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“I won’t,” I vowed, remembering the first time Trace kissed me, and how he walked away from me. I understood now why he did. When you lose someone you care about that much, it’s hard to connect with someone, for the fear of getting hurt again.
Warren continued to hold me until all my tears had been shed.
“Better?” He asked, as I swiped underneath my eyes.
“Yeah,” I nodded, my voice a little shaky, “I’m glad you told me. It was just a lot to take in.”
“Of course,” he replied as the others joined us in the foyer.
“Why are you crying?” Concerned, Trace ran to my side, and began looking me over.
“I’m fine,” I squirmed under his gaze.
“No, you’re not. You’re crying, and in my book, crying never means someone’s fine or okay. Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it,” he pleaded.
I looked at Warren pleadingly, for him to come up with an excuse.
“I was just telling Olivia,” Warren started, “that I may not know her well but I consider her as much my granddaughter as you are my grandson and that she’s welcome here anytime. She just got emotional, that’s all. Women cry for no reason sometimes, boy, get used to it,” he clapped Trace on the shoulder before disappearing behind a door I had been told led to his home office.
“You see, I never had grandparents,” I shrugged, trying to explain away my tears further. I didn’t think Trace would take too kindly to the fact that his grandpa had told me how his dad died.
“Oh,” he nodded, absorbing my words. “Okay.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I said my goodbye’s to the rest of Trace’s family and followed him out through the garage.
The snow had been completely cleared. I only hoped the actual road was as snow free as the driveway.
Luckily, no one seemed brave enough to be out driving, so we practically had the road to ourselves, which was nice. I didn’t have to worry about us hitting a spot of ice and slamming into another car.
Trace pulled into Avery’s driveway.
“I’m sorry we got snowed in,” he said softly.
“I’m not. It gave me more time to get to know them,” I smiled.
He reached for my hand. “They all love you. You were great.”
“I’m happy I didn’t throw up on myself,” I laughed. “I was really nervous.”
Trace chuckled. “I think Gramps wishes he could replace, Trent and me, with you.”
“I doubt that,” I rolled my eyes. “I better get in there,” I pointed to the door. In fact, I was kind of surprised that Avery hadn’t come running out to assault me with questions.
“Alright,” he leaned over to kiss me deeply.
“On second thought,” I breathed, cupping his chin in my hand, “I can stay.”
“Nice try,” he smiled, running his thumb over my lower lip.
He pecked my lips once more and I slipped out of the car. He waited for me to enter the garage code and go inside. It didn’t escape my attention that there was a new car in the garage. I wondered if Avery’s parents had arrived home or if another one of her brothers was here.
I opened the door that led into the mudroom and was greeted by a flustered Avery. “Olivia! There you are!” She grabbed my arm and dragged me into the kitchen. “My parents are here,” she hissed in my ear warningly. “Mom, dad,” she called to the two people standing at the center island with their backs to us. “This is Olivia.”
They turned around slowly. I was expecting glares and orders to get out of their house. Instead, Avery’s redhead mother came striding towards me with open arms. “It’s so nice to meet you, Olivia. I’m so sorry about what happened with your dad. You and your mom are welcome to stay here as long as you need to. I mean that,” she insisted, holding me at arm’s length. Avery looked like a younger version of her mom but with plumper cheeks and lips. Her mom was very thin and tall. Tall enough that I was sure she could have been a model. “Oh, and I’m Theresa, but just call me Resa. And this-” she motioned to the man beside her, “is my husband, Galen.”
“Hi,” I waved awkwardly.
