Page 14 of Crewe (Nelson’s Honkytonk Saloon & Bar #3)

Chapter Fourteen

R y walked into the breakfast room and wondered how she’d survive this. Crewe had laid his hand along her back as they walked into the room. His touch had sent off a cascade of thoughts, which she was positive were all over her face.

Thoughts of that bed upstairs and Crewe getting undressed instead of dressed.

“Mommy, mommy, mommy,” Freya yelled, running over. “We had the bestest time last night. The Papas were so fun. Can we be on vacation forever?”

Crewe and Ry chuckled, listening to her daughter say everything without taking one breath. Ry bent down close to Freya and pulled her in for a hug.

“Good morning, I’m so glad you’re having fun. I think Grandma and Grandpa would be sad if we never came back from vacation. Where’s your brother?” Ry asked.

“He and Ezra are over watching Sutton for Ellie. I was too, but I had to see you,” Freya said.

“Well, let’s get you back over there quickly, shall we?

” Crewe asked, holding his hand out to Freya.

Her daughter knew exactly what that meant.

Crewe had been putting them on his shoulders since that first Halloween at Bluff Creek.

The kids both loved it. Freya and Wyatt had soaked up Crewe’s and the other Nelson men’s attention.

Ry walked beside them, and a little bit of her was sad because she’d enjoyed having Crewe’s hand on her waist. She imagined this was what every parent went through, trying to balance time with the kids and time with their significant other. Not that Crewe was that to her.

Once they got over to where the kids were, Wyatt gave her a hug.

“Did you have fun?” she asked.

“Yep, Ezra and me are playing with Sutton until Ellie comes back with the doughnuts,” he said.

Oh my, she had to hide a grin. He’d deepened his voice and was taking helping with Sutton so seriously. Her twins were growing up.

“I’m sure Ellie really appreciates you both helping out. Did you have fun last night?” Ry asked.

“Yes, and we get to go to the parade today and play all day. I love vacation,” he said fervently.

If Ry had any doubts about whether they should have come, her kids had alleviated all of them. They were where they were supposed to be. Maybe she needed to relax and just let things unfold. It had been a while since she’d let loose of control.

“Okay, well, I’m going to go chat with people. If you need help, let me know,” she said.

“We’re good,” Ezra said, nodding .

Ry made her way to where Vivi was putting together bags.

“Can I help?” Ry asked.

“Yes, please. These are bags with a card for today of when and where organized things are, along with the wristbands everyone needs. The wristbands allow unlimited playing at the raceway and the arcade. Each bag has a family’s name on it and the number of wristbands needed.

Burt, Bill, and Peck wanted to make sure no one missed out on anything,” Vivi said.

“Okay, I’ll do that part,” Ry said, starting to go through the bags. When she was almost done, she saw her name along with the kids listed as part of Crewe’s family. Ry turned toward Vivi and held it up questioningly.

Vivi grinned. “Well, I thought if I did that, you two would get off your butts and move this romance along.”

“I told you I don’t mix business with pleasure,” Ry said.

“Well, that’s okay. We had a family meeting last night and removed Crewe’s name as an owner of the bar. He’ll still receive his cut of the profits, but he is now listed as a shareholder only,” Vivi said as Ellie walked up.

“Umm,” Ry said.

Ellie giggled. “You told her what we did, didn’t you?” Ellie asked.

“I did, and she seems a little stunned,” Vivi said.

Ry stared at the women, thinking through the ramifications.

If something went wrong, she’d still need to work by him, but he wouldn’t have the ability to fire her.

She needed to kick herself for thinking that.

Crewe might be protective, but he was all about taking care of people.

He would never have fired her if they dated and broke up.

She realized it had been her way of keeping her distance because then she didn’t have to worry that he didn’t really want her.

But that wasn’t even an excuse now because she’d felt him against her last night when she snuggled up to him.

She bumped it with her knee, and it hadn’t been soft at all.

“Do you hate us?” Ellie asked.

Ry shook her head, not knowing what to say yet .

“Nah, she’s just trying to wrap her mind around the options she now has. Here,” Vivi said, handing her the Crewe Nelson family’s bag. “Go spend the morning playing and checking out the parade. Lunch is wherever anyone wants. We’ll catch up at the family photo and talk some more.”

Ry nodded and took the bag, making her way over to Crewe.

He was talking with Schaefer and Hennessy, but he seemed to have a sixth sense when she was around.

He turned before she got there and grinned at her—the same grin that welcomed her every time she walked in the door of the bar or kitchen.

Crewe hadn’t changed at all, but she was seeing him in a different light.

The light of possibilities, if she was willing to take a chance.

She stood next to Crewe, listening to the conversation and realizing since she’d gotten pregnant with the twins, she’d spent her time playing it safe.

Believing that she didn’t deserve more or couldn’t have more.

Vivi and Ellie had forced her to face the fact that she was only in her forties with plenty of years left .

Did she want to cut herself off from Crewe because she was scared?

Or did she want to open herself up? Sure, she might get hurt.

Nothing worth having came without a little turmoil.

She was going to enjoy the morning, taking some pictures around the town and enjoying her children having their first vacation.

Then maybe, if she was brave, she’d listen to any advice Ellie and Vivi had about the Nelson men.