31. Knows Me So Well
KNOWS ME SO WELL
“ T his is a nice spot,” Abe said when he pulled into Aster’s driveway a week later. There was a small house with a massive barn next to it. He could see the water past the house.
“It’s Zane’s house. He uses the barn for storage still, but normally just rents the house out. One of the women who works at Blossoms, Heather, her husband, Luke, lived here for a year too. He served with Zane just like Aster did. So they’ve both lived here.”
“That’s nice. Good rental income. I need to start thinking like that about things. I’ve got a good business and feel secure, but I know anything can happen in life and the world. I should have more than one source of income.”
“Do you want to be a landlord?” she asked.
He shrugged. “My father talked about trying to buy some multi-family homes and renting them out. But then he died. I should have continued with that thought but...you know, life took over.”
Then here they were years later and the housing market was much higher and he probably lost his chance.
“It happens,” she said. “It’s never too late to do things if you want.
I’d think you wouldn’t have time to be a landlord.
I don’t picture you as the type to want to be running around fixing things, but you wouldn’t want to pay someone to do it if you could.
That is Aster. Kind of me too though I can’t fix all that much. ”
He looked at his girlfriend in the truck. “I’m pretty sure you could fix anything you wanted to.”
“I’m not sure about that, but I sure the heck would give it a try. Just like I’m going to try not to kill the plants I’ve got now. You’ll see a lot in this house. Aster loves flowers and plants.”
“Something we’ve got in common. Does he maintain these or does Zane have someone doing it?”
He was looking around the property at everything in bloom.
“He does it for now,” she said. “Well, he was. Not much to do now and he can’t or isn’t supposed to be doing much with his arm. He’s going back to work on Monday and Raine isn’t happy, but I understand it too.”
“Can’t sit still any more than you, can he?” he asked, patting her leg.
They got out of his truck. “No. He can’t. He said he won’t do anything to hurt himself. I believe it. There will be way too many people watching him and making sure of it. He’s better off going in even if it’s just walking about the building or sitting at a desk.”
“I couldn’t sit around either. The winter is rough for me.”
He was always the first one to volunteer to go out and plow when his father was alive. He just needed to do something.
Now he had guys to do it, but he still did a lot himself.
It was his business and it was smart of him to do it and not keep someone else on the payroll for no reason.
“I’m not used to it,” she said. “I don’t know how I’ll be. I mean I’ll be working, but Holly won’t be going outside as much. I can bundle her up some but not bring Tatum out so it’s going to be an interesting winter. I’ve been looking into activities to have in the house.”
“I’m sure you know or can think of a lot of things,” he said.
“I can,” she said. “Reese has told me if there is anything he can make he’ll do it. Like obstacle courses.”
“In the house?” Abe asked when they walked around back. “I want to be their kid. Do you think they will adopt me?”
“Aster said the same thing when Poppy was telling him. Hi, Abe,” Raine said, moving forward with her hand out. “I’m not sure if you remember me.”
“I kind of do,” he said. “You were just a young thing back then.”
“She still is,” Aster said, standing up.
Yep, the guy was big but not as big as Abe. It was more the intimidating stance and look coming his way that Aster had perfected.
He knew Daphne’s brother had been in the service and not only knew how to kill someone multiple ways but to hide a body where no one would find it.
Sounded like if he needed help, he’d be calling up Zane and Luke too.
Shit, he’d rather not think like that.
“Nice to meet you,” Abe said. “I heard a lot about you. I’m glad that Daphne had you in her life.”
Aster’s shoulders dropped and he looked at his sister. “You told him to say that, didn’t you?”
“No, I didn’t,” she said. “He just knows me so well.”
“What?” Abe asked, looking between the siblings.
“It’s the one thing that would relax him,” Raine said. “Aster is crazy protective of Daphne.”
“I’m glad for that,” he said. “I really am. If I had a younger sister I’d be the same way.”
“I felt bad leaving her,” Aster said. “But I couldn’t stay. Stupid youth back then.”
“Stop,” Daphne said. “You did what you had to do and I did too. For better or worse we are both doing great on several levels now. Mom and Dad are just who they are.”
Aster snorted. “Yep. They will never change.”
“I hear your mother is in town,” Raine said. “My mother knew her.”
“She’s here for another week,” he said. “And staying at my house. Now I know why she wanted to kick me out when I stayed with her for almost two months. She said I was driving her insane and moving things around. She’s doing the same to me.”
Daphne laughed. “You didn’t tell me that,” she said.
“It’s not like I’m going to tell her no. It was her house first. It might be mine now, but I’ll always think of it as hers.”
At least his mother liked the changes that had been done outside.
The new walkway, the fire pit in the back, the plants and flowers he and Easton had done in the spring. Or more that Easton had done.
“Which I find sweet,” Daphne said. “Aster, I made you a chocolate peanut butter pie. It’s all Raine would let me do.”
“She’s not letting me do anything either,” Aster said. “I can’t wait to go back to work.”
Abe smiled over the grouchy tone. “We were just talking about this. I said I couldn’t sit still. I’d be going nuts. When it’s slower in the winter, it’s hard for me to find things to do. I mean, I’ve got lots of things in the office, but who the hell wants to sit at a desk?”
“I don’t think any of us are the desk-sitting type,” Daphne said.
“I heard you got your dress for the wedding,” Raine said.
“I did order it last week. I had three styles and colors picked in case what I wanted Emma or Ivy picked, but they hadn’t so I got my first choice. Do you want to see it?”
“Sure,” Raine said.
“I didn’t text you or send it because I wasn’t sure.”
“It’s your choice, but I want you to have what you want.”
“Do you want a beer?” Aster asked him. “Not to be a jerk, but I’m not into dress talking and you and I can take a walk down by the water.”
Raine laughed. “You’re not fooling anyone by being grouchy like that, Aster. I’ll get you both a beer.”
“Raine,” Aster said. “I can get a beer.”
“But your arm is in a sling so how are you going to carry two?”
“My hand works just fine,” Aster argued and rolled his eyes. “I feel like I’m ten.”
“You didn’t get spoiled like this when you were ten,” Daphne said. “When we were hurt or sick we were still fending for ourselves half the time.”
“Tell me about it,” Aster said.
“I’ll get the beer,” Abe said. “Just show me where it is.”
“There are a bunch in the fridge,” Raine said. “Help yourself. Aster will drink anything. Glasses are on the counter. I put them there so Aster didn’t reach up to get them.”
He held his smirk in place.
It was funny in a way how well Raine was taking care of her fiancé and just reminded him that Daphne was the same way.
She was always doing things more out of love and caring than anything else.
Cooking for him. Offering to do his laundry but not taking care of him.
He realized that she wasn’t going to be someone that did that, but rather someone that helped.
A partner, and he knew right away that was what he’d been waiting for his whole life.
He walked into the house, found the beers, poured them, and brought them out.
He’d never had the talk from a father, let alone a brother, before, and was about to get it now.
He handed the beer over and the two of them walked down by the water.
“I love your sister,” he said first.
Aster turned. “That took the wind out of my sails. Are you fucking kidding me? I’m not getting to have any fun today.”
“Sweet,” he said, grinning. “I hadn’t said it for that to happen. Just wanted you to know. But say what you’re going to anyway. You’ll feel better knowing you said it even though I’ll never do anything to hurt her.”
“Jesus,” Aster said. “You’re ruining this for me. I’ve been waiting years to give a guy dating my sister a hard time.”
The smirk on Aster’s face said he was joking and relaxing. That maybe he’d just been putting on a front. He hoped.
“You can still do it,” he said. “Or we can say you did and she can give you a hard time on principle for doing it because I know she’s going to be annoyed with you over it.” He turned to see Daphne watching the two of them and he lifted his hand by his chest and wiggled his fingers in a wave.
Daphne shook her head after she threw her hands in the air and laughed.
“She has your number,” Aster said.
“She does. I think we have a good thing. I don’t think she’s laughed enough in her life. I don’t mean to be an ass or a wuss. Just saying. But she seems to laugh a lot now. I tend to have that effect on people.”
“I’ve heard,” Aster said.
“That I don’t take things seriously?” he asked, frowning. “I can assure you I take the right things seriously.”
“I believe that,” Aster said. “Laurel has said nothing but wonderful things about you. Poppy too. Daphne just needs someone that will be there for her. In her corner. She doesn’t ask for much.”
“She asks for nothing,” he said. “It’s almost annoying.”
“Very much,” Aster said. “And here they come.”
“Don’t you trust your brother not to toss me in the water?” he asked when Daphne came up and put her arm around his waist.
“I can toss you in the water myself if I think you need it,” she said. “Remember that, Aster.”
“You’re not likely to let me forget,” Aster said.
“See why I love her,” Abe said.
Daphne’s mouth opened. “You told him that?”
He wasn’t going to be hurt. Instead he covered it up with a laugh. “Was it supposed to be a secret? You should have said something.”
“It’s not a secret,” she said. “I’m surprised you said it, but then I remembered how much you like to talk so I guess it’s not surprising either.”
“I’ve heard that too,” Aster said. “From Laurel.”
“Did she tell you what size I wear too?” he asked. “I didn’t realize she talked so much about me.”
“Nah,” Aster said. “She doesn’t say much. I think she wanted to make sure I knew you were a decent guy and Daphne was in good hands.”
“I’m in great hands,” she said. She picked his free hand up and threaded their fingers together. “And can we stop all the protective macho man bull crap?”
“Only if we don’t talk about dresses and the wedding,” Aster said. “I told Raine she can have whatever she wants as long as I don’t have to pick between color swatches or cake flavors.”
“I’m sticking to it,” Raine said. “He might not want to hear it, but he’s sounding like Brooks.”
“Don’t insult me,” Aster said. “I’m not that grouchy.”
“You’re not grouchy at all,” Raine said. “Just frustrated over having that sling on your arm and worrying about me and your sister. Nothing is going to happen to us if you can’t use one arm. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll step in and take care of anything you need,” Abe said. “No worries. Daphne knows how to reach me. I know you’re good at fixing things and like your plants and flowers, but I think I might have an upper hand, no pun intended, on you in some areas.”
Aster finally laughed.