Page 22

Chapter 22

April

Numb.

Or maybe I’m just an idiot.

I thought he’d at least say he wanted me to stay.

He must have been playing nice until I left.

The snowy ground slips away, but I don’t want to watch.

I feel like I left a piece of my heart behind, and it makes me angry that he doesn’t even care.

Well screw him.

All of them. Everyone.

I don’t need any help. I can do all this shit by myself.

“We’re landing, you’ll feel a bump.” The speaker crackles in the headset.

I almost forgot it was there.

A whirl of white keeps me from seeing very far outside, just vague shapes of buildings poke out around us.

The shock of cold when the door opens startles me out of my pity party, and I follow the man in the jumpsuit out past the rotors to a small group of people.

There’s two tall men in cowboy hats, each with their arms draping around a woman.

“April, I’m Mason, this is Lori.” The shorter man with a kind smile gestures to his bundled wife.

“Hi. Ford told me all about you.” My lip starts to tremble.

He seems so far away now.

I might not be as mad as I thought, I just wish he was here.

Lori moves closer, then pulls me into a tight hug. “You’re safe. Let’s get you inside.”

The other couple follows us in, with the intimidating one with a dark mustache holding back.

“I’m Dr. Dixon McCullough, Mason’s brother. I’ll be taking you to the clinic. This is Char, my wife.” He acts like he doesn’t want to let her go when he takes her coat, but she rushes to me and wraps her arms around me next.

“I’m here to hang out, I know you’ll want a buddy at the hospital.” She turns and winks at Dixon. “He’s scary as hell, but he’ll take care of you.”

Their overwhelming affection makes tears well, then spill down my cheeks. “Thank you. It’s nice to put faces to names.”

I didn’t expect they’d just take me in.

“I made some lunch. Let’s sit and eat, that way you aren’t rushed.” Lori gestures to a huge oak table in the middle of a giant room.

This must be the main house Ford was telling me about.

It’s bigger than I expected. More like a ski lodge, or a hotel.

Char threads her arm through my elbow, tugging me with her. “You sit next to me and tell me what you need. I have a list, but could use some details like what kind of shampoo you like and stuff.”

I’m still in Ford’s coat and thermals.

It felt like a complete outfit this morning when it was just he and I.

Now it doesn’t seem to cover me enough.

When I pull the lapel tighter, I nearly drop the note he gave me.

I almost forgot about it.

“Can I, um, is there a bathroom I can use to get cleaned up?” I just need a minute, my head is spinning.

“Of course! I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about it.” Char redirects me towards the nearest hall, then flips on the lights. Her blue eyes shine and her mouth tilts. “I want you to know, I’ve been there. You’re not alone. I hope Ford was nice to you? He’s pretty quiet here, I don’t know him as well as the others do.” She sweeps her hand behind her.

I nod, fighting the knot that’s reformed in my throat. “Yes, he was…amazing. And thank you.”

When the door closes, I sit on the toilet lid.

With shaky hands, I peel open the crinkled paper.

April,

I ain’t a poet like Mason, so I apologize.

You gave me a taste of life again, a breath of air after I felt like I’ve been drowning.

My house, my truck, anything you need, it’s yours.

The code to unlock my cell phone is 1031.

It’s the same for the safe in the bedroom.

Get back on your feet where you’re protected.

You make me wish I was a better man, so I could give you what you’re worth, and keep you for myself.

I’ll be forever grateful for getting a glimpse at the stars.

Droplets fall on the page, smearing the last word.

Is he fucking kidding me?

I can’t stop the sobs shuddering through me.

Everything in here screams that he wants me too. Is he just too scared?

Damn him, making me wait to read this.

He knew this would wreck me.

Coward.

It pisses me off. Maybe I should just hop back on that helicopter and toss this in his face.

Then I’d make him kiss me again.

A soft knock jerks me out of my scheming.

“April? Are you okay?” Char’s voice is tentative.

I sniffle back my tears. “Yea, I’ll be right there.”

Shit, I’ve been hiding longer than I thought.

After grabbing some tissues, then folding the note up, I do my best to smooth my wind-tussled hair and take a deep breath.

I can do this.

He has given me a place, and people that I can trust.

I can give him some time to think about how stupid he is for pushing me away.

Somewhat composed, I plaster a smile on, and meet Char in the hall.

“Sorry, I just needed a minute.” Damn it, I missed a stray tear tickling my nose.

“Girl, you’re totally fine. Just know you can ask if you need anything.” Her palm brushes my arm reassuringly, then she leads me back into the dining room.

Steaming piles of noodles, with two different bowls of sauces fill the center of the table. Salads, breads, and an array of dressings sit in a spinning dias next to them.

“This looks amazing, thank you.” I feel guilty if Lori did all of this for me.

She drops a pile of napkins next to Mason. “Oh, don’t worry, I love cooking! It’s so much fun having everyone over.” Her fingers trail on his shoulder before she moves towards the opposite corridor. “I’ll go get Sophia. She’s been babysitting.”

When she reappears, she’s carrying a grinning baby followed by a shorter dark haired woman holding the hand of a reluctant toddler.

So many people.

“Come here, baby girl.” Char calls to the shy child. “I want you to meet a new friend.”

Sophia tugs the little girl closer. “She’s shy. It took her a while to get used to me, too.” With a broad smile, she takes the seat on the other side of me. “I’m Sophia. My brother, Sawyer, just left to go to his buddy’s house and start packing.”

Char lifts the hesitant child onto her lap. “Paisley, this is April. Do you think she likes noodles?”

With a shy nod, Paisley shoves her fingers into her mouth and twists towards Dixon.

“Daddy, uppie?” Her arms reach towards the imposing man who’s in a quiet conversation with Mason.

But his features soften as he reaches for his daughter.

They’re all just adorable.

This is the kind of family I wish I grew up in.

“Where’s your brother going?” I guess I’ll try to participate. I’d feel guilty just sitting here eating this delicious meal without talking.

“Oh, he’s heading up to bring Ford back. Dad didn’t tell you?” Sophia makes a point to wrinkle her nose towards Mason. “Of course he didn’t. Yea, Sawyer and Scotty are heading up so he can come down here to help you.” Her lips twitch up in a smile. “Ford’s really the one that needs it, though. We’ve been trying to convince him to rejoin the human race for a long time.” She winks at me like we’re in a conspiracy together, then drags a bread roll over to my plate.

Like she didn’t just tell me something that makes my head spin.

“He’s coming here?” I squeak, then quickly take a drink of water before I choke.

“I can tell him to stay if it makes you more comfortable.” Mason’s voice carries over the table.

He must pay attention more than I realized.

“No, it’s great. I just, um, I didn’t think he could leave. He said he was there until March at least.” My pulse beats in my ears nearly loud enough to drown everyone out.

Mason waves his hand. “I’d never ask someone to put a damn cow over someone they care about.” He bounces his son on his knee while he takes a forkful of noodles. “It’ll take Sawyer a couple of days to get the snow machines ready.” His amber eyes roll as he shakes his head. “And they load all their fu—” He glances at Paisley. “—fudging game crap.”

Care.

That’s the word he chose.

I feel a surge of energy as the truth fills me.

Ford is on his way…soon.

To be with me.