AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But no matter how many times I think it, I know it’s so much more. I’ve fallen hard for Everly and her boy. Now I’m having a hard time imagining our lives any other way. Preston’s a kind and chatty kid with so much love to give. He reminds me of myself when I was younger. And Everly, well, what’s not to love? She’s gorgeous, and everything she touches turns to gold.
I pace my house until she finally walks up the driveway, clad in a knee-length black coat and tall boots. Her hands are shoved into her pockets, and her mouth is turned up in a lazy smile.
I open the door when I see her coming up the porch.“Hey. Was your drive okay?”
She nods and enters. Inside the cabin is exactly how she left it, from the stein of flowers to the platter of cookies on the island table. The only thing I’ve done is clean and light some candles throughout the rooms. I had to get them out of my emergency supply storage, but I thought they’d be a nice touch.
“I’m making pasta. I hope that’s alright.” I scramble to usher her inside and take off her coat.
“I love pasta.”
I exhale, releasing some of the tension I’ve been holding. “Good. I made the dough myself from scratch.”
Her eyes light up. “I didn’t know you could cook.”
I rub the back of my neck and lift the pot to the sauce I’m making. I stir it with the wooden spoon before turning up the burner and covering it again. “My father taught me. His mother was Italian, so he was quite the chef.”
“Tell me more about your family,” she requests, sitting down on the stool and placing her chin in her hands.
“Well, you’ve met Danny. Our mom passed away when we were little after Danny’s birth, so it was just our father and us growing up. He worked long hours, so Danny and I spent a lot of time alone. Danny’s had a bit of a rough go. Spent some time in jail for theft, you know, things kids do when they’re trying to fill a gap.”
“I’m sorry,” she says. “That must have been hard on the two of you.”
I shrug. “I guess. Danny always took it much harder than me, hence the criminal record.” I inhale deeply and confess, “I always felt bad. I was responsible, but I led him astray.”
Everly reaches across the counter and puts her hand on my forearm. Heat sears through me at her touch, and I come alive. “You didn’t lead him astray. You did your best. Sometimes it’s all we can do.”
“He gets pretty reclusive sometimes. I worry about him.”
“Ha, that’s something coming from you. Some people might think you spend a lot of time on your own too. I’ve lived in Findlay all my life, and we’ve never met.”
I nod. “I’ve never minded. It’s peaceful up here, but it’s better now you’re here.” My words make her face flush a deep crimson that crawls down her neck. I wonder where it stops. “You know what we’re missing? Wine.”
I rummage through the cupboard before I find the bottle I’m looking for. I take out a few glasses and wash them in the sink to remove any accumulated dust over the years.
A half-hour later, we’re on our second glass of wine. Everly takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. We talked about our families and her marriage. She tells me about Preston’s early years, and an overwhelming sadness hits me that I wasn’t there to experience any of it.
From there, we’re on a roll. The conversation flows, and I can’t tear my eyes away from her. We’ve talked about our fears. We’ve talked about each other. I thank her for trusting me to have a relationship with her son. She tells me I better not break his heart. Everly can’t see it now, but she has nothing to worry about. I will never let her down. I will come through for her and Preston for as long as she lets me.
It turns out she’s also a good painter, which explains the level of detail in the cookies with icing or other designs. I tell her how I like to read anything I can get my hands on, which she chuckles over and tells me I’d like anything that comes from a tree. She’s not wrong.
The fireplace crackles and sputters in the background when we sit down to eat, casting a relaxed glow over everything. The dimmed lights overhead add to the atmosphere.
Everly twirls the pasta around her fork and puts it into her mouth. As soon as she starts to chew, her eyes close. “Hunter, this isgood,” she tells me, gesturing toward the plate with her fork.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. It’s honestly the best pasta I’ve ever had, hands down. What’s your secret?”
My eyes narrow playfully. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?”
She goes on, “Oooh, a man of mystery. I like it. I’m thinking it’s sage, no extra basil. Am I right? I know I am…” She rambles on, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
I spend every night here at this table by myself. I’ve always felt fine. But now, nothing will compare to tonight. I realize that my house is suddenly a home with Everly in it. When she stops talking, I lean in close.
“Youamaze me,” I whisper in response. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Everything about you. From your talent and passion to how you’ve put your whole self into raising a magnificent little boy. Everything you do puts me in awe.”
She shrugs off my compliment and digs into her dinner. That cute little blush finds its way to her features, and she shakes her head slightly.
