Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Alder
It was the middle of June, and my whole family was in town. We were all mingling among the Barrons. Violet and Evander had gotten married last year during the winter but waited until the summer to hold their reception. They held it at their house, with the shop open, grills set up, and tables scattered over the lawn.
The day was relaxed, but I still wore slacks. Maybe I had woken up a little more uptight than usual and dressed like I wasn’t the dumbass who hung up my pickup on a mailbox in the middle of town when I had overslept one morning after Daisy had left.
I was no longer oversleeping, but Daisy still wasn’t in my bed when I woke. It’d been about a month since our first real date, but she wanted to be cautious with Laila.
I’d put that caution there. So I’d be patient. Daisy and Laila deserved it.
Daisy stayed nestled into my side as we chatted with my parents. Dad wanted all the dirt about my job. Six months had gone by, but I was still the new guy. Yet I was settling in.
“And you’re coaching?” Dad asked. His dark eyes lit up. He’d coached my team one year. He’d been called away during some practices and weekends. That had been the one and only year he’d tried.
“I’m sort of coaching.” Organizing a team of ten T-ball players was like herding cats—they went in different directions, made shrill noises, and at a moment’s notice, half of them might be off chasing a butterfly.
“Is Laila playing?” Dad asked.
Daisy shook her head. “Not her thing, but she’s asked to watch Alder coach.”
Dad laughed. “I want to watch Alder coach.”
One of Evander’s cousins wandered over. Stetson Barron was a big guy, taller than me with shoulders that could block out the light. Dark scruff filled his cheeks, and the gray dotting his temples made it look more like he’d gotten highlights.
“Alder,” he said pleasantly. “Been a while.”
The fruit punch in my stomach turned sour. Stetson was a nice guy. His dad used to be my dad’s boss, and now I was in charge.
Stetson had also not called the police when I’d raced bulls in his pasture.
I shook his hand, meeting his crushing grip with my own. “Nice to see you again,” I said. “Are we related now?”
“Any family of Violet’s is family of ours.” He eyed my slacks and polo. “Keeping out of trouble these days, I hear.”
“Trying to.”
“And succeeding.” He tipped his head toward Daisy. “Since you’re an upstanding citizen now, Isla might hit you up to help with the farmer’s market.”
“Excuse me?”
“She does that. No one is safe.” He beckoned his sister over from the long table the food was set up in. Isla smiled and grabbed her husband’s arm. They approached us. Isla was a grown version of the girl I remembered. Same long blonde hair. Still taller than many other girls. Her husband was my height, and he kept his hair stylishly shaggy.
“Hi, Alder. Hello again, Daisy.” Isla had been in Violet’s class, and she and her husband, McCoy, owned and ran Reservoir Barrel.
Daisy smiled. She wasn’t tense around the Barrons, but she’d been seeing them around town most of her life. “Hey, Isla.”
“You should recruit Alder to help with the farmer’s market,” Stetson said. “Since he’s an upstanding citizen now.”
McCoy’s brows drew together like he’d caught the “now” and didn’t know the story. He wasn’t from Coal Haven. Which made him one of the few people who didn’t know how I’d blown up my marriage.
“The farmer’s market?” I asked to move the conversation along before any stories about me could be shared.
Isla gave a subtle eye roll. “Yes—don’t get me wrong. I love the market. I was even fired from managing it before.” My brows lifted and she laughed. “It was necessary, and it was my dad who fired me. But then he retired and it’s mine again. With two kids, it gets a little overwhelming.”
The urge to prove myself to this group rode high on my shoulders. “Sure. I can help.”
Isla blinked. “Really? Just like that?”
“I want to give back to the town that made sure I didn’t kill myself by being stupid,” I said lightly, but the truth landed heavy. Daisy squeezed my hand, the silent reassurance I needed.
Stetson gave me a meaningful look. “Or that you didn’t end up in jail.”
The image arose in my head of Stetson looming over me, big as a jet plane, telling me to get my ass off his land and that he’d call the cops if I ever returned. Daisy ran her thumb over the back of my hand. She must sense my inner turmoil.
Our dads had worked together for most of our lives until then, yet I was the one in a ditch and he was the responsible rancher. My wife was gone at that point, and my family’s pride balanced on a razor’s edge. Dad would’ve been humiliated if this got back to him.
Yet it hadn’t been him I’d been concerned about. I had thought that Daisy had been right. I hadn’t listened and here I was. Rock bottom.
“But seriously, it’s good to see you,” Stetson said. “Having you, Violet, and Lily back in the community benefits all of us.” He tilted his head toward the newest happy couple. “I thought it’d take a miracle to get Evander back home.”
“That’s Violet’s middle name,” I replied.
“I know Dad was glad to see someone competent take his place.” Stetson took in my slacks once again, like he was trying to reconcile the immature dick in his ditch with me.
“And I’m grateful you gave me a hand when I needed it,” I said, grateful I could couch my appreciation in vague responses.
A cry rang up, and all the parents in the group craned their necks to see if the kid hollering was theirs. Daisy didn’t. Laila was with Jason.
“That’s my cue.” Stetson jogged off.
“Are you sure?” Isla asked me, her brow creased. “About the farmer’s market? I don’t want to pressure you.”
It was Stetson who’d brought it up, subtly calling in his favor. “You said your dad ran it?”
“For years,” she said.
If he had done the same job I was doing and ran the farmer’s market, it shouldn’t take too much more time. “Send me the details. I’m happy to help.”
Relief crossed both her face and her husband’s. What was I getting myself into?
“I can’t wait to hand off some duties. McCoy and I want to travel a little more this summer.”
“Do brewery tours,” McCoy said.
“The kids love it, but this one will just be for us.” She glanced at the food table. “Oh yeah, I was going to restock the root beer.”
She and McCoy went to deal with refreshments, and I was left with Daisy.
She was studying me. “You don’t have to, you know?”
I kissed her temple. “I know, but you’re not the only one I have to make amends to. Stetson could’ve pressed charges and he didn’t. If I can help his sister and, in turn, help the town, I will.”
Sunlight made her blue eyes glitter as she considered what I said. Then she inhaled and her gaze filled with resolve. “Okay. You do what you feel you have to do.”
I kissed her again. If we weren’t surrounded by family who I hardly got to see, I’d haul her home and keep her in bed all day.
Daisy patted my shoulder. “Poppy told me we’re all going out before she and Clover leave town.”
“Good. They’ve missed you.”
Her mouth tipped up. “I have been wondering one thing since the night we ran into Matthew.”
“I’m afraid to ask.” Seriously.
“What exactly was your secret when you were antagonizing the bulls? How are you still here?”
I laughed, but there were plenty of times I had wondered the same. “Stay close to the fence. I don’t run that fast.”
Daisy
A few days after the reception, Violet and Lily arranged a night I could go out with them before Poppy and Clover left town, just like Poppy had wanted. The bar around us bustled with activity. Instead of sitting at high-top tables, we surrounded a round table, big enough for six. Lily had her feet propped up on the sixth chair. She was due any day now, and it felt like we’d been saying that for weeks.
Lily propped her hands on her rounded stomach. “Your reception was beautiful, Violet, but I’m really glad we can hang like this.”
Violet beamed, looking happier than when I’d known her years ago. “It was really a great day, but sister time is always appreciated.”
Poppy lifted her drink. “And finally, all the sisters are together.”
Four pairs of eyes fell on me, and all four women smiled.
My brows lifted. “Me too?”
“You were the nice older sister growing up,” Clover joked.
Violet playfully slapped her. “She was afraid to get on Mom’s bad side. I wasn’t.”
“I’m still afraid,” I said. Magnolia was too sweet.
Poppy propped her arm on the table, and she dangled her beer bottle from her hand. “Dare I say? You and Alder are not pretending to be married?”
My cheeks heated. I’d been prepared to pretend to be close to my husband, but I wasn’t ready to talk about actually reconnecting with him. “We’re taking it slow.”
Clover gasped and pounded the table. “I knew it!” She grabbed my hand. “I knew he looked different. He was actually relaxed, more like ‘bossy older brother’ Alder and not ‘broken-hearted but pretending to be okay’ Alder.”
I smiled and held still, like a deer frozen in the headlights. Clover and Poppy had always been more energetic than their sisters, more expressive. They didn’t know I didn’t like being touched.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, but how was I supposed to act? Hold her hand in return? Giggle? Was my hand sweaty? Should I wash my hands? It felt like I should.
Ugh. This was why I didn’t socialize. Alder was my safe zone, and this moment showed me how much I’d isolated myself in the time between then and now. It was also showing me that I’d been seeking the same comfort zone in the wrong men.
Clover released me and relief flooded my body.
I rested my hands on my lap. “I hope it goes well.”
“It will,” Poppy said with complete confidence. “He’ll make sure of it. You’re too important to him.”
Violet took a drink of her virgin lemon sour. “Unless you don’t want it to last.”
My gut clenched, and I shook my head. “Of course I do.” I wanted forever.
“But you don’t trust him.” She said it frankly but softened her words like she understood.
“No, I do.” I trusted Alder with so much. “He’s changed. He’s driven and ambitious, and he’s really trying to be what I need.”
“But?”
“He keeps trying to prove himself. To me. To his employees. To Coal Haven.” I supported him, but I saw the reason he was doing everything. It wasn’t for his own fulfilment, which I guess was his point. I’d been holding all my concerns in, but his sisters would understand. They cared about him too. And about us. “He’s coaching because he wants to show his buddies he’s different. He’s helping with the farmer’s market because he’s afraid people will only remember Crazy A.”
Lily’s brows popped up. “And Crazy A was Alder?”
Violet nodded. “I remember that. I was home from college and came to see him after you two divorced and someone called him that. He only laughed when I asked him.”
Poppy worried her lower lip with her teeth. “You’re afraid you won’t be his priority again?”
My stomach twisted. I was his priority. So what was bothering me?
Clover put her hands on the table, like she would’ve reached out again if I had made myself accessible. “He’s still adjusting. He’ll realize that no one thinks he’s that guy, and it won’t be a worry.”
“You’re his priority,” Poppy said. “Always were.” She winced. “I mean…”
I gave her an understanding smile, but my insides were tumbling in different directions. They could see it too. They didn’t want to agree with me, but they could see it.
My phone gave a quick buzz. I was going to ignore it, but just in case Laila was having an issue, I checked it. My mom was actually calling. Mom liked her isolation. She rarely texted, and she almost never called.
“I have to answer this. Excuse me.” I pushed back from the table, taking my phone with me. “Hello,” I answered, weaving my way to the quieter entry.
“Oh, Daisy. Is this a bad time?”
My stomach was still slippery from the topic of Alder, and it got even heavier. “No, it’s fine. Is everything all right?”
“Oh, well…I went to the ER this morning, and now I’m just finally getting admitted. Busy place.”
Alarm punched through my veins. This was the third time she’d gone to the ER and hadn’t told me until after. “What’s wrong?”
“I was passing blood in my stool, and I guess my hemoglobin is down pretty significantly.”
I ran through what knowledge I would have, but I got stuck on the symptoms she would’ve been experiencing and how she didn’t call me. I pushed the frustration aside. “I’ll come down. Let me talk to Jason and let him know I’ll be out of town for a while. I’ll call my boss in case I need to take any days off next week.”
“You don’t have to drive all the way here.”
I expected her to say as much, but she didn’t have to be alone for everything. It’d be easier to stay informed if I was there. “It’s okay, Mom.”
“At least wait until tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’ll be there tomorrow, then.” It only took one more time reassuring her that she wasn’t putting me out before I hung up. She probably hadn’t called earlier because she was afraid nothing was wrong and I’d make the trip for no reason.
I went to the table. The four sisters peered at me. I regretted leaving, but it had to be done. I had a four-hour drive to plan for. “My mom’s in the hospital.”
“Oh no,” Violet said. “Is she okay? I can talk to Raj on Monday if you can’t get a hold of him.”
“I’m sure Mom’ll be fine. Thank you so much for inviting me.” I left them on a chorus of byes and, thankfully, before they could all get up and hug me. Nothing was worse than awkward hugs. Except for someone grabbing my hand. Someone who wasn’t Alder.
I was home within minutes. The house was dark. Alder was still at work. Or was he coaching? No, it was Friday.
I went inside and called my manager. Raj, of course, said it was fine and to do what I needed to do. Then I talked to Jason. He had no issues keeping Laila, and he was on day shift for the next month if he needed to keep Laila with him.
The house stayed quiet. Alder probably thought I was still out with the girls. I paced the living room and down the hallway. I held my phone loosely in my hand.
Should I call him?
No. It wasn’t an emergency. I wasn’t leaving until the early morning. I shot off a text explaining the situation.
I smothered a yawn. I should get to bed. I was leaving early so I’d get to Grand Forks by the early afternoon.
I peered outside in case Alder was pulling in, but the driveway remained dark.