After lunch, I walked Natasha to the steps of the inn, and she thanked me for the meal before disappearing inside.I had a feeling she worked seven days a week.At least my shopping excursion got her out of the inn for a short time.
But it wasn't my place to make sure she was taking care of herself.She wasn't mine anymore.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and headed toward the parking lot where my truck was parked.It was weird being home again.I liked seeing my family and friends, but the unstructured time on the weekends and evenings stretched out before me, and I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself.
I drove to the house that I'd bought, knowing it needed work.I figured I'd have plenty of time to make the necessary updates.The first project was the bathroom.I'd ripped everything out of the space, then tore down the wall between the closet and the bathroom to make it bigger.
I was able to use the guest bathroom while the work was completed, but I wanted it done so I could enjoy the space.I'd want it to be completed if I ever brought a woman home.
Why did that bring Natasha's face to mind?It was probably because I just spent the morning with her.It wasn't because I was still hung up on her.
Whenever I thought about her, I felt a sense of loss.One I hadn't fully appreciated until I was around her again.It was easy to dismiss my feelings when I was thousands of miles away.But now, she was a reminder of the choices I'd made.
I couldn't go back and change the way I handled things.I could only move forward.It wasn't a good idea to dwell on the past, but it was impossible not to revisit it when I was reminded of it everywhere I went.
When I was gone, I couldn't think about home without remembering Natasha.She was as much a part of it as my family, and now that I was home, not much had changed.
I got to work on the bathroom, framing the space according to the rendering I'd drafted.When I got a text from the family group chat reminding me that it was late, I cleaned up the room, then showered in the guest bath.
It was nice to be home and included in the family dinner.Not just calling in or reading emails, hearing about how everyone was doing.I was part of it again.
When I was in high school, I was so eager to see the world and do something with my life.Now all I wanted to do was fall back into the familiar.
I drove to my parents' house, parking next to one of my brother's trucks.We all drove our work trucks to advertise the business, and it was what we preferred.
I walked inside, not bothering to knock.In the kitchen, Mom patted my cheek."It's so nice having you home for family dinner."
She'd had a hard time when I was away.She worried about me, and that weighed heavily on my decision to get out.I'd learned a lot in the army and made great connections.But there was nothing like home.
My brothers and Cooper all stood around the kitchen because Mom had set out a board of snacks: cheese slices, meat, crackers, grapes, and strawberries.Lincoln's dog, Otto, waited at their feet for the inevitable crumbs to drop.
Aspen and Lincoln's fiancée, Penny, sat on a stool at the island.I suspected Aspen was relieved to have another female at these gatherings.For so long, it had just been her and Mom.
Aspen turned on her stool to hug me."You get everything you needed at the toy store?"
"Toy store?"Mom looked up from the stove."Why were you shopping for toys?"
"Christmas Town is hosting a toy drive.I wanted to do our part to help."
Penny smiled."That's so nice."
Cooper raised a brow."You know you can just donate the money, and they'll buy the toys?"
"I wanted to pick them out," I said defensively.
"That was nice of you.I'm sure they appreciated the extra thought that went into it," Mom said, and I gave Cooper a triumphant look.
We liked to jockey for Mom's favor, but since we got older, it was just in fun.By now, we knew we had her approval.
Aspen smiled mischievously."He went with Natasha to do it."
I shot her a look because I was fairly sure I promised not to give her a hard time about her love life.Not that Natasha was part of my love life anymore."She had the list of things to get."
Aspen's brow furrowed."I thought it was just ages and genders."
"It was, but Natasha knows what the kids like.It was fun."I hoped no one asked any follow-up questions.
My siblings exchanged a knowing look.
