8. Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Law
T he jaunty knock on the door had me quickly setting down the eggs on the counter and bumping the fridge door shut with my hip. I was already heading toward the front when I heard Tris yell, “I’ll get it!”
“You will not,” I called, picking up my pace. I made it to the front room at the same time Cait jogged down the stairs.
Tristan turned to us, eyes wide. “But it’s Grams. I can see her.”
It was true. Mary Mulligan was standing on the front porch, bundled in a hat, scarf, and coat and waving through the window next to the door. I had no idea what she was doing here but it was good to see her.
“You still have to wait for me or Daddy before you open the door, young man. It’s the only way to stay safe,” Cait said, trying for serious and nearly ruining it with her smirk.
Tristan cocked his head. “What about Uncle Charlie?”
Caitlyn’s lips twitched. “Yes, or Uncle Charlie.”
“What about Uncle Teague?”
I knew where this was going. “You have to have whatever adult is looking after you with you before you open the door, got it?” I waited for his solemn nod before I let out a breath. “Open the door, Tris.”
Tristan whirled around and threw open the door, not even shivering at the gust of cold air that blew in. “Grams! Hi, you came to see me!”
“I’m here to see you all,” Mary said brightly, bending to receive my son’s tight hug. She used the opportunity to enter the house, followed closely by Regan.
“Aunt Regan!” Tristan squealed and he launched himself toward them, but screeched to a halt when he saw the boxes they were carrying. “Cupcakes!”
“For after breakfast, if your parents say it’s okay.”
Tristan’s pout was epic and for just a second, I thought he was going to have a tantrum. Tristan didn’t have many of those anymore, thankfully mostly growing out of that stage now that we were working on using his words. He stopped himself, theatrically drawing in a deep breath and blowing it out through his mouth. Then he turned to Caitlyn.
“Mommy, Aunt Regan doesn’t feel like a girl or a boy.”
Which Caitlyn knew because the kids couldn’t stop talking about all of the people they met at Thanksgiving and she’d been regaled with many a tale in the past few weeks. Harper had even shared all the pics she’d taken of them.
To her credit, Caitlyn took that in stride, and nodded seriously. “Thank you for telling me. That’s important information to have.” Cait ruffled Tristan’s hair, then turned her attention to the people at the door. “Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard all about you.”
Mary beamed, her eyes soft. I could tell she liked Cait right off the bat. I’d learned quickly that Mary Mulligan didn’t hide her emotions.
“Mary, Regan, this is my…this is Caitlyn.” I almost introduced her as my wife, that change still new, the habit of the words wanting to escape. “Cait, Teague’s mom and sibling.”
“It’s so lovely to meet you,” Mary said warmly, going in for a hug. Cait obliged but pulled back quickly. She wasn’t much of a hugger.
“Come in out of the cold,” I said quickly, wanting to divert their attention.
Regan stepped further into the room, but Mary stayed where she was, her attention dropping to Tristan. “I need someone strong to help me get the bags out of the car.”
Tristan’s hand shot in the air, and he bounced on his toes. “Me! I’m strong.”
When he flexed his little arm, Mary felt the non-existent muscle and gasped. “You are strong. Get your boots and coat on then, and come help.”
While Tristan scrambled to do that, I turned to face her. “Mary,” I began, trying to keep the chastisement out of my tone.
“Hush.” She waved a hand at me. “It’s just a few groceries and some freezer meals. I know Charlie stocked the fridge, but this is just to help you while you settle. You have enough to worry about this week. It’s just a few things. You wouldn’t deny me the chance to help, now would you.”
It wasn’t a question, and there was just a hint of menace in her tone. But I knew her well enough that it was all with good intention, so I threw my hands up in the air. Mary rewarded me with a throaty laugh, bent to help Tristan zip his coat, and then took his hand to lead him down to the car. I turned wide eyes on Regan.
They grinned. “She’s a force of nature, you know that. When she said she was heading over, I figured the least I could do was tag along and try to mitigate some of the damage.”
I chuckled and held out my hands. “Here, let me take that so you can get your coat off.”
They handed over the box. “There’s muffins in there, blueberry as well as chocolate chip. It’s not just cupcakes.”
I squinted at them. “But there are cupcakes, right?”
Regan’s throaty laugh sounded just like their mother’s. “Of course.”
“Quick, Cait. Come steal one before the little hooligans get their hands on them.”
Caitlyn followed us to the kitchen, and when I opened the box, she gasped. Her attention was immediately drawn to the rainbow frosting. She lifted a brow as she regarded Regan. “The famous Unicorn Fart?”
Regan nodded, but then pointed at the others in turn. “Vampire’s Bite, Gnome’s Garden, and Gryphon’s Talon.”
“That one’s new?” We’d been into Sugar Rush and knew Regan’s offerings. I couldn’t recall hearing about that cupcake before.
Another nod. “Harper gave me the idea at Thanksgiving, so make sure you save one of those for her.”
My breath caught, and for a second, I couldn’t even explain why I was so touched. But then it hit me all at once. These people had met my children once, had spent only a couple of days in their presence, and already they were including them. Regan didn’t have to create a new cupcake, and even if they had, they certainly didn’t have to give my daughter credit. But they did. The entire Mulligan crew, as well as Nic and Dana, adored my children. It was a sure sign that Cait and I had made the right choice to relocate them across the country.
The front door opened, Tris called for me, and Cait sprung into action, grabbing up a Unicorn Fart and ducking into the laundry room so she could enjoy it in secret. Regan laughed and started pulling the muffins out of the box.
“I’ll set these out and then hide the cupcakes out of the reach of little hands, eh?”
“Thanks. Plates are over there, I think. Stick the box on top of the fridge, okay?”
They nodded, shooing me on, and I went to help Tristan and Mary with the bags. I’d had a feeling that my definition of a few things and Mary’s were vastly different. As soon as I saw them, I knew I was right. I opened my mouth, but Mary shot me a look that said she would be Very Disappointed if I said anything. I sighed and turned toward the stairs.
“Girls! Grams and Aunt Regan are here.”
Satisfied with the banging of doors and the sound of tiny feet running toward the stairs, I took the bags from Tristan. Mary and Tris traipsed into the kitchen a few minutes later, now divested of their winterwear, and Harper and Marlie were right behind them. Hugs and squeals sounded as the greetings were taken care of, and then I sent them all to the dining room with muffins so I could cook the eggs and bacon in peace.
I had just come back from dropping off juice and coffee, warmed by the happy chatter, when Caitlyn emerged from the laundry room. I waggled my eyebrows at her and motioned to the spot of frosting she’d missed at the corner of her mouth.
“Good, huh?”
“Regan is a bit magical, huh?” she asked with a chortle, wiping her mouth.
“I don’t know how they do it.” I turned to the stove to set out the frying pans.
Cait touched my back and I titled my head in her direction.
“They love our kids already. How is that possible?”
“Our kids are pretty damn lovable. Hey!” The pinch to my side was expected, and I laughed as I scooted out of her reach. I set the pan down and turned to her. Because that wasn’t what she meant, and I knew it. Her parents were kind and generous but very hands off. They lived in Europe, her father following her mother around on the lecture circuit, and my parents were…well, yeah. Neither Cait nor I had much experience with this kind of loving and accepting family. I leaned my hip against the edge of the counter. “Who knew that people like this actually existed in real life, huh? But the Mulligans adopted us the moment they met us, and that was that.”
Cait’s brows beetled together as she mulled that over. After a moment, she exhaled slowly. “It makes me feel even better about you all being here. I knew it was the right choice, because of Charlie alone. And I heard all the stories you all told me. But seeing it in action….” She took another breath and smiled at me. “They’re going to be so happy here.”
“I hope so.”
“Daddy, I don’t smell bacon!” Tristan’s voice was loud in the space, and before I could remind him to use his manners, Harper spoke, though I couldn’t make out what she said. A second later, Tristan added, just a touch more quietly, “Sorry, Daddy. Can you start cooking please? I’m very hungry.”
“I’m on it, Tris. Thanks for using your manners.” I tried my best to reinforce his good habits, though my mother always scoffed when I thanked my children. For anything really. As if they weren’t human beings who deserved the gratitude. I straightened and gestured with my head. “Go join them and get to know them a little, yeah?”
Caitlyn nodded and made herself a cup of coffee before slipping through the door. I leaned back to watch her sit at the table, and Mary immediately engaged her in conversation. I wasn’t sure how much Mary knew about our situation, but I have a feeling it was everything. Charlie would have shared it with her, now that the two of them were closer. If for no other reason than Mary was lovingly tenacious when it came to people she cared about.
The sounds of happy conversation washed over me as I started scrambling eggs and frying bacon. Something settled deep within me, a contentment I didn’t know I was missing. I thought I’d always been at least content, if not always happy. But this was a whole new level of that feeling, and I breathed deeply, just soaking in it. My kids were happy and safe, Caitlyn was about to embark on her dream adventure and would be close enough for frequent visits, and my deliriously happy brother was once again just a few miles away. We had a whole group of people who wanted to help take care of us. We’d always had a solid foundation, but now we were revitalizing our lives, making upgrades. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Mary stole my children, claiming them for decorating help. Christmas Eve was tomorrow, which included the big family dinner in the dining room of the Inn. Mary insisted the children would be a great help in getting the room ready, and I didn’t bother to remind her that the kind of help the kids would provide meant the task would take ten times longer. She’d raised three children; I was sure she already knew that.
Since Cait decided to take the opportunity to get some work done and holed up at the dining room table with her laptop and a pot of tea, I was at loose ends. There was nothing left to unpack until the moving truck arrived a few days after Christmas. I’d never been one that sat still well. I needed to move.
I threw on a sweatshirt, an extra pair of socks, and bundled up. I didn’t have a winter coat yet—the kids did thanks to Charlie—and my boots were steel toes instead of snow boots, but that was good enough for a walk around my new home. After the New Year, my job would be snow removal as well as repairs and regular maintenance alongside Nic, and now was as good a time as any to get acquainted with the area.
As soon as I stepped outside, I knew the long sleeved shirt, hoodie, and leather jacket weren’t going to be enough to keep me warm for long. I shoved my hands in the pockets of my coat, and my fingers hit something soft. My hat, the one Oak had made me. I smiled as I pulled it out, looking it over. I didn’t know much about crochet, but I could tell the stitches were uneven in a few places. It didn’t matter though. He’d thought of me, and it was still warm and cozy. I pulled it on, tugged it over my ears, and headed out.
It was a cold but clear day, the sun shining brightly enough that I had to squint. It never occurred to me that I’d need sunglasses in the winter—somehow my brain didn’t equate the two—but the way the light glinted off the bright white was almost painful. I pulled my hood up to both block the wind and help with the glare, and that made it bearable enough that I could look around as I walked.
My feet carried me away from the motel, toward the iced-over pond and the cabins. It was so quiet, nothing but the crunch of my boots in the snow. Occasionally I’d hear a bird call, though I couldn’t begin to guess what kind since I thought all birds flew south in the winter, or a rustle. But mostly it was just silence, the bare trees and the thick snow drifts, muffling everything. Cricket appeared out of nowhere, making me jump, but she only stayed long enough for a few pets and to sniff me over, before continuing her patrol. It wasn’t long before she disappeared.
The trees were denser near the pond, Nic not having done anything with the area yet. She and Dana had focused on the motel proper during their first year of business, though I knew the cabins and the trails were next on their agenda. Nic had made that clear during our conversations, assuring me I’d have plenty to do once spring came. But because of the tree cover and the amount of fallen branches and other detritus, all covered in thick snow, I couldn’t get as close to the pond as I wanted, and ended up near the cabins.
“You’re going to catch a cold.”
I jumped, then whirled around to find Oakley standing near his back porch, bundled up in a parka and a mug in his gloved hands.
“Germs cause colds, not the weather,” I said conversationally, smiling so he would know there was no judgment in my words.
He shrugged one shoulder like maybe that was so, then shook his head. “But the cold doesn’t help. Come on.”
Oakley darted back around to the front of his cabin, and I had no choice but to follow. I picked up my pace, but not enough, because by the time I made it to the door, he was already back outside, a thick pair of mittens in his hand. He held them out.
My fingers were stiff with cold as I reached for them, and I could tell immediately they’d be warm. “Did you make these, too?”
With a quick shake of his head, and a slight flush to his cheeks—though that could have been the cold—he said, “That’s knit. I crochet. Grams made them though.”
I instantly tried to hand them back. “I can’t take something Mary knitted for you.”
Oakley scoffed. “She didn’t knit them for me. She just made them, and a whole bunch of others. That was just the pair I stole. I’ll steal another pair. That’s why she makes them.”
Well that was different then. I pulled them on, and I didn’t know what was inside them, but it was fluffy and immediately my fingers felt better. I tried to tuck the cuffs under my jacket, but it was hard when I didn’t have free fingers. Oakley made a noise and came to help.
Our gazes locked for just a second and time froze, but before I could even get my brain to function, Oakley was done and he took a huge step back. He cleared his throat.
“You need a winter coat.”
“I, uh, yeah. I know. It’s on my agenda for later this week.”
Oakley nodded solemnly. “And a scarf.”
I don’t know what made me say it, but it was out of my mouth before I could get my filter to work. “You gonna make me one? To match my hat?”
He inhaled sharply, his breath catching for a second. “I can.”
Realizing that what I was asking for was unfair, I quickly backpedaled. “Never mind. You don’t have to do that. I was being rude, asking.”
Oakley tilted his head, studying me for a second before he took a breath. “But do you want one?”
I took a moment to answer, trying to read his body language and expression before answering. Because from the way he was staring me right in the eye, the hope I saw there, led me to believe he actually wanted to do it.
I nodded. “It would be really nice for them to match. And this yarn is really warm. But if it’s going to put you out then—”
“It won’t,” he quickly assured me.
“I can pay you for—”
“No!” It was a little too loud, the word ringing through the silent area, and this time I knew the blush was from embarrassment. He finally dropped his gaze, but added, “No. I’m happy to. I’m, uh, glad you like it so much.”
Deciding that I’d pushed enough for the moment, I smiled and took a step back. “Then thank you in advance. I look forward to the finished product. I’m sure it’ll keep me warm when I’m working outside.” I took a few more steps back, not quite willing to turn away yet. “I won’t take up any more of your time. See you later.”
“You weren’t—” Oakley snapped his mouth shut and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
I waved my now mittened hand and walked sideways for a few steps before I could finally make myself turn away and continue my walk.
There was something about that kid that made me just want to…I don’t know. Hug him tight and make him feel better. I knew a little bit about his situation, how he’d come to be here in Fairville, because Charlie had told me. And it sucked. So that had to be why I was feeling protective. He needed a big brother as much as Charlie did. That was all.
I tried to shove the whole thing from my mind and changed direction, heading for the Inn. The least I could do was make sure my rambunctious son hadn’t worn Mary out completely. The girls I didn’t worry so much about, fairly certain I’d find Marlie with her nose in her tablet watching dog videos and Harper being as helpful as possible.
But even as I walked quickly, putting distance between me and Oakley, I couldn’t quite forget the hopeful look in his bright blue eyes.