Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
GRAYSON
“ H ey, Robert. I need a favor.”
My boss grumbles something, but asks what it is.
“I’d like to work remotely for a few days, if that’s all right with you. My girlfriend’s mom had a heart attack, so she’s at the hospital with her, but someone needs to be at the house with her dad, who has dementia.”
There’s silence on his end for a few moments, until he says, “You have a girlfriend?”
That’s what he got out of my request? “Yeah.”
“Wasn’t Charlie trying to set you up with someone?”
Robert needs to keep up. That was weeks ago. “He didn’t know I’m seeing someone long-distance.”
“Long-distance? Where are you?”
“In my hometown in Oregon.”
“Oh. Where you were for the wedding?”
What’s with all the questions? “Uh huh. So, remote working? Is that okay? If not, I’ll need to take PTO.”
“Yeah, sure. Not for more than a week, though. Otherwise, everyone on the team will want to work from home, too.”
“Got it. Thanks, Robert. This helps a lot.”
Abby’s been going through so much the last few days, I want to take what I can off of her plate.
“No problem. And I’m sorry about your in-laws.”
The word startles me for a moment, but for all intents and purposes, I guess that’s what Brenda and Stephen are to me now, even if we’re not legally bound. By being with Abby, they’re a part of my life, too.
“Thank you.”
I hang up and set up my work laptop on the small desk in Abby’s childhood room. We’ve been staying in here since our arrival three days ago, and though the twin-sized bed and cramped space aren’t ideal, I’ll take it any day over being alone in my condo.
My family has stepped up big time in helping out, bringing us food, checking in on Leo at Abby’s house, and Kristen and Harper have been spending time with Abby at the hospital. Brenda is supposed to be discharged later today, which to me seems way too soon, but Abby says the doctors are pleased with her mom’s recovery.
And thankfully, hanging out with Abby’s dad hasn’t been too bad, either. He pretty much watches TV all day, and as long as I deliver him his meals in his recliner, he’s fine for the most part, other than repeatedly asking where his wife is. The first day I gave a long-winded explanation, but after about the sixth time, I started telling him she’d be home soon, and he seemed content with that.
I keep the bedroom door open and check in on him throughout the day, glad when it’s five-thirty and I can log off. I put a casserole in the oven that Mom gave us on Sunday to reheat, and about five minutes later, Abby shows up with her mom, leading her in slowly.
“I’m fine,” Brenda is saying, waving off her daughter’s help. “You don’t have to be so anxious.”
Abby’s lips compress, but she doesn’t say anything as she hovers over her mother.
“Brenda,” Stephen says in delight, noticing her. It takes him a moment to get out of the recliner, but he manages it, shuffling across the floor to hug her.
As much as I’m sure their relationship has changed over the years, it’s still nice to see the affection and love they have for each other.
Brenda hugs me next, thanking me profusely for taking care of everything here while she was gone. Like I would do anything else when Abby needed me, though?
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen,” I tell them. “Is anyone hungry?”
“I could do with something that’s not hospital food,” Brenda says, heading toward the kitchen. “How about I set the table and you two relax before dinner?”
“Mom, I can—”
“Honey, I’m fine. The doctor said light household chores are okay if I feel up to it. And I do. I’ve been going crazy lying in that hospital bed for days. Now, shoo.”
“She’ll be the death of me,” Abby mutters as she listens to her mother and heads toward her room.
I keep my smile to myself as I follow, glad I’m not the only one dealing with a bossy mom.
“She insists we can go back to my house tonight,” she continues, closing the door behind her. “Her and Dad will be fine here overnight and then I can come over again in the morning.”
“Are you okay with that?” I ask, thinking longingly of Abby’s comfortable queen-sized bed.
She shrugs. “I guess. I don’t want to stress her out more. I just want to help.”
“I know.” I wrap my arms around her and she notches herself into place against my chest. It’s crazy how natural that feels already. “And she knows that, too. You’re both trying to look out for each other.”
She nods. “Thank you again for everything you’ve done. You’ve looked out for us, too.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You know I want to be here for you.”
She sighs contentedly, but soon pulls away. “When do you need to leave?”
And there’s the thing we haven’t talked about yet. I told her I would definitely be here today, but would have to talk to my boss about the rest of the week.
“Robert gave me a week to work remotely.”
“That’s generous. I guess I’ll need to drive you back since we took my car down here.”
I shake my head. “I can have Owen drive me. You should be here for your mom.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything, looking at the ground.
“I’m not in any rush,” I add. “I’d love to stay through the weekend, if that’s okay with you.”
She smiles, visibly relieved. I hate that she’s worried about me going back, though. “Yes, absolutely.” Her hands brush up my forearms. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“I don’t either.” The thought of returning home without her makes my stomach roll.
“Maybe you should stay forever, then.” She says it in a joking way, but I can sense the seriousness behind it.
Logically, we haven’t been together long. It’s only been a little over a month since we first got together. But for how long I’ve known her and how I feel about her… I want to stay forever. With her.
And as much as I wanted to leave Crescent Pass as a teenager, there’s something different about being here now. I can appreciate the slower pace of life, the connection to nature. My family is here, too, and I’m tired of being on the outside looking in with them. I want to be in on the inside jokes and fun stories. I want to be part of the memories.
It just took being with Abby to realize that.
“I…” I’m not sure how much to say, since this is only a vague plan. “I was looking at my company’s vacancy report today. It’s what they send out to current employees wanting to laterally transfer for reassignment before a position officially opens up for promotion.”
“Yeah?” I don’t miss the hopeful gleam in her eye, as if she already knows where I’m going with this.
“There’s a remote position on another team. It’s not quite a step down, but I’m pretty sure I can negotiate to keep my current salary.”
She covers her mouth with her hand, though I’m not finished.
“Would you…” I’m suddenly sweating, even knowing Abby wants me here. “If I moved here—”
“Yes.” She crashes into me, kissing me with abandon. “Yes, yes, yes.”
The knot of unfounded worry in my belly dissolves. “It’s not a done deal.” I laugh as she continues to kiss me. “I haven’t even put in the transfer request.”
She loops her hands over my shoulders. “Just that you would want to move here means so much to me.”
“Of course I do.” I stroke a hand through her hair, remembering that awful night when the doctor had called. As I’d told her I was taking her back to Crescent Pass, she’d cried and said she loved me, but I still don’t know if she actually meant it or it was simply something that came out in the heat of the moment. She hasn’t brought it up since, and I’ve been afraid to ask, in case it was the latter.
But as she looks up at me, her expression satisfied and dreamy, it seems the most instinctive thing to tell her, “I love you.”
The joy that radiates over her face is indescribable. Something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
“I love you, too,” she responds, and everything clicks into place as my lips touch hers.
I’m mindful that we have to go out and eat a casserole with her family any minute now, not letting our kiss get too out of control.
“I wish we were alone,” she says, breaking away before I get visibly turned on. I’m practically salivating at the sultry look she gives me.
“Tonight.” It’s not a question, but a promise.
She nods in agreement, reaching for my hand to squeeze it. “You make me happier than I’ve ever been. And as awful as the past few days have been with my mom, it would have been a million times worse without you here to support me through it.”
“I’ll always be here for you.” Even if the transfer falls through, I’ll figure out something else. Because now that everything I never knew I wanted is within reach, nothing’s taking it from me.