Chapter 7
SEVEN
Aspen
Even though I’m feeling better on Saturday, it still passes in a blur.
I’m exhausted and spend most of the day in and out of sleep, eating Jello and popsicles that Bishop still insists on bringing me in bed like I’m not capable of standing, and I attempt to watch a marathon of streaming shows, but I fall asleep before I ever make sense of the plot.
All the sleep makes it worth it because by Sunday, I wake up and feel like I can breathe again.
My throat doesn’t feel like razor blades are lodged in it anymore, and the pile of tissue boxes and cough drops is dramatically reduced.
I can even stand without feeling dizzy, and my fever is gone.
I even briefly consider trying to find a flight out to see the game, but not a single one will get me there in time.
If there’s even the slightest delay, I’ll miss it all and be stuck sitting in an airport somewhere where I might not even be able to watch it on TV.
So I relent to the idea of watching the game alone at home.
Bishop left me an hour ago to grab clean clothes out of his truck and take a quick shower, but once he comes back, I plan to let him know he can head home.
He’s spent enough of his weekend on me, and I’m fairly certain he has friends he could be watching the game with.
Maybe even a girlfriend, since, according to his friend, he has women everywhere he goes.
Hopefully, not one who will be pissed off at me for stealing his time.
He said he was supposed to be watching the ranch this weekend, anyway, but I doubt she expected it to take up his nights and mornings too.
The flash of another woman being Fallon’s stepmom hits me hard.
I’ve already come to terms with the possibility of Ethan meeting someone else; he might settle down again.
He just told me he started dating, and I’m happy for him.
But Bishop having someone too? That fills me with a kind of unease I don’t expect.
The doorbell rings while I’m still contemplating that fate, and I answer it, grinning when I see Kit, the inn’s chef and our family’s foodie fairy godmother, at the door with a massive basket in her hands.
“Heard you were under the weather.” She checks me out, and I invite her in. “But the color is back in your cheeks. That’s good.”
“I’m feeling a lot better. Fever’s gone.”
“Good. Good. I’m glad. I brought over a bunch of food. I figured you wouldn’t be up to making much today, and I know you’ll be missing the family at the game.”
“Oh my god, Kit! You are the sweetest.” I grin at the massive spread she places on the kitchen counter.
There are all kinds of sandwiches and dips and pasta salads and foods with instructions for reheating or air frying.
“This is so much. You’re staying for the game, right? We’ve got the big TV in the game room.”
“I wish I could, sweetheart, but I’ve got a date today.”
“A date?”
“There’s a guy in town I’ve been talking to. Tim. He’s cute as hell. Former hotshot firefighter. He oversees the volunteer department now. Such a silver fox, and he loves football. I might have name-dropped a little, and he invited me over to watch the game with some of his friends.”
“And these are the leftovers?” I look down at the spread and smile at all the work she’s put into this guy. Kit deserves a good one as much as anyone I know. She’s got such a heart of gold, and she’s taken care of this family and the inn for so many years. Someone needs to take care of her.
“No! I wouldn’t give you leftovers. I made more when I heard you were down for the count. Wanted to make sure you and Bishop had something to keep you fed. I put some soup in there, too, with some freshly baked bread just in case you weren’t up for anything richer.”
“You are a lifesaver, Kit. I appreciate it so much.” I hug her, and she squeezes me back. “I hope you have an amazing time on your date. He’s lucky to have you.”
“Right? Here’s hoping I win his friends over with the food. I heard they’re a tight-knit bunch.”
“Anyone who isn’t won over by your food doesn’t deserve you.” I sneak a bite of one of the cookies she brought, thoroughly enjoying being able to have real food again. I murmur a soft curse. I wish I could bake like this. They taste like heaven. “Seriously. Amazing. I love you.”
“What smells so good?” Bishop appears out of the ether in the kitchen, and I jolt in a way that doesn’t escape Kit’s notice. Her eyes fall over me in a careful study even as she answers him.
“I brought some food over. Wanted to make sure you all had plenty today. I don’t want you to miss any of the game running to the kitchen to make a snack.” Kit turns away from me when she’s finished her assessment and flashes Bishop a bright smile.
“It smells like heaven.” Bishop echoes my thoughts aloud.
“Tastes like it too.” I hand him one of the cookies, and he takes a bite, closing his eyes and letting out a soft moan of approval.
“Here’s hoping Tim has that reaction.” I smirk at Kit.
“Who’s Tim?” Bishop’s brow furrows.
“The guy Kit’s going on a date with today.”
“Well, good luck to him. Hopefully, he shows you a good time.” Bishop smiles at Kit.
“I’m hopeful.” Kit’s practically beaming, and it makes me happy to see her so excited. “All right. Speaking of, I need to go home and get dressed. Grace has the inn under control. There are only a couple of guests right now, and she’s got plenty of snacks and the big screen showing the game later.”
“Perfect. Thanks again, Kit.”
“Of course, sweetheart. Let me know how you’re feeling. I’ll be texting during the game.”
“Sounds good. Good luck with your date!”
Kit takes off and leaves the two of us alone in the kitchen, staring at each other in the middle of an awkward silence.
Bishop’s freshly showered, his dark curls at the nape of his neck still damp from the effort.
His shirt’s a little wrinkled from being in the car where he had it stashed, but otherwise he looks brand new. Which reminds me.
“I’m good today. You don’t have to be stuck here with me. I’m sure you have better things to do after I wasted so much of your time this weekend.”
“It’s not a waste of my time if you need help.” He gives me a thoughtful look.
“Which I appreciated. Don’t get me wrong. You and your friend, I’m so grateful for you both being there.”
“Not a problem.”
“But I’m good—really. I can walk on my own two feet. Take a shower. The works.” I force a smile to prove I’m feeling better.
“Glad to hear it. I’ve got a couple of things I need to get done around here.
I already took care of the horses, but I just got a text from Grace about something at the inn.
Guessing she didn’t want to tell Kit and have her delay her date.
I’m gonna head over there to see if I can fix it for them. But then I’m free.”
“Good. You should go see your friends. Watch the game. Have a drink. Whatever you all do.”
“That eager to get rid of me?” He smirks, but I see the flash of something behind his eyes that gives me pause.
“No. I mean. I have all this food. More than I can eat. If you want to stay. We could watch the game together. Or you could take it to your friend’s house. Or whatever you want to do. I’m just trying to stay out of your way after all the time you spent…”
“You’re not in the way, Jones. I liked being there for you. It made me feel useful for once.”
“Useful? You saved Levi’s life. I think you’ve proven your worth a hundred times over to this family, Bishop.”
“Useful to you. In the here and now. I know I have an uphill road to earning your trust again, but I just want to make things easier for you and Fallon. That’s all.”
“Well…” I don’t know what to say to such a simple offer. It’s got my heart and my tongue twisted. “Thank you.”
“All right. So I’m gonna head over to the inn and then make a quick run into town. You need anything?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you.”
“I’ll stop by after. Before the game. You can tell me if I can help with anything then, okay?”
I nod.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he calls over his shoulder and heads for the door.