by SJ McCoy
“I love that you thought of giving us some time, but I’d love you to come pick Skye up with me.”
“Then I’ll be there. Do you want me to come to the salon for five-thirty? I can follow you over to Jackie’s.”
“Or … if you want, we could leave your truck at the salon … until morning?”
His heart raced in his chest. She was saying he could spend the night? A dozen questions raced through his mind, but the only words that came out were, “I’d love that.”
He could hear the relief in her voice. “Me, too. I was scared that you’d think I was being too pushy, too … I don’t know.”
“Well, don’t be. I’m happy that you’re being so open with me. I know it’s a big deal to let me stay. What about Skye?”
“I’ve spent most of the day thinking about that. She knows you’re my boyfriend. She loves you. I think it’ll be okay. Don’t you?”
He pursed his lips as he thought about it. “I think so.”
“Oh, crap. I have to go. My next appointment’s here early.”
“No problem. I’ll see you just before five-thirty.”
“I can’t wait. See you then.”
Donovan hung up with a smile on his face, but it faded as he wondered whether staying over with her was such a great idea. He knew he wanted to, and he didn’t doubt that Elle wanted him to, but was it the right thing to do for Skye? They could talk about it later.
He sat up straight as Cal went striding by his office. He liked the guy, he really did. But him appearing like that felt like a reminder that he needed to be careful. He knew his intentions were good, but that wasn’t a guarantee that he wouldn’t somehow hurt one or both of the cute blondes who were taking up most of his brainspace these days. He also knew that if he hurt either of them, he’d have Cal to answer to.
He turned back to his computer. He needed to get at least some work done today.
Chapter Fourteen
“Do you need me in the morning?”
Elle looked up from the sink where she’d been rinsing the mixing bowls. As she met her mom’s gaze, she wondered if she’d somehow guessed that Donovan was coming over—and that she’d asked him to stay. Maybe she’d overheard her on the phone?
Her mom laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. Yes, I’m planning to stay at Cal’s tonight. And, well …” She shrugged. “Forget I asked. I’ll be home in time to give you a hand getting Skye ready.”
“No!” Elle shook her head rapidly, realizing that her mom hadn’t been asking about Donovan. “I’m fine. You shouldn’t keep rushing back in the mornings. I love it. I hope you know how much I appreciate it. But you and Cal need to figure out your own routine.”
Her mom smiled. “We are and part of our routine is me helping you out.”
“Well, it shouldn’t be. It’s time for you to put you first, Mom. You and Cal have something special. You know how grateful I am that you let me come home and gave me a job and for everything that you do for Skye and me. You’re the best mom in the world. But you have to put yourself first. I’m finding my feet again. You need to find yours.”
Her mom’s eyes shone with tears and she gave her a quick hug. “Thanks, sweetheart. I know you’re right. I just want to do what I can to take care of you. I know you’re all grown up and you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and of Skye. I just … I’ve loved having you home again. Part of me doesn’t want it to end.”
“It’s not ending, Mom. It’s just changing a bit. I’ve loved living with you again. I’ll always be grateful that we’ve had this time together, the three of us. But I’m even more grateful that you have Cal now.” She chuckled, wanting to lighten things back up before she started to cry. “You can’t seriously tell me that you’d rather live at home with your daughter and granddaughter than live with him?”
“You’re right. I can’t. I love you and Skye to pieces.”
“And we know it. But it’s not the way life is supposed to go—for any of us—is it? Three generations of women living together sounds like either the script for a sitcom or the subject of a daytime talk show. You’re much better off being the silver vixen who found her silver fox.”
Her mom laughed out loud at that. Silver vixen? Is that even a thing? I mean I won’t deny that Cal’s a silver fox but …?”
Elle laughed with her. “If it’s not a thing, it should be. I mean look at you and Nina, and Izzy and Audrey, and Clay McAdam’s lady, Marianne, and her sister Chris who’s with that finance guy. You’re all silver vixens. I don’t see why sexy older guys should get their own special name if sexy older women don’t get one, too.”
“You were doing well there, sweetheart. Right up to the point where you said older women.”
Elle shrugged. “It’s only a matter of perspective, isn’t it? You’re my mom, I’m always going to see you as older.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But from Cal’s perspective you’re a hot young chicky.”
Her mom laughed. “I’m not sure he sees it that way. He’s only a few years older than me.”
“I bet he does. And going back to your original question. I’ll be fine tomorrow morning, thanks.” She checked the clock on the wall. “And you’d better get going. I thought you were trying to get out early so that you could stop at the hardware store on the way to Cal’s?”
“I am. I want to pick up the firepit I ordered and get it set up on the back deck before Cal gets there. I haven’t been able to get him anything for his new place yet. Anything I come up with, he buys it himself.”
“And you don’t think he’ll mind you getting the firepit? He strikes me as being kind of old school. You know, he’s the man, he pays for things and takes care of his little lady.”
Her mom laughed. “He kind of is that way—but you know that I’m not, and he needs to get used to it.”
Elle laughed with her. “Well, I hope you can figure it out between you.”
She loved the way her mom smiled. “Oh, we will. I’m not really worried. Getting the firepit is more of a joke. He’ll laugh when he realizes what I’ve done—and why I’ve done it this way. He’s good like that. He listens and he adapts as much as he can. He’s not going to change …”
“And you wouldn’t want him to, right?”
“Hell, no! He’s perfect just the way he is.”
“Aww. I love seeing you this way, Mom. You so deserve it. He’s perfect for you. And he knows how lucky he is to have you.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Anyway. I’d better get going.”
“Yep. So, I’ll see you in here in the morning?”
Her mom pursed her lips. “Unless you want me to come home first?”
“Nope. We’ll be fine.”
Her mom leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
After she’d gone, Elle swept the floor and then sat down at the computer. She had fifteen minutes before her last appointment of the day. Since her mom had asked her to step up, she’d been getting familiar with the accounting system and trying to do whatever she could think of to lessen the load. Now that she’d decided she was going to stay, she wanted to make her mom proud. She was hoping that she could learn enough to maybe even grow the business a bit. She already knew that she could make it function more efficiently. She was even thinking about maybe bringing in another stylist. They had a third chair and …
She looked up when the door opened and sat back with a smile when she saw Cal standing there. He was such a good guy, and he was so good to her mom. He was good to her and Skye too. She loved him already.
“Hey! This is a nice surprise. But if you’re looking for Mom, you missed her.”
He pursed his lips and came in looking kind of uncomfortable—or angry maybe? She hoped not. Her heart started to pound. She hoped he didn’t have a problem.
“What is it?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”
She relaxed a little when he smiled. “Sorry, Elle.” He ran his hand over the back of h
is neck. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s great. I …” He looked around as if seeing the salon for the first time. “I’m not looking for your mom. I want to talk to you.”
“Okay?”
He folded his arms across his chest. “I never thought I’d do this.” He chuckled. “And I sure as hell never thought …” He shook his head.
“Do what? What’s going on Cal?” She raised an eyebrow at him and smiled encouragingly when it struck her that she might know what he was here for. Her heart started to pound again, hoping that she was right. “Is there something you want to ask me?”
He nodded slowly. “There is. If your grandfather were still alive, I’d be asking him for his daughter’s hand. But even if I did that, I’d still be here, asking you how you’d feel about me asking your mom to marry me.”
She let out a little squeal—she couldn’t help it! She clasped her hands to her chest and had to blink away the tears that pricked behind her eyes. “Aww, Cal! I think it’s wonderful! It’s perfect. You two are perfect for each other. You make her so happy, and I know she makes you happy, too.”
He smiled through pursed lips. “Thanks. So, you don’t mind?”
She got up from her seat and went to him. She put her hands on his arms and had to roll up onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “No. I don’t mind. I think it’s awesome. I think you’re awesome. My mom is an amazing lady, and I couldn’t be happier that you’ve found each other.”
“Thanks, Elle.” He gave her a bashful smile. “Your mom is the most amazing lady I’ve ever met. I love her, and I’ll make you the same promise now as I did that first night we talked in the Boathouse; I give you my word that I’ll be good to her.”
She nodded happily. “I know you will. Do you know when you’re going to ask her?” She sucked in an excited breath. “Do you have a ring?”
He chuckled. “I’ve been waiting until the house was ready. I want to ask her to move in with me, but …”
“But what? What’s the problem?”
“There’s no problem. I …” He glanced at her and dropped his gaze. “I didn’t want to ask her to move in with me because … well, she loves having you home, having you and Skye living with her—”
“Oh, my God, Cal! No! You mustn’t wait because of me! And anyway—”
His laughter cut her off. He held his hand up. “It’s okay. I know. She called me today and told me that you’re going to take the house on Skyview. She said you want to move in next weekend, and I offered to move you. Not that I’m trying to hurry you out.”
Elle laughed. “No! I know that. But I’m in a hurry myself now. I want you to ask her, and I want to move.” She smiled. “I knew we’d all end up over that side of the lake.”
Cal raised an eyebrow. “You did?”
She nodded happily. “When Mom first asked me about taking the house, I said I would if she was going to be living over there, too.”
“What did she say?”
“That she hoped so.”
The way Cal smiled at that made her glad that she’d told him. It was hardly betraying her mom’s confidence.
“So, now that you know you won’t be taking her away from me and Skye—and in case I didn’t say so, I think you’re awesome for thinking about that, but it’s not an issue anyway. And now that you know it’s not, do you know when you’ll ask her?”
Her mom always joked about his smile, and the way it lit up his face right now, Elle could understand why. “I wanted to run it by you. If you’re moving next weekend, and we’re going to have the house finished this week. I was thinking that everything would be settled by Sunday afternoon. I told the guys we might have a bit of a housewarming thing and I thought …”
It was weird to see such a big, tough-looking guy look so unsure of himself. She touched his arm wanting to reassure him.
He gave an embarrassed chuckle and ran his hand over the back of his neck again. “What do you think if we get a bunch of people over—I’d have to ask for your help, you know who she’d want to be there better than I do. But I thought I could ask her then—turn a housewarming party into an engagement party.” His smile faded. “Unless you think I shouldn’t ask her?”
“No! You totally should! She’ll say yes. I know she will. She loves you Cal.”
He smiled. “Does it sound weird to say that I know she does? I’m not being arrogant, it’s just that she tells me and shows me in every way she can, and I just know it. I know we’re right together. But I’ve been running all the possible scenarios through my head and it occurred to me that she might have sworn she’d never get married again after—”
He stopped short but Elle knew what he meant. She blew out a sigh. “I don’t know how much she’s told you. But I wouldn’t have blamed her one bit if she’d sworn never to get married again after my dad. I’ve already told you he’s an asshole. I try to keep it polite most of the time and just say that he’s a jerk. But the guy is a grade A asshole.” She pulled herself together. “Sorry. You don’t need to hear about him.”
The look on Cal’s face told her she was right about that.
She changed the subject and hurried on. “I think it’d be awesome if you asked her next Sunday. It’ll be like a new beginning for all of us. Skye and I will get set up in our new home, and we’ll be just up the road from you guys. And you two will start your life together in your new home.” She grabbed his arm when she remembered he hadn’t answered her other question. “Do you have a ring? Do you know her size and everything?”
He smiled through pursed lips. “I was hoping you might be able to help me with that. I’ve never bought jewelry in my life. I’ve researched. I’ve even measured one of her rings with a piece of string and tried to figure out the size from that but …” He shrugged.
“Well, that one’s easy. She’s a size seven. And if you want any help on what she likes I’ll tell you.”
He raised his eyebrows. “I was hoping you might just reel off a list of likes and dislikes without me even having to ask.”
She had to laugh. “I guess you already know what I’m like then, don’t you?”
He smiled but didn’t answer.
She hesitated before she went on. “You know what? Normally you’d be right. I want to tell you everything I can think of. But … and laugh at me if you like. I suppose I’m just a sad little romantic at heart. But if it were me—and I know Mom and I are alike in many ways—but if it were me, I would want to think that the ring my husband gave me was all his own idea. That he chose it by himself because he loved it and he thought that I would love it, too.” She rolled her eyes and could feel the heat in her cheeks. “That probably sounds stupid to you, but …”
“It doesn’t. Thanks, Elle. I get it. I kind of thought that way myself. But then I second guessed it. Like I said. I’ve never bought jewelry before. What if I have terrible taste? What if I get her something that she thinks is ugly?” He chuckled. “I want her to wear this ring for the rest of her life, so I want her to love it. But you’re right. I should trust my gut and choose it myself.”
“If it’s any consolation, if she hates it, she’ll no doubt tell you at some point.” She laughed. “You know what she’s like.”
Cal laughed with her. “I do. You’re right. Thanks, Elle.”
“You are more than welcome. Thank you! You’re going to make her so happy.”
“I plan to.”
~ ~ ~
“Dondervan! You can’t catch me!”
He laughed as he chased Skye around the back yard. She ran to Elle and hid behind her, holding onto her legs and peeking out at him.
He looked all around him. “Where’s Skye?”
She giggled and tugged on Elle’s skirt. “He can’t see me, Mommy.”
Elle laughed. “Shh! Or he’ll hear you.”
He winked at Elle and then looked around again. “I can hear her, but I can’t see her. Where is she?”
She peeked her head out again and giggled. It was such a wonderfu
l sound. It made his heart happy—though that might be down to being here with the two of them.
Skye had been beside herself when she’d seen him at Jackie’s again when they’d gone to collect her. He and Skye had colored while Elle made them all sandwiches for dinner. Then they’d come out here to play. He could happily see this becoming his life. He forced himself to come back to the moment. Just because he’d realized that that was what he wanted, didn’t mean he should get too carried away just yet.
He grinned at Skye and ran toward her. “There she is!” When he reached her, he scooped her up and held her high above his head. “Skye’s in the sky!”
She giggled as he brought her back down to sit on his hip.
“My grandpa says that I’m sunshine, and sunshine comes from the sky.”
He nodded. “That’s right.” Mention of her grandpa sobered him up fast. Her real grandpa, Elle’s dad, was supposed to be coming again this weekend, though she still hadn’t heard back from him. Donovan felt bad for hoping that he wouldn’t come. He’d never met the guy, but from what Elle had told him, he didn’t think he was going to like him much—not that he’d get the chance to find out. She’d told him that she wasn’t going to introduce him. And he understood that that wasn’t about him and the way she felt about him, but because of how she felt about her dad.
Skye wasn’t even talking about him, though. When she said grandpa, she meant Cal, and Donovan couldn’t help but feel bad. Elle’s mom didn’t even know that he was here or that he planned to stay the night. He didn’t want to think what Cal might have to say about it if he found out.
He blew out a sigh. He wasn’t the kind of guy to sneak around behind people’s backs.
Elle gave him a puzzled look. “Are you okay?”
He remembered to smile, and spun Skye around before setting her down. “I’m great.”
Skye ran all the way to the other end of the yard, where she got distracted picking daisies.
Elle came to him and slipped her arms around his waist. “Are you sure? You were all happy and then your smile disappeared, and you looked … I don’t know what but definitely not happy anymore.”
