Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Olivia
“What do you have planned for the rest of the day?” Mom asks as she takes the dirty dishes into the kitchen.
“Maybe I could just hang around here and play with the dogs? I can take all three of them on a nice long walk and tire them out for you.”
Hanging out with dogs sounds a lot better than hanging out with humans. Besides, Rhett has the day off today, so it feels a little weird to hang around his house. We’ve gone a whole week and a half living together without killing each other, and I don’t feel like breaking that streak.
Our schedules haven’t exactly aligned too much since he gets up before the sun, and I’m not even close to a morning person, but we usually eat dinner together. Then we sit in the living room so we can be in the same place at once for Maverick’s sake. Usually, I watch Dexter on the floor, so I can pet Maverick without breaking Rhett’s stupid rule, and Rhett does research for the ranch or pretends to read a book. I say pretend because it’s more than clear he’s getting sucked into Dexter, which gives me an immense amount of satisfaction.
“It’s Saturday. You should be hanging out with friends or something,” Mom says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I don’t have any friends here.” Granted, I now live and co-own a dog with Rhett. Is that the kind of thing friends do together?
“Maybe it’s time you made some.”
“Does Maverick count?” I point to the dog at my feet, but Mom looks incredibly unamused, even though she thought he was one of the cutest things she’d ever seen when I first brought him over. He’s still warming up to her and my dad, staying at my feet constantly.
“No, he doesn’t count.” She flicks me playfully with a towel. “Have you spoken with Anna since you got here?”
“Yeah, we’ve talked twice.”
Dad walks into the kitchen at that moment, asking, “How’s she doing?”
“Good, but she’s unreasonably worried about me because of the whole leave of absence thing.”
“She isn’t being unreasonable,” Mom murmurs.
“Mom—”
“It’d be easier not to worry if you had friends here.”
“But—”
“Oh, you know what would be a great idea?” Mom turns to Dad, beaming. The look in her eyes makes me a little nervous. “We should call Rhett and have him take her out. He has the day off, remember? Plus, he knows this place like the back of his hand. I’m sure he could show you all the ins and outs of the town and all the cool places for you twenty-somethings to go.”
“I didn’t think there were any cool places to go in Roots,” I tease.
Mom returns my remark with a displeased frown.
“I know you want me to feel like I fit in here, but I don’t think it’s necessary to force Rhett to spend time with me. Besides, Rhett and I have nothing in common. I don’t think we could spend a whole day together.” I still haven’t told her about the flood in the cottage. Telling her we are co-fostering a dog was plenty. I don’t want to hear how excited she’d be when she finds out I’m living with Rhett.
“Come on! You guys have tons in common. I’m sure of it. Right, Jack?”
My dad glances up from his mug of coffee. “Oh yeah, tons.”
“Like what?”
“For starters, neither one of you grew up around here. He only came here four years ago. I’m sure Rhett can totally relate to you.” Mom turns to Dad again for help. “What else?”
“You’re both very hard workers,” Dad offers. “Rhett may not work in an office like you, but he works long hours, and his work can be very grueling.”
I nod, pursing my lips. I didn’t think they’d accept the challenge, and I don’t like where this is going.
“Oh, and?—"
“If I agree to hang out with Rhett for a day, will you stop trying to convince me he’s so great?”
“Absolutely! That’s a promise. Right, Jack?” Mom gives Dad a nudge in the side with her elbow.
Trying to hide a smile, he remarks, “I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her, Ol. I say run. Run far away from here and save yourself. Your mom is never going to leave you alone about anything, ever.”
My mom’s mouth drops open, but she’s smiling as she swats his shoulder. “Jack!”
Watching the two of them tease one another makes my heart float. I miss this. It almost makes me angry with them for welcoming me back in with open arms after I’ve done so much to screw up their lives. I’m not worthy of their love.
“I’m only teasing, honey.” Dad wraps Mom in a hug.
She reciprocates but quickly turns back to me, as if she’s worried I’ll change my mind. “I’ll call Rhett right now.”
* * *
“I can’t believe you agreed to this,” I mutter as Rhett, Maverick, and I walk out to the truck.
“Why?” Rhett gives me a brief puzzled glance before opening the passenger side door and helping Maverick and me in.
“I know we are living together, but I still figured you wouldn’t jump on the opportunity to spend a whole day with me. The first time we were alone together, you yelled at me. The second time, I made you agree to co-owning a dog. Who knows what kind of trouble I could get you into next?”
His lips quirk the slightest bit, and he arches a brow. “See, I would be worried if I wasn’t in complete control right now.”
“What makes you think you’re the one in control?”
“For starters, you’re in my town, and I get to plan the day. The ball’s in my court.” He shrugs casually before flipping the truck in reverse.
“Great, so we are going to spend all day chasing cattle on horseback? No offense, Rhett, but I don’t feel like smelling the way you do when you come home from work.” I plug my nose, earning me a frown, but I keep going. “Oh wait, you’re going to make me watch a Friends marathon, aren’t you? I’m sorry my mom forced you to hang out with me. I’ll do anything to make it up to you. Just please don’t make me watch Friends!” I grab his shoulder and lean into him, trying to emphasize the drama.
“Are you done?”
“I think I have one more in me.” I fluff my hair. “ Please don’t make me watch Friends ! I can’t stand to watch that dreadful show!”
“Have you ever seen it?” he asks coolly.
“I’ve seen an episode or two. I did go to college.”
“An episode or two? That’s what’s wrong with you! Maybe we will need to cancel our plans today.”
I ignore the twitch of my heart at the thought of getting to lie in bed with Rhett watching TV all day.
“In all seriousness, what’s your plan for today? What kind of fun things could there possibly be to do around here?”
“You’d be surprised.”
“Okay, the whole cryptic act isn’t all that fun. Spill your guts.”
He turns on the radio. “What do you want to listen to?”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
“I’m just trying to be a good tour guide. Have you seen downtown yet?”
As he pulls onto Roots Road, he points over the dash. I don’t dare admit that I’ve sort of become a hermit since moving here. Instead, I just silently take in the town for the first time since I rolled into Roots.
Most of the buildings are made of brick, and judging by the architecture, they look like they could be one hundred years old, but they’re well maintained and host charming splashes of color ranging from lilac-painted window trim to double doors painted a soft robin’s egg color. Lights are strung over the sidewalks, and banners with the town name line the street lights. I’m certain this place looks magical at night-time.
We pass a barbecue joint and a bar, then a bank and a nail salon. Rhett pulls into a spot right in front of the local café. It’s rustic, with dark wood covering the top half of the building and shiny tin covering the bottom half. Wildflowers that match the ones along the highway when I came into town, grow in the flowerbeds in front of the building, and the name “Cup of Sunshine” is written in curly letters on the yellow awning above the window.
Rhett steps out of the truck, rushing over to swing my door open and help me out. I hand him Maverick’s leash before I step down.
“You like coffee, right?” he asks.
“Does a bear poop in the woods?”
“Uh, yeah, I guess so?”
“Yes. The answer is yes. I love coffee. Good idea stopping here. I could use some more caffeine. I’ve only had one cup today.”
“I might’ve had another reason for bringing you here.” He opens the front door for me, and we are welcomed by the musical chime of a bell overhead. Before I have the chance to swivel around and ask him what he’s talking about, a tall redhead barrels in our direction.
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” As she approaches me, I immediately notice her bold green eyes and the way freckles coat her cheeks and her arms. “You must be Olivia! I’m so excited to meet you.”
Her drawl is quite possibly the best thing I’ve heard in my entire life. She is clearly a Texas native, and something about her accent makes me immediately feel a sense of warmth toward her. I go to take her hand, both startled and delighted by her energy, but before I have a chance, she opts for wrapping me up in a hug instead.
“Your parents are the absolute best. They just adore you. I’m so excited you came in here.” She grabs my hand and drags me to a nearby table, indicating for me to sit.
Watching her with wide eyes, I silently obey. She takes me in for half a second and then bolts up from her spot at the table. “You need caffeine, don’t you? How do you like your coffee?”
I rub my eyes. “Black, please.”
“Oh, you’re bold! I like it!” She rushes behind the counter. “Do you want anything, Rhett?”
“Oh, you did notice I was here?” His words drip with sarcasm. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“No need to be jealous. You haven’t been replaced… yet.” She winks. Then she notices Maverick at Rhett’s feet. “Oh my god! Who is this little fellow?”
“This is Maverick. We’re fostering him.”
“You two?” She points between Rhett and me, a look of pure delight on her face. “That’s so sweet! How’d that happen?”
Rhett pinches his fingers at the bridge of his nose. “I’d rather not get into it.”
When she reaches out to stroke Maverick, he moves behind Rhett’s legs, and she takes the hint, not forcing herself on him. “How about you take Maverick outside so he doesn’t have to feel so afraid and us girls can chat for a bit?”
“How about you introduce yourself first? Right now, you’re just coming off as some crazy person who wants to get Olivia alone. She probably thinks you’re a murderer or something.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She turns to me. “I’m so sorry! I just got excited to see you. I’m Callie Fletcher, the other owner of this place.”
“Other?”
“Yeah, Rhett and I co-own it.”
I look back at him, and he just shakes his head.
I want to ask Callie about it, but she’s already buzzing around the café to point out all of her favorite features. A staircase goes up to the second floor that overlooks the shop and hosts a couple of tables as well as a bar and barstools along the black railing. There are plants everywhere, hanging from the ceiling, decorating the shelves, and even on either side of the front door. Delectable pastries fill the glass case near the register, and it reminds me that Callie was the one who taught Rhett how to bake.
“This place is amazing. I love it.”
“Thank you. I decorated it myself.” She beams with pride.
Rhett stands off to the side, still holding Maverick’s leash and looking a little unhappy about being left out. “You forgot one important part of your introduction.”
“Oh yes, I also pride myself on being the number one pain in Rhett’s ass.”
“I might be giving you a run for your money,” I stage-whisper to her.
“I hope you are.”
Yup, I definitely like this woman.
“Last I checked, it wasn’t a competition to see who could annoy me more, and that’s not what I was referring to. I meant you forgot to mention you were born and raised in Roots.” He turns to me. “Callie grew up here. She might be the best one to show you around town.”
“That too.” Callie sets a ginormous mug of coffee down in front of me. The cup is big enough to fit a puppy.
Embarrassment rushes in, coloring my cheeks red. “I totally get it if you want to bail, Rhett. You don’t have to show me around on your day off just because my mom asked you to.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. Of course I’ll show you around today. I just thought Callie might be more fun for you to hang out with. She’s also the best proof I have that Roots isn’t so bad.”
“Aww!” Callie tosses her hand humbly at Rhett before totally switching gears. “Okay, let us ladies chat. I want to get to know Olivia.”
“Gladly. I think Maverick could use a walk anyway.”
He storms out of the café, but it’s impossible to miss the hint of a dimple that’s starting to show before he rolls his eyes and turns away.
Callie joins me at the table. “Hurry. I don’t know how long we have until he comes back, but we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.”