Chapter 32
Kandace
I ’m cleaning up the dishes from dinner while Justin is in the living room playing checkers with Molly.
Between her giggles and Justin’s sighs, I keep hearing her say ‘king me.’ It would be fair to assume my brother is letting her win.
My focus keeps going through the window to the lane, as I hope to see Dax’s car.
Watching the clock, I wonder when he’ll arrive.
Since he called, I’ve been thinking about him and his job.
I have so many questions. Part of me is sad he quit, and the other part of me is jumping up and down with hope for our future.
“I beat Uncle Justin again,” Molly says, running into the kitchen. She’s still wearing her outfit she wore to school and her ponytail is loose with curls dangling near her ears. Before I can comment, she asks, “Will Dax be here before I go to bed?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. He said he’s staying in Riverbend. So, if you don’t see him tonight, I’m sure you will soon.”
“Can he come to Joyce’s every morning for pancakes?”
“Every morning?” I laugh. “I suppose we can ask.”
Molly goes back in the living room as Justin comes in. Pulling out a chair, he takes a seat at the kitchen table. One look over his shoulder to be sure Molly isn’t near and he asks, “He’s really moving here?”
I nod.
“What’s he going to do, work remotely?”
“I really don’t know. He said he gave his notice. I hate that he’s giving up all he’s done in Chicago.”
My brother leans back and lifts his boots to the corner of the table, crossing one ankle over the other. “Hell, I’ll give him a job. I’m going to need help through harvest with Dad unable to work due to doctor’s orders.”
I push my brother’s boots and they land on the floor. “Eww. Gross. No dirty boots on the table.”
“You’re as bad as Mom.”
“Yeah, they’re coming home tomorrow, and I want the house clean.” A grin curls my lips. “I doubt that helping out here will give Dax the money he needs to maintain two homes. He said his lease isn’t up on his apartment in Chicago for about eight months.”
“I hate to break it to Mr. Porsche, but there’s not that kind of money around here.”
The truth is that there’s good money around here. It’s that Riverbend residents would rather spend their income on next year’s seeds, fixing tractors, and buying work trucks rather than sleek, shiny cars.
My pulse speeds up as I see the dust on the lane as Dax’s fancy car gets closer. “He’s here,” I call out to Molly.
She comes running and heads straight for the screen door. It slams after she plows her way through.
Justin shakes his head. “Five years. He comes back, and in two weeks, he’s her favorite.”
My heart swells a little bit. “You’re going to have to up your game.”
“I let her beat me three times at checkers.”
I’m laughing as I walk out onto the porch and watch Dax park his car near the garages.
When he gets out, our eyes meet, and he gives me a grin.
A millisecond later, he’s catching Molly who is running full-speed, and he lifts her high in the air.
He’s holding her against him as he says, “I was afraid I’d miss your bedtime. ”
She looks at him as her golden eyes narrow. “You get afraid?”
Dax nods. “I do.”
“Me too. I was scared about Granddad, but he’s going to be okay. Mommy says.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Dax leans toward me until our lips meet. Our kiss is chaste.
Molly scrunches her nose, but she doesn’t comment about the kiss. Instead, she asks Dax, “Will you help tuck me in?”
“If it’s okay with you and your mom, I’d be honored.” He sets her feet on the ground.
“Why don’t you go inside, Molly,” I say. “We’ll be in soon to get you ready for bed.”
She starts to run toward the porch and stops. Turning back, she focuses on Dax. “Are you really staying in Riverbend?”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Because when you like someone, you want to be with them.”
Molly nods approvingly. “Will you come to Joyce’s in the morning and eat pancakes with me?”
“I will.”
Once we’re alone on the porch, Dax reaches for my hand. Together, we sit on the porch swing and stare out at the colorful sky. The sun is headed toward the horizon as its golden rays shine over the cornfield, tall with tassels on top.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Why?”
“This is why I didn’t tell you about Molly. I don’t want to be the cause of you giving up what you’ve worked hard to achieve.”
“I’m not giving anything up, Kandace. I hated it. I didn’t realize how much until I came back here.”
He leans his head back, staring upward as his long legs make the swing sway.
“You hated it?”
Bringing his gaze to mine, Dax’s tired eyes reflect the setting sun.
“Maybe not hated . Achieving what I have isn’t what I thought it would be.
Grandpa and Grandma had it right. I don’t know if my parents sent me to Riverbend for summers because they thought I’d want more than this life when I grew up.
” He shrugs. “I honestly think they sent me here so they wouldn’t have to deal with me, spend time with me. It was an out for them.”
“I always thought you did want more.”
“More what?” He looks around. “This is more. This is real. If you would have said you and Molly would move to Chicago with me, you’d hate it.
I’d work long hours, and you’d have to give up the store.
I got caught up in the whole striving for success thing.
It’s all I knew from my parents. It’s why I missed Grandma’s funeral. I was in London.”
“I heard.”
“The trip was a success, but look at what I missed. I’m tired of missing life.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I just know whatever it is, I want to do it with you.”
“I’ll give you a job at the store,” I say with a grin. “It’s mine now. I can hire people.”
“I was thinking about something as I was driving. You’ve never asked me about money.”
I shake my head. “Why would I?”
“I mean, never. Not even when we were young.”
I turn toward the driveway. “Based on your car, I’d say you did okay. Your finances aren’t my business.”
“They are if you’re going to marry me.”
I smile. “You haven’t asked.”
“I haven’t. But I want you to know that I have money, some investments, and savings. I want to continue practicing law. Real estate is my thing, but instead of two-hundred-million-dollar projects, I think I’d like to concentrate on residential and commercial that are more affordable.”
“Two hundred million?” That number is beyond my comprehension.
He squeezes my hand. “I have time to decide. I figure when winter comes, I can spend my time renovating the house and the second floor of Quintessential Treasures. I’m no carpenter, but Grandpa John taught me a thing or two, and I’m sure Mick can teach me.”
“What about before winter?”
“Do you know anyone who needs help with harvest?”
“I do.”
“I’m free.”
I lean my head to his shoulder. “You’re amazing.”
Dax lifts my chin. “That’s you.”
His lips meet mine. This kiss is longer, sending detonations through my nervous system until my nipples draw taut. Pulling away, I grin. “Let me get Molly ready for bed, and you can come upstairs and read her a story if you want.”
“I want.”
We both stand. As I start to walk toward the door, Dax seizes my hand and tugs me to his solid chest. Our lips come together again as his arm snakes around me.
“Don’t be sorry, Kandace. I’ve been happier in the last two weeks than I can remember being in years. You didn’t take my dream away or make me give it up. You’ve given me a new dream.”
“I love you,” I confess, knowing I have for most of my life.
“I love you, too.”