Chapter 23
MOTIVATED LIKE YOU
“Are you enjoying your time here?” Saylor asked her grandmother on Friday.
“How can I not? This is awesome. Best vacation ever. I’ve never been so spoiled in my life.”
They were sitting on the beach on towels. Rowan was in the house getting some work done. Though he’d taken the day off, he still had something he had to deal with.
“Rowan is good at that. It’s like he knows what I need before I do.”
Like the little cooler bag he kept stuffed with her treatments downstairs for her to grab when she went out on the water every time. One day, she’d used a few up and had forgotten to fill it right then. The next day she went to do it before she walked to the beach, and he’d taken care of it.
She’d tried a few different waterproof tapes and found one that worked the best. There were rash guard shirts for her too before she even knew it’d be best to wear them and avoid always putting so much sunscreen on her arms and waist.
“He seems like a great guy. Not that I knew about him before, but he appears as happy as you.”
“He’s a happy guy,” she said. “The only time I’ve seen him frustrated is with work a few times, but it’s rare.”
“Do you know much about his company?”
“Not really. I’ll ask questions and he’ll always answer them, but I get it. Some of it is over my head, but I understand his need to network and socialize. He spends a lot of time creating designs and testing new products. His best friend runs the operations.”
“I don’t picture him the type to hand it over.”
“Oh, don’t get that impression. He knows what is going on and has a hand in it, but is pretty loose where Logan isn’t. I think it’s a good dynamic they have. It’s working. From what I can see or read, he’s very successful.”
Though he had his brother’s backing and she wondered if the business could fail.
Not something they talked much about either.
His family wasn’t off limits by any means, but not something brought up much more than in passing.
Unless he wasn’t sharing with her. She didn’t want to think that way, but it’s not like she was volunteering much about her sister or her mother’s calls.
Her mother’s weren’t horrible, her sister’s texts and voicemails gave her a headache. Even having her niece and nephew talking and asking if they can come. Using any means necessary to get her way.
“You need someone in your life that is motivated like you.”
“I never thought so before. The nights I’m working late, he’s staying later. When I’m not, he’s home earlier. I thought for sure he was working less because I was around and didn’t want him to think he had to.”
“He’s just rearranging his schedule. That’s what partners do,” her grandmother said. “I’m sure he’s working just as much.”
“I think he is. And you’re right. He’s taking advantage of me being gone to be home when I’m here. Some nights he’s home by five and we have a nice dinner and go in the water. Other times it’s around seven but still get to go outside.”
“This is part of his life,” her grandmother said, looking around. “A nice part to have.”
“I’m learning that. I can’t say I blame him. The nights I’m working late, I miss not being able to walk the beach or get in the water.”
“You could always get a job in a doctor’s office and work a normal Monday through Friday.”
She’d thought of that too. It’d been a dream but so hard to find.
Being alone, she tried to make as much money as she could and a doctor’s office wasn’t where the money was.
It’d be an option in the future if things with her and Rowan worked out.
“I could. Nothing to worry about now.”
She opened the small cooler she’d brought out and grabbed a bottle of water, handed it to her grandmother, then got another one for her.
“Why don’t we take a walk on the beach?” her grandmother asked.
“Sure.”
“Can we leave everything here?”
“We can. It’s far enough back by the property that no one will touch it.”
She learned that was a sign that it belonged to someone in the houses, whether they lived there or were renting.
They stood up and left their shoes. She pulled her phone out, checked her number, saw it was good, and a stroll on the beach wouldn’t make a difference, but grabbed a fruit snack packet to shove in her pocket anyway.
Better safe than sorry.
“How many texts did you get from Sandy since I’ve been here?” her grandmother asked.
“More than I can count. I’m not answering them.”
“Good for you. She’s pissed I’m here, isn’t she?”
“She’s pissed about everything in life. She keeps asking when she can drive up and stay with the kids and visit the beach.
I got a voice message with the kids pleading to see me, that they missed me.
She’s aiming low now. She thinks I’m in an apartment.
Because I’m not replying to her, she’s mad. I told her I’m working most days.”
“Which she wouldn’t care because to your sister it’s just a free place to stay and eat your food and make a mess while she did what she wanted.”
“Yep. She’d leave me with the care of the kids on a day off so she could go lie out in the sun and find some guy to pick up while she was here.”
Her grandmother laughed. “I’m not sure I’d go that far, but I could be wrong.”
“Don’t kid yourself,” she said. “When Sandy is feeling unloved, she finds a guy and doesn’t care who it is or how long it lasts.”
Her grandmother shook her head. “It disgusts me, but I’ve long since stopped working myself up over it.”
“It’s not worth it. Tell me your thoughts on Rowan more. Not just that we both look happy. Do you think I don’t fit into this life? I’m trying. I really am.”
Her grandmother sighed. “Saylor. Do you not want to be living the way you are here? In the water, doing the things he likes?”
“I do,” she said. “Honestly. I love it and never knew I could.”
“Then don’t phrase it the way you did. You make me think you’re only doing things to make him happy. I bet he would be devastated if he thought you were only doing it for him.”
“He would be. I guess I’m unsure of myself. I like Logan and don’t feel out of place around him. Some of his other surfer buddies I’ve met briefly but stayed back on the beach or at the house. They seem nice.”
She wouldn’t bring up the women. That bothered her more than she wanted to admit.
Hot girls in bikinis flirting with Rowan, angling for his attention and doing the one thing her boyfriend loved she had been afraid to try.
Not really afraid, just more like embarrassed.
She didn’t want to get too frustrated and then take the enjoyment away from him.
Rowan loved it when she was on the paddleboard, and he was further down surfing. Sometimes she couldn’t even see him or he’d drive other places with his friends.
“Do you care if you impress casual friends he is only surfing with?”
“Not really. At least I don’t think so.”
“Then let it go. This is about the two of you. Did you feel this way in the mountains?”
“No. But I know he goes snowboarding all the time over skiing. I’m not into the snow that much. I told him I’m not sure I can try that.”
“And what was his response?”
“He laughed and said I could stay at the lodge and drink hot chocolate and watch TV or read a book and wait for him.”
“That sounds like a much better option to me. Do you think he was serious or joking?”
“He was serious,” she said.
“Then don’t think more of it in terms of surfing either,” her grandmother said.
“But this is his career.”
“So? Have you taken a huge interest in any other man’s career you have dated?”
Her shoulders slumped. “No.”
“Then why is this so different? You’re making it more than it needs to be. Did you say one of his brothers is a brewer?”
“Elias.”
“Is he married?”
“Engaged. Phoebe is an attorney,” she said.
“Does she have anything to do with the brewery or drink beer?”
Saylor laughed. “She drinks some of it. She understands it because Phoebe’s brother is a brewer somewhere else. But I understand what you’re saying.”
And she didn’t know why that hadn’t crossed her mind before.
“Just be yourself. It seems to be working for you so far. For both of you.”
“You’re right. You always are.”
They walked for another fifteen minutes, then turned around and headed back.
“I’m sure your diabetes is under control living here with your activity level, but I’ll ask anyway?”
“It’s great. I think the more active I am, the easier it is to control. Well, not always, it’s just my body is used to being more active now and with the changes I’ve made to my pump and diet, I’ve got much better control than before.”
“I’m proud of you, Saylor. You’ve come a long way with that.”
“I’m proud of me too.”
They were silent for five minutes and then she heard her grandmother’s phone ringing.
Her grandmother pulled it out of her pocket and frowned. “It’s your sister.”
“I should have asked how much she’s bugging you.”
“More than normal, but it didn’t help I posted a few pictures on Facebook. I shouldn’t have.”
“You absolutely should have shared your vacation with your friends. You can answer it. I don’t care.”
Her grandmother put it on speaker. “Hi, Sandy. What’s going on?”
“When are you coming back?”
“Saturday night,” her grandmother said. “Why?”
“Oh. I need someone to watch the kids. Mom and Dad have a party to go to. It’s only the baby. Ashton and Mila are with their fathers.”
She always rolled her eyes when she heard the plural version of her sister’s baby daddies.
“You’ll have to find someone else for Dutton or pay someone. Sorry. I won’t get home until close to eight.”
“Can’t you change your flight?” Sandy asked. “I want to go out with friends and Mom and Dad are leaving at seven. If you got home earlier, then they’d drop Dutton off.”
“No,” Saylor said. She didn’t care that she was interrupting the call. “Grandma is on vacation and we aren’t changing her flight so you can go out and find a new guy.”
“What do you freaking know about it?” Sandy asked. “You never date. When was the last time you had a guy between your legs? It’s probably sealed up tight now.”
“Sandra Marie!” her grandmother said. “Did you forget I’m on this call too? If you think talking to your sister that way is going to make me want to do any favors for you, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“You always give Saylor everything. It’s not fair.”
“It’s not about me,” she said. “It’s about Grandma and her getting some time off and visiting. Get over yourself.”
“Don’t be such a bitch,” Sandy said. “Grandma, will you please change your flight and come home earlier so I can go out?”
“No,” her grandmother said. “Absolutely not and I’m appalled you even thought to ask. There is no way in hell your parents know you did this.”
“I don’t have to tell them what I’m doing,” Sandy argued. “But be that way.” Her sister hung up.
“Wow. She’s gotten worse to call and do that,” she said.
“You don’t know the half of it. It never ends. Since I retired, she thinks I’m an open market for her to just drop the kids off. Half the time I see her on the door camera and hide and don’t answer.”
Her jaw dropped. “She doesn’t even call, just comes over with the kids?”
“Yep.”
Her shoulders drooped some. She didn’t know her grandmother was getting stuck with her sister’s kids too.
“You should have said something.”
“I can handle it. And this vacation was the perfect getaway. Thank you again.”
The two of them walked back to the house and she saw Rowan outside waving to them.
They got closer and he gave her a one-armed hug and kiss. “Sorry. I had to take care of something. I should be good the rest of the day if you want to do something.”
“I’ll be back,” her grandmother said. “Just running to the bathroom.”
She took a deep breath. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Would you be upset if I asked my grandmother to stay longer even though I’m working?”
“Absolutely not,” he said. “This is your house too.”
“No, it’s not.”
“I want you to feel as if it is. Your grandmother can stay as long as she wants. Do you think she’ll agree?”
“Probably not.”
“Then I’ll ask,” he said, grinning. “I think she really likes me.” He was wiggling his eyebrows like he always did.
“She does.”
“I’ve got a way with the ladies,” he said. His arms squeezed her tighter, his finger poking her ribs.
“I’m sure you do,” she said, poking him right back in the same place.
She’d ignore the pang of jealousy she felt inside.
Her grandmother returned. “Are you enjoying your time here?” Rowan asked.
“You’d have to be nuts not to enjoy it here,” her grandmother said.
“I’d love it if you could stay longer. Maybe another week?
I’ve got a busy week ahead of me and won’t be around much.
Saylor would love to have you. You can relax in the house.
Saylor can take my car and leave you her SUV when she’s working.
Say yes. If you don’t, I’ll just keep asking.
I can be annoying too when I want. Just ask my mother. ”
Saylor laughed. He’d told her some stories of him doing things like that and then getting in trouble.
“I don’t know,” her grandmother said. “I don’t want to be in the way.”
“You’re not, Grandma. Please. I’d love to have you. Stay another week. We’ll get your flight changed to next Saturday. Just think of how mad Sandy will be.”
Her grandmother laughed. “This is horrible, but I think her reaction might be the scale tipping. I’d love to. I just need to get a few more things. I don’t have enough clothes.”
“We can go shopping today or tomorrow. Or you can go on Sunday when I’m working.” She hugged her grandmother. “Thank you. I really wanted more time with you.”
Three days wasn’t enough, but she hadn’t wanted to push it with Rowan. Guess she worried over nothing.