Chapter 15
Em
Having spent so much time out of the office while looking after Dad, I volunteered to cover Thanksgiving so everyone else in the office could spend the time with their families.
At the time, our marriage hadn’t been registered, Jude hadn’t sent me that first text to break the ice, let alone turned up on my doorstep unannounced, and I didn’t know about the Call.
It was well before I started dating my husband and before I realized he was my person and someone I wanted to see every chance I could.
Jude said he totally understood why I’d put my hand up and thought it was nice of me to give everyone else a day with their families. Knowing I'd be seeing him this weekend certainly softened the blow.
He’s so easy going though. It reminds me a lot of EJ and BJ. They’re also the type of people to take life as it comes. They don’t stress about the small stuff and are always looking toward the future. That’s something I’ve noticed about my husband too.
Then there’s also the way he’s always checking in with me, whether he’s here with me or back home.
He also has made it a habit of sending me photos of the ranch and my brothers whenever he goes over there.
My favorite was yesterday when he took one of Rodney, the mini pony, perched up on his hind legs with the front ones resting on the porch rail.
The funniest thing was the glare he sent the camera.
The other thing I’ve done is started reading the latest Aster Hollingsworth books, looking for any hints as to what might happen with the Call, Jude, me, and our families.
Unfortunately, there’s never been an instance of two rival families being joined by marriage and uniting a mountain.
There’s only been a rival to the mountain situation back with Rhys’s sister, Marta, and her now husband Van.
I guess when it comes to the Call, we’re all running blind.
The problem is, I don’t think I’m ready to return to Timber Falls just yet, and I don’t know when that might be either. The idea of stepping into my childhood home knowing neither of my parents are there now makes my heart hurt.
Until I can accept that he’s gone and that the land now belongs to me and my siblings, I can’t imagine ever feeling at peace on the mountain. Then again, I also have that whenever I’m with Jude.
“My girl brought this family together and it’s her that will unite the mountain again,” Dad had said. Well, it’s pretty hard to do that when I can’t bring myself to step foot on the mountain I’m supposed to be bringing back together.
Now that Thanksgiving has arrived, all I do while sitting in my empty office building, manning phones, scanning reports, cleaning up data, and refining seismic models, is think about home.
I wonder what Jude and his family are up to and whether my brothers are doing OK? Do they even know how to roast a turkey since that was always Dad’s job.
Checking the time, I see it’s nine in the morning, more than acceptable for an early text to the Wilson siblings group chat.
Em: Happy Thanksgiving! Who’s cooking today?
EJ: Not me! I volunteered to do the most important job of all—chief taste tester.
BJ: You mean you want to enjoy the spoils without doing any of the work. Or maybe you’re taking one for the team and risking food poisoning so the others don’t have to?
Asher: See what Dare and I have to deal with? This is why we need you here, Em. You’re the only one who can control the evil twins.
BJ: Who are you calling evil?
EJ: He means us, Beej.
BJ: I know THAT. I’m saying we’re not evil. We do miss you though, Em.
My heart swells.
Dare: At least we know you’re manning the fort in case there’s an earthquake or something.
Em: There has actually been a few today already, just not here. There was one in Greece and a good sized one off the coast of New Zealand. And hot off the press, there was just a little one near Atka at a depth of 75 miles and 3.2 on the Richter scale.
EJ: Nerd.
BJ: Geek.
I roll my eyes. EJ and BJ are nothing but consistent.
Asher: OUR nerdy, geeky sister is smart. She’s keeping us all safe instead of subjecting herself to Dare’s first attempt at cooking a Turkey.
Dare: Hey. I’m trying here.
Asher: TRYING being the operative word.
Em: Word of advice, check Mom’s recipe folder in the cabinet above the refrigerator. Dad used it every year. I bet there’s a recipe or two in there that might help you out.
It takes a few minutes for the next text to come through, but when it does, I feel like I’ve at least helped with something today.
Dare: You’re a lifesaver, Em. I’ll keep you updated.
Asher: Don’t worry, if all else fails, I’ve got a backup dinner order ready to go with Mac at the Icebox diner.
Dare: Hey! Where’s the faith?
Asher: I have faith, I’m just looking out for the family in case things go wrong.
That makes me laugh, but as soon as my smile appears I’m hit with an overwhelming sense of sadness. This isn’t just about me because my brothers are spending their first holiday without Dad too. Why did I think I’d be better staying away? Why can’t I just go back home?
I drop my phone onto my desk and push my chair back, covering my face with my hands.
My phone buzzes again, but instead of one of my brothers, it’s Jude’s name I see on the screen. Quickly wiping my eyes, I suck in some deep breaths to compose myself before clearing my throat and answering.
“Hey, hubby.”
“Hey yourself,” he replies. “You OK?” This time his voice is gentle.
“Yeah…” I say before shaking my head to myself. “No…”
He sighs. “I didn’t think you were. I could feel it. My chest was achin’ and it was like there was this weight on my shoulders I couldn’t explain.” I’m never going to get away with anything ever again, am I?
“I was just havin’ a moment. I’m better now that I’m talkin’ to you,” I reply.
“As happy as I am hearin’ that, doesn’t make me not wish I could be with you right now.”
“In the interest of honesty, I wish I was with you too,” I say, leaning back in my chair and getting comfortable. “Saturday’s not that far away. I’ll just count down the hours until you get here.”
Jude falls quiet, the background silent too. I’d expect the ranch house to be a hive of activity. Then again, maybe he just went to his room to call me.
“Where are you? It sounds so calm there.”
“If I could teleport, I’d be standing in front of you right now.”
“Jude, that’s…”
“Nuts? Yeah, I know. Case and Sutt have told me that already,” he says with a laugh.
“I was goin’ to say it’s sweet. Though, if they think that’s crazy, then that means I am too, because I’d be so damn happy if you just appeared out of nowhere.”
He chuckles. “Must mean we’re made for each other.”
“Must be,” I reply. “Anyway, enough about my pity party. Tell me what’s happenin’ over there.
Who’s in charge of cookin’? Who’s in charge of eatin’?
Because I was just talkin’ to my brothers and it’s a hot mess over there, but they’re given’ it a good go.
I helped a little bit, I think, by tellin’ them where Mom’s old recipe folder is.
It’s full of all her favorites—and ours—and I know Dad used it too.
” When Jude doesn’t answer, I realize I’ve just been blathering away without letting him get a word in edgewise. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“Em?”
“Yeah?”
“You can rant, ramble, and talk my ear off about anythin’ whenever you want, OK? I love that you feel safe enough to just tell me whatever’s on your mind.”
“I—really?” He chuckles and the sound of it makes me smile.
“I can’t wait to see you,” I whisper, my heart swelling until it feels far too big for my chest.
“I can’t wait either.”
“Can I ask you somethin’?” I say, feeling emboldened.
“You should know by now that you can ask me anythin’.”
“We haven’t talked about it, but I think… I mean… would you like to stay with me this weekend instead of at the B&B?”
“Em. I know I should try to play it cool but screw it. I’d love to stay with you this weekend. There ain’t nothin’ in the world that could keep me away.”
“Hmm,” I hum. “I’m not sure you sound enthusiastic enough, hubby.”
“It’s too late wifey. There ain’t no takebacks when it comes to you and me. I’ll ring and cancel my bookin’ right now.”
“OK. Thank you.”
“What’re you thankin’ me for? You’ve just turned this Thanksgivin’ upside down. I couldn’t stop thinkin’ about you before this, now there’s no hope for me gettin’ anythin’ done. Right now I wish I could just take you in my arms and kiss you breathless.”
That has my stomach flipping and my body turning warm all over. “Two more days,” I whisper after we’ve ended our phone call.
Then all will be right in my world again.
Lucky for me, Jude obviously had a better idea. Something I discover the moment I turn into my street and spot Jude’s truck parked in my driveway.
Suddenly my morose mood all but disappears and it takes everything I have not to jump out while the engine is still running.
Because as much as I wanted to see Jude, I would never have asked him to give up time with his family. Yet here he is, doing that exact thing.
You never have to walk or feel alone again if you choose not to.
The minute he opens the door for me, I’m met with his gorgeous smile. When he says ‘surprise’, I launch myself at him.
And just like that, all is right again in my world.