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“I guess that explains the funny hat that doesn’t do anything to keep your head warm. How are you getting home?”
“Walking.” She kicks the sidewalk with the toe of her boot, still not looking at me.
“My truck’s right over there. Let me drive you.”
“It’s only a few blocks.”
“And it’s only twenty degrees and you’re not dressed for it. Come on.” I reach for her elbow only to have her yank it away.
“Could you please not mother me? I get enough of that.” Her voice catches as she speaks, and I instinctively grasp her chin, tipping it up so I can see her face. She tries to blink away her unshed tears, and my ribcage tightens its grip on my lungs.She had this same reaction this morning, and I’ve gone and treated her like a kid again. Great.
I hold up my hands as if in surrender. “I’m not mothering you. I’m trying to work off my guilt since I gave you that damn bump. Can I please drive you home?”
She considers me for a moment, looking for the lie I think, and once she’s convinced I really am trying to make amends she nods sharply.
We walk to the truck in silence, but once we’re both inside I realize I can’t start it. Not while we have a moment together, alone.
“Why do you put up with your mom being so protective of you?” It’s shitty to take advantage of having her cornered in my car, but two times now she’s gotten defensive when she thought I was being overprotective, and I know her mom is the source of that. I just don’t understand why.
“I told you. It’s easier than fighting her.”
“But you hate it, I can see it on your face.” I’ve never seen her brown eyes look so defeated, and it makes me want to punch something. Or someone, though I’d never actually hit the people I think are responsible for putting that expression on her face.
“She has her reasons.” Tiff gazes out the windshield, though with her head angled slightly in my direction I know she can see me. I arch my eyebrow, urging her to continue.
She sighs deeply, dropping her eyes to her lap. “She and my dad moved here not long after I was born. Their house in California was broken into, and they were held up at gunpoint. They swore off the big city and picked this place because it was so remote andsafein their minds. My mom never really moved on from it, and constantly worries that she can’t protect me.”
“Okay, but you’re like twenty-two.”
“Yeah, but in her mind, the older I get and the more Katah Vista grows, the more opportunities there are for me to get hurt.”
“Jesus, how do you deal with that?” My head shifts back and forth in disbelief.
“I used to pick my battles wisely. Now I try to avoid them altogether.”
“It’s not fair of her to project her issues onto your life,” I say through gritted teeth, my anger and frustration bubbling to the surface. I’ve heard of helicopter parents before, but this is a whole other level. Even if I can understand the origin of her mom’s protective tendencies, I hate the way they’re still stifling Tiff. The way people just accept it, and perpetuate it.
“It is what it is. Can you take me home now?” She finally looks up, but instead of looking at me she stares out the window. I’m not sure where this distance is coming from—after last night I would’ve expected her to be more comfortable with me, not less—but I put the truck in gear and pull out of the parking lot.
As we make our way to her house, I can’t help wondering if her detachment is because of something Cade said after I left. Even knowing the reason I was there, I could tell he wasn’t happy about it. Since he’s damn near as overprotective as her mother, I wouldn’t put it past him. Cousin or not, he doesn’t want a guy like me anywhere near her.
By the time we’ve pulled up out front, she hasn’t taken her eyes off the window. I put the truck in park, but leave it running so the locks are still engaged. I hope it buys me a second or two before she bolts.
“What did Cade say?” I turn toward her in time to catch her wrinkling her nose in confusion.
“Cade?”
“After I left. I assume whatever he said is the reason you aren’t looking at me.”
Her eyes drift shut as she leans her head against the headrest. “Cade has nothing to do with it. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. Thanks for the ride.” Then she flings the door open and jogs up her walkway, leaving me to wonder what happened to the bold version of Tiff I stayed with last night.
***
“Hailey’s gonna love this.” Ryder grins as he looks over the plans I drew up for the ADA compliant handicapped ramp for the main entry to the Adaptive Athletes Building, where Hailey works.
Now that her program to make the mountain sports available to the disabled has moved past the pilot phase, Hailey has the green light to make some much needed upgrades to the building at the resort. After doing his community service here over the winter, Ryder’s been devoted to the program and helps out whenever he’s on break from the snowboard circuit. Though his demons are more emotional than physically limiting, her program was a huge part in helping him overcome that. It’s sort of like his way of giving back. “When can you start?” he asks.
“That depends on when the ground dries. And I have to coordinate with Cade since he’s laying the concrete after I grade the slope, but since it’ll only take a few days I’ll knock it out before I start on the bike trail.”
