Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
S omething was brewing in Estelle’s stomach, and it didn’t have anything to do with her family. Ever since listening to Crew’s conversation with his friend down in California, she’d felt off.
The thought that she was simply tired and misinterpreting the whole thing sat heavy in the back of her mind, but it still bothered Estelle.
She swiped her lipstick on and frowned at the mirror. Had Daphne and Crew ever been an item? They seemed awfully close. She called him a White Knight. Was Crew in the habit of running around saving damsels in distress? What did that say about his saving Estelle? Were his feelings real? Or just a product of his need to save people?
“You look beautiful,” her mother said from the door of the bathroom.
Estelle smiled at her mom, trying not to let her simmering thoughts show. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Make sure you put the lipstick in your purse,” Emery said with a light chuckle. “You’ll probably have to reapply after Crew gets a hold of you. ”
“Mom!” Estelle gasped. “We are definitely not having a conversation about this.”
Emery rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Estelle. I was young once.” She smiled wistfully, leaning her head against the doorframe. “Your father was the best kisser.”
“Oh my word.” Estelle shook her head, but she couldn’t unhear the words. She knew her parents were affectionate. She’d grown up with them, after all. But to just stand here and have a conversation about it? Nope. Absolutely not.
Emery laughed. “One day, you’ll be the one teasing your daughter about it.”
Estelle bit back her automatic response. Would she ever reach that point? Despite her feelings for Crew, there were so many complications in the way that Estelle was feeling less than confident that things would work out.
The distance between their lives, the weight that Estelle was carrying, Crew’s life and career in California, and even his friend, Daphne…all of it stood between Estelle and Crew’s happily ever after. And that was assuming that Crew wanted to take it that far, which he hadn’t said. So far, all Estelle knew was that he liked her, found her attractive and liked to help women in distress.
But how long could that really last? If Estelle finally got herself together, would she no longer be appealing to him? Would he move onto the next broken woman?
The doorbell rang, and Estelle jumped.
“Looks like he’s here,” her mother said, stepping away from the door. She gave Estelle a smile. “You look gorgeous. Enjoy yourself tonight.”
Estelle tried to smile back, but the worries in her brain were making it difficult. “Are you sure you’ll be alright? I can stay home and help. I should stay home and help.”
Emery waved her off and began walking away. “Absolutely not. I slept all afternoon. You go and have fun.” She glanced over her shoulder before heading down the stairs. “Be young for once, Estelle. You’ve more than earned it.”
Butterflies erupted in Estelle’s stomach when the doorbell rang again, and she put a hand over it. Her dress suddenly felt too tight, and she began to worry that her hair wasn’t enough. This was only the second time she’d ever been able to truly dress up in Crew’s company, and despite all her concerns, Estelle desperately wanted to make a good impression on the man she was dating.
Grasping the bannister, she slowly began to follow her mother, who headed straight for the door.
“Crew,” Emery said with a wide smile. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Stepping back, Emery let Crew inside, who must have had some type of radar because he hadn’t even answered Estelle’s mother before his eyes caught hers.
Slowly, as if in a trance, Crew walked forward, waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Estelle to finish descending.
“You’re a vision,” he rasped, his eyes locked on hers.
Those dang butterflies turned into thumping jackrabbits. Her hand shook against her belly. “You look pretty good yourself,” she whispered, her eyes glancing over his suit and bright purple tie.
“I pale in comparison to you,” Crew said, holding out his hand. “But I’m not gonna lie. Having the prettiest girl in the room on my arm will definitely give me a boost up.”
Estelle laughed lightly, but reached out and gripped his hand tightly. She needed him to ground her to reality tonight.
Crew helped her down the last steps, then pulled her forward and kissed right next to her mouth. “I’m gonna take that lipstick off,” he whispered against her cheek. “But I’ll let everyone else see it first.”
Heat traveled up her neck, and Estelle refused to look at her mother, who coughed to cover a laugh. Yeah, yeah, her mother had been right, but Estelle wasn’t going to admit it.
“I just thought you should know,” Emery called out airily, “That Estelle is old enough to manage her own curfew.”
Crew snorted softly, and Estelle felt the blood drain from her face. “It’s worse than going to my first Prom,” she muttered, walking around Crew to glare at her mother, but Emery only smiled. “Are you going to take pictures too?” Estelle asked sweetly.
Crew tried to hide a laugh, but Estelle’s mother’s smile only widened. “If you want! I’m not sure where my phone is…”
Estelle rolled her eyes and walked over, kissing her mother’s cheek. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re young,” her mother said, her voice becoming more serious. “Enjoy, Estelle. Let it go for tonight. No work, no duty, nothing but you and the handsome young man behind you.”
Estelle’s bottom lip trembled. “That’s easier said than done.”
Her mother cupped her cheek. “Impossible and hard are two different things, sweetie. Give it a try.”
Estelle nodded and turned to watch Crew come from where he’d waited, giving her a moment. She took his offered hand. “Ready to go set up a cake?”
“I didn’t eat dinner,” he admitted with a shrug. “Cake sounds amazing.”
Estelle laughed as they walked out the door. “Maybe we should get you something a little less sweet first.”
“Not a chance!” He opened her door and ushered her in, waiting while she buckled up. “I want as much space as possible for your cake.” He winked. “I got a small taste at the birthday party, and I can’t wait to have more.”
Estelle waited until he was in his seat. “Well, I hate to disappoint you, but Aspen baked it. I only decorated.”
“Eh,” he shrugged. “Close enough.” He grabbed her hand after they got on the road and brought the back of it to his mouth. “You worked on it. That’s enough for me.”
The anxiety and fears that had been percolating in Estelle’s stomach began to wane. She was worrying for nothing. Crew liked her. There was no way he would go out of his way like this if he didn’t. He didn’t have to stick around. He didn’t have to compliment her. He didn’t have to keep reassuring her every time her faith failed…but he did. He kept doing all those things, and she wanted to give them in return.
If he said Daphne was a friend, then Estelle would believe him. If he said he wanted to help her, then Estelle would believe him. If he said the favorite part of his vacation was spending time with her, then Estelle would stop questioning and choose to believe.
Crew made her feel beautiful, wanted and worthwhile, while her life right now felt dark, heavy and depressing. He was her light, and right now she was determined to hold onto it at all costs.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Estelle’s dark skin and hair shone like a beacon against the dark red dress she was sporting, and if he had to look at those bright red lips any longer, he was going to do something drastic.
Did she have any idea how beautiful she was? Did she know that she was the epitome of femininity and everything women strove to be?
Add her looks to the fact that she worried and cared for the entire town like a mother hen, and it made her completely irresistible.
A nudge at his shoulder had Crew turning, his eyes colliding with Mason’s. “Wassup, Sasquatch?”
Mason huffed and took another bite of cake. “It’s funny,” Mason said in his low, rumbly voice. “You’re living at my house, but I see less of you than when you lived in California.”
Crew glared sideways at his brother. “Really? That’s impressive, since you see me every night. How often did you see me before?”
Mason grunted and stuffed another bite of cake in his mouth. “How are things with Estelle?”
Crew took a deep breath. “I think they’re good.”
Mason’s fork paused. “Think?”
Crew shrugged. “Sometimes I think I’ve fallen further than she has. ”
Mason pursed his lips.
“But I also get the feeling it has more to do with her family situation than me.”
Mason nodded. “I can see that.” He blew out a long breath. “She’s in a hard spot.”
“Agreed.” Crew scratched his chin. “I know I can’t force her, but I also know how I feel. I think this is it for me and I think if we didn’t have this family stuff between us, she’d feel the same.”
“But?”
“But how do I help her know that when she’s watching her father die and her brother isn’t getting better?”
Mason nodded slowly. “I don’t know if you can. It’s probably something she has to figure out on her own.”
“While I agree with you,” Crew said, shuffling his feet, “It’s harder than you think to sit back and do nothing.”
“Then don’t do nothing,” Mason argued.
“What would you suggest, O Wise One?” Crew demanded. “We just agreed that she has to figure it out.”
Mason opened his mouth, then paused, only to open it again, but still not speak. He scrunched up his nose. “You’re right.”
Crew jerked back and put a hand to his chest. “Wait a second…say that again?” He twisted a finger in his ear. “I think I heard you wrong.”
Mason gave Crew a look only an older brother could give. “If we weren’t at a party, I’d say it again for sure. As it is, I don’t want to bore the guests with trivial matters.”
Crew chuckled and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Nice one. I’ll remember it next time.”
“Next time, I’ll just take you to the ground.”
“You wish.”
Mason took his last bite of cake. “It’s a wonder I haven’t actually turned into Sasquatch with as much cake as I eat.”
“I’ve wondered the same thing myself,” Crew offered with a laugh. “You only need like five more pounds. The hair is already there.”
Mason growled, then stilled.
Crew turned to watch what was going on. His eyes widened as Antony was wheeled into the room. It took a few long seconds, but pretty soon the entire group had quieted down and was staring.
The blond girl, Riley, from the kitchen yesterday, was pushing from behind. Her face was flushed, and her eyes flashed with repressed emotion. Crew couldn’t tell if she was angry or simply fierce, but it made him want to take a step back.
“What’s the matter?” Antony drawled, tilting his head to the side. “Never seen a stump before?”
Some gasps went through the crowd, and Crew jumped into action when he saw Estelle marching across the room. He caught her elbow before she could confront her brother and his uncouth statement. “Easy,” Crew breathed, pulling her back into his side.
“Easy?” Estelle hissed, then looked around gaging how much attention she was getting. “He needs to stop.”
“You need to let him work this out,” Crew urged quietly. He forced his fingers to lighten their hold, but the tension in the room was thick. Antony was glaring at the room while almost everyone there was shifting uncomfortably.
Though there were lots of people here that Crew didn’t know, he’d seen many at this party accept him with open arms. He’d seen friendships and relationships that went far deeper than anything he’d ever seen before. Surely…surely…someone would step up and take control here. Estelle couldn’t keep doing this, and Crew prayed that someone would take it from her.
Bright red hair flashed through the crowd, and everyone turned to watch as the bride walked forward with a confident strut. “Antony Harrison,” Brielle said with a smug smile. She folded her arms over her chest. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Antony grunted. “What day?” he shot back.
“Antony,” Riley said quietly in warning .
He ignored her. “The day I was stuck in a wheelchair?”
Brielle shook her head, her new husband that Estelle had introduced as Ryan, came up behind her. “No. The day your arms got even bigger.” She grinned mischievously. “Seems to me you’re bouncing back just fine, just like we knew you would. We haven’t had a good arm wrestling competition in years, Tony. I think it’s about time we remedied that.”
The laughter broke through the tension, and the crowd began to move again, though Crew watched as several people from the core friend group began to gather around the conversation as if to shield it from watching eyes.
“Leave it to Brielle,” Estelle said with a sigh.
Crew could hear Antony shooting things back, but he tuned them out and focused on Estelle. “You can’t baby him,” he whispered, putting his hand around her back instead of holding her arm. “He has to work through his anger.”
“And the best way to do that is to let him insult the very people he needs?” Estelle asked. Her eyes were wide and beginning to fill with tears. “Why would you say that?”
Crew shook his head. “He’s a guy,” he said. “And he feels like he’s lost what made him a man. Isn’t it better that he insults the people who are more likely to forgive him?”
Estelle’s lips pinched and even through the lipstick, Crew could see they had lost all their color. “He’s going to end up alone,” she rasped. “I just wish he would listen to me.”
“His world isn’t yours to protect, sweetheart,” Crew said, gathering her against his chest.
“You’ll get lipstick on your shirt,” Estelle muttered, but she settled against him.
“Nice,” Crew teased. “Every man wants a shirt or two to show off that way.” He chuckled when she whacked him without any real strength. Kissing the top of her head, he relaxed. It was actually a good thing that Antony had come tonight. He wasn’t sure how Riley had managed to get the surly man out of the house, but it was one more thing off Estelle’s plate.
Guilt at how selfish that thought was curled in Crew’s gut, but he couldn’t really make himself feel sorry for it. Estelle had taken on too much, and if Riley was willing to step in, then by all means…Crew would cheer her ‘til the cows came home.
More time with Estelle was simply more time in paradise.