It's Only Love(24)

“Thanks for signing up to help at the tree farm,” Ella said. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know I didn’t. It sounds fun, though, and you’ll be there, so it can’t be all bad.”

She smiled, but he couldn’t help but notice she seemed troubled by something.

“Everything okay?”

“Sure,” she said. “Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. You seem . . . off . . . since we left your parents’ place.”

She had no reply to that, which set his nerves on edge. What could’ve happened in the time they spent with her family? He supposed she’d tell him if she wanted to. It amazed him to realize how badly he wanted to be privy to her thoughts. Was she happy? Was she worried? Did she regret taking him to dinner? Had someone warned her away from him? That wouldn’t surprise him. It wasn’t like he didn’t deserve to come with a warning label attached to him—may be hazardous to your health and emotional well-being.

As he pulled up to Ella’s house and parked behind her car, it occurred to him that having his truck here all night would be equivalent to telling the town of Butler they were sleeping together. “I’m going to run home for a minute, but I’ll be right back. If you still want me.”

“Yes, I still want you. Hurry back.”

He leaned over to kiss her. “I will.” Gavin waited until she was inside before he pulled out of her driveway and headed home. Once there, he packed a bag with a change of clothes and his toothbrush and was heading for the door when the house phone rang. He took the call from his mother.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. How are you?”

“I’m good. You?”

“Busy with the inn, but we’re enjoying it.”

Running the inn that Hannah had opened for war widows had given his parents a new purpose that they’d badly needed. “Glad to hear it’s going well.”

“Dad and I were saying tonight it’s been weeks since the three of us had dinner. Want to come tomorrow night? I’ll make ribs for you.”

“Mmm, ribs.” Even though he’d just eaten a huge meal, his mouth watered at the thought of his mother’s ribs. “You know how to get my attention.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Could I bring a friend?”

His question was met with dead silence on the other end of the line.

“Mom?”

“A female friend?” The hope he heard in her voice was like a punch to the gut, making him realize how little reason he’d given her to be hopeful where he was concerned.

“Yes, a female friend.”

“Of course you can bring her. Anyone we know?”

“You know her.”

“That’s it? That’s all I’m getting?”

“Until tomorrow.”

“Gavin, come on! You can’t leave me hanging for twenty-four hours.”

“It’ll be here before you know it,” he said, smiling. He’d smiled more today than he had in years.

“This is just mean.”

That made him laugh. “Patience, Mother.”

“Is this . . . Is it something serious?”

“Could be. It’s new, so don’t get too excited just yet.”

“I’m already excited that you like her enough to bring her here.”

“I like her a lot. I have for a long time.”

“Gavin Michael Guthrie! You are torturing your mother!”

His dad chimed in from the extension. “Hey, Gav, why are you torturing your mother?”

“Because I asked to bring a friend to dinner tomorrow, and she needs to know right now who it is.”

“So do I,” his dad said, making Gavin laugh.

“See you guys tomorrow! Gotta run.”

“Gavin!”

“Love you.” He hung up laughing, which was another thing he’d done a lot of today. It felt good to have something to laugh and smile about again. It felt good to give his parents something to look forward to. It felt good to be around Ella, to be able to touch her and kiss her and not have to pretend any longer that he wasn’t crazy about her.

In particular, it felt good to not be so twisted up in knots of grief and rage as he’d been so much of the time lately. The downward spiral had come on quickly following the one-two punch of Homer dying followed by Hannah’s remarriage. He’d been doing fine. He would’ve said he’d gotten “over” his brother’s death, if that were even possible. His life was orderly, if a bit boring. He worked long hours and made sure to see a lot of his parents. If every day was a lot like the day before, that was fine.

Then Homer died. Gavin could still remember the absolute devastation of hearing that his brother’s beloved companion was gone. As ridiculous as it might seem to some, it had been like losing Caleb all over again. The three of them had been constant companions in college and whenever Caleb was home on leave from the army. His brother had been absolutely crazy about the mutt he’d found by the side of the road, and the mutt had been equally crazy about Caleb.

The funeral Hannah had held for Homer had been perfect and poignant and yet another reminder that his brother was gone forever. Saying good-bye to Homer had been like saying good-bye to Caleb again, and Gavin had found the entire day to be unbearable—except for the brief respite he’d found with Ella on the porch swing. Talking to her and sharing his pain with her had somehow made it easier than it would’ve been otherwise.