What Was Lost

Chapter 21

Grace boarded the subway, her hair still tousled from spending the night at Logan's. She had to hurry home to get Henry for the day and clean up before their hike. As she sat on the train, she couldn't help but smile as she thought about Logan's willingness to join her on a hike, despite not being an outdoorsy person. They had made plans after he finished meeting with clients and delivering their pieces. The warm spring weather was perfect for a day in nature, something that Grace loved and Logan was beginning to appreciate.

As she strolls along the path with Henry, her phone rings. She glances at the screen and sees it's a call from Michael, Ryan's estate lawyer.

"Hi, Michael," she answers, smiling at the sound of his familiar voice.

"Hey, I know it's the weekend, but I'm about to leave for vacation and wanted to give you a heads up so you can work on this while I'm gone," Michael says apologetically. "I came across a few old retirement and investment accounts belonging to Ryan. They may have a few thousand dollars left in them, but I only have abbreviated company names. Do you think you could do some digging and see what else you can find?"

Grace nods absentmindedly, her attention drawn to Henry as he attempts to catch a fly buzzing around his head. "Yeah, sure," she responds, trying not to laugh at her furry companion's antics. "I'll see what I can uncover."

"Great," Michael replied. "And how are you doing, by the way?"

"I'm good," she answered, her own smile genuine and feeling lighter than it had in weeks.

"I'm so glad to hear that," he said warmly. "Cheryl says hello, by the way." Michael was a casual acquaintance of Ryan's, but she had turned to him for guidance when Ryan passed away. She trusted him to handle his estate with care and respect.

"Thank you," she said, feeling a pang of gratitude for both Cheryl and Michael. "You two have a good vacation. I'll let you know if I find anything."

A gentle breeze rustled through the nearby trees as they stood there, exchanging pleasantries amidst the calming sounds of nature. The soft scent of blooming flowers, creating a soothing atmosphere. As they hang up, she turns Henry around and begins their walk back home. The early spring day is unseasonably warm, with the sun beating down on their skin. She and Logan had planned to go on a hike a couple of hours away from the bustling city, seeking solace in nature's embrace. For her, there was nothing quite like being surrounded by the untamed wilderness, camping under the stars and exploring new trails. It was this love for adventure that led her and Ryan to purchase their cabin in the secluded Cherry Falls, where they could escape the noise and chaos of everyday life and bask in the serenity and privacy of nature.

She swore she would never return to that cabin after Ryan's death though, where memories of Ryan were too painful to bear. She quickly sold it off without even stepping foot inside again, eager to rid herself of that terrible sites where he has died so brutally. But now, with Logan by her side, she longed to create new memories in this beloved corner of New York. She yearned to explore the wilderness again and hike through the terrain, reminiscing on all the reasons why she fell in love with this place in the first place. I

She quickly stripped off her sweaty clothes and stepped into the warm spray of the shower. After drying off, she pulled on a pair of sturdy boots, moisture-wicking socks, and lightweight hiking pants. She made her way down the creaky stairs to the office, cluttered with stacks of papers and piles of books. It was technically their shared workspace, but Ryan's belongings dominated most of the space.

She let out a sigh of relief as she rummaged through the desk, grateful for her husband's organized nature. It made the process of closing accounts and changing bills much less stressful during the shock of discovering his death. As she sifted through papers and documents, her fingers brushed against a familiar object a half-empty gum packet. Despite the anger and hurt that still lingered within her, she couldn't help but twirl it between her fingers with a fondness. Wintergreen was his favorite and he was always chewing and tasted like it.