Chapter 25
Thario pulled into the drive for Elowen's place and slowed. The guests were outside playing ball, and they looked like they were having a blast. He waved as he drove past, hoping they were prepared for the storm.
He’d checked the weather app on his phone and seen that a huge storm was coming.
When he pulled up at Elowen’s cabin, Knuckles ran around the house, her tail wagging. Frog looked like he was going to open the door all on his own.
“Okay, boy. Hold on.” Thario leaned across the van and popped the door open for him. “Go, have fun with your friend.”
He laughed as he watched Frog run around the yard with Knuckles. They were playing some form of tag or something, jumping around like they were puppies. But he could see Frog slow after only a minute.
It broke his heart that Frog wouldn’t live another ten years. He needed to find a new dog and get them trained. No new dog would be as good as Frog.
He blew out a breath, pushing away the fear of losing Frog, and concentrated on the fun they would have tonight.
The door opened, and Calla stepped out. She was wearing a blue dress and her brown hair was down, cascading over one shoulder. He wondered what it would feel like to run his hands through her hair.
He pushed away the thought and got out of his van, then walked around and grabbed the bottles of wine out of the back.
“Hey, can I help you with those?” Calla asked.
“I’ve got it, but thank you.”
“How is your head?”
He shrugged. "I'm okay. I haven't pushed reading or computer use. I've been trying to just sit and relax and not do too much."
“That’s good. I’ve been doing a lot of gardening. Because of the storm, we went out and harvested everything we could. I’ve never gardened before, and I’m enjoying it.”
“That’s great. I don’t do much. I did have herbs at my place, but those are gone.”
The dogs ran over, Frog slowing as he approached Calla. She dropped to a squat and reached out to Frog. He licked her face, and she laughed as she scratched his head.
“How are you, Frog?” Frog licked her again for an answer.
The door opened, and Elowen stepped out. "Knuckles, get over here."
Frog turned and watched as Knuckles ran to Elowen and sat in front of her.
“Knuckles is a good dog,” Thario said.
“Yes. I like her. At first, I was afraid, but she’s a sweetheart.”
“I hope you’re not afraid of Frog.”
She shook her head. "No. I feel like he has proven he is nice."
“So I guess you didn’t have dogs.”
“Not after the kitten Brent killed.”
“I’m sorry he did that.”
"Yeah, it sucks, but I'm glad it was only one kitten that he killed and not a bunch of different pets. I mean, it was bad enough he killed Daniel."
Thario nodded. “You’re very strong.”
She barked out a laugh. “I don’t know about that.”
"I do. You're very strong. You went through a lot, and you're doing well."
Her head lowered, then she glanced up and pushed her hair behind her ears. "I guess I just don't know how to fall apart."
“I think you’re doing great so far. If you do figure out how to fall apart, I’m sure you’ll be able to put yourself back together even better.”
The wind picked up, and he glanced around. “Huh, I guess the rain is coming.”
“We should probably get inside.”
He walked beside her, wanting to reach out and take her hand. He shouldn't. They needed more time together. Spending time like this with Calla would either show her he was a good person who wanted something with her or she would pull away. If she did, he would accept it.
Calla threw back her head, laughing at Elowen's story about how she'd taught one guy at the construction company she worked for that she wasn't there to fetch coffee.
“I can’t imagine working in construction,” Calla said.
“It was a good job. I enjoy working with my hands.”
“With what I’ve seen, you’re really good at it.”
Griz nodded. “Yeah. She is good. I like watching her work.”
Elowen chuckled. “It was weird at first having him watch me, but he would go fetch things I needed, make sure I had water, and make me food. I really love it.”
Calla was still in shock at how Griz did things for Elowen.
“What’s wrong?” Thario asked.
Calla shook her head. “Nothing.”
His eyebrows shot up, and she knew she had to say something. Talking helped. Keeping it all bottled up wasn’t good for her.
"I spent so much time doing everything for Brent, and I don't know how to pull back. Hearing about a guy doing something for a woman is refreshing."
Thario touched her arm, and she glanced down, liking how warmth spread from where he touched her. When he removed his fingers, she wanted to reach out and grab his hand, holding on to it.
“Being kind to others is something I’ve learned is important in a relationship.”
Griz nodded. "It really is. Like Elowen, I know she's capable of doing stuff, but still, I like making sure her truck has gas, and I take it to change the oil regularly. I know she can do it on her own, but I like taking that task for her."
Elowen nodded. “I appreciate it when you do. I like making lunch for you when you’re here and I’m not in the studio making furniture.”
“I like it when you do, but I also like doing that for you.”
Thario chuckled. “Food that is made for you does taste better. At least, it seems like it does.”
Elowen shook her head. “Except for that one person who can’t cook.”
Griz chuckled. “Yeah, there is always that one person. But sometimes I think that one person is doing it on purpose.”
“Really,” Calla asked.
Griz nodded. "Yeah. Sometimes, guys I know act like they can't even warm a can of beans. I learned how to take a can of beans, add spices and vegetables, and make a meal out of it. I'd make beans, and guys would freak out, asking how come my beans taste so good. It's simple, really."
Thario rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but Griz, you actually are a great cook.”
Calla nodded. "He is. He made fish and a vegetable dish the other day, and it was wonderful."
The wind blew hard, and seconds later, rain fell, slamming into the side of the house. They all turned to watch.
“Wow, that’s impressive,” Calla said.
Elowen nodded. “I love this view when it rains like this.”
Lightning illuminated the sky, and then thunder cracked. Calla jumped, then laughed.
Griz stood. "How about I clean up the dishes, then we can watch the storm for a bit before we start the movie."
Thario stood. “I’ll help.”
“Bro, you sure? Your head still hurt?”
Thario shook his head. “No, I’m okay. I’m more worried about screen time and reading than doing stuff like washing up.”
"Okay, but I'll do the hard stuff."
Elowen stood and held out her hand. “Let’s go sit.”
Calla glanced back at the guys, guilt riding her hard. “I still feel guilty.”
“Don’t. You did all that work in the garden today, and you helped me make the pie and cake. The guys don’t mind doing this.”
It took a lot to relax while the guys cleaned up the dishes. Even before Brent killed their parents, her mother had taken care of everything inside the house. Having help with dishes or cooking was so odd to her.
She liked it, though. It showed her that Griz really cared for Elowen. They had a good relationship. She liked listening to them laugh together at night after she went to bed. She didn't remember her parents enjoying each other so much, but they must have at some point.
Thario came over and sat in the chair next to her. She wished they had some kind of relationship already, because curling up next to him would be the only thing that would make this night better.