Page 37 of The Knotty Clause
“We can put your tools in it!” Liam said eagerly, pointing at the pot. “See, I made it big enough!”
He nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. He remembered saying almost those exact words to Davi, explaining how he’d use the pot to store his favorite tools. His brother’s gift had been lost with everything else when their home was destroyed.
The memory of Davi’s laughter rang clear in his mind—not shadowed by pain as it usually was, but as bright and pure like the sound of bells. His brother’s face swam before him, not twisted in fear as in his nightmares, but lit with that same proud smile Liam wore now.
The ache in his chest remained, but something else joined it. For the first time, he could remember the joy of that morning—Davi bouncing around their home, barely able to contain his excitement as he presented his gift—without the agony that usually followed it.
He looked at their small family—Gemma’s understanding smile, Liam’s boundless energy—and realized that loving them didn’t diminish his love for those he’d lost. Instead, it honored their memory. His brother would have wanted him to find happiness again.
Liam tugged at his arm, drawing his attention back to the present. “Can we put it in your workshop now?”
“Of course,” he said immediately, his voice still rough with emotion. He stood, keeping the pot carefully cradled in one hand while the other held onto Liam. The weight of his grief had lifted, making room for the joy of the present moment.
CHAPTER 21
Gemma’s heart fluttered as she reached for the small package she’d hidden behind her back. The wrapping paper sparkled in the warm light, each fold meticulously creased just so.
“I have something for you too,” she said, offering the box to Yede when he and Liam returned.
His eyes widened as he took the gift, his massive hands dwarfing the delicate package. He carefully removed the paper, revealing a plain wooden box beneath. The lid opened with a slight creak, revealing the contents nestled within.
She watched his face, anxious for his reaction. The wooden figurine she’d crafted seemed small and crude compared to his exquisite workmanship. But when he lifted the carved figure from the box, he looked thunderstruck.
“It’s us,” he said softly, carefully turning the figurine over in his hands.
“Yes.”
She’d based it on the picture Liam had drawn of the moment when they met—of Yede bending over and protecting them from the storm. She’d spent hours on each detail—the shape of their bodies, the expressions on their faces, even the tiny hands of the figures, each one clasping the others.
“I’m not nearly as skilled as you are,” she added nervously. “But I wanted to make something special to show where our family began.”
“It’s perfect,” he whispered. He pulled her into his arms, the figurine still cradled carefully in his palm. “Thank you.”
She leaned against him, letting his warmth and strength envelop her. His hand stroked her back in slow circles, each touch soothing and comforting. Liam curled up beside them, momentarily at rest, the mechanical dog clutched in his arms.
All three of them worked on the midday feast, the sturdy table almost groaning under the weight of the food, and afterwards they lingered around the table laughing and talking.
Once they’d recovered from the meal, Liam invented an elaborate game involving hopping between “safe zones” he’d created from cushions scattered across the floor.
“No, no—you have to spin three times first!” he insisted, demonstrating with dizzying enthusiasm.
“Like this?”
Yede attempted to follow the ever-changing rules, his big body turning carefully between the cushions while Liam giggled uncontrollably.
She joined in as well, letting Liam’s infectious energy sweep her along. Her sides ached from laughing as she watched Yede tryto squeeze himself onto a tiny cushion, his expression of mock concentration setting Liam off into fresh peals of laughter.
Outside the snow began to fall again in thick, lazy flakes, coating the mountain in pristine white. The setting sun painted the clouds in soft pinks and purples, creating a dreamlike backdrop to their celebration. Inside their warm haven, the rest of the world felt distant and unimportant—all that mattered was the joy they shared together.
Late that night—after they’d finally managed to get Liam to sleep—they cuddled in front of the fire, idly watching the flames. Contentment filled her, but as she stared into the fire other faces appeared in her mind—Curtis with his chronic cough, Sarah with her mangled leg. She’d been running her fingers lightly through Yede’s fur and her hand stilled on his arm as the memories swept over her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked softly.
“I keep thinking about the others at the mine.” She shifted to look up at him. “Even without Garth I bet they’re still trapped there.”
He nodded slowly. “I’ve been thinking about that as well.”
“You have?”