Wrecked Palace (Wrecked, #3)

by Catherine Cowles

“What’s this?” “A credit card for expenses.” She studied the piece of plastic. “It has my name on it.” I shrugged. “I was optimistic you’d say yes.”

“You have a kind heart, Griffin Lockwood. Even if you’d rather people didn’t see it.”

Mia sent a scowl in her brother’s direction. “He could still be magic.”

“I made this for you. It’s an apology drawing. Sorry if I called you a giant, and it hurt your feelings. But I still think you’re a giant and you have magic. But that’s cool. You should be proud of that. Cae Cae always tells me that it’s the things that are different about us that are the most special.”

So many worse things than a little girl showering me with rainbows and magic.

A grin split my face. “Honey, you scared the crap out of her with that basket.”

HONEY

“You don’t owe me any explanations. You’ve shown me time and again how good your soul is.”

“This is extremely unprofessional, but I could really use a hug right now.”

“We can go.” Her head snapped up. “Are you kidding?” My eyes widened. “We do not let ignorant, cruel people win. That’s a rule.”

i stan Cae so hard

“Vegetables are not evil.”

I’d tried hard to instill the belief in my siblings that no feeling was bad or wrong. And neither was expressing those feelings, as long as you weren’t hurting someone else.

“This breakfast. You guys are good for my soul. And no one makes me laugh harder than my tiny terrors.” “And Griffin,” Mia added. “He makes you laugh, too.” My gaze locked with Griffin’s across the table. “Yeah. He makes me laugh, too.”

“That’s your rainbow. So you’re a part of our family, and you never have to leave.”

It was Ava’s gaze that met mine in the rearview mirror. “It looks like you belong with us.”

SOBBING

“I guess we’ll just have to be a little monstrous together.”

And that’s what we did. Caelyn walked me through her process and as she did, that picture of my dad became a little clearer. The image of his hands less blurry. Caelyn was a miracle, giving me back my family without even knowing it.

What is it about me that’s so unlovable?” My arms spasmed at her words, flinching and tightening around her. “There isn’t a damn thing about you that’s unlovable, Caelyn. She’s the one who’s broken. And you can’t take on someone else’s brokenness. That’s theirs to carry.”

“I guess I have a cat.”

I knew without a doubt that she was the best thing that had happened to me after losing my family. I just hoped I brought some of that same light into her life, as well.

Mia snuggled into my chest. “I’m sorry you lost your family. But you’re in our family now. That’s what the rainbow bracelet means.”

“It might not be that way now, but it could be. You deserve a life, Caelyn. You more than anyone deserve to be happy.”

I couldn’t even form silent words. Because what did you say to a woman who had given you everything and didn’t even realize it?

“Thank you. Those words aren’t enough. But nothing I can think of is either. You’ve given me so much, and you just keep piling it on. All this goodness and light and life.”

The kiss was so tender, a complete juxtaposition of the man who ate up the space around him.

“You showed me how much I was missing by locking myself away from the world. You showed me that I could trust you with anything. But you’ve been showing me that from the first day I met you. In your kindness. Your care. How damn selfless you are. Everything I see in you challenges me to do better. Be better. To not run away from life because I was hurt in the past. I want this with you. I don’t know for sure where it will lead. But I want to find out.”

Will cleared his throat. “So, you two have anything you’d like to share with the class?”

“Love is the most terrifying jump you’ll ever make. But I promise you, it’s worth it.”

“I don’t need to know why. You asked me to come, so I’ll be there.”

“Never be ashamed of feeling deeply. It doesn’t make you weak. It makes you so incredibly strong.”

He flew at me, his arms engulfing me in a fierce hug. “Love you, Griffin.” A burn took up root in the back of my throat. “Love you, too.”

i can't stop crying

“Griffin?” she asked. “Yes?” “I love you.”

“I love you. I think a part of me loved you from the first moment I saw you. Some part of me recognized that you were the one person who could understand me. Who could help me find my way back.”

There was an undeniable sense of completeness. Not that I wasn’t whole on my own, but that somehow with Griffin, I was so much more. My strengths were greater and my weaknesses not as noticeable. With him, I never felt alone.

“You have no idea the joy you give me. You made this wrecked palace a home.”

roll credits

“I love you. More than I thought possible. I didn’t think I could ever let anyone in again. But you and those tiny terrors… You wormed your way into my heart. So, you don’t get to leave now.”

“My girls. My beautiful girls.”

“I don’t want to miss a second of a life with you.”

“Next summer, you, me, and the kids are going to Europe. And every place we go, you’re taking a cooking class.”

“This is paperwork to file with the court. To make me a guardian of the kids.”

“We want to make it official in every way possible that we’re family. Will, Ava, and Mia, too. Crosby can file them next week. If you want.”

“You’ve given me my dream, too.” “What’s that?” I asked. “A family. Forever.”