Grumpy Pilot’s Reluctant Vows (Grumpy Sizzling Sheets #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Ashley

I leaned against the stiff hospital chair, the faint beep of Mom’s heart monitor filling the room.

The smell of antiseptic hung in the air, sharp but familiar after all these visits.

Troy sat next to me, his hand resting on mine, warm and steady.

Mom was propped up in bed, her thin frame swallowed by the pale blue hospital gown, but her eyes lit up when she looked at us.

She’d had a good day, better than most lately, and I wasn’t about to waste it.

“So,” I said, squeezing Troy’s hand, “we’ve got some news.” I glanced at him, and he gave me that easy smile of his, the one that always made my stomach flip a little. “Go on, you tell her.”

Troy chuckled, leaning forward. “Alright, alright. Mrs. McBride, Carol, I asked Ashley to marry me last night. And she said yes.”

Mom’s face broke into a grin, her hands clasping together like she couldn’t contain herself. “Oh, Troy! Ashley! You’re serious?” Her voice was shaky but bright, and she reached out toward me. I slid my chair closer, letting her grab my hand. Her grip was weak, but I could feel the excitement in it.

“Dead serious,” I said, holding up my left hand. The ring caught the fluorescent light, a simple silver band with a tiny diamond, nothing flashy, but it felt perfect. “He popped the question over pizza. Super romantic, right?”

“Pizza’s romantic if you’re there,” Troy shot back, nudging me with his elbow. “Besides, you said yes before I even finished asking.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes. “Because you were rambling about how you’d been carrying the ring around for weeks. I had to save you from yourself.”

Mom giggled, a sound I hadn’t heard in too long. “Well, I think it’s wonderful. Troy, you’re a good man. I’ve always said that.” She patted his arm, and he ducked his head, a little sheepish.

“Thanks, Carol. Means a lot coming from you,” he said, his voice softening.

I watched them, my chest feeling warm. Troy had been around for two years now, and Mom adored him from the start.

He’d sit with her through chemo when I couldn’t, bring her those awful herbal teas she swore helped, even though they smelled like wet grass.

Seeing her happy about us getting engaged made this whole day feel lighter, like maybe things were finally turning a corner.

“So, when’s the big day?” Mom asked, her eyes darting between us. “Don’t keep an old lady waiting too long.”

“Mom, you’re not old,” I said, giving her a look. “You’re barely fifty. And we haven’t set a date yet. Troy’s got that new project at work, and I’m still in the middle of flight attendant training. We’re just engaged for now.”

“Engaged is plenty,” she said, waving a hand. “Gives me something to look forward to. You know, I’ve always wanted to see you in a white dress, Ashley. And Troy in a suit. Oh, you’ll look so handsome.”

Troy grinned, running a hand through his sandy hair. “I clean up okay. But Ashley’s the one who’s gonna steal the show. Always does.”

“Stop it,” I said, swatting his arm. “You’re embarrassing me in front of my own mom.”

“It’s true, though,” Mom chimed in, teaming up with him like always. “You’ve got that spark, honey. Always have. Troy’s lucky to have you.”

“Okay, you’re both ganging up on me now,” I said, but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

I leaned back in my chair, watching them chat about wedding colors.

Mom insisted on something bright, like yellow, while Troy argued for blue because it matched his eyes.

It was sweet, how easily they got along.

I’d always figured that was a sign we were doing something right.

The nurse popped in then, a clipboard tucked under her arm. “Carol, time for your meds,” she said, her tone brisk but kind. She glanced at us. “You two sticking around?”

“Yeah, just a bit longer,” I said, standing to help Mom sit up straighter. The nurse handed her a little cup of pills, and Mom swallowed them with a sip of water, grimacing.

“Ugh, these taste worse every time,” she muttered, setting the cup down. “You’d think they’d make them lemon-flavored or something.”

“Complain to the pharmaceutical people,” Troy said, smirking. “I’ll back you up.”

“Don’t encourage her,” I teased, settling back into my seat. “She’ll start a petition.”

“I just might,” Mom said, winking at me. She looked tired now, the burst of energy fading, but she still had that glow. “You two should go, though. I’ll be fine. Get some dinner or something. Celebrate.”

“We’re not leaving yet,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’ve got nowhere to be. Training’s done for the week, and Troy’s off tonight.”

“Still,” she said, her voice firm despite the rasp. “I want you to enjoy this. Being engaged, it’s special. Don’t waste it sitting here with me.”

Troy leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. “How about a compromise? We stay another ten minutes, then we grab takeout and eat it in the parking lot. That way we’re still close if you need us.”

Mom sighed, but she was smiling. “You’re stubborn, both of you. Fine, ten minutes. Then go eat something nice. No hospital cafeteria junk.”

“Deal,” I said, reaching for her hand again.

Her skin felt papery, but her squeeze was steady.

We sat there, the three of us, talking about nothing huge, just little things, like how Troy’s boss kept hinting at a promotion, or how I’d nearly tripped over my own feet during a mock evacuation drill at training last week.

Mom laughed at that, her head tipping back against the pillow.

“You’ll be a great flight attendant,” she said, her voice softening. “All that energy you’ve got, it’s perfect for it. And you’ve always been good with people.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I said, my throat tightening a little. “I’m trying. It’s a lot, but I like it so far.”

“She’s a natural,” Troy added, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Already bossing me around like I’m a passenger.”

“Someone’s gotta keep you in line,” I shot back, leaning into him. He smelled like that cedar cologne I loved, mixed with a hint of the coffee he’d grabbed on the way here. It was comforting, familiar.

Mom watched us, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “You two are good together,” she said quietly. “Good. Makes me happy to see it.”

I swallowed, not sure what to say to that. Troy stepped in, though, like he always did when I got tongue-tied. “We’re happy too, Carol. And we’re gonna make sure you’re around for the wedding, okay? No skipping out on us.”

She chuckled, but it turned into a small cough. “I’ll do my best,” she said, patting his hand. “Cancer’s a tough negotiator, but I’m tougher.”

“Damn right you are,” I said, grinning at her. “Toughest lady I know.”

The nurse came back then, checking Mom’s chart. “Alright, visiting hours are winding down,” she said, giving us a sympathetic look. “You can come back tomorrow if you want.”

“We will,” I said, standing up. I bent down to kiss Mom’s forehead, her skin cool against my lips. “Rest up, okay? Love you.”

“Love you too, honey,” she said, squeezing my hand one more time. “And you, Troy, take care of my girl.”

“Always,” he said, giving her a little salute. He grabbed his jacket off the chair, and I picked up my purse, slinging it over my shoulder.

We stepped into the hall, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. Troy slipped his hand into mine as we walked toward the elevator. “She’s in good spirits today,” he said, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “Best she’s been in a while. The engagement news really perked her up.”

“Guess we’ve got good timing then,” he said, hitting the elevator button. The doors slid open, and we stepped inside, the quiet hum filling the space between us.

“What do you feel like eating?” I asked as we hit the ground floor. “Mom said no cafeteria food, so we’re stuck with takeout.”

“Chinese?” he suggested, pulling out his phone. “That place by the highway does those spicy noodles you like.”

“Sold,” I said, leaning against him as we walked out into the cool evening air.

The parking lot was half-empty, the sky streaked with orange and pink.

I glanced back at the hospital, the windows glowing against the dusk, and felt a little pang.

But Troy’s arm around me kept it from sinking too deep.

“Let’s eat in the car,” I said, unlocking the doors. “Keep the radio on. Make it a little date.”

“Engaged life’s already fancy,” he teased, climbing into the passenger seat. “Noodles and a car picnic. What’s next?”

“Shut up,” I said, laughing as I started the engine. “You’re the one who proposed over pizza.”

“And you said yes,” he pointed out, grinning. “So who’s the real romantic here?”

I didn’t answer, just turned up the music and let the moment settle. Mom was happy, Troy was mine, and for tonight, that was enough.