3. Caitlin
CHAPTER THREE
caitlin
PRESENT DAY
Who’s at the door, Jake?” Ellison called from somewhere inside the house.
“It’s Caitlin,” he responded, turning his head over his shoulder before awkwardly stepping aside. “Uh, sorry.”
I took that as my invitation to come in, even though it wasn’t Jake’s house.
Colter rounded the corner, coming into my line of sight. A similar expression to Jake’s flashed across his features when he saw me, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you doing here?”
Even though I tried to suppress a reaction, my body recoiled at Colter’s question.
“Sorry, that was more blunt than I meant it to be.”
Ellison’s entrance wasn’t far behind Colter’s. “You’re not going to actually invite her in?” she scolded my brother before waving a hand toward the living room. “Come sit! Hi, Miss Whitley!”
The four of us migrated to the couch while Whitley made herself at home on the floor, carrying her stuffed cat with her.
Colter spoke up again once we were settled. “So, you never answered my question. I didn’t know you were planning to visit.”
“Funny you say that.” A huff of breath released from my lungs.
“I’m actually not visiting?” I paused as a wave of embarrassment flooded over me, and Colter, Ellison, and Jake all gave me questioning looks.
“Adam canceled my credit cards, so living out of a hotel isn’t financially possible, and it’s not like I have any friends in Washington anymore. ”
Adam won basically all of them in the divorce. The spare few I did have lived in small apartments or had roommates, so they weren’t viable options.
“I’m going to kill that guy,” Colter cursed under his breath. “Have you found a place?”
I shook my head. “I thought we could stay at the ranch, but Mom turned my bedroom into a craft room. But, honestly, that wouldn’t have worked anyway since I have Whitley.
She needs her own space. She said I could sleep on the couch or she could get an air mattress, too, but I don’t want to take up extra space if I don’t have to.
An air mattress would just get in the way and I don’t want her to worry about me if I sleep on her couch.
” I ran my fingers through the ends of my hair, twirling the strands in a nervous habit I’d never been able to kick.
“Have you talked to Clay about staying in Bozeman?” Colter asked.
“They already have a full house of kids. I don’t want to impose.
” While I was sure our older brother wouldn’t have minded—their property was a six-bedroom farmhouse on a sprawling ranch outside of city limits and no doubt cost them a couple million—the idea of essentially inviting myself into their space made me ill, so I never asked.
Ellison pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, her hand resting on her very round, very pregnant stomach. “If the baby wasn’t coming so soon, I’d let you two move in without hesitation.”
I offered her a soft smile, though I wasn’t even going to ask, knowing they were expanding their family and needed the quiet. “I appreciate that. I just don’t know what we’re going to do. I guess I could try—”
“You can stay with me,” Jake blurted.
Our heads snapped toward him, three pairs of eyes I imagined all reflected varying levels of confusion.
A moment of silence hung in the air, and I was sure if he strained his ears enough, Jake could hear the gears turning in my head.
“What?” I stammered, breaking it. “You want me to move in with you?”
“I mean, you can live in the guest house,” he clarified. “It’s basically brand new, and no one has stayed there yet. It has a couple bedrooms, so Whitley will be able to have her own.”
I hesitated, a hum of doubt slipping through my lips. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Jake asked.
“Yeah, why not?” Colter parroted.
I shot my brother a glare, silently pleading for him to take my side, because he was my brother for God’s sake. Unfortunately, I only got a shrug of a shoulder in response.
“It’s really not a problem,” Jake insisted.
“Well, there you have it.” Colter clasped his hands together like that was it. “Problem solved.”
I pursed my lips. “Hold on, what about rent?”
His shoulders lifted in a subtle movement. “We can figure it out, Cait. I’m not too worried about it right now.”
“I—”
“Just accept his offer already, woman!” Colter interrupted with an exasperated laugh.
His fingers raked through his hair as he added, “Seriously, Cait. You need a place to live, somewhere you and Whitley will feel safe. Jake can give you that, even if it’s just for a short time.
You don’t have to stay there forever, but will you please just do it for now? ”
Forcing out a deep breath, I set aside my pride. “Fine. But it’s just temporary, okay?”
Jake nodded, and even though he tried to hide it, I was sure a tiny smile crept onto his face. “You can stay as long or as little as you want.”
The guest house on Jake’s property wasn’t what I expected.
For whatever reason, I thought it would be more…
manly. But I was pleasantly surprised. It had a cozy, homey appearance from the outside.
The house wasn’t large by any means—a small cottage with white siding, black shutters around the windows, and a small front porch—but I could already tell it was going to be perfect for me and Whitley.
“Make yourselves at home. Mi casa es tu casa, er, well, the guest house is at least.” Jake scrubbed his hand through his hair, the blond locks falling messily over his forehead.
“Thank you. I really appreciate this. You have no idea how grateful I am.” I stumbled over my words, but Jake waved me off. “And please let me know about rent. I have money set aside in savings. When I get back on my feet and settled, I’ll pay you back for letting us stay here.”
“Like I said, Cait, it’s not a problem. The house was sitting empty, it deserves to have some life breathed into it.”
Silence fell between us, the only sounds around us being the birds chirping in the trees and Whitley’s squeals of delight as she ran around the lawn.
Clearing his throat, Jake said, “Well, let me know if you need anything. I’m right next door.” He winked at the joke, and a bit of relief settled over me.
This was fine. Everything was fine.
My lips flattened into a thin line, a half-smile, as I offered Jake a curt nod as thanks, then I headed toward the front porch of our new home. I called Whitley over as Jake disappeared into his front door, and her tiny footsteps pounded against the wooden porch as she ran up the stairs.
“Okay, bug, stay with me. Don’t touch anything until Mommy can look around okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.” She nodded, although I was sure she’d probably run off anyway.
“Home sweet home,” I murmured as I inserted a key in the lock and twisted the door handle, pushing it open to reveal a small entryway leading into the living room, complete with a narrow table for keys and a coat rack.
The house was already furnished, and I had to admit, Jake had decent taste.
I knew he’d planned to turn it into an Airbnb or a vacation home for people passing through, so it made some sense that it was a more modern style compared to the rustic, cowboy aesthetic I expected his house to have.
The walls were painted a neutral color—a millennial greige, if you will—and there weren’t many decorations on them.
My thoughts immediately wandered to what the place would look like with a little wallpaper or a bright accent wall, but I shook them away, remembering that this was temporary. It wasn’t my house to change.
I took my time walking through each room with Whit, taking in the surroundings.
A pale, sage-green loveseat and a light-brown coffee table were placed in the living room in front of a small brick fireplace. The window facing the front lawn didn’t have curtains, but there was a rod above it.
The kitchen was small but cozy, much like the rest of the house, with white marble countertops and rustic white cabinets.
The house had two bedrooms, just like Jake had said.
They weren’t too different in size, and neither had a bathroom attached, so I’d have to decide which room to make Whitley’s.
After a bit of deliberation, I decided to put her in the room facing the back of the house.
I, selfishly, wanted a view of the front lawn.
To keep an eye out for visitors, not to catch glimpses of my new neighbor, of course.
After sending off a quick text to my mom telling her we’d found a place, I made a mental checklist of things I’d need to buy: groceries, personal hygiene items, all the basic essentials you didn’t think you’d be missing when you had to pack up your life without notice.
I’d also be applying for a new credit card as soon as I could.
Then I could work part-time once Whitley started school, maybe even sooner if my family was willing to help.
It’d been a while since I’d had a traditional day job, having spent most of my time as a stay-at-home mom, but part of me wanted to go back to work.
I’d have to find something with flexible hours, but there had to be jobs that would accommodate a single mom, right?
I took a deep breath, letting my nerves and anxiety over the whole situation wash away.
This would be a new start for both of us. A clean slate.