“What?” My eyebrows dip as I take in what he said. “Easton…” I step toward him. “Why didn’t you tell me when I got here?”
“I wanted to be with you without that causing tension between us, but look at how that turned out. Sorry, I should’ve told you what was going on.”
“You need to communicate, talk to me.” I hug him. He runs a hand down my back.
“I know. I wanted to have dinner and not stress, just be with you.”
I look up at him, pinching my lips together. “Well, it wasn’t exactly the best meal we’ve shared.”
He snorts and shakes his head. “Yeah…” Easton runs a hand through his hair. “Anyway, I have no idea what’s going on. The last time I spoke to her was on Monday, and she seemed okay. Allyson has been calling her for two days with no response, and that was when she wrote to me today, worried.”
“I’m sure she’s okay. There has to be an explanation for this.” I squeeze his hand, walking into the living room. We take a seat on the couch, and I hold him to me, trying to ease the worries from his mind.
“I think so, too, but her phone disconnected? That’s just weird.” He shakes his head. “I haven’t exactly called her daily to see how she’s doing since I moved here. I’ve been trying to settle in and didn’t call as often as I should have.”
“Hey, whatever is going on, it’s not your fault.” I hold his face and make sure he’s looking at me, understanding what I’m saying. He nods in my hands.
“I know, but I can’t help but feel guilty. She promised me she was okay, could stay on her own in Virginia, but what if…” He shakes his head, his unspoken words hanging between us.
“Easton, your mom is okay. She’s a strong woman. She’s smart and independent.”
“Yeah, but losing Dad was fucking hard on her.” His words are laced with pain.
“I’m sure it was hard on all of you,” I swallow back my emotions, wanting to keep a strong face for him. “Is there anyone you can call? A neighbor or a friend?”
“I called one of her friends, but she said she couldn’t get a hold of her either. What if she’s…” He shivers.
“She’s okay.” I nod firmly. She has to be okay.
“I’m going to talk to Mr. Powell and ask for a couple days to fly and see her. I need to make sure she really is okay. If something happens…I’ll never forgive myself,” he shakes his head, swallowing thickly.
I wrap my arms around him, resting his head on my shoulder. A soothing arm moves up and down his back as Easton holds me tightly. I have no idea what could be going on, and I’m sure it’s not like his mom to fall off the face of the earth. I say a quick prayer that she’s okay, hoping like hell Easton and Allyson don’t lose two parents in such a short time span.
“Sometimes, I feel guilty for moving here and leaving her in Charlottesville. At least being in Richmond, I could drive and have dinner with her, check in on her. But my mom promised me she was fine with staying, didn’t want to retire yet. She encouraged me to follow my dreams and move back here.” He leans back to stare into my eyes.
“That still doesn’t ease the guilt I feel for moving so soon after my dad died. Allyson is further away, and she had to move for work. I made a choice. I could’ve stayed in Richmond a little longer.”
I hate hearing the pain in his voice, the division he feels between being here and having stayed in Virginia for his mom, even if she didn’t ask him to.
“Hey, you did what was best for you and your life, and your mom understands that. She wants you to live a life you’re proud of. Don’t put yourself down.”
“I know that, but it’s hard not to feel guilty or selfish. I wanted to come back here. I needed it. I was burning out at the age of thirty, watching my dad slip away, and working somewhere that didn’t give two shits. When my dad made me promise him I wouldn’t live with regrets, I knew it was time to come back. I always wanted to, but I got stuck in the daily grind.” He smiles sadly.
“I needed to come back and see if you were still around, still as beautiful as ever. You weren’t, though…” I hold my breath, sensing my brows dip a bit as his fingers skim my lips in a featherlight touch. “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered, than the few pictures I had. More kind-hearted.” His lips touch mine.
“I needed you more than I thought I did. I needed this more than I ever imagined.”
I smile, nodding. I know exactly what he means. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted him in my life until he crashed back into it. Seeing him this vulnerable makes me want to hold him all night and make sure he’s okay. It makes me want to take care of him, ease his pain and concerns, and make him smile.
“Do you know what I think we need?” I sit up with wide eyes and smile.
“What?” His eyebrows pinch together.
“Cookie ice cream sandwiches,” I declare, standing up and offering him my hand.
A slanted smile appears on his face. “You also remember a lot about me,” he says as he takes my hand.
“Yup,” I pop the P and drag him out of the house, not bothering with locking the door. “If we’re quick, we’ll make it to the store before it closes.” I unlock my car and demand him to get in.
“Bossy, I like,” Easton teases as I pull out of his long driveway and leave the ranch behind. Turning up the volume, I begin to sing to the Miranda Lambert song that’s playing on the radio.
Easton chuckles beside me. Every so often, I glance his way and catch his eyes. I wink and continue singing as the music transitions to a George Strait song.
“Ah, King George,” he comments, joining me in my car karaoke.
I park in front of the grocery store and cross my fingers as I run to the front door and pull it open. “Yes!” I call out, watching Easton take his time to get to me. I wait for him with a basket hanging from my arm.
The same song from the radio is playing over the grocery store speakers, and I sing as he approaches. The smile that greets me makes my heart soar. I walk backward, dancing and singing to him as we head to the freezers where the ice creams are.
“Careful,” Easton warns, lifting his eyebrows but never losing the smile.
“Oh,” I swerve, missing the corner of a rack. I grab his hand, stretching it out between us as I continue to dance and sing.
Easton tugs my hand a bit, so I’m closer and then twirls me around. I laugh and spin again, enjoying each moment and grateful to see him relax a bit.
“Okay,” I say, stopping by the ice cream selection. “Do you want the chocolate chip cookie ones or the regular chocolate cookie?” I look over at him with lifted brows.
“Hmmm…” He crosses one arm over his chest and rests his elbow on his hand, tapping his chin. “Since we’re being wild and hitting the grocery store at almost ten and dancing and singing, let’s get both.” He looks at me, waiting for approval.
“A man after my own heart.” I tap his arm and open the freezer door, grabbing a box of each.
As the door closes, Easton pulls me to him and kisses my forehead. “I am most definitely a man after your heart, and I won’t stop until I win it over. Then, I’ll continue to win it over each day, make sure I deserve to keep it as mine.”
I sigh and tilt my lips up in a smirk. Placing my hand over his heart, I lift on my toes and give him a close-mouthed kiss. “I think it’s always been yours,” I whisper against his lips.
Easton releases a deep breath and drops his forehead to mine. “Forever,” he says, and I recall the carving of our names on that old barn.
“We’re closing soon, so you’ll have to finish your shopping and pay.” A clerk breaks up our moment, probably dying to go home after a long shift at work.
“Let’s go.” Easton holds my hand, and we pay for the ice cream.
“Thank you,” he says once we’re back in my car, heading toward his ranch.
“You’re welcome.” I reach for his hand, blindly. “I hate knowing you feel this way about being here,” I admit. “I can’t i
magine how difficult it must be since my parents live here, but I hope you know that you’ve done nothing wrong by deciding to move here.”
“I know.” He squeezes my fingers. “Moving back here has been the best decision I’ve ever made.” His lips graze the top of my hand.
A spike of fear shoots through me as I wonder what he’ll find when he flies to Virginia to see his mom and how long he’ll be away.
Easton
No one will ever be more perfect for me than Faith. She’s the calm in my storm. Her words and attitude shifted my whole mentality. I hated that I had ruined dinner by staying in my head, worrying about my mom instead of telling her. It was hard to admit how I’ve been feeling about my move and my mom out loud. It put me in a place I hadn’t even realized I was in. While I know there’s nothing to feel guilty about, I’m still worried that I haven’t heard from my mom.
I close the browser after finalizing my flight purchase and drop my head in my hands. Taking a stabilizing breath, I grab my phone and shoot Allyson a text message, letting her know I’m flying home on Sunday, and put my phone back in the desk drawer.
Home.
What is home anymore? Everton has always been my home, but after living in Virginia for so many years, that also felt like a piece of home. It’s definitely the home Allyson would understand.
However, I’m starting to think home is more a state of mind than a location. It’s a sensation, and where I am at the moment is my true home. Living in a space I love, with people I care about—with Faith.
She’s so wise. The way she handled me yesterday, gentle and caring, I wanted to hold her, tell her I loved her. The timing wasn’t right, though. I didn’t want it to seem like an impulse because of the situation.
When it comes to Faith, though, did I ever really stop loving her?
“May I?” Mr. Powell knocks on my opened door.
“Of course.” I stand.
“I was just popping in to make sure you were able to book a flight.”
“Yes, sir, thank you.” I nod. “I confirmed it a couple minutes ago. I fly out Sunday, and God willing, I’ll be back on Wednesday afternoon.”
“Sounds good. Your momma’s gonna be okay.” He offers a reassuring smile.
“I hope so,” I exhale.
“She will be. You just wait and see. It’s still smart to check-in on her and find out what’s going on.” Mr. Powell smiles, tipping his hat toward me. “I’m heading to a meeting.” He taps the doorframe on his way out, and I take a seat.
Pulling my phone from my drawer, I send Faith a message.
Easton: I want to see you tonight. I don’t care what we do as long as I’m with you
I hit send and smile. We could be stuck in a tiny box with nothing, and I wouldn’t care as long as she were by my side. My phone buzzes with an incoming message, and I smile.
Faith: How do you feel about wall art?
Easton: Uh… it’s pretty?
Faith: To make it…together. Just saw a post on Instagram for a craft and booze class. They have different wooden art and you take whatever you want to drink
Easton: That sounds dangerous. Can you handle a hammer and a cocktail?
Faith: I can handle your hammer, can’t I?
I burst out laughing, throwing my head back. Someone walks by my office and looks in with raised eyebrows. Shaking my head, I stare at her words.
Easton: Lol you sure as hell can. God you’re perfect. It’s a date.
Faith: Yay! Chop, chop. It’s Friday and I’m leaving work in 30 mins. Finish up quickly
I love her excitement to see me, wanting to spend time with me. It’s the same for me. I let her know I’ll be done by five o’clock and finish up what needs to be complete before the weekend strolls around. I’ve got a date with my lady, and no time is soon enough to see her.
I call Faith when I leave work to finalize our plans.
“Hey, there, handsome,” she answers the phone.
“Hey, beautiful,” I say, smiling as I hop into my truck, putting the call over the Bluetooth speaker. “Where is this craft and drinking thing?”
“It’s in Jackson. I know, I know, it’s a little further, but it looked like so much fun. We don’t have to go if you’re tired.”
“And not witness you using a hammer?” I tease.
“Ha! You liked my joke, huh? The class is at seven, and they do have spots available if we want to go. I called when I left work. I’m ready. I just need to get changed.” I smile as I hear her excitement. There’s no way I’m not taking her to this tonight.
“Perfect. I’m on my way home. I’ll let Cali out and shower. Be at your place in about an hour, and we can grab what we want to drink before heading to Jackson.” Jackson isn’t too far from Everton, thirty minutes tops.
“Sounds good.”
I smile the entire way to my house, the heavy feeling of guilt no longer crushing me. Faith is definitely the sunshine in my life.
…
“I am so excited to try this. Ainsley and Abbie have gone to those painting classes our town library offers, but I’ve never gone. They say it’s a lot of fun. I thought this would be cool, and we could make something for you to hang in your new home.” Faith smiles over at me, animatedly talking a mile a minute as we walk into the building where the class will take place.
We stopped at a store on the way here, grabbing some craft beers I’ve been wanting to try to drink while we create our artwork.
“It sounds like fun, and it’s definitely something different.” My phone rings, breaking our conversation, and I fish it out of my pocket. Dread fills me when I see Megan’s name on the screen. She is my mom’s closest friend in Virginia, and she has been keeping in contact with me about my mom.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Faith and walk outside.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Easton. It’s Megan. I just wanted to let you know I spoke to your mom. She’s okay. Apparently, she’s been having cell phone problems and didn’t even realize calls weren’t coming in. I’m here with her, so you can speak to her yourself.”
I sigh in relief. “Hey, Mom,” I say.
“Hi, sweetie. I’m so sorry to have worried you. I’m not sure what’s wrong with this thing, but I’m going to the store tomorrow to see if they can tell me. How are you?”
Ignoring her question, I say, “When I call, I get a disconnected message. As if the line were cut.”
“That’s weird.”
“I’m actually flying out on Sunday to see you. I have a flight booked and will arrive at three in the afternoon.”
“You don’t have to do that, Easton. I am perfectly fine,” she says with way too much force.
“I’m going, Mom. Flight’s booked, and if I cancel, I lose my money. I want to make sure you’re truly okay. This isn’t like you.”
She huffs but doesn’t argue. “Fine. I’ll see you Sunday then. Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you, too.” I hang up, feeling more confused than before. I’m grateful my mom is fine, but it’s not like her to be blocked from the world like that. Blocked from her kids.
I walk back into the building and find Faith waiting for me by the entrance with deep lines creating valleys between her eyebrows. “What happened?” Her words come out rushed.
“That was my mom’s friend, the one I told you I had called. She was with my mom, and I was able to speak to her. She says she’s okay but hadn’t realized her phone wasn’t working. I don’t know, she brushed it off as nothing, but she’s never been so careless.” I shake my head and scratch the back of my neck. “I told her I’m flying out on Sunday.”
“Oh… Good.” Faith nods.
“Shit, I hadn’t told you.” I rub my forehead. “Sorry, I booked the flight earlier at work. I’m going for four days. I’ll be back in time for Poppy’s wedding.” I grin, wrapping my arm around her waist.
Faith nods, smiling. “I’m glad she’s okay.” She leans her head on my shoulder.
&n
bsp; “Me too, babe,” I sigh.
As soon as we have our place in the room where our class will take place, I shoot Allyson a quick message, updating her. I know she’s been as worried as me. Then, I relax, open two beers for us, and look at all the tools around the room.
The teacher explains how the class will work. We each have a plank of wood to work with—sanding it, staining it, or painting it, and then choosing a stencil to paint onto the piece of wood.
“I’m so excited,” Faith squeals next to me. I chuckle and drape my arm over her shoulder as we listen to the final directions.
As soon as we get started, Faith’s laughter fills our table from the tickling sensation of the electric sander and when she accidentally dropped a glob of white paint on the wooden sign.
I take the time to watch her, not caring how my sign turns out as long as I can witness her happiness.
“Beer me, babe,” she commands.
I lift my eyebrows and chuckle. “You’re really getting into this role.”
She side-eyes me with pursed lips. I laugh and kiss her cheek. “Beer coming right up.” I pop the cap and place it in front of her before going back to staining my sign. I want it to have a rustic look, so I have to sand it down a bit again after the stain dries.
“Do you know what stencil you’re going to use?” Faith asks. She’s rubbing on the white paint, making it look weathered.
“I’m thinking the Welcome sign with the cowboy boots.”
“That would look great on the wall by the door,” she smiles over at me.
“How about you?” I lift my eyebrows.
“I think I’m going to choose the one that says, Wild and free.”
“Just like you,” I say with a wink.
“Cute.” She pats my arm and rolls her eyes playfully. “Okay.” She puts her hands on her hips and looks at her wooden board. My eyes are focused on the way her tight jeans show-off her ass.
“Up here,” she snaps her fingers. I laugh and shrug. “I’m thinking of sanding it down a bit to make it look more rustic,” she comments.
My Way to You: A Second Chance Romance (Love in Everton Book 7) Page 14
