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Twenty
Van
It’s been more than a week since my conversation with Brinley by the campfire. The idea that she wants me to be the first man she’s been with since the death of her husband… talk about some pressure. But the thought of going back to Kodiak without having her is unbearable. She’s the first woman in a long time I could see myself getting serious with if we didn’t live so far apart. Not to mention, I was vague when I said I was in the military. If she finds out I’m a diver with the Coast Guard, I have to think that someone who lost her husband at such a young age isn’t going to want to get into a relationship with someone who works such a dangerous job. There’s a whole slew of requirements she’ll probably have for a future husband, and I can’t blame her.
I just want to make sure that whatever happens is on her terms. Every night I’ve thought about how we’ll do this. Should it be our last night together or earlier than that, so there’s more opportunity to sleep together before I leave? Then again, she never mentioned sleeping with me more than once. All I know is that it has to be when we’re in one of those sexual-tension-filled moments when the energy is hot and undeniable, so she’s not in her head.
So, I call Bailey Timber and ask to speak to Brinley’s mom, informing the receptionist that it’s Van Adler.
“Van,” Savannah greets me. “If it isn’t our little BuzzWheel celebrity. That was quite the article.”
After the Girl Scout event at the high school gym, pictures were posted of Brinley and me out by the fire, but there was no accompanying article.
“It was.”
“May I ask if you’re the reason my daughter’s smiling these days?”
I softly say, “I hope so.”
“Well, I gotta be straight with you then. It’s just too early to ask for her hand in marriage, and you have to ask her father for permission. I know he’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a good guy, believe me.”
“Oh… no.” I stammer over my words. “I-I wasn’t calling for that.”
She laughs. “I’m kidding. You do know I was young once too?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do not call me ma’am.”
“Mrs. Kelly.”
“No.”
“Savannah.”
“There you go. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?”
“I was wondering if you could give Brinley the day off on Wednesday. It’s my day off, and I was planning on going snowmobiling.”
“Snowmobiling?” There’s a hitch to her voice.
Then I remember Brinley’s grandparents died in a snowmobile accident. Jesus, I’m a moron. I swallow hard. “Yes.”
She blows out a breath. “Well, I’m not a very big fan of those machines, but Brinley has ridden them with her father in the past.”
“I’m sorry, Brinley told me about your parents. I should’ve thought of it and planned something else.” I feel like a total asshole now.
“It’s okay, Van. Honestly, life goes on and tons of people ride snowmobiles every year, and nothing happens. Why not ask her to take the day off? She makes her own schedule.”
“I thought about that, but I really want to make it a surprise for her. And I know she’s learning to take the company over, and I figured maybe you could push her to take the day off. I’ll surprise her in the morning.”
There’s silence on the other end and I assume she’s going to say no when she says, “I like you. My husband doesn’t, but I do.” Her tone suggests she’s smiling. “Done. I’ll make sure she’s up for anything on Wednesday.”
“Thank you so much, ma… Mrs…. Savannah.”
She laughs so loudly I pull the phone away from my ear. “Oh, Van, you’ll get the hang of it once I’m your mother-in-law. I’m going to go read that new BuzzWheel article again. Bye-bye.”
New article? She hangs up before I have time to say anything else.
