Chapter 35
Ava
Bill’s expression was impossible to interpret when he stepped into the kitchen. He nodded a greeting to his son. To me, he said, “Sorry we’re so late. They had a puppet show going on at the library tonight.” He set two takeout bags on the counter.
“Well, that’s cool.” Did I sound too chipper?
“Yeah. So cool,” Marley deadpanned, appearing behind them.
Nina wrapped her arms around my leg. “Mama, Mama! They have a big poo!”
I stared at her, trying to dissect that. “A what?”
“There was a life-sized stuffed Pooh Bear in the kids’ section at the library,” Bill explained.
Nina added, “And the boy had a magic cock!”
Marley snickered.
“Rooster,” Bill said. “In the puppet show. The farm boy had a magic cock, or rooster, that gave him gold feathers and crowed when danger was near. Right, Nina?”
“Uh huh. And look!” She held up a gold-colored feather pendant attached to a black cord. “I got a cock fedder!”
Marley lost it. She threw herself against the wall and folded in half, laughing. I choked, trying to keep a straight face.
Eli patted my back. “Breathe, Ava.”
Bill adjusted his glasses. “The script was a little dated. But the antique marionettes they used were in great condition.”
“Yeah,” Marley screeched between hysterics. “We learned old cocks can still crow.”
Bill cut her a warning glance. “Are you done?”
“You’re the one who made me go. I wanted to stay home.” She wiped a tear, her chest still shaking. “But seriously, I’ve never heard that word so many times in one hour.”
Eli’s hand lingered on my back, and an addictive awareness trickled down my spine.
“Sounds like quite a show,” I said. “I’m sorry I missed it.” But not enough to trade the past hour Eli and I had spent in the empty house making up.
“Mama?”
I smiled at Nina. “Yes, Crackerjack?”
“Why your shirt is outside-in?”
“What?” I glanced down and saw that in my rush, I’d slipped my top back on inside-out. “Um …”
Eli’s self-deprecating laugh only made it worse. “Can’t get away with anything.”
I jabbed him with my elbow.
“Oh, my God!” Marley gagged. “Ew. Just, ew.”
He flung a dismissive hand at her. “Don’t you have angry girl music to listen to, or something?”
“Why’s dat ew, Mama?”
“Heeey, Dad,” Eli cut in. “Can I talk to you real quick?”
“Sure. Let me grab a beer. Meet you on the deck?”
I hopped to the counter where Bill had left the takeout. “I can plate the food. Is there enough? Should I prep something to go with it?”
Bill turned to his son. “You staying for dinner?”
It amazed me that his voice held no hope or disappointment, judgments or guilt trips. It was just a question. He truly wanted this to be Eli’s choice. I pressed my lips together, trying not to give away the plan Eli and I had concocted between greedy kisses.
“Was kinda thinking I’d stay for more than that,” he told his dad.
That’s when Bill’s face morphed into the joy of a man who got all he’d ever wished for. “Sure, Ava, if you wouldn’t mind.”
The house was quiet except for Eli’s soft thuds up the garage stairs as he returned to the studio.
Nina had finally settled into bed, and I should’ve followed suit, but uncertainty swirled around me like fog.
This all happened so quickly. It felt too easy.
After years of fighting for everything, I didn’t expect to have it handed to me on a hay bale.
Bill seemed pleased during dinner, but did he consider all the details?
If he agreed to hire me, the posted salary for Bill’s ranch manager position left little room for both rent and preschool tuition.
And Eli would be busy building his youth program.
Maybe even taking some psychology classes and earning a credential.
That meant childcare fell to him alone, for however long this worked.
Forever flashed through my brain, but I had to be practical.
We weren’t in a fairytale. Things happened. People changed their minds.
I snuck out of our bedroom, a three-legged circus act, cringing at every click from my crutches, psyching myself up. Stairs, Ava. You got this. I hadn’t checked, but I was fairly certain my underarms were purple.
However, by some miracle, I found Bill on the couch in the den, staring at the French doors and the darkness beyond.
Relief rushed out in a loud exhale. “Oh, good! You saved me a trip up the stairs.” I eased onto the cushion next to him and propped my leg on the coffee table.
He waited for me to get settled. “Eli told me about your ranch. I’m sorry, kiddo.”
I smiled at the term of endearment. “Thank you.”
He turned to me then, his brow sinking. “I’m worried–I hope you didn’t give it up because I told you I wanted Eli to stay.”
“No! No, you were right. He needed to decide for himself, and not for nostalgia or some romantic whim.” Although I didn’t hate that his feelings for me turned him tongue-tied.
“It was because of my accident. It put things in perspective. I realized I can’t do it all.
And I certainly can’t revive the past.” I shook my head, accepting the weird sinking feeling that rose up my throat instead of down.
The sting as my words fought past it. “Even if I could, I’m a different person now.
It wouldn’t be the same.” I pulled my good knee to my chest. “I feel like I failed my husband. But I think it was the right decision.”
“That’s something I admire about you, Ava. You’re not afraid to make hard choices.”
“Just because they’re hard doesn’t mean they’re the right choices.”
“Right choices, wrong choices,” Bill shrugged. “I think if you commit to it, and you work at it, it all comes out the same in the end.”
“That being said,” I twisted to face him, “I want to make sure you’re okay with me working here.”
“Of course! I would’ve hired you on day one.”
“Really? Because if I remember correctly, you scolded Eli for feeding me breakfast.”
“And then you insisted on mucking in those silly heels.”
“Touché.” I paused. “I know you said you would watch Nina, but if I work here, and if Eli starts his program, I’d need help with her every day, and–”
“Ava.”
“Yes?”
“You are a gift sent from God. You returned my son to me. I will do whatever it takes to keep you here. Plus, I’m pretty fond of peanut in there.”
My chest swelled, forcing up mushy tears.
How much did Eli tell him? The whole grand plan, or just the highlights?
We still had kinks to work out. A credential to earn.
Some financial issues to address. But I had a down payment with nowhere to go.
I wondered whether Bill would consider a partnership? A conversation for the morning, maybe.
“Thank you, Bill.” I bit my lip, shifting to ease the soreness in my hip. “I have one more favor to ask.”
“Shoot.”
“Can I stay here until I have a few pay stubs? For an apartment application? That kind of bit me in the butt at my last place.”
He frowned. “Why would you move?”
“I don’t want to take advantage of your generosity.”
His laugh lit his face and made his glasses shake. “You cook, you clean up after yourself, and I wake up hearing voices and laughter. Feels like I’m getting the better end of the bargain here.”
No arguing with that. I stared down at my cast. “In that case, can I start my official manager position in six to eight weeks?”
I could not wait! Seven days until my cast came off! Honestly, that was eight days too many. Showering had become such a hassle. I probably had a trough worth of sweat down there. And actual trough water.
I reached over the seat to hand Nina a tube of Gerber baby puffs. They cost as much as a retail chain coffee, but they lasted longer than a bag of Cheerios. Call it a world wonder. Her recently liberated arm seemed to have no problem with dexterity, despite the fading rash and skinnier appearance.
Eli cranked up the AC, then leaned over the center console of my new truck to steal a kiss. “Be right back.”
Maybe not steal. That implied an unwilling partner in crime. “Make sure they include the radish and the pickled vegetables.”
“I’ll ask for extra.” He pressed another quick kiss to my lips and left me grinning like a Cheshire cat.
I admired the way his butt filled his jeans as he walked up the sidewalk. He fit the stereotype now, his gait a lazy ramble in his new cowboy boots. I liked the work boots, but he insisted new beginnings needed new footwear. A sentiment I understood. That’s why we opted for takeout.
We had spent the entire day hunting for a truck, with a stop at the ice cream shop thrown in to appease Nina.
My legs ached from all the standing around, which was why I let Eli drive my certified pre-owned electric-blue Ram 1500 off the lot.
He’d gone in for the kill, popping the hood and drilling the salesman, Clint.
Poor Clint. But how refreshing to have someone fighting in my corner!
Another apparent weakness of mine, which meant Eli and I would need some alone time later. After elevating my leg.
I stared at the front of the Mexican takeout place at the end of the strip mall. The same shopping center where we’d met. It turned out this little hole in the wall had the best handmade tortillas in South Phoenix.
The For Lease sign still hung in the bare storefront two doors down.
I guess Chinese food did not woo Mister Robert McClintock into a contract.
Serves him right. I wanted to be the forgive-and-forget kind of person, but with Steven, my feelings swayed toward vengeance.
The passive sort, since he deserved none of my time.
Thankfully, he’d stopped harassing me after his altercation with Eli.
My only regret was that I didn’t get to punch him, too.
The rattle and cascade of baby puffs leaving their container and hitting the floor had me twisting to Nina.
She stared down past her legs. “Oopsies.”
“Nina, baby …” Did they sell these things in bulk?
“It’s okay, Mama. I will still eat them.”
“Off the floor?”
“Eli said they’re still good.”
I blinked at the full sentence with correct verb conjugation. “Did he?” When did that happen? When did my little girl start acting like a big girl? Before the thought could rip a new hole in my recently patched heart, my phone rang.
“Where are you?” I murmured, digging through my purse. I answered an unfamiliar number on the last ring. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Ava Garcia?”
I hesitated at her agitated tone. “This is. Who’s calling?”
“My name is Lindy Watkins.”
Lindy. Where did I know that name?
“I’ve been trying to reach Steven Craig for weeks now. He’s not returning any of my emails.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, I no longer work in his office.”
She went on as if I hadn’t spoken. “You tell that man he had better call me! I’ve invested too much to lose my hotel to a greedy land shark!” Fury shook her words.
Now I remembered. Lindy Watkins, independent hospitality chain. She sought a plot near the airport. “I think he’s understaffed.” Wait. Why was I making excuses for him? And why was she calling me? “Can I ask how you got my number?”
“Someone in your office gave it to me.”
“I don’t work there anymo–”
“This is discrimination!” she went on. “I’m not afraid to walk in with a lawsuit!”
Discrimination? That could cost Steven his license.
“Lindy, I am truly sorry about your hotel.” The driver’s door opened, and the aroma of Mexican delicacies wafted toward me, making my stomach grumble.
Time to wrap up the call. “I think you’re right, go for the lawsuit.
And best of luck.” I hung up and tossed my phone into my purse.
Eli gave me a look as he handed me the white takeout bags. “Lawsuit?”
I placed them on the floor between my feet. “That is Steven’s problem, not mine.” I lifted a Styrofoam lid, a habit I’d developed after many nights without the proper condiments.
“Extra radish,” Eli said.
“Look at you! I might just keep you.”
He grinned. “I hope you do.”
I would never tire of that expression. How one side of his mouth reached higher than the other, how his eyes winked at me from under his baseball cap. “Hey, before you get in, can you help Nina with her puffs?”
He glanced at Nina, then at her dangling feet. “You dropped your baby crack?”
“Baby crack?” I asked, but he was already opening her door and scooping up the pieces.
He dumped them in her lap.
“Tank you!”
“You’re welcome,” he said, ruffling her hair. “But don’t drop them again.”
She would. And we both knew it.
Eli climbed into the driver’s seat of my new Ram and fastened his seatbelt. “Home?”
“Yes,” I beamed. “Let’s go home.”