Chapter Eleven
By the time the weekend rolled around, Travis could barely remember what he’d done with himself before Retta came to stay. He’d only moved into the house a little while ago himself. He’d gotten into the habit of drinking his first coffee of the day on the front porch, watching the sun come up over the mountain. He knew that much, but he preferred the way things were now.
Now, he took his coffee along with Retta’s, into her bedroom and climbed right into bed with her. He loved that time that they spent together: the way she snuggled against him after she’d drunk her coffee, the way they chatted about nothing and everything, the way her body felt against his. Granted, with every day that passed, it was getting harder and harder not to think about the way her body would feel under his.
He looked up guiltily when she called to him from the front porch, where she was sitting with her second cup of coffee.
“Are you coming back out or should I come in?”
“Be right with you, darlin’.”
He set his phone down – he’d been replying to a message from Eli – and went back outside.
“Did you talk to Callie?”
“I did; she asked if we want to go for lunch with them all tomorrow.”
“At the ranch?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to go?”
“I’d like to. Do you want to?”
“Yeah.”
“But?”
“It seems weird to me to go when Cash isn’t there. I know they all get together every Sunday – whoever’s here. It’s just that I haven’t lived here for years. Whenever I came back, it was with Cash.”
“We don’t have to go … Or I could go with them, and you could …”
“I’m not saying I don’t want to – unless you’d rather go by yourself?”
The way she smiled at him made his heart buzz with happiness. “I’d rather go with you. But after our conversation about not living in each other’s pockets, we seem to have spent every waking moment together.”
He chuckled. “We have, and I love it. I don’t think we need to worry about it. I think as you find your feet here in the valley – figuratively and literally – we’ll find that we’re doing more things by ourselves, but this is kind of a honeymoon period. We should enjoy it while it lasts.”
He couldn’t read her expression; she was smiling but there was something else there.
“What? You disagree?”
She made a face. “No, it’s just that when I think of a honeymoon period ...” She shrugged.
“I’m not saying that I think this will fizzle out after a while.”
“I didn’t think that was what you meant it’s just … Oh, what the heck? I may as well say it. When I think of a honeymoon – surely you know what comes to mind?”
He laughed. “Sorry, yeah, I do. If we were on our honeymoon, we’d be doing more in bed than just drinking coffee in the mornings, right?”
“Exactly.”
“We’ll get there. And don’t you go thinking that it doesn’t bother me. I’m just trying to be a gentleman. We can’t do anything about it until you get your cast off, so I’m trying to keep my mind off the subject. I wouldn’t want to put pressure on you under any circumstances, but especially not when there’s nothing you can do about it.”
She sighed. “Okay.”
He ran his fingers down her cheek. “I’m not feeding you lines, darlin’. I’m trying to be good.”
“And I appreciate that. I just wish … And if it’s not there – if you don’t feel that way, you can tell me. We promised each other that, remember?”
He pursed his lips. He’d been trying to keep his mind away from his physical attraction to her. He thought he was doing right by her, but if she was under the impression that he wasn’t interested in a physical relationship, then he’d screwed up – badly.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each of her fingertips before he spoke.
“I do, and I promise you that just as soon as we’re in a position to do something about it …” He frowned. “I don’t think words are going to be enough to explain myself.”
He got to his feet. “Can I get you out of there?”
When she nodded, he lifted her out of the chair and held her close to his chest as he strode back inside the house.
“Where are we going?”
He smiled down at her. “Where I’ve wanted to take you since the first time I brought you here.”
He headed for the stairs, and her arms tightened around his neck.
When he reached his bedroom, he took her on a tour. The room itself was huge with a king-size, log-frame bed set against the back wall. The bed was positioned to take in the view of Emigrant Peak, and the wall of windows made it feel like you were floating. Off to one side was the reading room that had its own window seat with a view up the valley toward the Crazies.
“Wow! You weren’t kidding about your bedroom, were you?”
He chuckled. “Nope, and I’ll show you the bathroom next.”
When he took her in there, she clung tighter to him as she looked around. “Oh my lord. This is amazing!”
“Isn’t it? It’s kind of wasted on me.”
He enjoyed the shower, but it was so big and had so many showerheads that half the time he still wondered if the rest of his high school football team might come wandering in to join him. The tub was big, maybe even big enough for him, but he doubted he’d ever get in it – baths weren’t his thing.
Retta laughed. “If I had a bathroom like this, I think I’d live in it.”
He grinned. “What would you do?”
“I’d read my book in there …” she pointed at the tub “… especially with that view. Maybe even have a glass of wine.”
She was right. He’d thought that the little porthole window was a weird touch – it was too low for him to look through. But now that she said it, he could see that it’d be at the right height if you were taking a bath.
“Anytime you want to, you let me know.”
She made a face. “It’s like everything else – I’ll have to wait until the cast comes off.”
He frowned. “Unless we can get creative.”
“What kind of creative?” she asked with a wary smile.
“We could find a way to cover your cast up with something waterproof.”
“That’s what I do so that I can kind of shower, but I don’t think I’d trust it in the tub.”
“Okay.” He turned around and went back out to the bedroom. He set her down on the bed and once she was sitting with her back against the headboard, he joined her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“That view is amazing!” she said as she stared at the mountain.
He stared at her. “It’s beautiful.”
“You’re not even looking.” She turned to face him, and when her gaze met his, he smiled.
“I am. I’m looking at you, darlin’. And the sight of you in my bed is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Aww.” She grasped the front of his shirt and drew him closer so that she could kiss him. “You’re so sweet.”
He chuckled. “I’m not trying to be sweet; I’m trying to make my intentions clear.”
“Your intentions?”
“Yeah, I intend to have you sharing my bed just as soon as possible.”
“Hopefully soon.”
“Nah, I’m beyond hoping and waiting. I brought you up here to see if you like it – and to see if you want to move up here with me.”
Her pupils dilated. “I … what do you … when?”
He chuckled. “How about tonight?”
She pressed her lips together.
“I know we can’t do what I’d like to just yet, but …” He shrugged. “There’s a whole lot more to sleeping together than sleeping together, don’t you think?”
“You’re right.” She laughed. “For all I know, you might snore like a grizzly bear.”
He laughed with her. “For all I know, you might fart up a stink storm!”
She laughed harder. “I’m a lady – we don’t do that.”
“Yeah, right. But seriously, Retta. I already feel close to you. I want to get closer in every way we can. So, what do you say? Do you wanna?”
She nodded slowly. “I think I do. I mean, of course I do. I know I want to spend the night with you, and I think I’m brave enough to ignore all the possible reasons not to.”
“What kind of reasons?”
“I don’t know. Maybe we’ll irritate each other – maybe I will snore, and you’ll fart.” She chuckled. “But on a serious note, I haven’t shared a bed with anyone in years. I might fidget all night and drive you nuts.”
“It’s a big bed – I reckon there’s enough room for both of us.”
“Okay then.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded happily. “I am. If we’re going to try this, then we need to try everything that’s part of it.” She looked up into his eyes. “And it’ll mean that by the time I get my cast off, we’re already comfortable with each other.”
“Yeah. I don’t want to see it as just building up to sex, though. I … shit, I don’t know how this’ll sound but, in the past, sleeping with someone was just what happened after the sex, you know?”
She nodded but looked uncomfortable, so he hurried on.
“I’ve never seen it as something special before, something to be enjoyed in its own right. With you, I … I’m excited to share my bed with you.”
She curled her hand around the back of his head and pulled him down into a kiss. He wrapped his arm around her waist and allowed himself to kiss her more deeply than he had before. He carefully hauled her onto his lap and groaned when she shifted her ass against his aching cock.
She lifted her head so that she could look into his eyes.
He shrugged. “There’s no hiding how I feel with you sitting right there on the evidence.”
“Until this moment, I wasn’t sure that you felt that way.”
He chuckled. “Then I did a damn good job of hiding it – but I’m not hiding anymore.” He slid his fingers into her hair and drew her closer. “Come here, darlin’, I’m not done kissing you yet.”
~ ~ ~
“You’re looking better, Mama,” Callie said as she set a glass of lemonade on the table in front of her.
“Thanks, I’m feeling better.” Retta couldn’t hide a smile. She was feeling so much better about life in general, not just her leg. Travis had surprised her when he took her up to his bedroom this morning, but it was a good surprise – the best. And after the way he’d kissed her on his bed, she was more than eager to get home tonight and see what it’d be like to sleep with him.
Callie laughed. “I want to ask what that smile’s about, but I probably shouldn’t, huh?”
Retta would love to be able to talk about how she was feeling but it didn’t seem right to tell her daughter all the details of how things were going with Travis.
“Travis is a good man, and that’s all I’m going to say about that. I do feel better physically, too. I just want to get the cast off now. I know it’ll take me a while to build back up, I’ll have to do physical therapy, but even that’ll feel good – to know that I’m doing something instead of just sitting around waiting for it to heal.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’ve been just sitting around. Shay said that you’ve been in the cabins every day, doing inventory and starting to get them ready for guests.”
“I have. I’m enjoying myself.”
Callie smiled. “And you’re enjoying staying with Travis?”
“I am. That man is a sweetheart!”
“He is. I think he’s awesome. And … is it going well?”
Retta laughed. “It is. I know what you’re thinking – you know me, so you’re wondering if I’m desperate to get away from him yet. I’m not. We even talked about it. I told him I might get crabby with him if we’re together twenty-four-seven and he’s doing everything for me.”
“Is that why you’re here this afternoon?”
“No. We were going to have a relaxing afternoon doing nothing – and I was looking forward to it, but Trip called. Apparently, Trav usually goes over to his place on Sundays. Since we’re coming to see you guys tomorrow instead, he said he’d go hang out with him for a while this afternoon.”
“And he didn’t want to leave you by yourself?”
“He didn’t even bring it up; he’s starting to relax about leaving me by myself for a while here and there. I was the one who suggested that I could come and see you.”
Callie smiled. “And it’s worked out perfectly for everyone, since Kolby’s gone to hang out with Ty and Tanner this afternoon. They’re working with the horses.”
“That’s good. Is Shayna with them? I like her. I thought she might be here with you.”
“I asked, but she’s got some big assignment that she needs to get finished. And what do you…?”
Callie stopped when the sound of Retta’s phone ringing interrupted her.
“Sorry, baby girl.” Retta frowned when she saw the name on the display. “I should take this.”
“Not a problem. I’ll go and get us some cookies.”
“Thanks.” She watched her daughter go back inside the house before she answered.
“Hello?” She felt like a coward answering as though she didn’t know who was calling, but she wanted to buy herself some time to figure out what Angela might want. She was the assistant principal at school. Retta had been waiting for someone to call, but Angela wasn’t who she’d expected.
“Hello, Retta, this is Angela Morris. How are you feeling?”
“Hi, Angela. I’m doing better, thank you.”
“Glad to hear it. I hope you’ll be back on your feet soon.”
“Thank you.” She waited, wondering what the call was about.
“I understand that you’re staying with your daughter in Montana.”
“I am.”
“And … what are your plans?”
“Regarding?” If Angela was going to be cagey, Retta could play the same game.
“Coming back to school. I don’t imagine you’ll be in any shape to teach by the time the semester starts.”
“I see. So, what are your plans?”
“We’ll need to bring in a replacement, but we’ll need your notice first.”
Retta pursed her lips. They wanted her gone but they wanted her to resign?
“Can you get that in the mail for me?”
“Am I being fired?”
“No! It’s just … well, you must have been thinking about retiring for a while now. It seems that your accident will simply speed things along. We haven’t heard anything from you, and time’s ticking away. We need to get things moving on replacing you.”
“I haven’t heard anything from anyone at school. You’re the first person to call me since the accident.” She wanted to feel hurt that not a single person from school had called or even texted, but she didn’t. It was just proof that she’d be crazy to go back there. She was a little angry though that Angela was trying to make out that she should have done more.
“I thought your friends would’ve been in touch.”
From Angela’s tone, the implication was clear – if she had any friends .
Retta looked up when Callie came back outside, carrying a plate of cookies. “I have to go. I’ll be in touch soon.”
“The principal wants to get moving on this.”
“I’m sure he does. I’ll be in touch.” She ended the call.
“What’s wrong? Who was that?” Callie asked with a frown.
“Angela – the assistant principal.”
“And what did she have to say – is this the first time that you’ve heard from them?”
“It is, and she wants my notice.”
Callie grinned. “So, you’re really going to do it? You’re going to leave school and move here?”
Retta thought about it for a few moments, and then she laughed. “I am. I’m going to be okay, aren’t I? And you know what? I was getting all upset and a bit angry about the way they’ve treated me, and I was going to argue that if they want rid of me – and they do – they should fire me, instead of asking me to resign, but …”
“But what?”
She grinned. “There’s no point, is there? I want out. They want me gone. What difference does it make? There’s nothing to be gained by getting all hurt and self-righteous about any of it. So, what if they don’t like me? I don’t like them, either.”
Callie grinned. “I’ve never liked them, you know that. And you don’t need them, Mama. You’re going to have a much better life here.” Her smile faded. “And don’t be mad at me, but … I did a thing.”
Retta narrowed her eyes. “What kind of thing?”
“You have to promise that you won’t be mad at me.”
“I can’t promise you anything until I know what you’re talking about.”
Callie shrugged. “Okay, you can get mad at me if you want, but it won’t change anything – it’s all already set up.”
“What is? Would you just tell me?”
“I set you up a bank account – with some money.”
“We’ve been through this before, Callie. I don’t want your money. I …”
“Mama, stop!” Callie’s tone was so sharp that she did stop.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to yell at you, but I’m done with how things used to be between us. You’re making a change, and I am so happy that you’re going to stay here. But that’s not the only thing that’s going to change. You know I’ve made more money than one person could ever spend. I’ve made more than ten people could spend. I could buy pretty much anything I ever wanted. I kind of understood why you’d never take anything from me. I know it’s not just pride, it's more than that. But Mama, I want to see you happy. I know money can’t buy you happiness, but it makes life a damn sight easier. I want you to relax and enjoy life. I want you not to have to worry about a thing. And if you turn me down again, you’re going to hurt me.”
Callie’s eyes shone with tears. “Even more than you already have over all these years. I want you to have it all. I want you here in my life, and I want to see you relaxed and happy. I want to know that if you take a job – with Travis or anyone else, it’s because you want to do it, not because you need the money. I want to know that if you stay with Travis, it’s because you want to be with him – not because you think you need a place to stay.
“There’s enough money in that account that you can buy your own place if you want to. You can pay yourself a salary every month, and you’ll only be living on the interest. You gave me my life, Mama. I want to see you start living yours.”
Retta closed her eyes but couldn’t stop the tears that leaked out.
“Please?”
She nodded slowly. “Okay, baby girl.”
“Yesss!!!” Callie punched the air. “You have no idea how happy you just made me.”
Retta blew out a sigh and Callie came to crouch beside the wheelchair.
“Please tell me that you’re happy, too?”
She shrugged. “I’m proud of you. And I’m grateful to you.”
“But you’re not happy?”
“I … am.”
“There’s nothing to feel bad about.”
“A parent is supposed to give their child what they need – not the other way around.”
“Only when the child is small. And you did – you gave me everything I needed to believe in myself and go out into the world and live my dream.”
“You did that all by yourself.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong, and I wish you’d believe me. You gave me enough belief in myself that I knew I could do it. Do you know how many girls at school told me I was stupid to even think about it? They told me that becoming a country singer is just a dream, that thousands of people want to do it and only a handful ever make it. Well, you taught me that someone had to be one of that handful; so why not me? You always told me I could do anything. And I believed you. And here we are.”
Retta wiped the tears off her cheeks. “You did it all by yourself, Callie.”
“Yeah, because you taught me that I could. Anyway, we can talk more about all that. For now, I’m going to take the win. Thank you for accepting something I’ve wanted to do for you for a long time.”
“I feel weird about it.”
Callie grinned. “You’ll get used to it. I felt weird about it at first, too, but it’s kinda nice after a while, knowing that you don’t have to worry about anything – not about bills coming in, not about your paycheck coming in, not about what time you have to be at work or who might yell at you.”
Retta sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “That’ll all take a lot of getting used to.”
Callie leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “That’s okay, I’ll help, and I bet Travis will, too.”
She nodded. “I … I’ll be honest, I’ll feel better about him – about seeing where things go between us if I …”
“Not if , Mama. Now – now that you have all the money you need. It puts you in a different position in a relationship. Trav’s not the kind of guy who cares about that stuff, but you do. It factors into how you see yourself.” She grinned. “Maybe you can go into partnership with him – help him run his place. It’s a lot for one person – the restaurant, the cabins, the kind of therapy programs they want to set up.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“And you don’t need to, but this way – as a lady of independent means – you’re in a position to consider the possibilities.”
She smiled at her daughter. “Thank you, baby girl.”
Callie shook her head. “This is my way of thanking you .”