Cruz
A month after reconnecting, I’m flanked by Bob and Karl at the grill again. Elodie’s sitting in a camp chair by her mom and sister. These family grill-outs are becoming a thing, and I don’t foresee a change when the weather turns cold. Bob’s already sketching plans for a four-season addition to the house.
“I always had it in mind,” he says about his idea and hitches up his jean shorts, which are secured with a plain brown leather belt. “But then it got delayed with the accident. Elodie moved away and Clem went to school for even longer than me.” Despite what might sound like complaining, the man radiates pride for his girls.
Karl nods. He’s dressed like he should be Bob’s twin instead of a former brother-in-law. I’m the standout in jeans, boots, and a T-shirt.
“Both girls are back,” Karl says, “and if looks don’t deceive me, Elodie might be staying awhile because of this guy.”
Bob’s grin stretches wider. “The bakery was going to keep her here, but thanks to Cruz here, it’s not her prison.”
“I wish I could’ve seen that punch,” Karl mutters and does a quick shadowbox. Then he looks around like he’s afraid the townsfolk might’ve seen him.
“Thank you for that.” Bob’s solemn as he glances at the girls to make sure they don’t hear. “I hate that she felt like she had to keep it from us, but I’m glad someone helped her.”
My lungs freeze. I’m not prepared to talk about this, but I don’t hear censure. Elodie didn’t tell them any of my personal details. She glossed over my past, and I’m forever appreciative that she tried to protect me. But if this whole situation has taught me anything, it’s that being ashamed of our past has no good purpose. It leaves our history open to be used against us.
I’m not going to let something that Elodie accepts about me be a weakness like that. “I can’t take full credit for helping her. I called in a favor from my dad. He’s got connections I’d rather not know about and he made sure Dwayne left Elodie alone. He’s, uh... he’s in prison.”
Bob’s bushy brows rise. Karl makes ahow ’bout thatexpression. Both guys study me. Karl’s probably heard worse confessions in his time, but Bob’s mouth doesn’t turn into a frown.
“I didn’t have the best childhood,” I continue. Might as well get it all out. “Got in my share of trouble. Mom was an addict. Left us alone a lot. Dad was in and out of my life before he was out for a long time.” I swallow, determined to tell it all. “Elodie was afraid for me when I hit that bastard, Damon. Worried that I’d hate myself for regressing into someone I worked hard on not being anymore. What she doesn’t understand is that I’d do worse for her, and the last thing I would do is regret it.”
Silence falls between us. The chatter of the women is a low murmur. The burgers smell good on the grill, but my appetite starts retreating. If I get kicked out, so be it. Elodie and I will figure a way to win her family over. I just don’t want her tostress, and dammit, I really like her dad and uncle. I drop my gaze and study the tips of my boots. I wiped them off before I came over. Good habits are just good habits.
Karl claps a big hand on my shoulder. “Sorry to hear about what you went through. You’ve obviously taken charge of your own life and chosen a different path than your parents, but I’m glad to hear someone has Elodie’s back no matter what.”
“Me too.” Bob leans in closer. “Between you, me, and the fence posts, I’ll take the fall if she ever needs a problem dealt with again. I’m old and won’t be in jail for long.”
My laugh is as unexpected as his words. Bob and Karl snicker with me.
Karl nudges Bob. “He’s got her back, and we’ve got theirs, ain’t that right?”
They dissolve into delighted chortling that tells me they might even have fun saving me and Elodie from a hypothetical future scenario like the one we just got out of. My humor rises, but I’m humbled to my core. Not since Mae Bailey offered to give me a decent future have I realized how goddamn lucky I am. I told these guys who I am and where I come from—dirty house, felon dad, and all—and Bob’s offering to take the blame for anything I do to benefit his daughter. Instead of chasing me away, a guy who used his father’s prison network to threaten and intimidate, he’s bringing me into the Palmer fold. And he didn’t ask me to name any kids after him for the privilege.
Elodie appears at my side, wrapping an arm around my waist. “You all sound like trouble.”
Bob’s smile is secretive. “Just telling your guy that it’s nice to see more of you.”
Elodie hugs me harder. “Angie’s been great.”
Her new employee is originally from a small town in eastern Montana and went to pastry school. She’s thrilled to be workingin her home state again, and that her kids can be so close to their grandparents.
With Angie, Elodie can expand her menu and her hours and take more time off. She even has temporary workers arranged to help with the cookie dough fundraiser and the holiday orders, working with the high school for both volunteer hours and extra fundraising opportunities to help pack and deliver orders.
She’s going to take her first week off right before she has to work on holiday orders, and I’m taking her to Bourbon Canyon and Bozeman. She wants to see where I grew up, literally and figuratively.
I have a ring in a drawer at my house, waiting patiently for that trip. I know just where to pop the question.
Elodie
I press my hands against my stomach to keep it from churning and smooth them down the rest of my dress. Over it I have on a robin’s-egg-blue cardigan, and boots beneath it. I’ve never thought so hard about what to wear when meeting someone.
Cruz leads me up a path to the back door. The view from here is stunning. The Bailey Beef ranch encompasses rolling hills and tree-covered inclines. Down another path is a cute shed with chickens darting around it. There’s also a huge barn, a shop that Cruz said Lane used to do a lot of work in, and fenced-off pastures with horses and cattle. A couple of goats even amble by the barn.
Cruz puts a hand at the small of my back. “You should see it when it’s green.”
The air is cool and the grasses are more brown than green today, but it doesn’t diminish the vista. “It’s stunning now. The trees on the foothills and the shadows from the clouds? Gorgeous.”
