Chapter Fifteen
After speaking to Stella’s kids Loran was emotionally and physically exhausted. He just wanted to wrap his girl up in his arms and shut the rest of the world out.
“You feel like opening a bottle of wine and heading out to the hot tub?” he asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. It was a simple gesture, but so intimate, reminding him that he’d never had that with another woman. He’d never wanted to take care of anyone the way he did Bella.
She looked adorably uncertain as she bit her lip. “I’d love that, but I don’t have a swimsuit.”
He laughed and it felt good. For the first time since he’d heard about Stella he’d actually laughed and he knew that’s what she would have wanted, for him to be happy again. To remember all the special moments they had, not to feel sad about losing her.
“I don’t think we have to worry about that. The property’s surrounded by trees out back. Unless you’re concerned about a squirrel getting an eyeful?”
“Shut up.” She laughed and pushed against his chest. “Fine, you open that bottle of wine while I go slip into one of your bath robes.”
He loved seeing her in his clothes. It felt cozy and familiar, like they’d always been a part of each other’s lives. “Grab one for me too.”
“You got it.”
He watched her walk up the stairs as he leaned against the wall, facing his internal struggle. His heart wanted him to quit wasting time and propose to the girl already, but his head was warning him to give her more time.
His phone buzzed and he reached for it, smiling when he saw his mother’s name. “Hey, I just got in.”
“Hi, honey. Just wanted to know how you were holding up?”
That was typical of her. She’d just been released from the hospital the day before and she was worrying about him. “I’m okay. Bella’s here with me.”
“Oh! I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”
He chuckled. He was sure his mother hadn’t meantthat, but his mind immediately went there, thinking if she’d called in a couple of hours she likely would have been interrupting. “No, we’re just opening a bottle of wine. Gonna head outside for a bit, just try and process the fact that she’s really gone.”
She sighed. “I wish I could have met Stella. She sounds like an incredible woman.”
Loran was sure Stella and his mother would have been fast friends. They were so much alike, which made him even more grateful he still had his mom in his life. “She was incredible. Just like you.” He cleared his throat, feeling the emotion creeping up on him again.
“Thank you.”
“You’re the best. You know that, right? I wouldn’t be where I am without you.” That was the reason he wanted to spoil her. It was the only way he knew how to show her how much he appreciated her sacrifices.
“You’d have found a way, sweetheart. You were the most determined kid I’d ever seen.”
He was determined. Because he wanted to give his mother and kid brother a better life. He was finally able to do that and it made everything he’d had to go through to get where he was more than worth it.
“You never let me give up.” He’d never said these things to her, never let her know that she’d been his rock. “Even when I hated a coach or had to ride the bench, you told me I’d look back on those things and laugh when I made it to the big leagues.”
“And I was right. Your mama is always right, young man. And don’t you forget it.”
He smiled. “I won’t.” He thought of his conversation with Stella’s kids. They spoke with so much pain and regret, wishing they could have spent more time with her. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re moving out here. It’ll be good for you. For both of us.” He would be on the road a lot, but he hoped Bella and her family would adopt his mother.
“I can’t wait,” she whispered. “Truth be told, I’ve been kind of lonely.” She cleared her throat. “Probably being in this old house, with all the wonderful memories of you boys growing up here. Makes me wish things were different.”
His mother wasn’t one to complain, so Loran had no idea she’d been struggling. “You ever think about getting married again?”
She laughed. “Are you kidding?”
“No, I’m serious.” After her divorce she’d devoted her life to raising her kids and earning a living, but the struggle was over now. Loran would love to see her find someone to love her. “You should think about dating again, when you move out here. There’s a senior’s centre not far from where you’ll be living. I bet you could meet some nice people there.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
“Promise?”
