Chapter 11

 

“How far away do your parents live from the airport?”

“What, you don’t like the scenic drive?” Charlie asked as they wound down the two-lane blacktop road. They’d left the interstate behind an hour ago. “It could’ve been longer if there was snow. Luckily that hasn’t happened yet.”

“Snow,” she whispered, staring out the window and watching the trees glide by. “I’ve never seen snow.”

“What? Never?”

“Never.”

“Then we’ll have to come back so I can show you a true Maine snow.”

“I’d like that.”

Snow. She never thought she would leave Texas, but she was in Maine. It was quiet and now that they were away from Bangor, there were hardly any cars passing. They hadn’t even arrived at his parents’ place yet, but she was relaxed as if nothing bad had happened to her in the past few weeks. A half hour later, Charlie turned off the road and they drove up a gravel road to a large house tucked away in the trees.

“You grew up here?” she asked, taking in the cabin-style home with warm lights pouring out the windows. The front door opened and a short woman with a taller man stepped outside, both waving excitedly. Kiley waved automatically as she clutched her stomach. “I’m not sure about this now.”

“They’ll love you, promise,” he said as he parked the rental car. “Just be yourself.”

“Myself? Myself was involved with drug dealers, remember?”

“But before that you helped people. You were a social worker. Focus on the good, and if you feel like discussing anything else, that’s up to you.”

She took a few deep breaths. “Right, sure. I can do this.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“There’s that annoying optimism again,” she mumbled as they got out of the car. It was colder than Texas, and she was thankful for the coat he made her buy at the last second. She bundled up in it as he held his hand out for hers. “Let’s go meet your parents.”

He led the way up to the front porch. “Mom, Dad.”

His mom hugged him and his dad reached out to shake his hand. “It’s been too long. You don’t visit enough, not with that job of yours,” Barbara chided. “And this must be Kiley.”

“Hi,” Kiley said nervously, and Barbara pulled her into a hug, too.

“It’s so nice to meet you. Charlie has told us absolutely nothing about you,” she said as she pulled away. “Come inside with me and we’ll get you all warmed up.”

“Thanks. I’m not used to this cold,” she revealed, sighing as they stepped into the warmth of the house. “I’ve never left Texas until today.” She took the coat off as Charlie and his dad went to get their suitcases from the car. “Your house is incredible!”

The inside was more impressive than the outside, all wood and warm colors. A roaring fire filled the hearth in the oversized living room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the woods behind the house. An antler chandelier hung overhead, and Kiley absorbed every detail of the house as she moved around. Barbara followed close behind, a warm smile on her face.

“Years of working on this place and it’s finally where we want it to be.”

“I’ve never been in a house this big in my life,” she whispered.

“Honestly, there’s too much room since Charlie moved out over ten years ago and has yet to expand the family, but that’s merely an old woman talking,” she said quickly when Kiley blushed. “You grew up in Texas? Where does your family live?”

Kiley picked at her nails as she shrugged. “I don’t know. I never met my folks. I grew up in foster homes and bounced around the state until I settled in San Antonio.”

“Do you like it there?”

“It’s where I wound up,” she explained and followed Barbara when she led her to the kitchen. “Wow. If I cooked, I think I would have a heart attack right now.”

Barbara shrugged. “I don’t cook either. That would be Conor’s pastime.”

“Did he teach Charlie?”

“He did. Those two spent so much time in this kitchen, I could hardly get them to do anything else.” A look of reminiscing came over her, and Kiley relaxed. “I have some very fond memories of them in this kitchen, and I hope to make some more the next few days.”

Kiley helped her pour drinks for the four of them, and the two were chatting and laughing when Charlie and Conor finally joined them. He kissed her on the cheek with a curious look.

“What have you two been talking about?”

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Barbara assured him with a wink. “How about dinner?”

***

The first night with his parents went much better than Kiley assumed it would, and she fell asleep that night feeling like a normal person again. When they woke in the morning, breakfast was cooked and in the kitchen waiting for them.

“What do you have planned for today?” Barbara asked, pouring coffee for Kiley.

“I guess whatever Charlie wants to do,” Kiley said with an arched brow.

“I thought I’d show her around town.”

“There’s a town?” she asked and they laughed. “Where?”

“It’s quaint, but I think you’ll really enjoy it.”

They finished breakfast, dressed warmly for the day, and set out. It took thirty minutes to get to town, but when he parked along the single street with one stoplight, Kiley was already in love with it. Since she was little, she’d dreamt of living in a town like this. Small and quiet, where everyone knew everyone. She waited impatiently for Charlie to join her on the sidewalk, her eyes wide as she looked up and down the street at the candy story and the florist, the antique store, and an old-fashioned diner.

“I’ll go out on a limb and say you like this place,” he said an hour later.

“A little,” she agreed, leaning into his side. “And everyone knows you.”

Another older couple across the street spied them and waved. “Yeah, they do. A few of them hoped I would open a practice here one day so they wouldn’t have to go so far.”

“Are you?”

He frowned and she felt the conflict brewing inside him. “I’m not sure. I got so used to the surgery and then the ER, I kind of forgot about my plans to come home.” They stopped at a street corner, and Kiley had a feeling he saw so much more than simply a few small shops and the cars driving by. “I always told myself I’d get back here eventually after I managed to save the world and find someone to move back with me. Share a life together.”

Was he serious? Kiley held her breath as her heart thundered in her chest, and she waited anxiously for him to say something else. He swallowed hard and his nervousness surprised her.

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure where I was going with that.”

She deflated and swallowed her disappointment, but what had she expected him to do? Drop to one knee and propose to her? After a mere two and a half weeks? “No problem. How about lunch?”

“Sure. You’ll like the diner. Why don’t I meet you there? There’s something I want to look into first.” He kissed her so her toes curled and she was ready for more, but he stepped back and she watched him wander down the street.

Kiley shoved her hands in her coat pockets and walked into the diner.

“Hi there, hon, sit wherever you like,” a woman with curly hair said brightly from behind the counter. “I’ll be right with you.”

She smiled and sat down in a booth near the windows. The waitress walked over with a menu. “Thanks. I’m waiting for someone else.”

“Charlie? I thought I saw him walking around with you.”

“Yeah. I guess everyone does know him,” she mused with a quiet laugh.

“He was a good kid, and then he became a doctor. I always thought he’d wind up being a chef, but he surprised us all.”

“He is quite handy around the kitchen.”

“Ah, so you’ve had some of his cooking?” the waitress asked with a wink. “I thought you two looked quite close. Good, about time he brought home a woman who makes him happy.”

“Has he never brought one home before? A girlfriend, I mean?”

The waitress shook her head. “Nope, not one I can remember.”

“Huh, interesting. I would’ve assumed a good-hearted guy like him would’ve brought one home every other month.”

“Not even close. He hasn’t been home in over a year.”

“What? Why?” She stared out the windows at the perfect small town and wondered what made him stay away. “I thought he liked it here.”

“He does, but his parents said something kept him away. I’m not sure what, but we’re certainly glad to have him back with us, even if it’s only for a few days. Now, do you want to wait for him or do you want to go ahead and order?”

Kiley pondered the waitress’ words as she told her she would wait for Charlie. He hadn’t come back home because he was waiting to find the right person? Was he trying to tell her she was that right person? She was so lost in thought, she jumped when he knocked on the window. He mouthed an apology, laughed, and joined her in the booth.

“You think you’re so funny,” she said, fighting a smile.

“I have my moments. You didn’t order yet?”

“I was waiting for you. Where were you, anyway?”

“Nowhere important,” he promised. “Burgers sound good. I think I’ll have a burger. You?”

Kiley watched his body language, but if he were hiding something from her, it wasn’t bad. She blinked and saw herself living there with him and the diner was suddenly very, very warm.

“Why, Ms. Innis, you look positively flushed,” he teased quietly. “Something on your mind?”

“Nothing at all. Order your damn food and stop looking at me like that,” she grumbled, but the longer he stared at her, the harder it was for her to pretend being annoyed and they wound up laughing and teasing each other through lunch.

Being with Charlie and his parents showed her what life with a loving family could be, and she failed to stop her daydreams from growing. She loved Charlie, there was no more denying that fact, and Dr. Voras told her admitting her feelings would help her confide even more to him and bring them closer together. She also told her worries were normal about a new relationship, but if she wasn’t careful, they would hold her back and she would miss out on a possible future with Charlie. After what he’d said earlier about coming back there, she waited for him to admit his feelings first, but he hadn’t.

She’d wasted two years of her life looking over her shoulder and wondering if she would ever be happy again. She wouldn’t waste any more time. Before their flight yesterday, she got the call she’d expected for from the clinic and was waiting for the perfect night to share the news with Charlie. She worried they might make too much noise with his parents being in the house, but his bedroom was upstairs and theirs was on the main floor on the other side of the house.

“Now who’s up to something,” he murmured as they finished their lunches.

She gave him a seductive grin as she licked her lips. He stiffened and his eyes narrowed with want. “Maybe. You’ll have to wait and see.”

The afternoon was spent walking around town and checking out the cute boutiques before finally heading home to join his parents for dinner. And dinner with the Devons was anything but quiet or boring. Barbara always had a story to tell to get Kiley laughing until her sides hurt, and Charlie was really a younger version of his dad. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but having dinner with them every night was something she could get used to very quickly.

Barbara stood to clear the dishes, and Kiley joined her to let Charlie catch up with his dad. “Oh, now, dear, you’re a guest,” Barbara argued. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t mind, really. You guys have been so great to me.”

“Why wouldn’t we be? You’re such a sweet girl. I’m so glad Charlie found you.”

Kiley sipped her glass of wine, leaning against the counter. Whenever she thought about that horrible morning, it wasn’t the beating she saw anymore but Charlie’s face, the concern in his eyes, and the warmth in his voice as he spoke to her.

“You never told me how you two met,” Barbara hinted, pouring herself another glass.

“It’s certainly an interesting story.” She drank down more of her wine. “He saved my life.”

“Oh dear, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Barbara said, hurrying to her side to comfort her when tears burned in Kiley’s eyes.

“It’s all right, really. I just… he’s done so much for me, and I’m not sure he’ll ever understand.” She drained her glass and set it aside. “I got myself into some trouble—bad trouble, and when I didn’t see a way out, he was there to pull me up. He stopped me from, well, from jumping off the ledge, literally.”

Barbara set her glass down, too, and Kiley saw the sadness in her eyes shimmering with tears. “You poor girl.”

Kiley tried to keep the emotions at bay, but Barbara hugged her and she couldn’t stop the tears from falling. “I didn’t think I would ever get that low, but I did and he saved my life. He stitched me up and took care of my bruises,” she said through her tears. “Your son, I don’t deserve him, but…but I think I love him.” Had she said that to his mother? Kiley waited for Barbara to pull back and agree with her, to say she was far from good enough for her son, but she picked up a tissue and dabbed gently at her cheeks.

“You do deserve him. You’re the first woman he’s brought home to meet us, and he’s had a few girlfriends. A few I thought were serious, but none of them were you. He was waiting for you, Kiley, don’t you forget that,” she said as fiercely as her son and with the same emotional brown eyes. “I see how you two look at each other. It’s the same way his father and I looked at each other. Still do when we’re not driving each other crazy.”

Kiley had never known motherly love, and standing in the kitchen with Barbara, she got a taste of what a true family could be like. “He was gone in town for a while. Did he say what he was up to?”

“No, but I’m sure whatever it was, you’ll find out soon.” Her eye twitched and she tried to hide a grin, turning away as she hummed.

“You’re as bad at lying as your son is,” Kiley informed her as she helped clean the kitchen.

“Yes, I am.”

***

Charlie grinned as he listened to Kiley and his mom getting along so well in the kitchen.

“I’m glad you brought her home,” Conor said. “So’s your mother. She’s been worried about you for a while, you know.”

“She thinks I work too hard.”

“We both do, to be clear.”

Charlie swirled the whiskey in his glass. The past few years had flown by so fast he hardly remembered anything other than being at the hospital. So many patients he’d taken care of, so many hours of his life spent, but he never felt like he truly belonged there. Helping people was what he enjoyed doing, but if he was honest with himself, he missed this small town. He missed the snowfall. He missed being home. When he brought Kiley with him, he half expected her not to like it, but she seemed almost more at home here than he was.

“What would you say if I told you I looked at one of the buildings for lease in town?”

Conor lifted his glass in toast to his son. “I would say I look forward to hearing your decision and to know if this woman will join you.”

“We’ve barely been together a month,” Charlie admitted.

“And? Any idiot can see how much you care for her, and she’s clearly in love with you.”

Charlie choked on his whiskey, coughing and hacking as his dad smirked and clapped him on the back. “Really?”

“Yeah, really. Don’t let this one go, Charlie. For your sake and hers.”

He glanced towards the kitchen and caught her watching him. “I don’t plan to.”