Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Emerie
“I’ve really enjoyed today,” Damien says as we pull into my driveway.
Since I start my work week again tomorrow, I’m grabbing some things for me and Vinnie, then we’re heading out to the farm. “Me too,” I reply. “It won’t take me long to pack up my work stuff, as well as some fresh clothes for Vinnie, so you’re welcome to stay in the air conditioning, or you can come on in.”
“I’ll keep the car running,” he teases.
“Then I’ll grab you something cold to drink, how’s that?” I ask.
Nodding his head, he grins, stating, “Works for me.”
In no time at all, I have my stuff packed, as well as some fresh clothes for Vinnie. On my way out, I see my mail so stuff it into my tote to look at it out at the farm. My laptop bag is also coming with me, so if there are any bills, I can get those squared away as well. Grabbing our cold drinks, I manage to get everything through the front door and set it down so I can close and lock up my house.
“Here, let me get those,” Damien offers, having left the comfort of my vehicle to help. “If I’d known you had so much to tow, I wouldn’t have stayed in the car,” he chides, giving me a side-eyed look.
“It didn’t seem like it was a lot while I was packing it, but I’ve got a forty-eight-hour shift at the Maggie Valley Fire Department ahead of me as part of my last few clinical hours. Gotta have fresh uniforms ‘just in case’ because you never know what’s going to happen when you’re on shift, plus all the equipment and stuff that goes along with that. I also carry my own stethoscope and a few other medical necessities.”
“Makes sense to me,” he replies as we get everything loaded into my car. “Go ahead and drop me off so you don’t have to make another trip out. I know you’re not going to see Levinia for a few days because of work, so I want you to have as much time with her as possible.”
His kindness has me falling for him, Levi, my brain whispers. Most people are selfish and wouldn’t think like that. Especially when it’s a fresh relationship, or at least a blooming one.
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.”
“Positive, Em. I’ll take the rental car out there since Miriam’s fixing dinner for all of us, how’s that?”
“Okay, that works. I’m sure Vinnie will be excited to tell you all about what she’s gotten into since you last saw her,” I tease, mentally preparing him for the whirlwind that is my daughter.
“Looking forward to it. Honestly, it amazes me how many mannerisms of Levi’s she has,” he admits. “I wouldn’t have expected that especially since all she’s got are the videos and pictures.”
“I didn’t either, to be honest. Genetics are a funny thing sometimes. So, when she gives me a look at times that is all Levi, it’s like seeing her daddy through a mirror. But where before it made me cry, now it makes me smile.”
I drop him off at the motel then wait for him to get into his rental car so he can follow me to Miriam and Dale’s house. The entire time we’re driving, I find myself looking in the rearview mirror and smiling. It’s been a long time since that deep desire has been burned into my chest, but I find with Damien to expect the unexpected as far as my emotions go.
* * *
“Mama!” Vinnie exclaims, running toward the car once I’m parked and the motor is turned off. That’s something that we’ve instilled in her from a young age because of how Miriam and Dale’s driveway is once you’re close to the house. “And Mr. Damien!” she screeches, changing trajectories to run to his driver’s door. “You’re here too!”
“Guess I’m chopped liver,” I mutter while grinning at my daughter's exuberance. I want her to like him because I sure do and if this goes anywhere with us, she’ll be part of the package.
“Hey, Vinnie, how’s Bonnie?” Damien asks as he walks toward my car to help me unload all the stuff I packed and brought. “I’ve got to help your mama, sweetie, okay?”
“Mama, did you bring me something?” Vinnie asks.
“I brought you some fresh clothes, and one of your plushies you forgot when you put your toys in the bag,” I reply.
“Yay! Memaw is making meatloaf and I helped smush all the stuff together,” Vinnie says, grinning up at Damien. She’s always proud when she helps in the kitchen or around the farm.
“That’s my favorite part,” he admits, the excitement in his eyes matching hers. I can see hearts floating around inside of her eyes as she glances up at him, listening to every word he’s saying. “Getting my hands all gushy is fun.”
My nose wrinkles which he sees, causing him to chuckle a bit. “Again, you’re going to be working with body fluids, yet you don’t like mixing the ingredients for meatloaf?”
“I’ll repeat, I wear gloves! Meatloaf is just… ewww. No, I can’t even picture it, which is why I never make it at home.”
“We’re having sweet corn, mashed potatoes, and some kind of pie,” Vinnie adds. “I peeled the potatoes, Mama.”
“Very good, Vinnie,” I praise. “I love that you help Memaw.”
“Memaw said I’m a good helper,” Vinnie replies, making sure we understand the importance of her role.
“Well, hello you two. I see you’ve gotten the menu from our town crier,” Miriam says, as we make our way up the steps to the back porch. She’s got a bushel basket in front of her full of beans that she’s preparing for canning.
“Give me a few minutes to carry this load inside, put all of it up so nobody trips over it, and I’ll give you a hand,” I tell her.
“I won’t say no to the help,” she replies.
* * *
I’m sorting through my mail as Vinnie plays in the yard while dinner cooks when I come across something a little more bulky than usual from my bank. “What is this?” I muse as I open the envelope. I quickly read the letter, my shock growing before I belt out, “Y’all aren’t going to believe this!”
“What is it, Em?” Damien asks.
“Apparently, my bank had a contest, and I was the local branch’s grand prize winner. It has something to do with their round-up program where the difference in what I spent on my debit card is deposited into my savings account.”
“What’s the prize?” Miriam questions.
“Well, it’ll cover hotel accommodations for two different resorts, my choice of course, plus there’s a five-hundred-dollar prepaid credit card to use for whatever I want at the facility of my choice,” I reply, still scanning the letter to see if there are any hidden rules for accepting this prize. “Oh, one of the places is for a waterpark resort, that would be a lot of fun to take Vinnie to.”
“Is there a time frame that it has to be used by?” Dale queries. At my look, he continues. “Well, I was just thinking. You’re about to get certified once you’re done with this next forty-eight-hour shift, right? What if you were able to plan to go afterward, kind of a reward for getting through your schooling? Miriam and I’ll be glad to toss in some extra money so you can go crazy. Hey, maybe Damien could go with the two of you.”
I glance over at Damien and see his slight nod. It would be a great way to spend time together and get to know each other better, that’s for sure. Although with Levinia with us, it would definitely be a PG rated expedition, but that’s okay too. Bonding doesn’t always have to be sexual in nature. I think a lot of folks rush into the physical side of things too quickly these days, and while I definitely didn’t wait for marriage with the love of my life and my daughter's father, I want to be sure that Damien is the one and that our relationship is more dynamic and meaningful than a one-time roll in the hayloft.
“I’d enjoy that, if you wouldn’t mind me tagging along with the two of you,” Damien says.
“I wouldn’t mind one bit,” I admit. “Okay, so I need to get on their website and see what needs to be done. It’s a good thing I brought my tablet with me, right?”
“I know one little girl who will be over the moon,” Miriam says. “Maybe we should hold off telling her until you have everything booked.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” I reply. Hearing the timer for the oven I holler, “Vinnie, come get washed up for dinner! Miriam, I’ll go get the table set.”
“Coming, Mama!” Vinnie screeches in response. I don’t correct her about how loud she is since she’s outside, but if she does it once we go indoors, I’ll remind her to use her inside voice. It’s a process, that’s for dang sure!
* * *
Damien stays after dinner to watch a movie with us. Of course, it’s kid-themed, but he seems to enjoy it judging by how much he laughed. He and Vinnie manage to eat a whole bowl of popcorn by themselves. It’s like they’ve become thick as thieves while I’m on the sidelines. But I enjoy watching their interaction. He’s not sucking up to her at all, but he’s attentive and responds when she asks questions. He visits with Miriam and Dale while I give her a quick bath then put her to bed.
“You’re going to be pretty busy these next two days,” he says as I return to the living room. Miriam and Dale have disappeared which has me wanting to roll my eyes due to their matchmaking ways. But they mean well, so I dismiss it instead of letting it get to me. I see that he’s standing and walk up to him.
“Yeah, this is the make-it-or-break-it for me,” I reply. “I’ll stay overnight here so I can see Vinnie before I head in.”
“You’ll do well, Em,” he says. “I’m going to head back to the hotel, but Dale asked me to come out tomorrow to give him a hand with something.”
“Don’t let him talk you into doing anything you don’t want to do,” I caution. “Remember, you’re still healing.”
“I promise I won’t,” he replies. “Will you walk me out?”
He laces our hands together as we head out to his rental car. “I’ll text if I get a chance, okay?”
“I’d like that. In the meantime, I’m going to search for every EMT meme I can find and send it to you,” he teases.
“Good to know, I’ll keep my phone close by but on silent. Please don’t think I’m ignoring you if I don’t answer right away,” I state.
“You answer when you’re able, alright? And stay safe. I’m becoming quite fond of you,” he says, pulling me into his arms.
As his head lowers, a soft sigh escapes my lips when his brush across mine. It’s like coming home. While our embrace isn’t overly long, it’s perfect and when I step back, I see the wonder in his gaze that I’m positive mirrors my own.
Whatever this is that we’ve started, it’s slowly growing and I’m here for it.