Chapter Thirty-seven
It’s after dark by the time I get home. On one hand, I feel guilty having asked Ellie to stay with Maisy all day. On the other, I’m more than a little eager to see her.
I park in the garage, step inside, and flash the lights several times. I’ve learned my lesson more than once about how not to sneak up on the deaf.
Two people come around the corner. Neither of them is Ellie.
My sister and her friend Mia Cruz are both waiting, wide-eyed, to hear the news. I tell them everything.
“That stupid fucker,” Allie says.
“I’ve been saying that myself all afternoon.”
“She’s really gone?” Mia asks. “Like for good?”
“That’s what her dad said.”
“I say good for her,” Allie gruffs. “And I don’t blame her. She doesn’t want to be the laughingstock of Cal Creek. No woman should put up with that shit. He deserves to live the rest of his life as a miserable bachelor.”
“Hey, now. That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”
“You think our brother deserves a pass? You know the definition of crazy, right? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?” Her hands land on her hips. “I hope this sends a message to everyone who might consider dating him in the future. He’s not going to change. And any woman who thinks he will is crazy.”
I get a beer from the refrigerator and sit at the bar in the kitchen. There’s a drawing on the countertop. I recognize it as one of Ellie’s creations. I pick it up and run my finger along the edge.
“She left a few hours ago,” Allie says.
I look up.
She nods at the picture. “Ellie. She left when Mia and I got here. I invited her to stay for a drink but… she didn’t.”
I put the picture down and take a long pull from the bottle.
“You really like her, don’t you?” Allie asks.
I nod, staring into my beer.
“Maisy called her ‘Mom’ earlier.”
My eyes snap to hers. “What?”
“When Mia and I first got here and Ellie went to leave, Maisy signed, Mom, stay.”
I scrub a hand across my prickly jaw. “Jesus, is that why she left?”
“I don’t think so. But it is why she drew the picture.”
I study the drawing again. It shows Maisy and me holding hands inside the house, and Ellie standing outside the house. She was trying to explain that she’s not her mom and this isn’t her house. Christ, it’s the exact opposite of everything swirling around in my head.
Mia laughs. “Well, damn. It looks like one Montana brother may be off the market soon.”
“Honestly, if I had it my way, yeah.” I glance at the drawing again. “It’s obvious she doesn’t feel the same.”
Allie blurts, “What? Because she was trying to explain to your kid that she’s not her mom? It’s true, she’s not. That doesn’t mean she’s not hot for you, Blake. Or that she doesn’t want to be inside the house in the picture. Everyone can see how she looks at you. When the two of you are in a room together, it’s like you’re the only ones there even if you’re surrounded by people. Of all my brothers, I never expected you’d turn out to be the hopeless romantic. The two of you, I can’t even explain it, you just seem to fit. It sort of gives me hope for humanity—especially after what happened today.”
I sip my drink and contemplate her words. You just seem to fit.
“I was thinking of looking for a new house now that we know Maisy will be with me permanently. Do you want to go look at some with me?”
Allie cocks her head. “I think you’re asking the wrong person, Blake.” She kisses my cheek. “We’re taking off. See you at work on Monday.”
Mia signs, “Good night.”
I smile, loving the way everyone in Maisy’s world is making an effort.
After they’re gone and I check on Maisy, to see her sleeping peacefully with Bolt, I go into my office and open my laptop. I search houses for sale. Calloway Creek is a small town. There aren’t a lot of houses on the market at any given time, but there are two or three that might fit the bill. The bill being lots of bedrooms, a big yard, and either a pool or room for one.
Me: Now that I’m a full-time dad, I need a bigger house.
Ellie: THAT’S what you got out of today?
I laugh, because yeah, from her perspective, that did kind of come out of left field.
Ellie: And your house is plenty big, Blake.
Me: I want her to grow up with everything I had. Big yard. Lots of room to run. Maybe a pool. Will you go house hunting with me?
Ellie: I don’t know Calloway Creek nearly as well as you do. Maybe you should take Lucas.
Me: Lucas has been swimming in a bottle of whiskey since three o’clock. I doubt he’ll be any good to anyone for a while. He’s pretty torn up.
Ellie: Why didn’t he marry her then?
Me: IDK. I guess some guys just have an issue with commitment.
I re-read the text, the irony not being lost on me. I was one of those guys with commitment issues. Until now.
Ellie: What about Allie, or your mom? I’m sure they’d be much better at picking a new place.
Me: I’m sure they’d be happy to do it. But they aren’t nearly as pretty as you.
The delay in a response clues me in on her hesitation.
Me: Come on. I’ll throw in dinner after.
Ellie: You’re bribing me? I don’t need a man to pay for dinner, Blake.
Me: Fine, then I’ll throw in ME, all six-foot-two of naked me.
I hold my breath waiting for a response. Is she thinking about what Maisy called her earlier? Is she thinking I’ll toss her aside as easily as Lucas did Lissa? I suppose propositioning her with sex was the wrong move. I should grow a pair and tell her how I feel. Not over a text, however.
I walk into the dining room and peruse the drawings on the table. So many of them have Ellie in them. She already feels like family. She’s a part of this. She’s a part of me. But if I put it out there and tell her how I feel and she doesn’t feel the same way, I’ll ruin everything.
Ellie: Well when you put it that way, how can a girl refuse?
My knees almost buckle with relief.
You’re in as deep as an elephant in quicksand, Dax would say. And he’d be right. I’m totally fucking deep. Way over my head deep. I shred the drawing of Ellie outside the house and toss it in the trash.