Finding Home (18 page)

“Mandy,” he began a few moments later as he played with my hair.

“Please, Brandon,” I interrupted. “Please don’t ask me anything right now.  Please just let us have this moment.  We’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

“Okay,” he said softly, kissing the top of my head and he didn’t say a word.  He just held me and for the rest of the afternoon we had the simplicity I wished for. 

Twenty

I knew that afternoon with Brandon was one of the last days of peace I’d have for a long time.  I couldn’t hide from reality forever, but it felt good trying.  Brandon hadn’t asked me anything about the pregnancy that day, but I knew he wasn’t going to stay quiet for long and part of me was grateful for that.  I’d thought about what I was going to do, but I hadn’t allowed the thoughts to last or go too deep because when I did, I got a sick feeling in my stomach and I couldn’t deal with it. 

I’d gone to work and unlike my last shift, I wasn’t a total wreck.  I’d pushed everything to the back of my mind and just focused on my tables and when it was over, I walked out to see Brandon waiting for me.  He was leaning against his truck, looking ridiculously sexy in his fraying jeans, faded plaid button up shirt and an old beat up Royals cap.  He reminded me of a sexy cowboy you’d see in a Chevy commercial and the smile that was curled up on the right side of his mouth only added to the illusion. 

“Hey,” I said, almost shyly as I walked towards him.  Things weren’t completely the same between us since I’d tried, unsuccessfully, to break up with him.  There was awkwardness, but that was to be expected.  Things just couldn’t be the way they had been.  Too much had happened since our days of naïve bliss.

“I thought you might wanna hang out,” he said, easing his body away from the truck. “Whaddya say?”

“I say I’m really glad to see you.”  And I really was.  He was exactly what I needed and I didn’t wait for an invitation.  I just walked right into him, wrapping my arms around his waist, resting my head against his chest as I felt his arms slide around me.  How I’d ever thought I could push him away and not even give him the chance to show me how much he cared about me was beyond me.  My sister had been amazing and I loved her, but she wasn’t Brandon and she couldn’t offer me the comfort Brandon could offer me. 

He held me tenderly, stroking my hair as I just stayed in his arms and when I finally pulled away from him, he was smiling at me in that typically smug Brandon way.

“How did you ever think you could live without me, Mandy Dalton?”

“I guess I had a bout of momentary craziness.  I’ve come to my senses though, so you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

We were being playful, but I could tell by the way he looked at me, even though there was that perpetual goofiness about him, he truly was relieved and I was grateful he hadn’t given up on me. 

“C’mon, let’s go,” he said all of sudden, taking my hand and leading me over to his truck.

“What about my car?”

“That piece of crap?  You couldn’t pay anyone to steal it.”  I just glared at him and he broke out in his trademark grin and I couldn’t stay mad at him.  “It’ll be fine until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked, my eyebrow rising in confusion.

“Yeah, tomorrow.  Now get in.”

He held the door open for me and I got in.  While he walked around the front of the truck to the driver’s side, I took a moment to look around and I noticed a duffle bag in the back.

“What’s the bag for?” I asked when he climbed in.

“I’m kidnapping you.”

“Kidnapping?  So the bag’s full of duct tape and zip ties?  Where’s the shovel?”

“It’s in the bed of the truck.  Don’t worry.  I wouldn’t have forgotten that.”

I just started laughing as he pulled out of the parking lot and we started out on the highway. 

“Seriously, Brandon.  What’s going on?”

“We’re going to the cabin.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “I can’t just take off like this!  My parents will kill me.”

“First of all,” he said, glancing from the road momentarily to look at me. “You’re twenty-one years old.  You’re a grown woman.  You can do whatever you wanna do.  And secondly, I took care of it.”

“Took care of it?”

“Well, Shay helped.”

“My sister?”

“She’s actually a pretty cool kid.  She was more than willing to assist me in my abduction plan when I asked her about it.”

“So, how’d she help you?”

“She packed your clothes for me and then told your parents you’re sleeping over at Riley’s tonight since her mom and Jack are still on their honeymoon and she’s tired of being in the house alone.”

“Her mom and Jack came back a few days ago.”

“They don’t know that,” he said and I just nodded, knowing he was right.  My parents didn’t really question me when it came to Riley, Holly or Laura. “It’s all taken care of, I assure you, and for the next twenty-four hours, it’s just gonna be you and me with nothing else to bother us.”

I reached over and took his hand and for a moment, it felt like it did before I knew about the baby.  I told myself to keep that feeling, but I knew no matter how hard I tried, that sinking feeling would always surface. This wasn’t something I could ignore, even though I’d tried every attempt to do so. 

“What about your parents?  What’d you tell them?”

“A little something called the truth.”

“And they’re okay with that?”

“My parents live in a place called the real world.  They’ve accepted I’m a grown man who makes his own decisions.”

“But…” I began hesitantly. “What’ll they think of me coming up here alone with you?”

“Mandy,” he said, kissing the back of my hand quickly. “They love you and they don’t think any less of you because we’re staying here alone.”

I felt my mouth curl up at the thought of having the whole cabin to ourselves.

“Just you and me?” I asked and he grinned at me for a second.

“Yep, just me and you.” He squeezed my hand and then I smiled when I heard him start singing to me, holding up a pretend microphone to his mouth as he started swaying like a complete nerd.  It was a classic.  Kenny Chesney’s
Me and You.
“
Ordinary no.  Really don’t think so.  Not a love this true.  Common destiny. We were meant to me.  Me and You
.” Even though he was being a total clown as usual, I still felt tears stinging the backs of my eyes at how sweet he was. 

“Ya know, if you took yourself seriously, you might realize what a great voice you have.”

“You think I could make it as a country singer, Mandy?  A one-legged, army veteran.  I’m what they write country songs about.  Perhaps we should pick up and move to Nashville.”

“See.  Again with the joking around, Brandon.  I’m just saying you have a really sweet voice and I love hearing you sing.”

“Then I shall never stop, m’lady,” he said in terrible British accent and I just started laughing as he draped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me to him as we continued down the road into the horizon where the sun was just starting to set. 

~~~

It was almost eight o’clock when we got to the cabin.  Even though I’d been on my feet for most of the day, I wasn’t tired.  Since seeing Brandon waiting for me, I’d gotten a second wind. 

The cabin seemed different this time.  Maybe it was because we were alone or perhaps it was because of how much everything had changed since we were there last.  It didn’t matter though.  I was just glad to be there with Brandon and leave Carver behind for a little bit. 

Brandon grabbed the bag out of the back and led me up the stairs to the porch.  It was dark inside and he pulled out a key and unlocked the door, flipping a light on so the great room lit up.  When he closed the door behind us, the click of the lock seemed abnormally loud as if reminding me it was just Brandon and me….alone…completely alone for the first time.  The thought sent a shot of nerves and excitement throughout my body and when I felt his hand rest on the small of my back, I could’ve sworn a tingle shot up my spine.

“Do want something to drink or eat?” he asked.

“No.  I’d actually like to take a shower, if you don’t mind.  It’s kinda my ritual after coming home from work to get rid of the diner smell.”

“That’s too bad. I kinda like the way you smell, like French fries and burgers.  Makes me wanna eat you up,” he said and then started biting at my neck, which just made me crack up. “I actually expected you to wanna take a shower, so I’ve come prepared, just like the Boy Scouts taught me,” he said and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’ve been utilizing your Boy Scout training a lot recently.  Are you thinking of becoming a pack leader?”

“Just follow me,” he grinned and we headed up the stairs where he led me into the large master suite. 

“Wait here,” he said and then took the bag and disappeared, leaving me alone in the room, just tapping my foot and looking around while I wondered what he was up to.  He was gone longer than I expected and I was starting to get restless when he reappeared. “All set.”

“What’s all set?”

“Just follow me.  You really are becoming difficult to surprise.  Sometimes you just shouldn’t ask questions.”

He took my hand, leading me down the hall and then opened the door to the bathroom.  The smell of peaches hit me the moment we walked in and then my eyes focused on the tub, which was practically overflowing with bubbles.

“What is this?” I asked and he just scoffed playfully.

“Do I have to explain everything to you?  It’s a bubble bath!”

“I know that!” I said, slapping him on the arm. “I…I just didn’t expect it.”

“I knew you wouldn’t, which is why I did it.  There are fresh towels for you and stay in here as long as you want.  I just want you relax,” he said and I just turned to him, unable to speak. “Oh…and one more thing.  I’d heard somewhere that pregnant women shouldn’t take baths so I looked it up, and for future reference, that’s bogus.  It just can’t be too hot.  So…if you’re wondering why it’s not that hot, that’s why.”

I felt my hand move to my mouth as I bit my lip, trying not to cry.  I couldn’t believe he’d done this for me.  It was such a simple act, but it was exactly what I needed.  He was taking care of me and it was a wonderful feeling. 

“Thank you, Brandon,” I said softly and I think I saw him blush. He was so cute when he was shy, which wasn’t very often.

“You’re welcome,” he said and then smiled at me before turning and leaving.

Once I was alone, I looked around the bathroom.  It was large, but simple with the homey feel of the rest of the cabin.  I stripped down to nothing and dipped a toe through the mountain of bubbles.  He was right.  It wasn’t hot, but it wasn’t cold.  It was just slightly above warm and although it was cooler than I would’ve preferred, I appreciated his consideration for my situation.  I’m not sure I would’ve given it that much thought…probably because I hadn’t thought that far ahead.  I thought about it almost every second of the day, but I never allowed my thoughts to finish.  They’d get to a certain point and I’d force myself to think of something else.  It seemed Brandon had given it more thought than I had. 

Once fully in the tub, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.  I think I might’ve dozed off for a few minutes.  It felt good just to relax.  Even before I found out I was pregnant I didn’t relax much.  I did things I enjoyed, but I rarely did something like this where I just laid there and did nothing and I had to admit if felt good.

There was a light knock on the door and I glanced down to make sure the bubbles were covering me completely before telling Brandon to come in.

He opened the door slowly, peeking his head around, but I noticed how he only glanced at me for a second before averting his gaze, which I found very sweet.

“I brought your pajamas.  I realized you had nothing to change into.”

He set them on the sink along with a little bag I assumed contained my toothbrush and make up, and then he turned to walk out, but something inside me didn’t want him to leave.

“Brandon, wait,” I called to him softly and he looked back at me.  I know he tried to hide it, but I saw the way his eyes met mine at first, but then glanced down quickly and I think he was a little disappointed that the bubbles prevented him from seeing anything else.  I felt my cheeks flush and I smiled a little at the fact that he even wanted to see anything. “You can come in.”

He looked at me curiously, but he stepped inside and walked over to the toilet, closing the seat and sitting down so he was only a couple of feet away and even though he couldn’t see anything, I felt my breath start to quicken a little at the thought of having him so close to me with nothing but a few suds between us. 

“You okay?” he asked and I suddenly felt like an idiot for telling him to come inside.  I wondered what I had implied by inviting him in.  I just wanted him close, but I wondered if he thought I was asking him for something more.

“Yeah,” I said quietly and then batted gently at the bubbles. “I just didn’t want you to leave.” I wondered if my honesty was completely lame, but when I saw him smile, I realized he liked the fact I needed him.

“Well, I’m not going anywhere then,” he said and then moved over to the tub, sitting on the lip.  I wondered if he would’ve kneeled beside me if his leg would allow it. 

“I’m glad,” I said and then picked up some suds in my palm and blew them at him.  He just grinned and batted them away before scooping some up off the mound of bubbles and gently slapping them on top of my head.  I just started laughing and he leaned down, kissing me sweetly, our lips lingering long enough to make me question grabbing his shirt and pulling him in with me.  I knew I couldn’t do that though and instead, when he pulled back, I said, “I think I’m ready to get out now.”  The bath had been awesome, but I didn’t want to be away from him anymore.