23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Calista
O nce I got home, Evan and I were able to have a short talk. But with Skye around, it was difficult to keep it from her or get into a lengthy discussion. We had to wait until she was in bed.
Evan made it very clear he wasn’t going anywhere. I made it clear that I couldn’t fully commit until I knew everything was going to be okay with Kaylee. He said he was fine with that. Then we had the hottest quickie before I sneaked back into my room the night.
Today, Evan, Skye, and I are heading downtown to the BBQ event to support the distillery. Not only is this the first time Evan will be out in town, but it’s also one of the first years he won’t be participating in the BBQ festival.
Thankfully, his friend Rick was willing to step in for Evan at the festival, so the police charity will still be up and running. Though I know Evan feels bad about it and always enjoyed participating.
“I can’t wait to try Uncle Cody’s barbecue sauce. But I bet it’s not as good as Daddy’s,” Skye says from the backseat.
At her words, I look over at Evan, who is in the passenger seat, to see what his reaction is.
“Uncle Cody told me he will have some really spicy ones, but promised to have a mild one just for you to try,” Evan says.
“I can’t handle spice, Dad!” Skye says.
“Not this kind of spice. It’s the kind that will burn your tongue and make you cry,” I say with a smile.
Giggling, Skye asks “Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know. You will have to ask him when you see him.” I’m just as interested in his response as Skye is now.
When we get downtown, the festival is already in full swing. Fortunately, Cody gave us a pass to put on our dashboard to park in the employee parking of the distillery. Taking the back way in, we use the directions he gave me to find the parking area. The area is blocked with a cone, so I get out to move it and put it back when I’m done. It’s a very small price to pay for a premier parking spot.
“Let’s go into the distillery and say hi to my brothers before we check out the rest of the festival?” I say, almost like a question.
“That works for me,” Evan says.
I get out of the car and walk over to his side to offer a hand, but now that his ankle is feeling better his shoulder is the only obstacle. It doesn’t really stop him from getting in and out of the car.
“It should be me coming around to help you out of the car,” he says with a pointed look as I reach for the back seat door to help Skye out.
“Well, I look forward to it once you are able to drive again. Until then, you get to let me pamper you,” I say, smiling. When we walk into the distillery, there is no stopping Skye as soon as she sees Cody.
“Uncle Cody!” She yells and runs right to him, not caring that he’s talking to the couple in front of him.
Cody doesn’t miss a beat. Smiling at her, he bends down to pick her up, settling her on his hip while he finishes talking to the couple. Skye waits, resting her head on his shoulder while he talks.
Moments like these are what I miss, and I hope one day Cody will get to be the uncle to my kids just like this. Maybe one day. They are so cute together that I pull out my phone and snap a few photos.
“Will you send those to me? That one would be framed on the mantle,” he says in my ear.
Just being near Evan has me on alert, but his whisper in my ear sends shivers down my spine. Trying not to show how aware of him I am, I quickly send the pictures off to him.
Once Cody is done talking to the couple, he comes over and joins us.
“Hey, princess. Excited for the festival?” Cody asks.
“We just got here,” Skye says.
Turning my phone, I show Cody the photo I snapped of him and Skye. That picture captures Cody’s smile and the love in his eyes as he holds Skye.
“Will you send me a copy of it?” he asks.
“Already done,” I smile. I figured he’d wanted one, so I sent it to him when I sent it to Evan.
“Come on, let’s do a bit of tasting,” Cody says, turning to go to the counter.
“Oh, can we taste the sauce?” Skye asks.
I start to giggle because in this place that could mean so many things.
Thankfully, Cody knows exactly what she means and heads right to the barbeque sauce-tasting area before setting her on the counter.
“Okay, I made this one, especially with you in mind.” Cody puts some sauce on a cracker and hands it to her. Then he makes one for Evan and me.
Taking a bite, the sauce is mild and flavorful. Kind of like the sauce he’s always making at home. You can taste a bit of the whiskey flavor around the barbeque tang.
“I like it!” Skye gives Cody a thumbs up. “I want to try that one,” she says, pointing toward the spicy one with a flame on it.
“That one is really spicy. Like burn your mouth, make you cry spicy. I don’t think it’s for little princesses,” Cody says with a wink.
“Please, Uncle Cody?” Skye turns on the puppy dog eyes, and Cody looks at us for help.
“She has to learn someday,” Evan says, cringing.
“Let me get a carton of milk ready.” Cody reaches under the counter to where I’m sure he has a mini fridge.
“What’s the milk for?” Skye asks.
“Well, when something is too spicy, you drink milk and it helps relive the burn,” Cody says.
He then gets the spicy barbeque sauce on a cracker for Skye. Thankfully, he puts less than half the amount he placed on the mild one.
She confidently takes a bite and starts chewing. I’m filming the whole thing, and you can see the moment the spice hits her. Her smile drops and her whole-body freezes and she even stops chewing. Her little eyes water and Cody does well keeping a straight face while taking the rest of the cracker from her and handing her the milk. She chugs it faster than I’ve seen her eat or drink anything before.
I’m trying to hold back my laughter and keep the phone and video steady.
“It’s so spicy,” Skye hisses out once she drinks all the milk.
Evan, Cody and I all lose it.
Turning the video off, I lean on Evan I’m laughing so hard. When I finally catch my breath again, I look up and Cody is looking at Evan and me with an odd look on his face. Shit, did we slip up? All I did was laugh. If Cody had been beside me, I’d have been leaning on him. Cody turns back to Skye and the look on his face is gone.
“So will you take my word for it next time, princess?” Cody asks.
Skye nods her solemnly. “Not the spicy one, ever.”
We all chuckle at the look on her face.
“You guys want to try some of the whiskey?” Cody asks.
“I can’t I’m driving, and Evan really shouldn’t with the meds he’s on,” I say.
“Let’s go grab some food. We can try a little sample later. It can’t hurt,” Evan says.
Takings Skye’s hand, I turn toward the door. Looking back, I lock my eyes with Cody and he just laughs.
I follow Evan and Skye out the door into the crowd. We walk up and down Main Street, stopping and talking to people, and tasting food at different booths for a couple of hours. After a while, I can tell Evan’s shoulder is bothering him.
“I’m getting pretty tired. Why don’t we make our way back to the distillery?” I say.
I know I was right because he seems relieved and ready to go back.
“Just a little more time?” Sky pleads.
“I think your dad needs a little rest, too. Let’s go see what Uncle Cody is up to,” I say.
She darts a look at her dad, and then she doesn’t protest any more.
When we get back to the distillery, Evan takes Cody up on the whiskey sample. He’s a grown adult and while I don’t think it’s a good idea, I also can’t stop him. Since I’m driving, I turn down the drink. Cody thought of Skye and he has apple cider that they just got in for her to try.
Once all the samples have been drunk, we go back to my car and head home. Skye falls asleep on the way home since it’s about her bedtime. When we get to the cabin, she doesn’t even wake up.
“I hate to wake her up for a shower,” I say, looking at how peaceful she is.
“Don’t wake her. Just take her to bed. She can shower in the morning,” he says with a goofy smile on his face.
Shaking my head at his silly smile, I get out of the car. He opens the door for me while I carry Skye inside. I’m shocked that I get her to bed, remove her jacket and shoes all without her even stirring.
“She’s a deep sleeper that one,” I joke with Evan when I walk into his room after putting Skye to bed.
He closes the door behind me, kissing me pressed against the door.
“I was doing a lot of thinking today,” he says between kisses.
“Oh yeah? About what?” I am unable to stop smiling at how playful he’s being tonight.
“You should move in with me.” He kisses down my jaw, oblivious to how I freeze at his words.
Cupping his head in both hands, I hold his face in front of mine, studying it.
“You’re tipsy,” I sigh, knowing the little alcohol he had more than likely mixed with his meds has hit him harder than he realizes.
“Am not. Either way I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” he says, kissing my neck. “Stay with me tonight.”
I shouldn't, but I agree because I miss sleeping in bed beside him. Even if it was only the one night.
He leads me to bed and pulls me down to snuggle with him.
“I had the biggest crush on you when I was in school,” he admits, staring up at the ceiling.
“Really?” I ask. I thought maybe he did, but I didn’t know for sure.
“Yeah, but you were older. Cody made it clear, as did all your brothers, that you were off limits.”
“Plus, I was way too old for you. I still am,” I say.
“Doesn’t feel like it when you are lying here with me like this,” he says.
Dammit, he’s right because it doesn’t. It feels right.
“I think the age thing is your way of keeping a wall up, even if it’s a flimsy one,” he murmurs, turning his head to kiss my temple.
“Maybe, but do you want to talk about it or take advantage of the fact that your daughter is passed out for the night? Should I lock the door or go back to my room?”
“If you try to go to your room, I’m just going to follow you. Your choice,” Evan says.
Smiling seductively, I stand up and walk over to the door. His eyes stay locked on me, daring me to leave. It’s so sexy that look. Makes me want to jump him. And why not? So, I slowly close the door, lock it, and then rip off my shirt.
“Good choice, baby girl,” Evan says.
It feels like the right choice for now. Hopefully, I’ll feel that way in the morning.