Chapter 8 Pick Our Family
PICK OUR FAMILY
At eight, the two of them were sitting on the couch watching Die Hard.
Rowan had seen the movie countless times and was ecstatic by her suggestion.
He thought maybe she did it for him, but she got into it just as much, talking about what was going to happen next and why she loved it so much.
A buzzing went off and he wasn’t sure if it was her phone or his. Or maybe it was her blood sugar, though she seemed like she had everything under control.
She pulled her phone off the table in front of them. “It’s my grandmother.”
“Answer it,” he said. “Does she know you’re here?”
“I texted her earlier, but told her to call me when she had a chance.”
He picked up the remote and paused it. “I’m going to get a beer.”
He walked to the kitchen and heard her answer. “Hi, Grandma.”
It’d been a long day and he was hungry again. He was trying to remember the things that Damon ate as snacks.
He pulled his phone out and did a quick search of low carb food, and saw cheese was on the top of the list along with meats and vegetables.
He didn’t have vegetables other than in the freezer, but there were a few bricks of cheese he’d picked up, so he sliced them to put on a plate, added a handful of the pre-cut pepperoni out of the bag, then found a box of crackers.
When he returned to the living room, Saylor’s voice was lower. “I’m staying with a friend of a friend.” She looked at him and put her finger to her lips. “No, it’s fine. I put a pin of where I am so you know. But it’s all good.”
He smiled and winked at her when he set the plate down. She reached forward for a slice of cheese and took a nibble on it.
“I’m not sure when I can get a flight home.
The last I checked, it looked as if this ice storm was going to last throughout the night, then turn to snow.
We are in the mountains so getting down could be hard.
” He heard a voice on the other end, but then Saylor said, “I’m good.
They’ve got a generator here and we’ve got plenty of food and my supplies.
Really, Grandma. It’s all great. A beautiful view on top of it. ”
She looked at him when she said it. He laughed and pointed to himself, she rolled her eyes with a grin, then looked away.
“I’ll call you in the morning, Grandma. I promise.”
She hung up after that. “Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to make you laugh.”
“It’s fine. You’re pretty cocky, aren’t you?”
“Runs in my genes,” he said. “I’m sure your grandmother would worry if you told her you were staying with a stranger in the mountains.”
“Duh,” she said, laughing. “I hate how much she’s worried about me over the years. I’m glad that she doesn’t do it so much now.”
“Don’t kid yourself. My mother says that it’s her job to never stop worrying. I think I’m at the top of her list because I’m the furthest away and alone. Everyone else has siblings close by.”
“But you like it this way.”
“I do. I’ve got close friends. One that is like a brother my mother has met several times and even can reach if she needs to.”
“I don’t have any close friends like that.”
He could tell, but didn’t want to ask, that Sandy and Saylor might not have the best relationship.
“We can’t always pick our family, but I’ll admit I got pretty lucky with mine.”
“Do you ever feel as if people only want to get close to you for your family?”
She tucked her feet under her thighs, but reached for another piece of cheese and a slice of pepperoni. He was glad he thought to put it together.
“All the time. I feel as if I’m a pro at sussing it out.”
“I don’t care so much about your family. Not to be mean. I think I don’t want to be judged by mine, and it’s nothing like yours. So I don’t do that to other people.”
“Thanks for that. I bet in your eyes, when you’re working, everyone you come across is a clean slate.”
“That’s it exactly,” she said, pointing her piece of cheese at him. “I’m glad you see that. But you seem to see a lot of me that others don’t. Weird, don’t you think?”
“Not so weird,” he mumbled. His phone buzzed. He saw it was his mother calling and knew if he didn’t answer, she’d keep calling. He reached for it. “Hey, Mom.”
“I saw on the news it’s terrible there.”
“It is. I should send a picture of how much ice is building outside.”
“Well, I know you’re safe, sound, and probably very comfortable in West’s house.”
He looked at Saylor who was looking at her phone. “I am that.”
Saylor put her phone down and stood up, walking out of the room toward the bathroom.
“Wish you weren’t alone tonight.”
He heard the sadness in his mother’s voice at the same time he could hear the noise in the background.
It was after ten on the East Coast.
He would bet West and Abby were at the ranch house with the baby. Foster and Elias were gone to Elias’s house where Foster always stayed.
Braylon and Laken were staying at the house for sure. Talia lived with Jace a few miles from his mom. Rowan and Nelson were going to stay at a hotel, so he was guessing Nelson was still doing that.
“I’m not,” he said.
“Who is there with you?”
He got up and went to his bedroom. “People found themselves stranded at the airport. I helped a woman out. She’s really nice. A nurse. So if I get hurt up here, I’m in great hands.”
“You know, Rowan, I thought you were serious until the last few words. You’re always joking.”
So much for being honest. “That’s me,” he said, laughing. “Just wanted to make you smile. I’ll be fine. The fire is going. I’ve got Die Hard on and a plate of snacks in front of me.”
“Sounds like the perfect holiday for you. But it’s the first you’re not home for Christmas.”
“I know,” he said, his voice dropping some. “But I’ve been home a lot this year. You just saw me last month.”
“I did. I worried you’d find some excuse not to come home. You can’t control the weather though.”
“I can’t,” he said. And if he could have come up with an excuse to miss another big family gathering, he might have.
He returned to the living room. Saylor was in the kitchen. He sat on the couch and she came out with a bottle of water, held it up for him and he shook his head, then pointed to the beer.
She laughed and grabbed him another.
She’d had one glass of wine while they decorated the tree, but nothing more.
“Are you going to come once things clear up?” his mother asked.
“Flights could take a few days to catch up. By then, I would have been back here and everyone else is going to be gone.”
Saylor opened the beer and poured it into the glass for him. He mouthed ‘thanks’ to her.
“True,” his mother said.
“Don’t get upset. I’ll call tomorrow, I promise.”
“A video call,” his mother said.
“A video call. You’ll see me in April for the wedding. Then once the babies are born in May.”
“I know, I know. I’ve got to go. Nelson is getting ready to leave.”
“You need to give him a kiss even though he’ll be back in the morning.”
“That’s right,” his mother said. “Love you, Rowan. Wish you were here.”
“Love you too.” Saylor got this sappy look on her face. Great. So much for the manly feeling he had earlier.
“I noticed you didn’t return the statement of wishing you were here.”
“You don’t miss a trick and never did,” he said, laughing.
His mother hung up after that.
“That was sweet,” Saylor said.
“What was?”
“Telling your mother you loved her. At least I hope it was your mother. I guess I should know if you’re single, but I’m sure you are since you were traveling alone.”
“I am. I’m assuming the same with you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I noticed you talked to your grandmother. Will you call your parents tomorrow or weren’t you going to see them when you were home?”
“I’ll call tomorrow,” she said. “I would have seen them for the day. They live in the same town as my grandmother.”
“But you stay with your grandmother.”
“I do now. There is no place for me to stay at my parents’ house even if I wanted to.
My sister is back home for the moment. Her two oldest are in my old room and the baby, who is one, is in a crib with her in her room.
She’ll be there until she finds another guy who will let her move in with all three kids. ”
“You said different fathers. Do any of them see the kids?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I stay out of it. I’m sure they do at some point. She gets support, but she’s got a history of hooking up with losers, so your guess is as good as mine. Sandy doesn’t care if I come home or not, only that I buy things for her kids.”
“You didn’t have gifts with you,” he said.
“I bought them weeks ago and had them shipped to my grandmother. She’ll wrap and bring them tomorrow. It will be a peaceful holiday for me here with you. Trust me.”
“That makes me sound boring,” he said.
“Nah,” she said, swatting at his arm. “I don’t think you’re boring.”
“What do you think about me?” he asked, his eyes opened as wide as they could go.
She laughed like he wanted her to. “I think you want compliments.”
“I’ll do the same for you.”
Might as well get some flirt on. It was all in good fun. She seemed open to it.
“That’s a given,” she said. “Let’s see. You’re very considerate. Kind of my savior today. What’s the frown for?”
“I don’t want to be a savior.”
“Why not? Women like men that are heroes.”
“Okay, a hero sounds much better!” He was rubbing his knuckles across his chest.
“You’re so full of yourself.”
“Keep going.”
She rolled her eyes. “That wasn’t meant as a compliment.”
“I still took it as one.”
“I guess I can see why. I don’t know if you’re a wonderful cook or not, but you’re a great host.”
“I’ll cook breakfast for you in the morning,” he said.
“You’ve got a deal there.” Her finger went to her chin. “You’re a decent hugger. And since I alluded to this earlier, I’ll say it again. You’re very good looking.” Her eyes were roaming from his face, down his body and back to his eyes. “Your turn.”
He slid his palms together. “You’re an excellent cook. You’re very calm under pressure. Why did you snort?”
“Your first interaction with me wasn’t calm.”
“Saylor,” he said, his voice lower. “Cut yourself some slack. It was a stressful situation and understandable. Considering the conditions and the state of emergency of Denver right now, you had every right to fight to get that second bag of your supplies.”
“Thank you for that. I just didn’t have stuff at my grandmother’s either. One bag had enough for my time there, but any diabetic will tell you to pack double what you need. Pods and sensors fail or fall off all the time. You can’t just assume you’ll be fine without backups.”
He never thought of that before, but she lived it and would know.
In his mind, she was still more composed than others might have been.
“I picture you the type that is always prepared, which I hope you take as a compliment.”
“Of course. I’m sounding boring now.”
He laughed. “You’re a decent hugger too. You’re very attractive. I like the way you fill out those leggings and how you appreciate a glass of excellent wine.”
Her face got a nice pink hue to it.
“If we are going there, you fill out a pair of jeans pretty well.”
He put his hand out palm up to see what she’d do.
She slapped hers in it and he grabbed it, then yanked her closer. She didn’t protest and settled under his arm.
He needed to touch her again but wouldn’t do anything more than this.
The last thing he wanted to do was scare her when they were here alone with no way out.
But he was getting alarmed himself at what she made him feel.