the men who loved them. Together, they went inside, careful not to slam Vivi’s screen door.

It did seem kind of crowded inside, like all of their relatives had showed up at once. She should have figured that their parents would be nosy and want to see their tattoos as soon as they were complete.

The four Compass Girls held hands as they walked toward Vivi’s chair, linked.

But when they approached, they noticed Jake, standing behind it with one hand on her shoulder. Beyond them, the rest of the family milled around, none of them looking especially interested in the big reveal.

“What’s going on?” Jade asked Jake.

“Vivi’s taken a bit of a turn.” He stopped before saying
a turn for the worse
, as Sterling expected. “Dr. Martin left a little while ago. He feels the change could be permanent.”

Before they could draw more information from him, Vivi turned toward them and smiled. “Hello there, pretty girls. Aren’t you a bunch of sweet ones?”

Stunned, Sterling didn’t know what to do. Viho hugged her from behind, his hands over her belly. Each of the other Compass Girls stood similarly in shock. Supported by their guys but reeling together.

This couldn’t be! She had to see their tattoos. To know them and understand how much they loved her.

“It doesn’t matter, Sterling,” Viho whispered in her ear, “Your Vivi knew what she meant to you. The art is really for you, sweetheart.”

Still, when Jade went to her knees on the floor before their grandmother, each of the Compass Girls followed suit with their guys standing tall behind them.

“What happened to your arm, dear?” Vivi asked Hope.

“It’s a tattoo.” The tears were evident in her voice.

“Did it hurt so much?” Vivi tipped her head. “I’ve always sort of fancied getting one myself. Ever since my boys got matching tattoos. Big, fancy things. Takes up most of their backs. They’re great pieces art, showing their devotion to Compass Ranch and to their father, JD.”

None of them dared interrupt when she seemed so happy. It hammered home to Sterling how proud and honored she would have been by their gesture.

“My cousins and I all got a similar design.” Sienna gestured to the other ladies around her. “Would you like to see? They’re kind of like your sons’. But ours are for a very special woman. Our grandmother. She loves flowers.”

When Sienna got too choked up to continue, Jade took over pointing out the finer details they’d etched into themselves while their parents looked on from Jake’s side of the chair. Though their smiles were watery, they clearly approved.

“What a coincidence!” Vivi clutched her hands to her chest. “I adore those too. I have a garden. My husband planted it for me. It’s the most beautiful thing to sit there, surrounded by all the blooms. I especially love this.”

She pointed to the magnolia at the center of the bunch that represented herself.

And not one of them could keep a dry eye.

“Those are fantastic, girls. The colors are so vibrant and lifelike. Except they’ll never wilt.” Vivi looked closely, engrossed. “You know, I’d love it if you’d stick around a bit. Would you join me and my husband, JD, for dinner? He would enjoy hearing your story and I’m sure he’ll love your tattoos too. Pretty art for pretty girls.”

Sterling looked up at Jake, who nodded, encouraging her to play along. “Sure, we’ll stay.”

“Terrific!” Vivi smiled so wide and bright, Sterling knew she’d never seen that much happiness radiating from her grandmother. And that was saying a lot. “He’ll be home as soon as the evening chores are finished and the animals are taken care of. Wait until you meet him. He’s a handsome devil and smart too. I’m the luckiest woman in Compton Pass.”

Sterling couldn’t stand it a moment longer. She bolted to her feet and ran into the kitchen, where Vivi couldn’t witness her tears of disappointment.

Viho held her, rocking her as a sob broke free of her chest.

It wasn’t long though before soft footfalls indicated someone joined them.

“Who are you crying for, Sterling?” Jake asked from across the kitchen. “If it’s her, don’t bother. She’s finally happy again and will be until the disease claims her body as well as her mind. It’s a blessing.”

“How can you say that?” Sterling cried. Viho held her arm, steadying her as she rounded on his father.

“Look at her. She’s radiant.” He smiled softly and with more than a little envy in his gaze. “Finally, she doesn’t remember being alone. She has JD back. The impossible has happened.”

Sterling watched as Vivi rambled on about what they would have for dinner and how hard JD worked growing the ranch. She was filled with pride and excitement.

“It’s time to let her go.” Jake approached. He wrapped her in a hug. “It’s selfish of us to keep her with us longer. I hope she never remembers. That she never suffers from that loss again.”

For once, it seemed like Jake would get his wish.

It was then, as Sterling covered her face with her hands, that he noticed the flash of light on her finger.

“Well, look at that.” He whooped as he took her hand in his.

“I think the news is out,” Sienna said to Daniel as she plugged her ears.

And as if they had supernatural powers, Cindi and each of her aunts picked up on the excitement, swooping in for a closer look.

“It had been a while since we had a proper wedding around here. Now we’re going to have a few in a row, huh?” Aunt Lucy smiled as she glanced around the room. “Never get tired of those.”

“Does this mean we have to dress up again?” Bryant, Sterling’s little brother, griped.

“Damn straight,” Liam teased him. “If I have to wear a tux, so do you.”

“Well, that may be true for the other girls, but we’re planning to take our time.” Sterling couldn’t help the smile that returned to her face. “So we’ll stretch out the partying.”

Her mother didn’t wait another instant to squeeze her in a hug while her father slapped Viho on the back. Then he looked to Jake, “It looks like you and I are officially going to be family after all.”

Jake’s eyes widened and then he grinned. “I suppose you’re right. Woohoo!”

Meanwhile, Cindi rotated Sterling’s hand this way and that, admiring the pretty stone. “Jake, this looks just like…”

“It is.” He nodded. “Haiwee’s ring.”

Sterling’s mom left her side then to hug Jake tight.

“Something Vicky said to me today rang true,” he told her. “It’s time for me to let go of the past and live the rest of my life without regrets. I’m looking forward to all these new beginnings.”

“Did someone get engaged?” Vicky asked from the living room and Sterling was shuffled in to show off her rock once again. It didn’t really get old. Even better was reintroducing Vivi to Viho, lavishing him with all of the love she held for him.

“This calls for a celebration.” She smiled. “Who’s going to help me make a cake to go with dinner? JD’s favorite is chocolate, if you don’t mind indulging me for his sake.”

“That sounds great,” Sterling said, and she realized it was true. Jake was right. This was how it should be. Spending time together, enjoying the last days they had in each other’s company without fear, or pain, or anger.

And though Vivi really only supervised, each ingredient they added ensured her love was baked into the cake, which they would eat together as a family.

Of course the Compass Girls started a flour battle, which demolished the entire kitchen once their little brothers joined the fray and escalated the good-natured confrontation to a war.

Everyone pitched in after that, making a meal that they could share as they listened to Vivi tell stories of the olden days as if they were fresh and new. They learned things long forgotten by all as if they’d been there themselves.

And when the dishes piled high and pants buttons were unfastened to make more room, the cake was brought into the middle of the crowd. Viho chuckled as he plucked a glob of chocolate from Sterling’s hair as they not-so-patiently waited for the treat to be sliced and handed around.

Before they took their first bites, though, Silas Compton stood from his place at the head of the table and addressed them all. Even the most rambunctious of the Compass Boys went still and quiet when he spoke.

“I want to say thank you to everyone gathered here today for making what could have been a terrible day one I will remember for the rest of my life and smile as I think back on it. So enjoy the dessert and good luck at getting seconds in this crowd. Together, let’s celebrate lives lived fully. And pledge that each of us will carry on with that, the most important Compass family tradition of all.”

“Let’s eat!” yelled Sam.

And no more talking could be heard over the clink of forks on plates.

Epilogue

“Gramp Jake!” Lomasi squealed as she skipped to her most favorite person in the whole world. Except for Mommy and Daddy, of course. Gram Cin and Pop Sam too. Plus her cousins. All the lots and lots of them. “Imma flower girl!”

“Yes, you are, sweetheart.” He laughed as he picked her up and twirled her around. “In many ways. Did you know that your pretty name means
good flower
?”

“Nope. What’s that?”

“It’s a blossom that’s perfect and gorgeous. Like you. But if you’re not careful, you’re going to be a messy, dirt-covered flower girl before you’ve done your job. And then your mommy will be mad at me. Remember we talked about that?”

“Yep.” She held out her hand and ticked off her fingers, like Gramp Jake and Mommy had done to her lots of times lately. “Gonna smile. Throw petals in the air. Not get dirty. And be quiet during the booooooring parts.”

“Right.” Gramp Jake smiled down at her. “Not too much longer now until we get started. Then there will be dancing and music. You can get as messy as you want.”

“Promise?”

“Yup.” He laughed. “Guess what?”

She perked up, since that always meant something fun. “Hmm?

“There’s even going to be a cake. The biggest one you’ve ever seen.” He waggled his eyebrows, making her laugh.

“Chocolate or vanilla?” Lomasi tapped her chin, not sure which she liked better.

“Both.”

“Yippee!” This really was the best day ever. “Can we eat some now?”

“No, only after you do your flower girling. Here, let me show you some of the nicest flowers in Vivi’s garden, okay?” It was a distraction, but she didn’t mind.

“Uh-huh. Did Daddy really plant these all by himself?” She tickled a floppy purple petal. It dropped off and fell in her basket like the oodles of others she’d collected.

“He did.” Gramp Jake swooped her up and carried her, not letting her squish her shiny shoes in the muddy patch she’d been aiming for.

“So why they call it Vivi’s garden?” She tipped her head and clung to Gramp Jake’s neck, so high above the ground. Almost as tall as when Daddy carried her. “It should be Daddy Garden.”

“It’s named after a special lady.”

“Is she coming to the wedding?” Lomasi sure would like to meet her if she got
all
the flowers named after her.

“No, baby.” Gramp Jake sighed, making her go up and down on his chest.

“Why not?” She pouted, sticking her lower lip out like she did when she wanted candy. Sometimes her daddy got meanie and made her eat stinky vegetables first, but the lip usually worked.

“She’s in heaven.” Gramp Jake took a red flower, the one they called rose, she thought, and poked it into her hair so it stuck. She patted it, liking how it felt.

“With Gram Haiwee.” She nodded. “Maybe they’re having their own party and wearing pretty, no-dirts-allowed dresses together. Fancy hats too. And long white gloves.”

Mommy had a black-and-white picture like that of a lady on top of the fireplace.

“You know, I bet they are. They would be very happy today.” Gramp Jake stopped talking for a while. He rubbed his eye like it had something in it.

Then he hugged her so tight he kind of squished her, but she didn’t complain.

“Here.” Gramp Jake set her down, then took her to a bench beneath the big tree. At the bottom of it was a square stone with squiggly lines and a picture. “This is Vivi and her husband, JD.”

“He looks at her like Daddy looks at Mommy.” She tapped the nice man on the head.

“You’re right, he does.”

For a little bit, they were quiet as she studied the nice man and lady. Until she spotted her daddy crossing the lawn in funny black clothes. “Daddy!”

She squirmed until Gramp Jake let go of her hand so she could meet Daddy, loving the way her skirt flounced as she skipped.

“Hi, Peanut.” He planted lots of extra-loud kisses on her cheeks as she squealed. “You look so pretty. How’d you get out here?”

“I was bored,” she shrugged. “They’re taking too long. So I came outside to play with Gramp Jake.”

“Smart girl,” her Uncle Bryant said. She hadn’t seen him and his boyfriend following behind Daddy, but once she noticed them she stuck out her arms so they could hold her too. They were nice. And funny. And looked at each other like the people in the Vivi picture. She liked hopping from person to person, getting lots of hugs.

It seemed like there was never a time when there weren’t lots of people around to give her some. When the novelty wore off, she skipped around Daddy’s long legs.

“When will Mommy be ready?” She twirled the basket, watching all the colorful petals zoom around inside.

“Probably by midnight,” her cousin Austin said, all grumpy.

“That long?” Her bottom lip wobbled as she felt like she might cry. “But that’s after my bedtime. I’m supposed to throw flowers.”

“Sorry, kiddo.” He picked her up and wooshed her around, making her laugh. “I was only teasing. Girls go crazy over all this wedding stuff. It’s so fancy schmancy.”

“Not Mommy.” Lomasi would have crossed her arms if she could have. “She didn’t even get the princess dress that I liked best.”

“No?” Daddy squatted down and traced one of the ringlets dangling by her face. “I’m not surprised. She’s not that kind of girl. I know she’s beautiful, though, whatever she’s wearing.”

“Well, when
I
get married, I’m going to have the biggest, poofiest,
sparkliest
dress ever. And a tiara. And I’ma ride a unicorn.” She twirled around for effect.

“Good to know, baby. I’ll start saving now.” Daddy groaned and his best mens—Uncle Wyatt and Uncle Clayton—laughed, slapping him on the back.

“Enjoy while you can, guys.” He grinned at them. “You could be in the same boat soon enough, now that you knocked Hope up. Maybe even double, since she’s having twins.”

“What’s that mean?” Lomasi’s ears perked up.

“Uh, nothing.” Daddy cursed under his breath. “Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“Or the bad word you just said?”

“Yep, that too.” He shook his head. “Hey, I see you’ve got Mr. Turtle.”

“Uh huh.” She nodded. “Mommy made him into this necklace for me so that I don’t lose him and I can take him with me wherever I go from now on.”

“I bet he’ll like that.” Daddy smiled down at her. “I’m glad you have him today.”

“He didn’t want to miss the wedding.” Lomasi told him. “He’s the flower turtle, you know?”

“Uh, okay.” He sounded like he wasn’t paying attention anymore.

So she looked up to see what he was doing. And found him staring across the lawn to the main house where her mommy had just come outside. Finally.

“We’d better go get in place.” Gramp Jake took her hand and stood near the back while Daddy kissed her, then went to the front like they practiced. Except this time he was sniffling like he had a cold.

“What’s wrong with Daddy?” she asked Gramp Jake.

“Nothing, baby,” he promised. “He’s happy, that’s all.”

“Okie dokie.” Lomasi waited super extra quiet while everyone turned to look in their direction. But not at her. They stood as her cousins Sienna, Hope and Jade walked past with Daniel, Liam, Wyatt and Clayton. She wished she could play with them.

They were all more of her favorite people, even though they looked so different today with the purple dresses they wore instead of their jeans and T-shirts.

Pretty soon a lady with a violin played a song and everyone stood up.

“Okay, it’s your turn.” Gramp Jake set her on the end of the aisle so she could dance between the chairs and throw the petals everywhere. Maybe they’d said walk, but she felt like dancing. People clapped and giggled and took her picture, and soon she’d made it through with Gramp Jake scooping her up on the other end.

He held her as her mommy walked down the aisle with Pop Sam holding her arm. And Lomasi thought maybe her mommy had been right. That was the prettiest dress ever.

Although there were some boring parts, it was worth it once everyone cheered and they made their way to one of the barns on the ranch for the party. Fairy lights and lots of flowers had been strung up everywhere inside. She wished it could look like this every day, but then it wouldn’t be special.

Or at least that’s what Mommy told her when she asked if they could stay.

After lots of eating, and drinking and dancing and more eating of the yummy cake, Lomasi curled up on the blanket Gramp Jake had laid over a comfy pile of hay. The hanging lights sparkled in her eyes as they grew blurry.

The music and people dancing lulled the newest Compton to sleep, secure in the love of a vast and ever-growing family. Though some had gone before and others would leave after, there would always be people to take their places and keep Compton Pass, Wyoming alive in the hearts and spirits of all who’d been lucky enough to call it home.