Chapter 4 #2
Again, if I used my brain, I knew she probably understood as much about my career as I did about geology and her work with an oil company. But I learned to be defensive about my interests—about anything I was interested in.
“I can call my brother,” she offered.
We had no chairs and no beds. We’d have to get a room for tonight, and we did this whole marriage thing to get the house. “I don’t want to bother them.”
“My siblings love to help.” She crossed her arms. “They love to be nosy, and they’re going to be curious about us and worried about me. This gives them both.”
When she explained it like that, it wasn’t so bad. My family wouldn’t lend a hand, or they would blame me for needing it. “Okay. If you have someone with trucks available, I could use the help. I’ll pay them.”
She clicked through her phone. “They won’t take your money.”
She sounded so certain. They would truly be happy to help? Huh.
Alder arrived moments later, along with Violet and Evander.
My tension slowly leaked from my muscles.
One trip for each of us and we’d be done.
I kept waiting for snide comments, underhanded compliments, or hell, anything other than the way they all deferred to me about what we moved first and where it went.
We went to work, and at the house, it was the same. Alder and Evander jumped in where some strength was needed, and Violet stuck by Clover’s side. No criticism, and Violet complimented my taste.
Huh.
Now they were inside with Clover, and I was parking my and Clover’s vehicles in the garage.
Once I got Clover’s car inside, Alder was waiting for me.
“Taking off?” I asked.
He nodded, his gaze appraising, just like it had been in Vegas. “Anything else I can help you with before I go?”
“There’s not much else to do but settle in.” Years ago, I gave up all my stuff when I had to move out of the home I had shared with my ex, Hillary, leaving me with just my clothing and laptop. I hadn’t had much to move out of my parents’ place.
From the meager boxes Clover had stacked in the living room, she must’ve pared down for the move too.
Alder nodded, but he didn’t leave. He traced the perimeter of the garage, looking from the concrete floor to the roof. Only the walls shared with the house were finished.
A heaviness emanated off him.
“Something on your mind?” I asked. The defensiveness crept back into my shoulders.
He stopped pacing and pinned me with a direct stare. “I wish Clover would’ve just stayed with us.”
Ah. He didn’t like to see his sister marry a stranger and then live with said stranger.
I understood her need to be independent.
We were both in our thirties. Elijah said she was a few years younger than him, which made her closer to Alder’s age.
Living with successful family members while struggling stung the ego more than one would think.
“She had her reasons, and none of them are related to how much she cares for you and your family.”
“Appreciate that, but it’s that she doesn’t know you.”
Fair. I could give him all the platitudes in the world, but she was his little sister. Normal siblings worried about each other. I tried another route. “I know how to take care of myself. She seems scrappy, but I think I can outrun her if needed.”
The corner of his mouth lifted, and he gave me one nod. “She is scrappy, and she has a lot of family looking out for her.”
A pang hit my chest. “Lucky girl.”
He inspected me as if to judge my tone. I was serious. Not many people had what Clover did. Then he inhaled and looked around. “Daisy and I planned to live together to get the house too.”
Daisy was his wife, and from what I could tell, they’d been married for a few years. “Decided you needed more time to really secure the place?”
He flashed a grin. “It took some convincing on her end. I set out to win her back after being divorced for fifteen years.”
Surprised, I nodded. I didn’t know much of the Dukes’ history. I knew their names after last weekend, and who they were married to. I could probably even recite their kids’ names, but I didn’t know them personally. The Dukes were now in-laws. For three months anyway.
“I’ll quit beating around the bush,” Alder said. “You seem like a better guy than Elijah.”
“You’d be surprised at what a compliment that is.”
He cocked his head like he was taken off guard that I’d admit that much. “I’m worried for Clover. Beyond physical safety.”
“All I can promise is that I’ll try not to add to her stress. This arrangement is supposed to help both of us.”
“I feel like I need to warn you—we’re a big family, and we’re in each other’s business. Is that going to be an issue?”
Alder probably butted out of Clover’s life most other times, but not now.
Not when she was hurting and trying to start fresh.
My respect for him grew. Clover had warned me, but I hadn’t anticipated how much I’d respect them for it.
“Don’t know why it would be. Not for me. It’s Clover you’ll have to deal with.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” he muttered. He strolled out of the garage. “I’m only a phone call away. Give me a ring if you need anything.”
“Thanks for the help today.” I reached into my wallet. “I can pay you for your gas and your time.”
His expression turned incredulous before he barked out a laugh. “We aren’t taking your money. Just make sure Clover’s okay, and we’re square.”
All right.
When he was off, I went inside. The living room was no longer empty. A plush couch and coffee table were flanked by recliners on each side. Why’d I get two? Like we were going to have company, or hang out together? It was like I slipped and planned for a real family.
It was done. I could always sell a chair after I moved out.
Music was coming from the back of the house again.
I admired the simple dining table and chairs in the dining room as I passed.
Clover’s gaze had continued to stray toward those pieces while she steadfastly refused to tell me what to buy.
She said she’d work at the dining room table, and that was another offer that was more like a demand.
I’d take the second bedroom as a home office.
I like the openness of the dining room anyway, and the big window to look out.
I sensed only truth from her claim, so I had purchased a simple desk that was now in the new office. My meager box of supplies sat on the floor next to it.
Clover was making the bed, humming along to the twangy country song. Did she gravitate toward upbeat music, or was she relying on it right now?
My ribs squeezed against my lungs when I eyed the bed. I should’ve thought this through better. Sleeping together? Three months of slumber parties with a woman I didn’t know very well?
She looked up. The rays of the sun through the window made her skin glow and caught the lighter flecks in her amber eyes. “Hey. I think we’re mostly settled. Tomorrow, I’ll run to Bismarck for some smaller things, but otherwise we’re all set.”
“All set,” I parroted.
She stifled a yawn. “I might even turn in early. I can sleep through a tornado, so don’t worry about waking me when you come to bed.”
…come to bed.
My mind played that phrase over and over again. I had sworn off women after I broke up with Hillary, and I wasn’t interested in going against my oath, but that didn’t stop how much I liked hearing the phrase.
“I’ll get the office set up.” All it’d be was to get my computer out, my notes, and the pens I’d packed. I thrust a thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to see if there’s any lawn equipment in the shop. We’ll need at least one cutting before the snow flies.”
She frowned. “They hayed the rest of the acreage last month. It shouldn’t need to be mowed again, but I can always check with the others. With four siblings in town, someone’s going to let us use their mower.”
What an odd thought. She had a network of people who’d help at the drop of a hat. “I can always buy a push mower.”
She waved off the suggestion. “No need. Procuring mowing equipment is the least I can do to repay you for using your furniture for the next three months.” Her smile was tight. “T minus eighty-nine days.”
A few seconds ticked by before I realized she was counting down to the end of us. Something sharp plucked at my chest wall. “I can make a calendar, and we’ll rip off the days.”
She laughed, and goddamn, I liked that sound. “No need. But I won’t blame you if you need one. When Thanksgiving comes, this house will be empty again.”
Did I want that day to arrive sooner or later? The answer should be immediate. She grabbed a blanket off the floor, and that only brought my attention back to the bed. I’d be crawling in with her.
As friends.
Were we even that?
No. We were just husband and wife.
Clover
I dug through my clothing. I had all my shorts-and-nightshirt sets, but they seemed skimpy in the newlywed light being shone on them. “I have to have something else.”
I yanked out a lacy negligee. Crumpling it in my hands, I looked furtively around. Van was still in his office. He’d been shut in there since we talked. I had eaten a sandwich for dinner, but I had no idea what Van had eaten.
Huffing out a breath, I shoved my clothes into a drawer and picked out the least see-through night shorts and shirt. I’d be under the covers when Van came to bed anyway.
A shiver danced down my spine. Van and I were going to be in the same bed tonight. The bedroom wasn’t large, but he’d gotten a king. He was a tall guy, and he likely wanted a mattress big enough to hold him. He probably also wanted maximum distance between us.
Staying in what I wore today, I crept to the bathroom and got ready for bed. I wasn’t going to shower, but I changed my mind at the last minute. I’d go to bed with wet hair, but I’d be fresh for my first night with a new guy. With my husband.