Chapter 14 #2
Uncle Howie nodded. “So, I take it you and Malcolm talked things out?”
“We did. We shared our truths, and we each took responsibility for how things ended. I think we’re in a really good place now.”
“Good enough you’ll be stickin’ around a while? See how things go?”
“Yes, I’m sticking around for a while. Seeing as I’ve got a boyfriend, a new job, and a dad to take care of.”
Uncle Howie’s eyes glistened. “Then welcome home, son. Welcome home.”
“The camper’s going to get crowded, huh?”
The unexpected sound of Melissa’s voice at the camper’s open door nearly sent Malcolm out of his still-damp skin.
He’d gotten home from work after six—Thursday’s job re-screening a back porch had taken longer than he’d anticipated—and hopped right into the shower to slough the sweaty, saw-dusty day off his skin.
After slipping into clean jeans and a blue shirt, he was contemplating hitting up the kitchen for leftovers, or just eating a protein bar so he wasn’t late.
Then his sister scared the crap out of him.
“Jesus, Liss, make noise or something,” Malcolm snapped with no force.
Despite a long day, he was in a great mood that had everything to do with his weekend with Iggy.
With them being honest, sharing their burdens, and making the choice to try again.
Or, rather, to try for the first time as mature adults, with an abundance of life and relationship experience under their belts.
Melissa banged her open palm against the side of the camper, effectively making the walls tremble. “Better?”
He rolled his eyes and rummaged for the box of protein bars. “Sure. Come on in. Why’s the camper gonna get crowded?”
“I mean, it might not.” She stepped up inside. “I couldn’t think of a cleverer way to sneak up on you. It’s just all the time you’ve been spending over at the saloon and the Donohue trailer this week. Wasn’t sure if you and Iggy would start spending a little time here. The kids miss you.”
Her lopsided smile also said she missed seeing him at the breakfast and dinner table, and he did miss their old routines. But… “Do you really want me bringing Iggy to the breakfast table?”
Melissa planted her hands on her hips. “Hey! I have never once given a shit you’re gay, and I’ve taught my kids that love has infinite varieties.”
“I know, it’s not that. I’d be asking the same thing no matter who I was dating. Nelo’s only seven. Just not sure how appropriate it is for sleepovers yet.” He wagged his eyebrows. “Unless their mother is starting to entertain the idea of sleepovers.”
“No, I’m not. When I start dating again, I will be very careful about how and when I introduce anyone to the kids. I’ve seen too many single mothers break their kids’ hearts by getting them attached to a guy who either doesn’t stick around, or they decide isn’t actually worthy. I won’t do that.”
“Good.” Malcolm squeezed her elbow. “You’re an amazing mom, and when you’re ready, you’ll be an amazing partner again. How about I try to get up and be here for breakfast tomorrow? Assuming Iggy doesn’t hate my surprise tonight and order me back home in shame.”
“Ooh, what surprise? A romantic date?”
“I hope so. I ran it by Jake, and he didn’t think it was a completely dumb idea, and he actually made sure it was okay with the owner.”
She squinted. “Something up at Snow Creek Ranch?”
“Yep, and that’s all I’m saying. You’ll get a full report tomorrow. Well, partial report, depending on how this actually goes.”
“It’ll be whatever positive experience you want it to be.
You and Iggy haven’t been officially back together for a week yet, but I can see a night-and-day difference in you, Monte.
You had this sadness that was always hanging off you like an old, wet blanket.
Now you smile. All the time. And that blanket’s gone. ”
“It is. I hate to look at Howie getting so sick as a miracle, because that feels selfish.”
“But his illness brought Iggy back into your life, so you guys could forgive each other for not speaking for seventeen years?”
“Exactly.”
“If it helps at all?” Melissa looped her arm around his waist and squeezed.
“I bet Howie looks at his illness a bit like a miracle, too. Iggy avoided this town for years, avoided visiting even, because the ghosts were too loud, the pain too big. But he came back, he faced the ghosts, and he’s conquering his pain.
He reconnected with his uncle and with you.
I think it’s okay to look at those things as a little bit of a miracle. ”
Malcolm’s heart swelled with love and gratitude, and he pulled his big sister into a proper hug. “You’re the best.”
“Tell that to my teenage daughter.”
He laughed out loud, kissed the top of Melissa’s head, and then released her. “She’ll figure it out for herself, when she really needs you for something, and you’re right there, holding her up and loving her, no matter what.”
She met his eyes, and a silent unlike our parents passed between them.
His phone buzzed. He checked the screen.
Iggy:
Done at the saloon. When’s this surprise happening?
Malcom grinned.
Leaving in five to get you.
Iggy sent back a thumbs-up emoji.
“Judging by that goofy smile on your face,” Melissa said, “I’m not going to hold you to making it to breakfast tomorrow. Enjoy your date.”
“I will come around and see the kids, I promise. I do miss them.”
“I know, and they miss you. But they also have to learn to share their Uncle Monte with others. Just like I do.”
“Give everyone a hug for me.”
Malcolm grabbed the cross-body gym bag he’d stashed a few things in, put his cowboy hat on, and then headed for his truck.
Drove the familiar path to the saloon, around behind the building to the private lot.
Iggy was waiting on the patio, and he stood, some sort of floppy straw sun hat in his hands.
He climbed in the passenger side and leaned right over for a hello kiss.
“You’re not going to make me wear a blindfold, are you?” Iggy asked.
“No, this isn’t a kidnapping.” Malcolm’s heart kicked at what he’d said, but Iggy’s smile never wavered.
Maybe he was still taking Iggy’s revelation about the night of that party a little more personally and overthinking the kidnapping joke.
“It’s something we used to talk about doing, but we never had the chance before. ”
“Hitchhiking to Alaska so we can live off the land and far away from anyone we know might be hard, since we both have to work tomorrow.”
“No, I’m saving that for at least a month into this new relationship.” Malcolm winked and put the truck in reverse. “This one’s much more local.”
“Egging Mr. Vicker’s house?”
“You don’t forget anything, do you?”
“Not petty revenge plans, no.”
Malcolm snickered as he drove back through town.
Mr. Vicker had been a sheriff’s deputy when they were in high school, and he’d constantly rousted the local teens from “loitering” at the Dairy Queen and other popular hangouts.
No one under twenty-one liked the guy, but he’d retired years ago.
The idea of egging his house has been fun at sixteen, but not so much as an adult.
“We are not egging anyone. No eggs are involved in tonight’s date.”
“Hmm.” Iggy settled back against the seat, hat on his lap. “No Alaska, no eggs. I am at a complete and utter loss.”
“Good. Relax, the surprise is not in town.”
Iggy messed with the radio while Malcolm drove up the highway.
He stiffened a bit when they turned onto Stonewall Road toward the ranch, but he also didn’t object to their direction.
Iggy didn’t say much of anything during the next twenty or so minutes.
Once they arrived at Snow Creek Ranch and parked, Malcolm led him down to the barn.
Jake was waiting with two saddled horses.
When Malcolm had called Jake to hatch this little romantic plan of his, he’d asked for gentle trail horses, and Jake had obliged.