20. Daisy
DAISY
It was almost midnight by the time our taxi pulled up at the ranch. I fell asleep during the journey, but now I was wide awake. As we got out of the car, Anthony grabbed the two bags from the trunk. The gravel was rough, so rolling them on the wheels wasn’t an option.
Mom had been beside herself with joy when I told her I was coming, so at least there was that. I wished she would be more open with me, but things in my family had always been this way.
I glanced at Anthony, who winked at me. Oh, this man. He surprised me more every day. Not in a million years did I expect him to offer to come with me.
The front door to our old farmhouse was open as usual. I smiled as I stepped inside because the place smelled like Mom’s signature apple pie. That gave me courage. If she was baking, it meant things weren’t that bad.
Seeing the place again brought back memories, making me a little homesick. Well, time to get my fill of family now.
“Mom?” I called but didn’t raise my voice too much. Dad might be sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake him up .
Mom immediately peeked her head out of the kitchen, smiling broadly, but then her eyes widened.
Oh my God. I’d never told her about Anthony. She had no idea I’d show up with him or that he and I were anything more than boss and employee.
“Hi, sweetheart!” She hurried to me, kissing my cheek.
Anthony set the bags down. “Hello, I’m Anthony LeBlanc,” he said, and Mom shook his hand.
She looked at me, then back at Anthony. “Your boss?”
“And her boyfriend,” he declared.
My breath caught in my throat, but then my entire body relaxed. I hadn’t even realized I’d been completely strung up the past few hours.
Mom blinked rapidly, looking back and forth between Anthony and me. But to her credit, she just smiled and said, “What wonderful news. I’m Rosalie. Lovely to meet you, Anthony. Why don’t you two come in?”
“How is Dad?” I asked.
“You’ll see him soon enough, sweetheart.”
“He’s not sleeping, then?”
“No. When he heard his girl was coming to visit, he insisted on staying up.”
“Oh no! He should rest.”
“Oh, he’s well rested. He’s done nothing but sleep and grumble since he came home.
He moved into the study downstairs so he could get around more easily with the crutches.
I think his ribs are what’s bothering him most. The Tanner boys brought the bed from the guest room down here for him, and that’s been very helpful. ”
“How thoughtful of them.” The Tanners were employed by my parents to help around the farm.
The three of us moved toward the study.
“He’ll be happy you came with a boyfriend. If I’d known, I would’ve made more pie. ”
“Anthony took care of all the flights and everything,” I told her. “I was so upset, I wasn’t even able to focus.”
Mom had the good sense to look guilty. “I’m sorry, darling. But see, that’s why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to worry.”
I shook my head but didn’t say anything else. We’d talk more later.
The study wasn’t big, but it was large enough to allow a bed next to the desk. My parents had replaced the huge library they’d had when I was a kid with smaller shelves that mostly held paperwork.
Dad was lying down, wearing headphones. The second he saw us, he took them out. He had a cast on his leg, of course, and some sort of sling around his upper body. “My girl, you’re here!”
“Hey, Dad.”
His eyes went comically wide.
“This is her boyfriend, Anthony,” Mom said as Anthony opened his mouth.
“How do you do? Anthony LeBlanc, sir.”
Dad blinked rapidly, clearing his throat. “Hi! What a surprise.”
I felt a tiny bit of satisfaction that I’d surprised my parents. Maybe this would drive home the point that our communication was faulty.
“Dad, are you in pain?” I asked, walking closer to him.
“Oh, nothing I can’t handle. It’s more manageable with the pills they gave me. The worst thing is that I can’t really move around. My ribs hurt too much, and I can’t use the crutches like I want to. Your poor mom is going to break her back helping me get about.”
“How long until the ribs heal?”
“Between six weeks and three months,” Mom replied with a look of concern on her face. Yeah, this was going to put a wrench in the business with Dad laid up so long.
“The X-rays for the leg showed it was broken in two places,” Dad added .
I gasped.
“Are you having surgery?” Anthony inquired. He put a hand on my back. It was a small gesture, but it instantly comforted me.
“They said it’s not necessary because they’re clean breaks, but it might take longer to heal.”
My mind was racing. Six weeks was long enough, but three months? Mom would need help. I was too exhausted to even think about the logistics of it all.
“Why don’t the three of us go have some apple pie?” Mom asked.
Dad grumbled, and she chuckled. “I’ll bring you a slice too.”
I relaxed even more. If they were back to their usual banter, it meant Dad wasn’t feeling horrible.
“You know what the doctor said. I need to be well-fed so my stomach doesn’t suffer from all the pain pills.”
“I’ll bring you your apple pie,” Mom said, rolling her eyes as the three of us moved from the study to the kitchen. It was a typical farmhouse kitchen— big . This was where the main action took place during my childhood. It was old and needed updating, but it was home.
I cast a glance at Anthony. What must he be thinking, considering the luxury he was accustomed to?
“You two sit down. You’ve had a long journey.” Mom brought over two plates with huge slices of apple pie before our rear ends even hit the chairs. “I’ll take a slice to your father and be right back.”
“Sure, Mom. Don’t worry.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, Anthony said, “Your dad looks good.”
“Yeah. Much better than I thought.”
“But logistically, this will be an issue.”
“You’ve read my mind. I just can’t even begin to think about it. ”
Anthony took my hand. “Then don’t. Relax tonight. We’ll think about it together once you feel better.”
A lump caught in my throat. “We’ll think about it.” This man… “How are you so amazing?”
He kissed my hand. “I just want to be here for you.”
“And you introduced yourself as my boyfriend .” I still couldn’t believe he’d said that.
Anthony looked up from our interlaced hands. “That’s what I am, Daisy. And as your boyfriend, I’m going to take care of you.”
“All right.” I beamed. “This feels a little bit surreal.”
“I’ll do my best to show you just how real it is.”
Mom came back with the apple pie. “He fell asleep. I guess I can have it.”
She sat down with us at the table, looking at our interlaced hands. Anthony didn’t let go. Honestly, I didn’t feel like it either. His touch was very reassuring, in more ways than one.
“I want to thank you two for coming,” Mom said. “When all this happened, I couldn’t even get my thoughts straight. Luckily, Annelise was here. She took the reins.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. Mom didn’t deal well with crises. Dad was always the one managing them. As a teenager, I’d stepped in once or twice, too, when things went haywire and Dad wasn’t here. Mom simply panicked in difficult situations.
“Does she know you’re here, dear? She’s coming tomorrow morning to help me with feeding.
The Tanner boys are already doing so much; they can’t take this over too.
Annelise will help me set up the machinery.
It’s all electric with settings and such, as you know, so I need to figure it out for the coming months. ”
Crap, I could already hear the concern in Mom’s voice.
“I didn’t tell her,” I realized. “I’ll text her now so she doesn’t come at the crack of dawn.” I let go of Anthony’s hand to take out my phone and texted her.
Daisy: I just arrived with Anthony. No need for you to come tomorrow morning. I’ll take care of everything .
Annelise replied right away.
Annelise: Girl, way to spring this on me. Anthony’s with you? I might drop by tomorrow anyway, just so you can fill me in and spill the tea .
“Rosalie, anything you need,” Anthony said, “I’m here to help as well. Just say the word and I’ll make it happen.”
Mom’s mouth hung open. If a perfect stranger showed up in my house and said that, I’d be shocked too. To be honest, I was quite surprised. I hadn’t expected any of this from Anthony. I knew he was thoughtful and caring, but this was taking things to a whole new level.
“That’s very considerate of you. How are you liking the apple pie?”
“It’s fantastic,” Anthony exclaimed. “We don’t eat apple pie nearly enough in my family. But once I tell my grandmothers I’ve had the best apple pie here, I’m sure they’ll want the recipe. They’re both chefs, by the way.”
Mom was about to burst with pride. The man had skills. She was going to love him in no time at all. And that was quite all right because he’d already wormed his way into my own heart.
“I’m happy to share the recipe,” Mom said. “All right, since you two finished the pie, do you want to rest?”
“That would be great,” Anthony replied.
“Daisy, I prepped your room. It’s ready. There are enough towels for the two of you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I wanted to cuddle a bit with my sexy man, but I was so bone-tired that I had a hunch I’d fall asleep the second my head hit the pillow.