S H I L O H
After a feast put on by Caroline, and a grand tour from Silas, my parents finally left, even though they still had reservations about letting me stay. Nate stood with me on the porch as the crunching of the tires on the gravel grew further away. It was only then that I allowed relief to fill me completely. Without a doubt, if Nate hadn’t stepped in, my parents would’ve continued to bully me into going home. They were used to getting their way.
For so long, they’d mourned the loss of my sight, and had failed to notice I had moved on without them. Their emotional disconnect was their way of dealing with it, but in doing so, they were no longer able to see my successes. By their own choice, they had been as blind as I was. Today might have been the first time they really saw me.
My dad was used to barking orders and having them followed. He was a powerful businessman who treated everyone as if they were his employees. Many times, Mira had witnessed it while we were in school. Poor Mira had worried my dad would eat Nate alive, but she didn’t know the Nate I did. He was strong and protective, and wasn’t afraid to stand with me, even if it was against my own father. My heart warmed with the knowledge that I finally had someone who believed in me. Even Ryke had been impressed with the way Nate had spoken to my parents.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.” Nate pulled me into his arms . . . well, arm. His brace was very much a part of him for the next six weeks.
“I am. I think I’ll turn in.” I flipped my cane open and turned to the front door.
“Where are you going?” Nate stopped me, his hand resting on my forearm. Even that small touch left me craving more from him. “You don’t think you’re going to bed without me, do you?” His voice sounded so hurt I couldn’t hold back my laugh.
“I’m just going inside. It’s not like I dismissed you.” Gently, I removed his hand and turned back toward the door, knowing he would follow, and soon we would wrap ourselves around each other and fall into a restful slumber.
The warm squeeze of his hand on my backside made me jump in surprise. The quick movement made my sore muscles protest.
“You’re damn right you didn’t dismiss me.” He brushed against me and opened the door with a loud creak.
“Such a gentleman,” I joked, nudging him with my hip as I passed him.
“Keep it up, Shi-girl, and I’ll show you how wrong you are.”
It felt so good to joke with Nate. The past week had been so intense with every emotion dictating our lives. The light-hearted banter reminded me of the Nate I’d first met, superficial at first, but soon, so much more.
“There you two are. I brought out the good desserts. Get your butts to the kitchen.” Caroline cornered us the second we walked through the door. The comfort of Nate’s arms would have to wait.
“Caroline! You said butts,” Nate accused, and then hollered when he caught a smack from her. She had a way of catching these guys just right, and the sound reverberated off their heads.
“Why did you hit me? I was just repeating what you said.” Nate argued.
“Nathaniel, you do as I say, not as I do,” Caroline explained.
I couldn’t suppress my giggle. Pulling Nate’s arm, I moved toward the kitchen, guiding our path with my cane. “Don’t you know you’ll never win with her?” I adored Caroline. She was the epitome of what a mother was supposed to be. Every action she took was filled with her love for those around her. Even the smacks to her boys.
Voices filled the kitchen as Nate guided me to a chair, pushing it in until I felt it on the backs of my legs.
“What do you want, Shiloh?” Mira asked. “We have cookie dough ice cream, chocolate pie, brownies, and cookies.”
“Yes, please.” I laughed, wanting them all. Mira laughed, too, knowing I loved my desserts.
Nate placed my plate in front of me. “Do you need the layout, or are you just going for it?”
“When it comes to dessert, I prefer a surprise. Just make sure you help me clean my face after. This might get messy.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I will personally make sure your face is free of all remnants.” He pressed his sticky lips to mine, darting his tongue out to lick.
“Get a room,” Silas joked as Nate pulled away.
Everyone talking and joking was more than I could’ve ever hoped for when I moved to Colorado. When I came here, I was running from my parents, hoping to find a life of my own. What I got was so much more than that, and I felt better about my future than I ever had.
Sitting in this kitchen with all the people who cared about me and each other, the world’s problems seemed small.
“So, I’ve been meaning to confirm something you said earlier.” I paused from the sugary goodness.
“What is that?” Nate asked around a bite of something.
“Listen carefully, because this may be the only time I openly admit it, but you were right.” His soft chuckle sent warmth through me. I’d learned to love his laugh as much as the man himself.
“Go on,” he urged, his voice full of laughter.
“I do feel the same for you. I love you, too, Nate.”
“Aww!” Mira’s happy voice carried across the table.
“Don’t try to deny it. You just love me for my good looks.”
At Nate’s remark, every person in the kitchen laughed, and I’d be willing to bet he was feeling pretty good about himself.
But who would I be if I let him have the last word?
“Well, goodness knows it wasn’t your personality that captured my heart.”