Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (17 page)

“Stay in here all day,” he said, tickling my ear with
his warm breath.

“As tempting as that sounds, I prefer not to look
like a wrinkled prune.”

“How about we go and surprise my grandmother,” he
suggested.

My smile fell. “I really don’t mind looking like a
wrinkled prune,” I said. I was really okay if I never had to see
that horrible woman again. My luck, she’d make me clean her
house.

“C’mon on, she’s not that bad,” he chuckled.

“Easy for you to say she’s
your
grandmother.
She hates me,” I sighed, leaning back into him.

“She doesn’t hate you. She just doesn’t know you like
I do and I’m sure she’ll be very appreciative you found her
favorite grandson.” He gripped me tighter. “I promise I won’t let
her make you do any manual labor. Unless it’s to cook me
dinner.”

I elbowed him. “I think you should cook me
dinner.”

“Then you’ll starve.”

“You can’t cook?”

“I’m really good at ordering takeout. Does that
count?”

“No,” I laughed. “Alright, I’ll go to your
grandmother’s on one condition. You have to shave and cut your
hair.” I could tell he was reluctant. “You don’t want to show up at
your grandmother’s looking shabby, do you? I’m sure she’ll blame me
for that too,” I said, mumbling the last part to myself.

“You don’t like the scruffy look?”

“No. The beard scratches my face and I like your hair
better shorter,” I said, turning to push it out of his face. I
hated to admit it, but with his hair this length he kind of
reminded me of Roman.

He smiled and pressed his lips to mine. “For you my
love, anything.”

It took some coaxing, but I was finally able to get
Tristan out of the bathtub. I found some disposable razors amongst
the boys’ things and gave one to Tristan and told him to get to
work while I got dressed. I then joined him in the bathroom and
hopped on the counter and watched him shave. “Did you need
something?” he asked, giving me a sideways glance in the
mirror.

“No. Just watching.”

“Wanna help?” he asked, offering me the razor.

“Oh no, I couldn’t.”

“What are you afraid of? Come here,” he pulled me
closer to him. “You’re not going to hurt me and if you do cut me
you could heal me,” he said, bumping the tip of my nose with his
finger.

“That doesn’t help,” I said, not crazy about this
idea. He took my hand and put the razor in it and then instructed
me on what to do. I closed my eyes and took a breath.

“Relax,” he said, kissing my hand. “It’s no big
deal.” He applied the shaving cream and then pulled me in front of
him. I started at the side and worked my way up like he instructed.
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was actually kind of
nice. “See, I told you you could do it.” He kissed me sweetly and
then wiped off the rest of the shaving cream.

“Now your hair.”

“And how exactly do you propose we do that?”

I pulled out a comb and a pair of shears Josie bought
when she was going through her bang phase. “So you’re not afraid to
cut my hair but you’re –”

“Look, you’re not going to talk your way out of this.
So just sit down and shut up.”

“You’re so demanding,” he smirked, leaning closer for
a kiss.

I pushed him back. “We don’t have time for that.” I
hopped off the counter and walked out to get a chair. I placed the
chair in the middle of the bathroom and made him sit. Then I draped
a towel over his shoulders. I wasn’t going to lie. I had no idea
what I was doing and quite frankly as meticulous as Tristan was
with his hair I was surprised he even let me do this. I think it
was because he knew he needed a haircut and I was the only
option.

When I was finished I let him stand up and take a
look in the mirror. I didn’t do too badly and he seemed pleased and
if he wasn’t I would know. “What do you think?”

“As long as you’re happy.” I gave him one of my many
annoyed looks causing him to smile. “Oh how I missed that look.” I
put my hands on my hips. “I like it,” he said.

“Good. It does look much better,” I said, putting the
scissors and comb down on the counter. “Now get dressed.”

“What’s the rush?” he asked, pulling me into him.

“You’re the one who wanted to go and you of all
people should know she goes to bed early.”

“Alright, let’s go,” he sighed, letting me go.

We had to take a taxi because Josie and the rest took
the rental car. I wasn’t looking forward to the visit, but I
figured with Tristan by my side it wouldn’t be as bad. I was also
hoping our little moment after my father left would maybe change
her attitude toward me, but with Deidre who knew.

I could feel Tristan was getting a little nervous
before we arrived. To help him relax I told him I might let him act
out some of those naughty little thoughts he was always having.
Although he relaxed somewhat, his heart and pulse were now racing,
and for the rest of the ride he was sending me all kinds of ideas
telepathically. I said no to almost every one of them.

We arrived sometime around five and I had to
practically drag Tristan out of the car. “Why are you being such a
baby?” I yanked on his arm so hard I almost fell.

“You met her you know what she’s like.”

I let go knowing it was useless. Despite my power and
kickass moves, he was still stronger than me. “I thought you said
you were her favorite?” I teased.

“I lied,” he said, closing the door and locking it.
At risk of being exposed, I took my chances and unlocked the door.
I ripped it open before he had the chance to lock it again. He
narrowed his eyes at me.

“Get out of the car you big sissy!” I gave one final
tug. He finally got out and joined me by the gate. It took some
more coaxing, but I got him to the door and knocked. It only took a
few minutes before I heard the dreaded footsteps of Deirdre’s feet
pounding the floor. When she opened the door her eyes widened in
surprise and then quickly went back to her normal unpleased
look.

She stood there silently for a moment, and then
motioned with her finger for Tristan to come closer. He leaned down
and she smacked him across the face.

That, I did not expect.

Deirdre grunted something in Gaelic under her breath
and then walked away. I looked at Tristan, not knowing what to do.
“Come on,” he said, pulling me in the house.

“Um,” I said, afraid of what might happen next.

We walked into the living room where his grandfather
was sitting and watching TV. Our presence startled him. He dropped
his tea cup when he saw Tristan and froze. I didn’t know what to
say so I thought I would let Tristan do the talking. Neither of
them made a move to do anything. I bent down to help clean up the
spilled tea when Caleb finally came out of his frozen stare. He
padded my hand. “It’s fine,” he said and got up. He walked over to
Tristan and stood their staring at him again. “Is it you? Is it
really you my boy?”

“Yeah Pop, it’s me.”

Caleb lifted up his hands and placed them on
Tristan’s face. I saw tears forming in Caleb’s eyes as he smiled.
He embraced Tristan in a hug, gripping him so tight I thought he
would crush him. The sight of their reunion even had me tear up a
bit. “I can’t believe it’s you,” he took a step back. “Look at
you,” he said, hugging him again. “Come sit,” he gestured toward
the couch. “Just let me get something to clean this up.”

“I can do that,” I offered.

He shooed me away and insisted we sit. “I think I
should go talk to Nan first. She didn’t look too happy to see me,”
Tristan said.

“Just give her some time. She’ll come around. Now
sit, sit.”

Caleb went into the kitchen to grab some paper towels
while we had a seat. I put my hand on Tristan’s knee. “How you
doing?”

He took my hand and held it in his. “Better with you
here,” he smiled. I kissed his hand and rested my head on his
shoulder. “You know this place looks a little different.”

“How so?”

He looked around the small room. “They’re pictures
missing and some of Nan’s favorite knickknacks.” He looked over my
shoulder and caught a glimpse of a frame on the floor. He got up to
go look at it. He lifted up the glassless frame from behind the
couch. Caleb returned from the kitchen with some towels and a tray
full of drinks. “Pop, what happened?” he asked, holding up the
frame.

Caleb set the tray down on the table and looked up at
me. I shrugged not knowing what to say. I kind of forgot to tell
Tristan about the little power battle me and his Grandmother had
when we first met. “Accident,” Caleb said, winking at me. “Just
didn’t get a chance to replace it.”

Tristan took a seat next to me again as Caleb sat
back down in his seat across from us. I knew Tristan was still
upset about his grandmother and wanted to go talk to her, but we
all knew giving her some time to cool off would be best. After a
few minutes of awkward silence, Caleb began the conversation. He
asked Tristan all kinds of questions. Where was he? What happened?
How did I find him? And so on. I wanted to give them some time
alone together so I went out to take a walk in the garden. I also
didn’t want to hear how downhill Tristan went after he left. It was
hard enough to see him like that when I found him. I didn’t need
the details.

Caleb came and found me when they were done and
informed me Tristan had gone and talked to his Grandmother. “You
hungry?”

“Oh no, thank you,” I politely declined.

“Oh come now. I’ll make you something.”

“You don’t have to go to any trouble.”

“It’s no trouble. I was about to make dinner anyway
and now it’s a celebration. A thank you for finding my grandson,”
he smiled. He waved his arm out in front of him, gesturing for me
to follow him into the kitchen. Not able to deny him, I followed
him, and had a seat at the table while he fussed around in the
cabinets.

“Can I ask you something?” He looked at me from over
his shoulder, but I didn’t wait for his response. “I’m somewhat
confused.”

“Confused about what?” he asked, going back to making
dinner.

“Well I kind of thought Deirdre would be happy to
find out her grandson is alive, but when she saw him, she slapped
him.”

Caleb chuckled lightly to himself. “My wife…is
a…complicated woman.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” I replied, getting
a laugh from Caleb. I heard the shuffle of feet and looked over my
shoulder to spot Josef making his way into the kitchen.

“Ella,” he stopped.

“Josef,” Caleb spoke. “Great news, Ella found
Tristan. We’re having a mini celebration. Come here and help me get
things ready.” Josef looked at me before he walked back out of the
kitchen and stormed his way through the living room. “Josef,” Caleb
called, but he ignored him.

“I’ll go see what’s wrong,” I said. I followed him
down the hall and grabbed his arm to stop him. “Josef wait.” He
flinched and pulled his arm out of my grasp. “Did I do something
wrong? I thought you would be happy that your cousin is alive?”

“I’m not,” he said under his breath.

I looked at him wondering if I heard him right. I
opened my mouth to say something, but I didn’t know what to say.
Clearly he was still harboring some bitter feelings toward Tristan.
Before I could make a clear thought, Tristan stepped out of one of
the bedrooms with Deidre on his arm, and she was smiling. “Hey
cous’, how’s it –” Josef was storming off before Tristan could even
finish his sentence.

“Josef!” Deirdre hissed, making him cringe, and
freeze in his tracks. I had a feeling he only stopped because
Deirdre was making him.

“Let him go Nan,” Tristan said.

Josef turned on Tristan. “Don’t do me any favors,” he
spat and walked away.

I could see Deirdre was ready to chase after him but
Tristan stopped her. “Don’t worry Nan. I’ll talk to him later. Now
how about some of your delicious apple pie?” he asked, giving her
his million dollar smile.

“You’ll spoil your dinner.”

“Please,” he begged, giving her the pouty lip. She
let out a sigh and led him into the kitchen. Tristan looked over
his shoulder at me and winked as I stood there totally dumbfounded.
Okay, what the hell just happened? Did he slip her something?
Because I had never seen her smile that much or give in so
easily…to anyone.

After I collected myself, I joined them in the
kitchen. Deirdre had served Tristan a huge slice of apple pie
loaded with whip cream. She pinched his cheeks before sitting down
in the chair next to him. Tristan looked over at me standing in the
door way. He titled his head to the side and thought,
“Are you
okay?”
so only I could hear him.

I nodded my head and joined him at the table. “Ella,
you have to try this,” he said, shoveling a big piece on the fork
for me. He practically shoved it in my mouth before I could
protest. Despite my dislike for his grandmother, I have to admit it
was pretty good, considering I don’t even like pie. “Good
right?”

I nodded in agreement not wanting to talk with my
mouth full. Deirdre just narrowed her eyes at me. I hadn’t even
spoken a word and already she was giving me nasty looks. Tristan
caught sight of his grandmother’s nasty stare in my direction and
rolled his eyes.
“She thinks you’re selfish for
not
bringing me to her right away,”
he thought.

“What!” I said out loud. Both his grandparent’s
turned and looked at me like I was crazy. Tristan just shook his
head.

Deirdre looked back and forth between Tristan and me.
I just scowled at her having enough of her scrutiny. “You, what did
you do?” she said to me.

“What are talking about? I didn’t do anything.”

“You two…are connected.” Tristan and I just looked at
each. “How?”

“Nan, what are talking about?” Tristan asked,
shoveling more pie in his mouth.