Chapter 14
Sky
I’d been nervous about going on this semi-date with McCrae. Not that it was a date. I was more like a tag-a-long, I kept reminding myself. But as we played poker, I found myself laughing and getting to see how fun the Armstrong siblings were.
The back room at Jim’s was cozy, with warm wood paneling and vintage photos of Refuge Falls dotting the walls. The scent of burgers and fries wafted in from the kitchen, mingling with Kayla’s light perfume.
Of course, Kayla was so cute, and since we already sort of had a bond, she was trying to help me cheat, which I found funny.
I didn’t know how I knew how to play cards so well, but I could count them a little bit.
As the games progressed, I was able to keep track of how many cards were left and who had what cards. That was interesting to me.
When I won two games in a row, there was a big uproar from the group. It wasn’t like we were playing for much. It was just a twenty-dollar buy-in that McCrae had paid for me.
I loved how relaxed McCrae seemed, how he really opened up around his siblings. I knew they were telling inside jokes and teasing each other, but it was fun and upbeat. We were all drinking soda pop or water. Some of them ordered burgers, while I nibbled on a large order of fries.
I noticed that McCrae was watching me. Whenever I turned and our eyes met, there was this undeniable attraction between us. It just felt so natural to be with him, to be laughing with his family. They really made me feel at home.
Outside, the cool mountain air carried the distant sound of music from the bar down the street. The rhythm of conversation and laughter ebbed and flowed easily.
We played a third round, and I won again. Another outcry came out from the other players.
Canyon tossed his cards to the table and said, “Whoever she is, she must be a card shark.”
That had me bristling. I didn’t know why I didn’t like that phrase, but it set me on edge.
Dylan and Eliza were kind of in their own world, but Noah, Ella, Damon, Isla, Kayla, and McCrae were all watching me pretty closely. I decided I wasn’t going to win the next round. So even though my cards were good, I put them down.
McCrae leaned over and whispered, “You don’t have to be bad at cards. We’ll like you even if you’re really good at cards.”
I shrugged, annoyed that he knew what I was doing. “It was just a bad hand.”
He met my gaze, and I knew that he knew I was lying, which was funny and confusing. I wondered what my life was like before I met him.
After playing three more rounds, which I purposely didn’t win, Noah stood. “We’re going to get back to the baby.”
Damon agreed. “Yeah, we got to go save the monsters. Or maybe we’ll just go home and leave the monsters with Mom and Dad.”
Isla chucked him in the shoulder. “We’ll see.”
The two married couples left, and I was surprised at how affectionate they were. They hugged McCrae, and the women actually hugged me too, while the men gave me a pat on the shoulder.
Canyon waited until they’d gone before speaking. “Let’s do another round.”
I wondered about Canyon. He was the quietest of them all, but I didn’t know how he’d react if I kept beating him at the game.
McCrae, as if sensing my thoughts, asked me, “Do you want to play another round? We don’t have anywhere to go.”
Kayla stood, yawning. “I’m actually exhausted. I’m going to head home. I’ll see you all at church tomorrow.”
She gave me a big hug before leaving, and I thought about what she’d said.
Church? Was I going to church? Did that feel familiar?
I sorted through my brain, trying to decide if it did.
Suddenly, a Bible verse came to mind from Proverbs 3: ‘Lean not unto thine own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge him.’
Canyon was dealing out cards when McCrae leaned in toward me and asked, “Are you okay?”
I nodded and took a sip of my drink. “I was just trying to decide if I knew anything about church, but then I remembered a scripture. So I don’t know what that means, but maybe I do go to church.”
McCrae’s smile held a little bit longer; then he nudged me with his shoulder. “You’re going to figure this out. Don’t worry.”
His reassurance was more comforting than he could have ever known. “Thanks.”
We played two more games, and then everyone started saying their goodbyes. As McCrae and I walked back to his cruiser, he opened the door for me.
I got in but said, “You don’t have to do that.”
He shook his head, then walked around the truck and got in the driver’s seat. “The Armstrong brothers were all taught to respect women. We open doors, that kind of thing. So I guess as long as you’re around me, you just have to get used to that.”
I snorted and leaned back, wondering what I had gotten used to in the past. “That sounds pretty good.”
He shut the door and smiled. “Good.”
We drove in silence for a minute. It didn’t take long to get back to the lake house. At first, we started walking toward the house, but then he rerouted me to the deck. “Do you want to stay out here for a second? Look at the stars?”
I followed him. “Sure.”
The lake stretched out in front of us, a dark mirror reflecting the sky’s brilliance.
I searched the stars in awe. “It’s so beautiful out here.” And it was so peaceful, even with the chirping crickets. I moved to the swing on the deck. “Do you care if I sit here?”
“Of course not. While you’re staying in my home, you can sit where you like, eat what you like, do what you like.”
I sat and then nodded. “Thank you. You’re so kind.”
McCrae let out a low, grumbly laugh. “I don’t know if kind is the word for me.”
His pensiveness made me smile. “That’s true. Maybe it’s not kind.”
His eyes met mine, and then he burst out laughing. “Well, okay.”
I laughed too. “Hey, you’re the one that said it didn’t really fit you.”
“That’s when polite society would say, ‘No, you are the kindest person.’” He said it in a falsetto.
I laughed. “Oh, is that what society would say?”
He nodded.
I laughed, again. “What else would polite society say?”
He turned, and our eyes met, sparking this tension between us back to life. “I think polite society would also say, ‘McCrae, you’re the most handsomest, strongest, man I’ve ever met, and I think you’re gorgeous.’”
That made me laughed harder. “Oh my gosh. I guess you’re kind of full of yourself too.”
“Now that I’ve been told before,” he said with a hearty chuckle.
Both of us settled into a content silence.
McCrae had taken to pushing off so we could sway back and forth in the swing, and it just felt good out here. The night sounds wrapped around us like a comfortable blanket, familiar and soothing.
I let out a long breath.
He turned to me. “You okay?”
I nodded, still looking out at the moonlit lake. “I think I’ve finally been able to relax in this moment, sitting out here with you. Thank you.”
He cocked his head to the side, staring at the lake. “I’m glad. I mean, since you told me I had to take you because I found you, I’m glad you could find some peace with me.”
I let out a light laugh. “Man, that sounds so … silly.” I shook my head. “I guess you must have thought I was crazy.”
He laughed at that, and then he got serious. “Actually, I’m really glad you insisted. I mean, of course, we don’t know where this is going, or who you are, or when you’re going to wake up and remember, but I’m glad I got to know you, Sky.”
His admission set butterflies swarming in my stomach. “I’m glad I got to know you too, McCrae.” I reached out and put my hand over his.
He looked down, and it seemed like he was holding his breath.
I pulled my hand back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I just—this whole thing is so confusing, and I’m feeling so many things, and maybe it’s just Stockholm Syndrome or something.”
“Stockholm Syndrome?” His laugh was harsh and loud. “Stockholm Syndrome,” he said again, and he stood, pointing to himself. “I’m not your captor. You asked to come with me.”
I laughed too. “Okay. I was just trying to make a bad joke.”
His eyes held mine, and then he looked at my lips. “It was a bad joke.”
I wanted to kiss this man.
He stood and then took a step back and moved to the railing that overlooked the lake. “Yeah. Anyway.”
My heart raced. Wow. What was happening? I moved to join him, unable to keep away from his side. Lightly, I put my hand over his. “You’re clearly not my captor.” I pulled my hand back. “I’m sorry I said that, I guess I’m just feeling nervous and …” I trailed. “Never mind.”
Every part of him stilled, and he met my gaze. “I know nothing about you. I can’t … we can’t…”
More chemistry ratched up between us.
I hated myself. I felt like a woman trying to make advances or something. I pulled back and stepped away from him. “Gosh, I’m sorry. I’d better go to bed.” I moved toward the door.
“Wait,” he said quietly.
When I turned back, his eyes were intense. “I feel it too, but we’d better wait till you remember who you are.”
I nodded. “You’re right.” Burning with embarrassment, I turned back to the door, but it was locked.
McCrae pointed to the front. “Let’s just go in the front. There’s a code for that one.”
We went back around to the front of the house, and he put in the code so we could walk in.
“Okay, thank you for everything,” I said, turning down the hallway, and trying to rush away from the nervousness I felt. “Good night.”
“Good night, Sky,” McCrae said solemnly behind me.