Anchored: A Lake Series Novella by AnnaLisa Grant Page A

followed her instructions on what was staying and what
was going, which was most of it. She kept pictures and a knick-knack
or two, a few of Michael’s favorite t-shirts, and the blanket
we gave him for his birthday. Other than that, everything else of his
went.
    The
whole thing was devastating for Will. He worked directly with the
funeral director to lessen the burden on Rachel. He spent two days
preparing his eulogy for the service and kept such a brave face with
every word.
    We
hosted a reception at our house for friends and what little family
Michael had left. Outside of Rachel, the only family Michael had was
his mother, Will, and their sisters. The people who worked for
Michael had a lot of respect for him. We met Clive, the guy who is
buying the hot air balloon company, and he seemed like he was really
invested in making it work. Will didn’t like the idea of the
business ever going under, so he made Clive promise to come to Will
if there were any financial problems. Will felt like it was his
responsibility to keep that legacy alive.
    After
the reception was over, and the dust settled from all the waiting and
planning and carrying out of plans, Will and I collapsed on our bed,
physically and emotionally exhausted. That was when, once again, I
held my husband while he wept for the loss of his brother.
    We
cuddled the girls a lot in the days that followed. It amazes me the
impact death has on a person. The impact it has had on me in my life.
But watching the impact it has had on Will has been the most
upsetting. The last thing I ever want him or the girls to experience
is pain. I know I can’t keep it from them. And I suppose I’m
not sure I would if I were able to. I have learned that pain can be a
necessary catalyst to growth. But, to be honest, I’m having a
hard time seeing the growth potential from this experience.
    With
Michael’s death behind us, we begin to look ahead at life. New
life. Specifically, the life Tyler and Caroline want to have
together. I had only a couple of conversations with Caroline during
Michael’s final days and in the month that followed. She wanted
to be sure I cleared my calendar for the days she was going to sneak
into town to plan her epic proposal. Those conversations were silver
linings to the otherwise dark clouds that seemed to surround me at
the time.
    Caroline
is going to be here in twenty minutes, so I have to shove Will out
the door or everything will be ruined. Eliana is coming in thirty
minutes to watch the girls and then we’ll be on our way.
    “You’re
sure you can handle this today?” I ask Will. “It’s
the first time you’ve been out there since …”
    “I’m
fine, Layla.” Will kisses the top of my head. “But I
appreciate your concern. This is actually just what I need.”
    I
let out a relieved sigh. “Good … now leave!”
    “Geez!
Alright already!” he laughs. “Is there anything else I
need to do besides get the groom-to-be there?”
    “No.
Rachel said she has everything covered on their end. And from what
she’s described, it’s going to be ridiculous!” I
wrap my arms around Will’s middle, remembering the Christmas
night he proposed to me on the dock in Tallahassee. Despite the
craziness of the life we were living at the time, it was the most
perfect proposal I could have ever dreamed of. “Oh, and I got a
text from her this morning confirming that the weather is more than
ideal for today.”
    “Awesome!
Okay … I think I have everything. Let me get out of here
before Caroline arrives.” I open the front door for Will and he
kisses me hard. “You know … I’m thinking all this
romance is going to set the mood for later, if you know what I mean.”
I love the seductively sinister grin of my husband.
    “Oh,
I know exactly what you mean and I’ve already thought ahead.”
I give him a sexy smile and kiss him so he knows I mean business.
    “I’ve
said it before, and I’ll say it again: Best. Wife. Ever.”
    “I
know. Now go!