Page 33 of Finding Home (Willow Valley #1)

THIRTY-THREE

CHLOE

T he strength it takes me to not let out an excited little squeal when Everett’s hand finds my thigh as he drives us out of town is immeasurable.

His thumb strokes over my bare leg, and goosebumps erupt across my skin.

Soft music plays from the radio as he drives us in the direction of West Bridgejaw.

I stare out the window, taking in the familiar view as we leave town and start on the highway that looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere.

It’s only a twenty minute drive, and the minute you enter West Bridgejaw, you can see and feel the difference to Willow Valley.

The highway goes right through the middle of town, and there’s so many more businesses here.

There’s a couple big box stores, but a lot of them are small mom-and-pop shops, many that have been around for generations.

Businesses sprawl on each side of the highway, with the residential areas further back.

Everett takes us a few blocks south of the highway, pulling up outside a restaurant I’ve never heard of. The outside looks like it’s probably a popular date spot. Tinted windows make it hard to see inside, but the flickering of candles spread throughout are visible.

When Everett pulls open my door and offers me his hand, I take it, following him inside.

Soft instrumental music plays as people enjoy conversation.

We stop in front of the hostess stand, and he gives her his name.

I raise a brow, but he doesn’t look at me as she gathers menus and asks us to follow her.

Everett’s hand finds the small of my back as she leads the way to a table in the far corner.

I thank her as she leaves the menus on the table, and Everett pulls out my chair before taking his across from me.

“You made a reservation,” I say.

He grabs his menu and starts browsing it. “I did.”

I try to fight my grin but can’t. When he asked me out, he didn’t half-ass it.

He took the time to find a nice restaurant and make sure we could get a table even though it was a last-minute decision.

I stare at him for a minute, taking him in.

His navy-blue button-down brings out his eyes and fits him perfectly while his black jeans had me wanting to walk behind him earlier so I could ogle his ass.

I look over the menu, making my decision before closing it and setting it to the side.

When Everett does the same, I reach for his hand, running my nail up the top of his finger and across his hand.

He watches me and doesn’t say anything. I’m not sure what to say at this point.

I have questions for him. I want to know more about his past, his hopes and dreams, but I also don’t want to push him away by asking too many questions.

I know how private he is, and I’m worried that not letting him tell me things in his own time will push him away.

“North,” he says, and my eyes flick from where I’m tracing his skin to his eyes. I don’t understand the nickname, but it makes my heart skip and race. “You can ask the questions.” The way he can read my mind like that has some of my earlier worries fading.

Before I can ask him anything, our server comes and takes our order. As soon as they leave, Everett’s attention is back on me. He takes my hand, his thumb now moving in slow strokes over the back of my hand.

“I feel like I know so little about you,” I say.

He nods and takes a deep breath. “I told you the night we met that I never really had one place to call home growing up, my parents were always moving us around.”

I nod, remembering that from our walk back to my place.

“My parents didn’t just move us around a lot.

They weren’t really present during my childhood.

All the important lessons and structure you’re supposed to have I got from my grandparents.

My grandparents were the ones on top of my grades, calling at least once a week to check in on me.

My parents didn’t even bother to go to my parent–teacher conferences.

” He runs his free hand through his hair and squeezes my hand, like our connection is grounding him and helping him talk about this.

“I promised myself when I found out about Lila that I’d be more like my grandparents than my own parents.

I wasn’t going to do to her what mine did to me. ”

I lean forward and take his hand between both of mine and squeeze.

“Everett, you’re an amazing father. I’ve gotten to watch you with her and all the things you do for her, and that little girl loves you to pieces.

I’m sure almost every parent wonders if they’re doing everything right when it comes to their kids, but there’s no one perfect way to raise kids.

You’re there for her and doing everything you can to make sure she has everything she needs. ”

He brings my hand to his lips and places a soft kiss on the back of my knuckles. “Thanks, North.”

We stare at each other, and in this moment, a puzzle piece falls into place of my understanding of Everett Lawson.

The first thing to make him guard his heart and push people away was his parents.

The thought of a small Everett wondering why his parents didn’t love him guts me.

I close my eyes and gather my strength to not let my tears fall, because the last thing Everett would ever want is pity.

When I open them, I force a smile on my face and squeeze his hand. “Thank you for telling me.”

He nods, and I feel his walls starting to go up again, so I move the conversation along.

“My brother and his wife are coming to town for Christmas,” I say.

That seems to pull him back.

“I’m guessing you’re looking forward to it.”

I nod, and my smile overtakes my face. “Yeah. Grayson moved out of town for university as soon as he could. For the last ten years, he’s come back as little as possible, memories he didn’t want to relive.”

I take a sip of my drink, preparing for what I’m about to tell him. I haven’t had to tell anyone this story before; everyone in town knows it. No one talks about it anymore. It’s a part of our history, but they’ve all respected my family’s and Rebecca’s privacy .

“When Grayson was in grade twelve, he was dating his long-term girlfriend, Rebecca. One day after school, they came home and told us that Rebecca was pregnant. Our parents weren’t exactly thrilled but were supportive of them.

I was excited to be an aunt. Grayson’s three years older, so I was only in grade nine.

A few months later, they lost the baby. Rebecca had a hard time with it, and Grayson felt guilty about some of the things that happened as a result.

Their relationship ended, and Grayson left town for university.

Ever since, he’s avoided coming home, too many memories and the chance of running into Rebecca who still lives in town.

Grayson brought Hannah with him in July, and something about her had him confronting things he’s been avoiding.

I was surprised when he texted and said they’d be coming for a week.

I miss my brother, so I’m glad we can spend some time together, and Hannah’s amazing. ”

Everett takes in everything I’ve just said and leans forward. “Has anyone told you how strong you are?”

I raise a brow, unsure of what he means.

“The way you talk about Grayson, I can tell you two were close growing up. You at what, fifteen, thought you were going to be an aunt and while you weren’t the one who lost the pregnancy, you lost a family member, not just the baby, but your brother.

He left you behind needing to escape his own reality and trauma, and I know that couldn’t have been easy. ”

I wipe at a lone tear that’s falling down my cheek. The way that Everett sees me, all of me, is more intense than I ever thought it would be. Not just the superficial things, but those things I don’t always vocalize, not even to my best friends.

Our food is delivered, and we manage to move the conversation on to more easy-going topics.

I learn that Everett actually likes the mindlessness of a romcom movie and has watched a few on his own while channel surfing.

I tell him about my favourite spots around Willow Valley and how I want to share them with him and Lila.

When we finish eating, he pays the bill and offers me his hand before leading us out of the restaurant and to his truck. He doesn’t turn it on right away, instead he turns to me and says, “I promised Lila I’d call her before bed tonight, do you mind if I do that before we go? ”

I smile and shake my head. “Of course not, give her my love.”

I grab my own phone while he calls his grandma and start scrolling. I’m barely paying attention to my phone; listening to the way Everett talks to Lila is distracting in the best way.

“Of course, I am, Peanut,” he says, and I hear him sigh before turning to me. He hands me his phone. “Lila has asked to talk to you.”

“Hello, Miss Lila. How’s your weekend with Grandma?” I ask, smiling.

“It’s good. We painted and played games, and tomorrow we’re making cookies.”

“That sounds like lots of fun.”

“It is. Can I ask you something, Chloe?” she asks, her voice serious.

“Anything,” I say.

“Is Daddy being nice to you? I know Daddy can be grumpy, but I told him to be nice to you.”

I bite my lip and watch Everett, who is gripping the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact. “He’s being very nice,” I say, holding back my laugh.

“Good,” she says matter-of-factly.

“I’m going to give you back to your dad. Sleep well, sweetie.”

“Bye, Chloe.”

I hand the phone back to Everett, and he says his goodnight to Lila before hanging up, and I can’t help but poke him.

“Your daughter’s telling you to behave now, is she?”

He glowers at me. “I know how to behave without her telling me.”

I nod. “Your daughter has your number, Mr. Grumpy.”

He shakes his head and starts the truck, pulling out and heading back towards Willow Valley. I reach for his hand, entwining our fingers, and he looks at me with a softer look, bringing the back of my hand to his lips before resting our hands on his thigh.