Chapter 21
Fisher finally crawled into the shower a little before noon. Joe was sleeping soundly in her bed, and Brooke had wanted to hear all the details about what he was doing there. In all the excitement, no one seemed to notice that Kyle was nowhere to be found. His RV was still parked behind the house, but she had no idea where he’d gone.
Maybe he had gone back to LA. If he was rich enough to make two-million-dollar deals, he could always send for someone to drive his RV back home. If that was the case, she’d just have to focus on her new mission. Getting her friends, her true friends, Cody and Carson, to get to know their father. She’d like to help them find forgiveness, and she wanted that for Kyle, too.
Because she knew that if she did stand a chance of continuing a relationship with him, he’d need to heal his childhood wounds. Or at least make an attempt.
Fisher found Brooke in the kitchen sipping iced tea.
“I’m still impressed you rescued Carson and Cody’s dad.” Brooke set her glass on the table. “You are like a superhero, aren’t you? Saving your boyfriend from a snake, pulling old man Swift out of a ditch. What can’t you do?”
“Well, until this morning, I…I had never changed a diaper.” She started to tell her that she’d never even held a baby, but that was a little deeper than she wanted to dig into her own issues.
“What I still don’t understand is what was Dad Swift doing here?”
“He came up to try to warn Kyle about someone he used to work for.”
“The guy in the limo?” Brooke must have seen him pull into or out of the parking lot. “But why would Cody and Carson’s dad want to warn Kyle…? Oh my God. They’re related, aren’t they? They’re brothers. Of course. How did we not see it? Those eyes. Did you just find out this morning?”
“No. I knew they were brothers. Kyle told me. But he wasn’t ready to tell them.”
“Why?” Brooke stirred the ice in her glass. “Does it have something to do with their dad?”
“Yeah. I think so. They’ve all got some serious baggage there.” Fisher sighed. Her heart ached for all of them. “And they’ve got it tied down so tight, it’ll take some time to unravel it.”
“Or you could just cut through it all with one sharp slice.” Brooke placed her hand over her heart and made a slashing motion as if she were freeing the knife the guides all kept attached to their life jackets in that spot.
“I’m not sure how.”
“Get them all together. In one spot.”
“What, like in one boat?” The river did have a way of working its magic on people.
“Or maybe you could start with something simple. Like lunch.”
“I could get the wives involved.”
“You definitely need to get the wives on board.” Brooke grinned. “And maybe a few beers, some wings, and those killer onion rings they serve at the Argo.”
“Stop, you’re making me hungry.” But a public place was maybe a good idea. That way no one could just storm off or make too much of a scene.
“Tell me about it. And I’m going to have to settle for leftovers.”
“You’re not coming with me?”
“No. It’s a family thing.”
“I’m not family.” Fisher wondered if she was going too far. Maybe she should just butt out of it.
“Oh, come on. You didn’t need to catch the bouquet last night. It’s pretty obvious that you’re next.”
“No. Far from it.” Just hours ago, Fisher was certain she’d never see Kyle again. And now here she was plotting a forced family reunion for the Swift men.
“Oh please. It’s inevitable.” Brooke shrugged and offered a knowing smile.
“Yeah? What about you and Tyler?”
Brooke blushed a deep pink. “Yeah, I know. I’m equally doomed. He’s talking about going to South America together over the winter. Either that or getting a place in Tahoe.”
“Well, good luck with whatever you decide.” Fisher couldn’t imagine either of them making such a commitment.
“Hey, but we’ve still got this summer, right?” Brooke’s grin widened and then Tyler entered the kitchen.
“Hey, babe.” He dropped a kiss on Brooke’s neck. “You still want to go on a picnic?”
“Yeah. I hear Lost Mine Winery is pretty this time of year.”
“It sure is.” He stared lovingly into Brooke’s eyes.
Fisher was ready to leave the two lovebirds alone when he stood up and asked, “Who’s the old dude in your bed? You stepping out on Kyle?”
“No. It’s their dad,” Brooke interrupted before Fisher could answer.
“Fisher’s dad?” Tyler sometimes played the part of the clueless dude.
“No. Kyle’s dad. And Carson and Cody’s dad.”
“Oh. Cool.” Tyler shrugged and then pulled Brooke to her feet, patting her on the fanny as he led her out the back door.
* * * *
“So what do you think? Are you ready to make an offer?” Dave held open the door to his SUV for Kyle after they’d thoroughly inspected the property.
“I’m considering it.” Kyle thought it was perfect. But what would Fisher think? “I’m definitely considering it.”
Cody had taken a phone call and they were waiting for him to finish his conversation before they drove back over to his house.
“Hey, why don’t we head over to the Argo and discuss it over a couple of burgers and beers?” Cody hopped into the backseat, awfully cheerful for a guy who hated his guts just a few weeks ago. Now he was hoping they’d become neighbors?
They made small talk on the way to the Argo. Or rather, Dave made small talk, pointing out the various amenities of the area, offering to make recommendations on local contractors, and basically acting like it was a done deal.
Kyle had been confident like that, many times over the last few years. But he’d always known going in that he had a buyer. A buyer with unlimited funds. He shuddered when he thought about why he’d never wondered where those funds had come from.
He’d just blindly followed the money. Thinking it would make him happy. Believing he had been happy.
But in the last few weeks, he’d discovered true happiness. Fisher had taught him that money wasn’t the most important thing in the world. It was love. Friendship. Family.
“So before we get down to figures and paperwork”—Dave had insisted the first round and lunch was on him—“why don’t you tell me what your misgivings are, and I’ll see what I can do to address any issues moving forward.”
The guy was good. But he also seemed genuine.
“Cody says you went to high school together.” Kyle decided to let the man do his job. “Have you lived here all your life?”
Dave leaned forward, grinning like he thought he was the luckiest guy around. “Yeah. Except for college. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. People first came here for the gold, but they stayed for so many reasons. The land being one of the main ones.”
“And the river,” Cody chimed in. “Although I suppose that’s part of the landscape.”
“Yes. The climate is almost perfect. Not too hot, except maybe one or two weeks of the year when it doesn’t cool down at night. The winters, even the wet ones, are usually mild. The snow levels are higher up, so you can enjoy winter recreation without having to shovel your driveway.” Dave continued to sell him on reasons that didn’t matter too much to Kyle. He had one reason to buy the property.
But she was also the reason he hesitated.
“So what are your concerns?” Dave sat back in his chair, not quite tipping back against the wall. “Besides having this guy as your neighbor? It’s not so bad now that he’s married. No more epic parties, huh?”
“Well, wait until the twins start school.” Kyle couldn’t help but razz his brother a little bit. “I imagine there will be some major birthday parties. Times two.”
“Yeah, be careful. Apparently twins run in our family.” Cody razzed right back.
“Well, maybe I won’t have kids.”
“Does Fisher know how you feel about it?” Cody dropped the casual, just-joking-around demeanor, and he sat up with genuine concern.
“Maybe Fisher is the one who doesn’t want kids.” He really didn’t want to discuss it in front of a stranger. Especially not a stranger who had something he wanted.
The waitress appeared with their food and Kyle was grateful to have a reason to stop talking, at least for a few bites.
He dug into his burger, savoring the juicy, delicious treat.
When he looked up, he noticed Lily and Carson walk into the restaurant, with their baby in tow. Lily gave a quick wave and they walked over to join them.
“What are you guys doing here?” She had an almost too-surprised tone in her voice.
“Hey, Dave.” Carson gave a nod to the Realtor. Of course, he would have also gone to high school with the man.
“Carson. Nice to see you out with the family.” Dave stood to be introduced to Lily, and then he helped pull another table over. “I’ve been getting to know your younger brother.”
“Does this mean you’re planning to stick around?” Carson gave Kyle an assessing glance. He hesitated, as if giving the idea a chance to sink in before he broke out into a welcoming grin.
Kyle stood and extended a hand as a peace offering. Carson pumped once and then pulled him into a hearty embrace. Kyle was the first to break away and then he looked up to see Fisher walk through the door. Followed by Miranda, the twin girls, and his father.
Mixed emotions flooded him.
When Fisher offered him a tentative smile, one emotion rose to the surface.
Love.
He loved his strong blonde. And she must love him back. Why else would she bring his father here? His whole family. Well, almost his whole family. Hopefully, before the summer ended, his mother would have a reason to come north.
Kyle stepped forward, pulling Fisher into his arms. It had only been hours since he last held her, but it had felt like a century.
“I missed you.” He buried his face in her hair, taking in her sweet scent. Then he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Fisher. I do.”
She held him tightly, telling him without words that she felt the same. Words would come. He had a feeling there would be a whole lot of words before the day was through.
Finally, all too soon, she released him.
“Look who I found on the side of the road.” She stepped aside so his father could offer a steady handshake. He’d showered and changed into one of Kyle’s shirts.
Fisher.
“What do you mean you found him on the side of the road?”
“Well, as I was driving home from Lily’s after having a much-needed girls’ talk”—she smiled at her friend—“I saw a car in a ditch, just before that one curve.”
He glanced over at his father, but he didn’t see any cuts or bruises. In fact, the man looked better than he had in years. Fisher had that effect on people.
“I guess I fell asleep at the wheel.” Dad looked down, briefly. “But then this lovely lady came to my rescue. Don’t you let this one get away, son.”
“I won’t. Dad.” He had that same hesitation in his voice as Kevin Costner in that baseball movie. The one where he wanted to have a catch with his dad. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time for you this morning.”
“Oh, well, I can see why you were in such a hurry to go after her. I’m glad she caught up to you.” There was a warmth in his father’s voice. A twinkle in his eye.
“Yeah. Me too.”
“I’m glad I got to meet her. And this lovely lady.” Dad smiled at Miranda, who gave him a warm pat on the arm. “And my…” His voice became unsteady. “My granddaughters.”
Carson stood up then. He introduced his wife and his son. The look of sheer joy transformed his father’s face, making him look taller and younger, and for the first time since he’d known the man, fully alive.
Fisher quietly slipped her hand in his and he knew he’d do whatever it took to make her his family.
More tables were pushed together and another round of drinks came out. It was like Thanksgiving and Christmas and Sunday dinner all rolled into one afternoon. Everyone was on their best behavior, and any discussion of past hurts was put aside in favor of “pass the salt, please.”
Their family problems didn’t just go away, but somehow he knew they would all do a better job of communicating. Maybe even work up toward having the kind of extended family Kyle had only seen in movies.
When Fisher stepped away to use the ladies’ room, Kyle slid over to Dave. “About that offer. Where do I sign?”
“You can come down to my office or I can meet you wherever, whenever is most convenient to you.” Dave extended a hand, an offer of goodwill and welcome.
“Could you meet me back at the property? Say an hour after we finish up here?”
“Sure. You remember how to get there? You probably need four-wheel drive.”
“Yeah. I remember, and I’ll take Fisher’s Jeep. I want to make sure she’s as in love with the place as I am.”
“Gotcha.” Dave gave him a wink. “Always good to get the woman’s approval. Especially when it comes to putting down roots.”