Page 27

Chapter twenty-seven

Lessons that need to be learned

Mason

Lori’s only two feet away, but my daughter is almost as close in the back seat, keeping me from reaching over and touching her.

Swallowing the last of the egg and bacon burrito that Lori made, I wash it down with a swig of coffee and catch Sophia’s eye in the rear view.

“So? Have you decided yet?” I ask her as we turn onto the main highway.

She stops mid-chew and stares at me like a deer in the headlights. “Um. You’re gonna have to elaborate?”

“Are you thinking of going to school this fall, or aiming for spring semester?” I kinda want to know how empty the house will be.

“Oh. I dunno. I want to spend some time with Misty and get her tuned back up so I can start hitting the circuit hard.” She licks her thumb and then wipes her hands with a napkin. “Who knows how long it will take if she’s shy after that wreck.”

“So you won’t be back on campus?” Lori turns to look at her through the center of the seats.

Close enough for her arm to brush my shoulder.

Fuck, it sends a tingle straight to my jeans.

And, a pang into my chest knowing she’s going to be there.

Gone.

“Probably not? I can do a class or two online from home. It’s not as if an associate business has practicals like your major does.” Sophia shrugs and settles back against the pillow she has wedged against the armrest. “I’d rather focus on barrels anyways. I really think Misty has a chance to make it to the championships.”

I love my daughter. But, selfishly, I was hoping she’d be out of the house so I could convince Lori to visit.

There’s a pull-through at the hospital for patient unloading. As I slide against the curb, Lori jumps out before I have a chance to put the truck in park.

“I’ll get a wheelchair,” she calls over her shoulder.

Sophia moves behind me, but pauses before she opens her door. “I’m gonna miss having her at the house.”

My mouth opens and closes with unspoken secrets. “She is handy.”

Damn, that feels so hollow from how I really feel.

“Yea. I’ll miss getting to see her almost every day. At least after Christmas I will. Hey, can we invite her for the holiday break?” Her blue eyes watch me in the mirror.

I’m not sure how delicately I need to step here.

“Doesn’t she have family to spend time with?” I know Lori is an only child, but maybe she has plans?

Sophia scoffs. “Her mom is a piece of work. Not exactly parent of the year. She stayed on campus last winter.”

I know Lori has opened up about some of the trials with her mom, but I’m curious to hear Sophia’s take on it.

“What do you mean?” There’s been times in the last ten years I know I’ve been checked out. Not absent, just, well, empty.

“Her mom’s kind of a jerk. And has a revolving door of guys. I think that’s why Lori is so picky.” Sophia’s nose wrinkles. “Maybe you could hook up with her mom, then Lori and I would be sisters.”

Lori picked me. Does that mean I’m doing something right?

“I think I’ll pass on that carousel ride.” I let out a small laugh. “But, I can’t tell you what it means to me that you’re trying to set me up with a crazy lady. I’m feeling the love.” I hold my hand over my heart for dramatic effect.

“Ugh, Dad. I like you too much for that torture.” She rolls her eyes and opens her door as Lori appears outside the window. “I’ll text you when I’m ready. Be nice to Lori!” she yells as Lori pushes her through the automatic entrance.

When Lori climbs back in the truck, I don’t hesitate to lean over and cup her face to me for a soft kiss. “She told me to treat you right.”

Those full lips turn up into a crooked smile. “She said ‘be nice’.”

“She also said I should hook up with your mom so you’d be sisters.” I chuckle while pulling out of the parking lot.

“Oh my god, she didn’t!” Her fingers fly up to cover her mouth.

I stick my hand over the console with my palm up. Wiggling my fingers finally seems to get her attention and she intertwines hers between them. “Much better.” I’ve been wanting to do this for four damn hours.

It’s starting to cause me physical pain when I can’t touch her.

“It wouldn’t last with my mom, you know. She’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em kinda person since my dad died.” Her words are quiet, but she shifts so her entire arm hugs mine and her idle hand buries along my elbow.

My thumb rubs her wrist. “I wouldn’t worry about it. Soph was just trying to figure out a way to keep you around.” Hell, I’m trying to come up with a way, too. I just don’t want to put all of the burden on Lori’s shoulders.

I’d tell Sophia about us in a heartbeat. But I know Lori needs to come to terms with it before I do.

Catching a glimpse of Lori chewing on her bottom lip makes me want to push her. Not sure it will do much good, though.

We pull into a big box grocery store and I find a shady spot to leave the truck.

Missoula in early August is hot as shit.

“Hold on.” A quick kiss on her fingertips before I drop her hand, then I hustle around the hood to open her door.

She looks sideways at the surrounding cars when I hold my hand out.

“You gonna take it because you want to, or because I make you?” I grin at her when she grasps my palm.

“That’s better. Get used to it.” I want the whole world to know this beautiful woman belongs to me. The only person I have to worry about finding out is currently having her cast removed.

I diligently push the cart, and enjoy the view of following her through the aisles. I’d forgotten the mundane pleasures like shopping with someone.

“So, I had a new dinner idea?” She turns, holding up a package of Italian sausages.

“I got one, and you don’t have to wait.” I wink at her, just to watch the blush work its way up her throat.

Her mouth forms that “O” that I’m dying to shove myself into.

“Toss it in. I’m game. Anything you touch is delicious.” Maybe I’m biased, but I think she’s an amazing cook.

Her brows knot over her nose. “Are you sure?” She hesitates putting it into the basket.

I don’t get why she doubts herself so much. “I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true.” My finger snags her belt loop and I tug her closer. “I’ll be happy to be your guinea pig.” I give her a quick kiss and am rewarded with a shy smile.

She squints sideways at me as she steps away in search of the next item on her list. “I’m not used to genuine. Sophia is like that. I think that’s why we’re friends. Most people always have motives.”

“Well, I suppose it should be a compliment that Sophia is that way.” I lean over the handles of the cart letting the heels of my boots scuff as I walk. “There ain’t much sense in trying to be something different.”

“It’s refreshing. My dad was that way, too. My mom, though? She changes personalities so fast to fit whoever she’s with, it’s hard to know what to expect.” Her lower lip sticks out as she stares between two different brands of spaghetti sauce.

Her choice made, she puts one back and drops the other in the basket.

“I bet that makes it hard to trust her.” I didn’t expect her to open up about her family in the pasta section.

Her big green eyes meet mine. “You have no idea. I can’t count on her. She’ll change her mind with the wind. I even found out she’s selling the house my dad bought her to go be with her newest boyfriend.” Her mouth pulls to the side in a frown.

There’s a part of me that wants to beg her to stay with me. Tell her I’ll take care of her.

I don’t think now is the right time. She might take it as a pity offer, and I don’t want that.

“She probably knows you’re a capable and independent woman,” I say softly.

Lori pauses, her hand alighting on the edge of the cart where she squeezes it hard enough to make the whites of her knuckles stand out for a moment.

“Yea. She must.” Her jaw tightens before she turns away.

Why do I get the impression that she doesn’t want to have to survive alone? Would she ever be able to trust that I’d be there for her?

I’d do anything to show her I’m here to share her burden. That I don’t want her to have to fight the world by herself.

Fuck, what does that mean?

It means, I want to keep her.