“Good point. Either way, it’s appreciated.”
“No problem,” I respond. “What time are you heading to work with Ron?”
“Probably a half hour or so. Are you coming?”
“Sure, maybe I can help Dottie with something around the house.”
Thomas sits down beside me with his coffee. “That will be nice. They seem like really nice people.”
“I agree. Dottie kind of reminds me of my mom. She always wanted to make sure everyone was fed, cared for, and happy. It hurts in a way, but it’s a good reminder of her, too.” I’d been thinking that yesterday during our breakfast with her and Ron, but saying it out loud really drives home how true it is. Dottie is older than my mother ever will be, but I can imagine my mother making sure the house is always ready for guests and grandchildren.
Julia might never want kids, but it’s something that I’ve always wanted. When dating was sort of out of the cards, I kind of gave up on the prospect of having kids, but it’s still a dream of mine.
“That’s really awesome. I’m glad that she reminds you of her,” Thomas says, pulling me out of my internal thoughts.
“I agree. My parents were the best. They had their faults, of course, but I loved them. I was close with them, Itrusted them more than anyone, and losing them hasn’t been easy, even though it’s been ten years since their death. I’m lucky that I still have my grandma, but I know that losing her some day is going to break me. After my parents’ death, she became my rock. Sometimes I think she, Julia and Tiff know me better than I know myself. ”
“It seems like they love you a lot. Would you mind telling me how your parents died?” Thomas questions, his brows furrowed as he holds my attention.
I shrug. “They were in an accident. A drunk driver crossed the median and hit them head on. I was fifteen. They were at a wedding in the Cities.”
“Now that you say it, I think I remember hearing about it.” Thomas’s blue eyes lock with mine, and they’re loaded with sympathy.
“Word travels fast in situations like that,” I respond. “A lot of my anxiety has stemmed from that. It sounds stupid,” I chuckle to myself. “But a big anxiety trigger for me is when the phone rings. It’s not so much anymore, but if it’s an unexpected call, or from someone who wouldn’t normally call me, I get so anxious I nearly throw up. Phone calls equal bad news in my brain.”
Thomas takes my book from my lap, setting it on the side table. “That’s not stupid. It’s a trigger.”
I shrug. “It is, but I’ve worked through a lot of it, so now it’s not quite as bad. Ironically, all I can think about right now is how badly I wish I had a phone and it would ring so I could talk to Grandma or Julia.”
Thomas takes my hands in his. “That’s my fault, I suppose.”
I rapidly shake my head. “No, it’s not. I’ve said it already, but I’m glad I’m with you. I’d be a wreck with worry for you if I wasn’t, Thomas.”
He sighs, his body deflating a bit.
“I wish I had my phone for the same reason that you do, to speak with my family, that’s all. Not because I wish I was home, or mad at you for taking me here with you,” I reiterate, and finally, I see some of the guilt leave his eyes. “Okay?”
Thomas nods. “Okay.”
“Should we head to the main house?” I ask, shifting on the couch.
“Probably.”
I stand from the couch and stride to the kitchen, pouring the remnants of my coffee into a travel mug and filling it again with fresh coffee and another splash of creamer. I grab another travel mug for Thomas, and grab his mug from his palm as he walks to me.
“This feels so domestic,” Thomas remarks, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “I like it.”
I laugh. “I like it too.”
26
THOMAS
Something isn’t right with Hannah. She’s absolutely exhausted, and I can’t seem to figure out why. We caught up on all the sleep we missed from the drive and night of the shooting, so I don’t know why she’s so tired.
She’s been asleep on the couch since we got home from our day with the Graffs at six-thirty. I worked my ass off today, shoveling out pens, helping Ron cut down a tree, and even going so far as climbing onto the roof to patch a leak.
Hannah spent most of the day inside with Dottie, helping her bake a few casseroles for a local woman who lost her husband recently in an unexpected accident. Then, she sat on the front porch and read her book while Dottie ran to town and dropped the casseroles off.
