Chapter Twenty-Three
Hannah
The first floor smelled delicious, like vanilla and chocolate. We went directly to the second floor. It was much cleaner than before, and there were no boxes. There were three different rooms, and we went into the one with the open door. There was a rustic kitchen along one wall with an island in front of it, a tray with brownies on top.
“They’re delicious,” Bruce said, already eating one as we all reached for a plate and a brownie.
"Grandma," Jeremy's voice came from downstairs.
"We're upstairs,” she called loudly.
“I smell sweets," Jeremy exclaimed. He darted right toward the tray without saying anything to anyone.
Susan put a brownie on a plate, and he immediately bit into it.
“Morning, family,” Duncan said, stepping into the room.
"Congratulations, you’ve arrived just in time to get a brownie and do no work," Knox said.
Duncan laughed. “I know. Great timing.”
As he reached for a brownie, I turned to Jeremy.
"Hey, buddy. I've got a surprise for you." I dragged the bag across the kitchen island and handed it to him.
His eyes went wide. He even ignored the second brownie Susan put on his plate.
"This is for me?"
"Yes.”
He immediately looked in the bag. "This is great ! Oh my God, I can’t wait to get home and play the game.”
"What do we say?" Duncan asked.
"Thank you so much."
He gave me a wholehearted hug that I returned, kissing the top of his head. I loved his little arms around me so much. I instinctively glanced at Chase. His eyes were soft, and so were Susan's.
“It seemed fitting to bake brownies here,” Susan said. Turning to me, she added, "It was a tradition to stay here on Friday evening after closing the store. And I’d treat everyone to brownies after they finished their homework."
"Now she's rewarding us for breaking our backs. That is fitting," Knox said.
“I love traditions like this,” I said.
“What’s your favorite tradition with your family?” Susan asked.
“Let me think.... Oh, I know. Once a year, we gathered in Ms. Adams's greenhouse next door to Gran's inn. She has the most amazing plants, and she repotted those that needed it. It was a big event. My mom, sister, grandmother, and I never missed it. Mom and Blair even visited for the occasion after they moved away.”
A pang of sadness washed over me. This year would be the first time we’d do it without Gran. We’d skipped it last year.
“That sounds awesome,” Jeremy exclaimed. “Like in Harry Potter when they took baby mandrakes and put them in bigger pots.”
I laughed, ruffling his hair. “Something like that. If you want, I can tell your dad when we do it this year, and you can join in.”
“Yes, pleaaaaaaaaaase. You’re the best.”
I glanced at Duncan, who smiled and nodded.
Chase walked up to me, putting an arm around my waist from behind. “You’re amazing.”
I relaxed into his touch, smiling at Jeremy.
"Who wants seconds of brownies?" Susan asked.
There was a chorus of "Me," and she split the remaining tray between all of us.
"This is just as good as I remembered. I've missed it," Bruce said.
Susan pointed at him. "Don't you go complimenting me or you're going to talk me into baking another tray."
"That's exactly what I was aiming for."
Wyatt glanced at his parents, then immediately turned to Duncan, who looked perplexed.
The rest of the Sterling men were in various states of surprise.
"All right, what's coming up next?" Duncan asked after a while.
Bruce rolled his shoulders and said, "We don't have lots left to do in the basement. Some of us have to take the trash out to the dumping ground, and the rest of us have to carry away some of the furniture left in the bedroom."
We split the tasks, and I realized that Chase and I didn't have anything to do.
"What about us?" I asked.
Susan beamed at me. "As I understand, you two have plans."
Chase stepped next to me, kissing my right temple. "Yes, we do."
I raised a brow. "Really? What?"
"We’re going away for the rest of today and tomorrow."
My eyes bulged. "Really?"
"Yes.”
I was so surprised that I didn’t even know what to say.
We stayed for another half hour, helping disassemble the bed then bid everyone goodbye.
Jeremy, bless him, hugged me again. "Thank you so much, Hannah. You’re the best. And, just so you know, I'm actually looking for a drone for my birthday."
I threw my head back, laughing.
"Buddy, that's not how we do things," Duncan said in a firm but loving voice.
Jeremy winked at him.
As Chase and I headed downstairs, I said, “I feel a bit bad for leaving when there's still stuff to do."
"Hannah, trust me. There are enough Sterlings to go around. They'll manage without us. Besides, they didn’t really plan on us being here today. I told them I wanted to take you away."
"Really?"
"Of course. That’s why Mom was extra nice to me today."
I laughed. "So your brothers were onto something."
"They were," he admitted.
Once we stepped outside, we headed straight to the car.
"Where are we going?" I asked when he backed out of the driveway.
“First, we’re going to stop by your place so you can pack something for overnight. Then we’re going to Palm Springs."
I grinned from ear to ear. “That’s amazing," I said. “I've never been.”
He winked. "I know. I spoke to Blair a bit about it."
"What?"
"I was trying to find out what you might like."
"When did you talk to my sister?"
"I was talking to Josh, and one thing led to another."
I nodded. “I see. Josh is warming up to the idea of us dating, huh?”
“Blair’s softening him up. Anyway, I figured a getaway would do you good. You were pretty upset yesterday.”
"Wait... you planned this yesterday?"
"Of course," he said.
How was I so lucky with this man? I'd been married for two years, and the man I'd called husband couldn't care less how I felt. Yet Chase immediately wanted to take care of me.
"Thank you," I replied sincerely.
We drove straight to my place. I beamed the whole way.
"I wanted to take you away this morning, but I was sure you'd fight me on it."
I grinned. "You guessed right. And I really enjoyed the morning, spending it with your family. Thank you."
"Sifting through old books with Mom?"
"I like talking to her, finding out a bit more about you and your brothers."
"I can tell you whatever you need to know."
"Mothers have a different perspective."
"Do you want to talk about yesterday?" he asked. “I figured you might after you’ve had some time to mull it over.”
How did he know me so well?
Before Chase, all I would've wanted was to stay indoors and curl up with a book. I'd never been one to want to share what I was going through, not even with my sister or my mom, but Chase made me feel safe and loved. I trusted him and felt my entire body relax into the seat.
“Honestly, I’m not even sure why I’m upset. It was just the shock of it. But, Chase, you really don't have to listen to all this."
"Fuck yes, I do," he said. "You're mine. I want to know what you're feeling, how I can make it better. How else can I make sure I give you exactly what you need?"
"Chase, sometimes I'm not even sure I know what I need."
"No, but you'll tell me how you feel, and I'll figure it out."
I thought he was joking, but a few seconds later, I realized he meant it. He truly meant it. This man had my heart, but I didn't have the courage to tell him yet that it belonged to him.
Once we arrived at my place, I packed quickly, filling a carry-on with a toiletry bag, pajamas, a bikini, underwear, and two dresses. I didn’t need more. Besides, I didn’t want to waste any time when Palm Springs was waiting for us.
On the drive, we spoke a bit more about his parents' store and then Jeremy.
“I think he’s missing a woman’s influence,” Chase told me.
“Doesn’t he see his mother at all?”
“He sometimes spends vacations with her, but she lives in Ireland. He talks to her regularly, but it’s not the same.”
"Ireland! Wow, that’s a distance. But he's got your mom," I said.
"True.”
"Growing up, I was always jealous of things my friends could do with their dads that I couldn't. If you want, I can ask Duncan if he needs my help with anything."
"Fuck, how are you so amazing?" he exclaimed.
“I feel the same about you.” How could it feel so natural to share my feelings with him when I'd been so guarded before? I had no idea, but I didn't want to hold back at all.
"So where exactly are we going? A hotel?" I asked.
"I've rented a cabin just for us.”
"I can't wait."
I loved cabins. They were small and cozy.
Oh, Chase Sterling had won my heart completely. I never even knew I had it in me to give it away again.