CHAPTER 10
NOEL
I’m nervous and it has nothing to do with how my parents are going to treat my Freckles. I know they’ll accept her with open arms. It’s just the kind of people they are. What I’m worried about is how nervous Delaney is.
I’ve finally gotten her out of the barn where she’s been trying to hide. Now she’s closed herself in her room to take a shower and get changed. No matter how many times I tried to coax her into showering in the primary bath, she wasn’t going for it.
As much as I would have loved for her to be in my space, it’s probably better she didn’t take me up on the offer. There’s no way I would be able to stop thinking about her in my shower, naked, and all soaped up. It’s hard enough knowing she’s in her room. In mine? Fucking impossible.
I would have been in the shower with her so damn fast it would have made her head spin.
As much as I love having her sneaking down the hall and into my bed most nights, she’s been cautious when August is awake. I get it, really. But I don’t think she’s giving her brother enough credit and it’s not like I allow his presence to stop me from showing her affection.
He confronted me about his sister and how I feel about her. His face was so damn serious when he cornered me not long after I took her out for the picnic where I was finally able to bulldoze past her walls.
“What are your intentions with my sister?” He stared me down, not giving an inch and not at all intimidated about going up against me.
I bent over to look him in the eyes because I wanted to make sure he could see how sincere I was. “Something really amazing happened when you guys pulled up at Limitless the first day,” I admitted. “I fell in love with your sister the moment I saw her.”
He scoffed, “What?”
With my hands held up in surrender, there was amusement in my voice, “I understand it sounds kind of out there and unbelievable, but it’s true. I can’t explain it and I never expected something like that to happen to me. Even though I was meeting you guys for the first time, it felt like I already knew her. You know that little voice in your head, the one that tells you about danger or helps you when you need it most?” He nodded slowly as he studied my face. “The moment I saw Delaney and you, the voice wasn’t little anymore. It was screaming at me and saying you both were right where you belong.”
“Really?” He breathed out the word, disbelief and a little awe written all over his face.
“Promise,” I vowed. “I’m trying to convince Delaney, but it’s not easy because she’s been on the move for so long. It’s all she knows and it’s hard to trust everything we feel for each other, and everything we could have, is real.”
“I’ll help you,” he chirped.
As much as I desperately wanted his help, I shook my head slowly. His face fell but I brought a hand down on his shoulder. “As much as I want your help, August, I don’t want to put you in the middle. This has to be something Delaney chooses. It has to be something she’s willing to give her all to because nothing less will work. She also loves consulting and being able to help get programs off the ground to help people.”
“Like it helped me,” he murmured.
I nodded and smiled at him. “Exactly. You’re her inspiration.”
His chin hit his chest and sadness filled his eyes. “I’m not her inspiration, I’m her burden.”
My breath stalled in my lungs and my heart skipped a beat. I gripped both of his shoulders and gave a small squeeze, not enough to hurt, but enough to get his attention. “Never,” my voice was fierce, and his eyes widened a little when he heard it, “you are never a burden. Not to Delaney. Not to me. Not to my brothers. You were so little when you lost your parents, but your sister felt lost and alone. You gave her comfort, strength, and helped her to see a way forward. You have no idea how powerful that is.”
Through the sadness and doubt, a little pride started to break through. It was like watching the sun start to shine through the clouds. It was only then, feeling the trust he was putting in me and my words, that I relaxed slightly.
“Don’t worry, bud, convincing your sister is my job. Your job is to have fun, to work hard when its time for your homeschooling lessons and help around Limitless wherever you can.”
He nodded sharply with determination etched on his small face. “I can do that.” I stood and ruffled his hair which earned me an eye roll and a groan as he reached up to fix it. “You’ll be able to get Delaney to agree to stay,” his voice was so full of hope, and it made my chest ache.
Then he was gone, running off to find Mack or Huxley. As I watched him, I couldn’t imagine letting him down, but fear slithered up my spine because getting Delaney to stay wasn’t a given.
It still isn’t.
Delaney still hasn’t answered me about sticking around even though I’ve been very upfront about what I want. There are so many ways for both of our dreams to come true. There isn’t just one way to live this life; we have options and I’m more than willing to explore all of them.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of an approaching vehicle just as Delaney walks down the stairs looking fresh and so damn good. My Freckles doesn’t need to dress up to be the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. There’s something so fresh about her when she’s wearing jeans and a flannel.
If she were out with the horses, she’d have her boots on. Knowing they’re sitting next to the door, right where they belong, makes my heavy heart feel so much lighter.
“Hey,” her voice is shy as she closes the distance between us with a soft smile on her face.
“Hi, Freckles.” I look her over with appreciation. “You look gorgeous.”
The huff that comes out of her as she rolls her eyes is adorable. She doesn’t see herself, but I see her. Everything about her makes me open my eyes, sit up, and take notice.
There are moments when she’s fragile and vulnerable, but then she’ll turn around and prove to you just how strong she is. It’s beautiful to watch. The contradictions. The way all the pieces of her overlap and weave together to form something truly breathtaking.
I hold out my hand for her and almost pump my fist in the air when she slides her hand into mine without hesitation. “Come on, I’m pretty sure I just heard Mom and Dad pull in.”
Her face pales slightly but she straightens her shoulders as if she’s preparing to go into war. I barely stop the chuckle trying to escape. When she tries to pull her hand from mine, I tighten my grip and shoot her a look which very clearly tells her what she can do with that notion.
Not going to happen.
As we step outside, Huxley and August tear around the side of the house from the direction of the barn while Fletcher and Eden come from where their house is. Auggie’s eyes are wide as he takes in the size of the RV my parents got for themselves. Honestly, for two people it’s a little excessive, but my dad wasn’t going to skimp on the creature comforts after spending so long at home and enjoying things the way he likes them.
“Wow,” August breathes out.
“Yeah,” Macklin echoes him with the same level of awe. Their reaction has the adults around them chuckling, but they don’t seem to mind at all. “I bet you can build a really good blanket fort in there,” the little boy who became part of our family, blood or not, mutters out of the side of his mouth and causes August to nod.
Everything with Fletcher and Eden happened fast. The moment she showed up in town and Fletcher saw her, my brother became a man on a mission. He wasn’t going to let the love of his life get away a second time; it almost killed him the first time.
Since it was winter, which can be unpredictable at best, Fletcher insisted that Mom and Dad continue on their trip instead of coming back to meet Macklin and welcome Eden back into the family. He told them spring was soon enough for them to come back and then they’d be able to celebrate with a wedding.
Now, the day is only about a week away. Our sister will be coming in as well, but that won’t happen until a day or two before the big event. I have a feeling our parents will be sticking around for a little while before heading back out on the road.
They’ll want to spoil the little boys who have infused their joy into every corner of the ranch.
Dad lumbers down the steps of the RV first and holds his hand out for Mom who practically swoons at the gesture. I can’t help but grin; the old man has still got it.
Their love was always deeply felt by everyone around them. It’s one of the reasons I was never going to settle for anything less. Dad never looked at another woman once he met Mom and, according to him, he never wanted to. He’s always treated her like a queen and showed us how love is supposed to be, how it should be pervasive and all encompassing until it expands to include the family you grow through that love.
The moment Mom notices us, she lets out a shout of excitement and then is rushing right toward Eden. My soon to be sister, at least officially, looks shocked as she braces for impact. When she’s close enough, Mom wraps Eden up in a tight embrace and looks at Fletcher with tears in her eyes.
“Eden,” Mom breathes out, “I’m so glad you finally came home. Now my son’s heart can beat again.”
Well, shit. My throat tightens a little bit as guilt swims through my veins. Not being around when my big brother needed me the most is a reality I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life. Sure, it’s all worked out, but that doesn’t make it okay.
“Mrs. Burns,” Eden’s voice is thick with emotion, “it’s so good to see you again. I’m sorry it took me so long to come,” her voice breaks, “home.”
Mom grips Eden’s shoulders and pushes her away just enough to look into her eyes. “None of that. Not the guilt and certainly not the Mrs. Burns crap.” The rest of us watching the scene unfold chuckle and Mom’s smile grows. “I’ll always be Ester to you. Or Mom,” she adds on as she wipes a tear from Eden’s cheek.
“Momma,” Macklin’s voice is small as he steps closer to the pair of women, “don’t be sad.”
Mom gasps as Eden looks down at her son with a smile filled with love. True to who she is, Mom doesn’t hesitate to release Eden and scoop Macklin up in her arms. “Well, hello there handsome,” mom trills. “I’m your grandma. We’ll have to come up with a special name for you to call me. Okay?”
Macklin’s mouth falls open as his eyes fill with awe and surprise. “Another grandma?” Mom nods her head, tears shining in her eyes. He leans forward and drops his voice like he has a secret even though he’s still loud enough for all of us to hear, “Do you make cookies too?”
“I make the best cookies,” she insists.
Mack lets out a whoop of joy before he wraps his little arms around her neck and snuggles into her. He startles when Dad comes up next to Mom and wraps an arm around her shoulders. Mack looks at our dad with wide eyes, the questions on his face clear to see.
“Little man,” his voice is deep and thick with emotion he’s barely holding back, “I’m your grandpa.”
“This is the best day,” Macklin cheers without noticing the tears streaming down Eden’s face as Fletcher tucks her into his side.
Dad releases Mom and walks over to Eden to pull her into his arms. His words are whisper soft, but powerful in their meaning, “Thank you and I better never hear you call me Mr. Burns. It’s Clive or Dad.”
Eden’s entire body slumps into Dad and I can feel her relief. It’s a wave that ripples through those of us lucky enough to witness this reunion. Delaney squeezes my hand and when I look down at her she’s blinking rapidly to stop her own tears.
I kiss her temple as I slip my hand from hers and wrap my arm around her to pull her into my side. She fits next to me perfectly and I never want to let her go.
The movement catches Mom and Dad’s attention, their gazes fixed on my woman and August. They study the tableau in front of them for a moment before Dad smirks and Mom grins so wide she looks almost deranged.
Mom claps her hands together before slapping Dad’s shoulder a few times. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing? Our boy has found a woman, a family,” she gushes.
I huff out a laugh and then step forward, placing my hand on August’s shoulder to lead him closer along with Delaney. “Mom, Dad,” I clear my throat and nod down at my woman, “this is Delaney Reeves. She arrived to help me get the equine therapy program off the ground. I had no idea I’d be knocked on my ass the day she arrived,” I admit with a chuckle. As I squeeze August’s shoulder, deep affection for this boy fills my voice, “This is August, Delaney’s brother who she has been raising for the last eight years and is smart as a whip and an amazing help on the ranch.”
August’s chest puffs up with pride and he takes a step forward with his hand extended toward Dad. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Burns.” Dad’s eyes light up as he shakes the young man’s hand, and I swear Delaney sniffles next to me. “Ma’am,” August offers his hand to Mom. When she gives it over, he surprises the fuck out of me and everyone else when he flips it and kisses it. “It’s lovely to meet you. I hope you like the flowers I helped plant.”
“Well, well, well,” Mom gasps as she blushes slightly, “you have better manners than my boys. I can see Delaney has done an amazing job raising a very sweet and charming young man.”
Dad narrows his eyes playfully and growls with no real heat, “You’re not trying to steal my woman, are you?”
August smirks and shrugs one shoulder like he’s feigning not answering. The laughter that bursts out of all the adults is something Limitless hasn’t experienced in far too long. Dad grips August and pulls him closer while ruffling his hair.
His voice drops, “You’ll have to give me some pointers later. I like to keep my woman on her toes.”
August giggles and nods as Mom steps closer to my Freckles. Before I can stop it, Mom pulls her out of my arms and into her own. Delaney looks dazed for a moment, but then she wraps her arms around Mom and lets out a sigh filled with the remnants of grief and pain, but also relief.
“You, my girl,” Mom murmurs, “are a treasure. I can already tell. Not only because of the boy you’ve raised, but because you’ve made my son smile again.” She pulls back and stares into Delaney’s eyes, her words filled with sincerity, “Thank you.”
“I’m not sure I did anything,” my Freckles tries to deflect.
Mom shakes her head, not letting her get away with it, before linking their arms together and pulling her toward the house and pinching Huxley’s cheek as she passes. “Now,” she speaks loud enough for everyone to hear, “I want to hear all about this equine therapy program and the wedding preparations. Is there food?”
“Yeah,” Huxley calls out, “is there food?”
I follow behind my woman and my mom, my heart light while hoping this becomes another tether keeping Delaney and August right where they belong.