Chapter Eight
“I don’t know you well enough to dump my drama in your lap,” Lance said as he pulled forward with a hard press on the gas pedal.
“You can, though. I’m a good listener,” I offered, seeing the pain on his face. “It’s okay to let go.”
“Were you able to when your mom died?” Lance asked me. I pressed my lips together.
“I had friends there that helped me through it, though they were all missing her as well. I had support, though.” I shrugged. “I think it’s a process, personally. Did you find that?”
“In a few ways, yes,” Lance admitted as he pulled into the driveway. “You have a day off. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted as he parked in front of the house. “I might sleep this meal off for a bit. I might spend some time with Irene.”
“I’ll make you a deal. If you’re up, meet me by the pond later and we can check out some stars. I remember a few of the constellations from astronomy class. We can go back to the house and have some coffee on the porch a little closer to Logan.”
“That sounds great,” I told him as I opened the door slowly. “I might see you later.” I smiled as I slipped out of the cab and walked over to the house with my stuff in my hand. I wondered if Lance wanted to talk about what was bothering him. I wondered if he did this kind of thing with girls at all since his breakup.
I walked through the front door to find Irene and the family lounging in the living room watching television.
“Hi, Brie. Last night ran late, huh?”
“I fell asleep and he didn’t wake me up,” I replied. “We went into town for lunch with Logan.”
“Mabel’s?” Michael asked as he stroked Irene’s hair. He grinned at me. “Everyone loves it there, but he’s been going since he was a kid. Mabel’s nice, isn’t she?”
“Very. So warm. The burger was amazing,” I told them as I took a seat on the recliner and stretched out. “This feels so good. Logan gets up at six. Do you know how much energy he has when he first wakes up?”
“I can imagine.” Irene laughed as she looked at me.
“How does he do that on his own all of the time and work so hard? Has Lance had nobody in his life since Logan’s mom left?” I asked in a tired voice, waiting for the answer with my eyes closed.
“Lance isn’t a casual kind of guy,” Irene explained carefully as I pretended to relax. “If he’s dated, he’s kept it away from the ranch and Logan. I don’t think he’ll introduce a woman to him until he’s serious about her.” Irene paused. “I’m almost surprised that he hired you so quickly, but Kathy quit so quickly on him… It worked out well.”
“It did,” I agreed as the need for sleep washed over me. I snuggled into my chair and sighed as I compared my life three months ago to now. It was so different. I liked my new life.
I woke up a few hours later to the smell of fried chicken and blinked slowly. The television was on and I was alone. I glanced out of the back door to see the sun low in the sky.
How long had I slept? I moved and stretched before I stood up and walked into the kitchen. “That smells so good,” I told Irene as I looked at her and the clock. “I slept that long?”
“You must’ve been tired,” Irene said as she smiled at me. “How did it go with Lance?”
“Good. He’s kind,” I replied thoughtfully. She smiled, almost to herself, and I bit my lip. “Did you have anything… particular in mind when you asked me to move here?”
“Between you and Lance?” Irene asked in what was meant to be an innocent voice. She blushed and looked down at the potatoes that she was boiling. “Well, I’d never force an issue that way, Brie. Never. I just understood that you were a sweet gal, and he’s a good man. I wouldn’t mind if something developed between y’all. That’s all.”
“He’s got a son, though. I’m so young,” I protested.
“A son that you’re so good with. Logan loved you from day one and continues to do so,” Irene assured me as I frowned. “If there’s a connection between you and Lance, I’d see where that goes. I love him like a son, and I want to see him happy.”
“I just feel scattered still. It feels too soon to be getting into anything like that since I’ve been here for just a week,” I told her. I heard the front door open and Michael walked in.
“I fell in love with Michael after just two weeks,” Irene told me happily in a low voice. “Did she get there okay?” she called to Michael. His “yes” echoed from the front entryway. Irene looked at me. “Sarah has a sleepover at a friend’s tonight. We’re eating here and maybe going to see a movie.”
Michael walked into the kitchen. “They’re going to be just fine. Justine’s mom has a whole night planned for them, and I’m confident that Sarah will come home and collapse when she comes back tomorrow.” He smiled at me. “You always pay a price when you send your kid for a sleepover!”
“I suppose so,” I replied. I glanced at the time. “I’m going to take a quick shower before we eat. Is that okay?”
“Sure, honey,” Irene assured me as I smiled and walked back to my room.
I pulled out some leggings and a pink tunic before I walked across the hall for a hot shower. The shower felt so good after my overwhelming day, and I closed my eyes for a few minutes. I washed my hair and used the peppermint soap that I’d fallen in love with since I’d arrived. I wondered if I’d go through with the loose plans that I’d made with Lance tonight. Irene’s words played through my mind, and I couldn’t help but consider her words. Would I be a good match for Lance? Could I handle the responsibility of a stepson–one that didn’t have a mother?
Considering everything, the thought of dating him was silly. He was my boss. What if things went wrong and exploded in my face? I couldn’t shoulder that, and, therefore, I’d remain friends with him and be his nanny. That’s all.
I finished the shower and dried my body and hair. I glanced in the mirror. I was thick around my stomach and hips, something my mother always complimented me on. I didn’t see myself in the same light, and I wondered if Lance thought I was pretty. He’d said so but maybe he was just trying to be nice. People here just seemed friendly to begin with.
There was nothing there.
I dried my hair and pulled my clothes on before I went back to the kitchen to help finish dinner. It was a big platter of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and some salad. I loved Irene’s cooking. It was so homey and comforting after eating heat-and-eat food for so long. It made me want to learn to cook myself. After dinner, I watched her separate the leftovers into a few plastic containers before she winked at me. “Feel free to drop some off at Lance’s if you’d like.” She held up a large container with hearty servings of chicken and potatoes before she popped it into the fridge. “He loves home-cooked meals, but he insists on giving me weekends off to spend time with my family.”
“Sure thing,” I replied as she and Michael went back to their room to change for their date. I wiped the counters down and turned on the TV when they left. I thought I’d like the quiet house, but I found it reminded me too much of New York.
When I get restless, I bake. I scoured Irene’s cabinets and found the fixings for some chocolate chip cookies. I mixed them in a bowl as I caught myself looking at the clock. I could have some ready for later, at which point I reminded myself that I wasn’t going to meet Lance. I was going to stay home and relax.
That plan went out the window when I sent him a text after eating a few of the cookies and watching bad reality television.
Me: Want to meet at your house? Irene has some food for you.
Lance: Sounds great, Brie. Come over whenever you’re ready. We’re just watching a movie.
I checked my hair in the mirror and added a hint of plum lip-gloss before I groaned. “Stop it. He’s just a friend.”