Echoes of You (Lost & Found, #2)

by Catherine Cowles

Nash pressed his lips to my hair. “You’re not alone. You have me. Always.” I let those words sink into my skin, reveling in the feel of them. But if I’d known they wouldn’t always be true, I would’ve held on to them a little tighter.

Because I’d loved Nash Hartley for as long as I could remember. Cedar Ridge was just a place. But Nash would always be home.

God, she was beautiful. Even with her midnight hair tangled in a knot on the top of her head and covered in dust. My gut clenched. I’d missed Maddie like a limb—some intrinsic part of me I didn’t walk right without.

“I’ve got you, Mads.” The pressure behind my eyes built. All I wanted to do was fall apart. Go to pieces and let Nash catch every one the way he had so many times before.

“I know you, Mads. Better than anyone. No one could ever convince me you’re anything but goodness and light.”

“He’s wrong. I know you. Down to your soul. If you’ve forgotten who you are, ask me, and I’ll remind you.”

❤️❤️❤️

“Not everyone’s as lucky as you. Not everyone has a family that loves them.” My heart thudded in my chest, each beat driving the cracks deeper and deeper. “I’m your family now. I love you, Mads. And you’ll always have me. Always.”

Now, the only thing I wanted was my best friend at my side, even if that meant never having him completely. I’d rather have the echoes of him than anyone else.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re overbearing?” “Only every day for his entire life,” Lawson said as he strode up. “But, usually, those control issues come out with food.” A laugh bubbled out of Maddie, and she looked up at me. “Am I equal to donuts in your life?” The corner of my mouth kicked up. “No, you’re Boston cream pie status, all the way.”

😂😂😂

People didn’t realize what a dangerous emotion hope could be. How brutal. Each time it smashed at my feet, it took a little piece of my heart with it. I’d started to fear that I’d eventually lose it all and wouldn’t have even a single shard left to give to someone who might want it.

Lawson stared at me for a handful of seconds before he spoke. “Are you in love with her?” Each pulse of my heart thundered in my ears. I’d never said the words out loud. Not once. “I’ve been in love with her since the moment she tripped that damn bully in kindergarten.”

“I’ve always loved you. Maybe even before I met you. I loved you when we were little kids and awkward pre-teens and when I finally realized what that emotion might mean. I loved you when we graduated high school and through college and every day since. Even when you were gone, the echoes of you still lived inside me, and I would play them over and over in my mind just so I wouldn’t lose the sound. I’ve loved you in every incarnation, and that will never end.”

“What am I going to do with you?” I pulled her down to me, brushing my lips across hers. “You’re gonna love me.” She melted into my good side. “I am. Every second of every day.”

My heart clenched. Part of the everything Nash was giving me was the family I’d never had. And it was the sweetest gift imaginable.

Nash grinned. “Had to lock her down before she realized she was too good for me.” Tears filled Kerry’s eyes as she pulled us both into a hug. “My babies. Finally, right where they were always meant to be. Couldn’t love you more.”