Page 39 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

MATILDA

When we arrived at the house, I knew precisely why Aiden loved it.

It was larger than I was expecting. It had been extended over the years to accommodate a growing family, which now made the whole thing seem so much more poignant, given its history.

Fields of lavender blanket two sides of the property, which has a much more dazzling effect on me than any red carpet ever did.

A stone driveway leads up to the house, and the view from the top looks down over the picturesque town of Tempest in all its colorful glory.

The inside is just as spectacular. Stone floors, huge fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let the light flood in from every angle, offering and showcasing that beautiful view.

“I can see why you love this house so much. It’s stunning. And that view is better than any picture you could frame.”

“Thank you. I’m pretty fond of it.”

I turn at the sound of a rough voice and see a man in his seventies, possibly eighties, with a head of white hair and tired eyes.

He’s not much taller than me, maybe five-seven, and wiry thin, though I can tell he’s strong just from his build.

He’s dressed in blue jeans and a flannel shirt, and on top of his head is a faded blue cap advertising some garage.

“Most folks around here call me Jenkins, but you can call me Tom.” He holds his hand out for me to shake.

Strangely, I don’t feel any of my usual panic around him. Maybe it’s because his story humanizes him. I slide my hand into his and shake it. “It’s Tilly. It’s really nice to meet you. Thanks for letting us stay here on such short notice.”

“It’s no problem,” he tells me as he lets my hand go. “Plenty of space to go around, and I get to tell my fishing buddies I have Matilda Carson staying at my humble abode.”

I laugh good-naturedly. “There is nothing humble about your abode. This place is something else.”

“She means it too. It’s not like her home is shabby.” Aiden chimes in.

Tom chuckles. “No, I can’t imagine it is. Where are my manners? Come, let me show you where you’ll be sleeping.”

We follow him up a curved staircase and down a long hallway to the end, where he opens up a room with panoramic views.

“Oh wow. I might never want to leave.”

“This place has that effect on everyone. There’s a bathroom through there. Help yourself to whatever you need. I’m about to grill some steaks if you guys want to join me. It’s totally up to you. No pressure.”

Aiden looks at his watch. “I need to run into town and track down Blake and the guys.” He looks at me. “You want to come, or stay here with Tom?”

I look at Tom and think about how much time he must spend up here alone. “I think I’ll stay, if that’s okay.”

“Works for me.” Aiden nods as Tom claps his hands with a small smile on his face.

“Excellent. I’ll start the food. Is there anything you don’t like or are allergic to?”

“No, I’m not picky at all.”

“Good, because I’m not a fancy cook, but I can grill the hell out of a steak.” He winks at me.

“Don’t try to steal my girl while I’m gone, Tom,” Aiden calls after him as he heads to the kitchen.

“I make no promises,” he calls back, making me laugh.

“You’re sure you’re okay with this? It’s really no problem, you tagging along.”

“I’m good, I promise. I need a little time to decompress before tomorrow’s wedding chaos.”

“Alright.” He tugs me into his arms and kisses my forehead. “Call me if you need anything. And if for any reason you can’t reach me, call Kellen, now that he’s got his number in your phone.”

“Still salty about that huh?”

“He has far too many embarrassing photos of me. I don’t trust the fucker not to send them to you the next time I piss him off.”

“Ohh, good to know. I can’t wait.”

“Brat.” He kisses me again before leaving.

I take a deep cleansing breath, walk over to the window, and gaze out. Everything is so quiet and peaceful here. It feels like I’ve fallen into some alternate reality.

Pulling myself away from the window, I tug a hoodie from my bag and slip it on over my head like a safety blanket before heading out to find Tom. He’s on the balcony, where he has a grill set up. The smell of beef cooking makes my stomach growl in anticipation.

“Take a seat. These won’t be long.”

“Can I help you with anything?”

“Nah, one of my friend’s wives bought some sides up earlier, ready for when you got here. I’ve just gotta grab them. You want a drink while I’m in there? I haven’t got wine or anything, but I have beer, milk, Dr. Pepper, and water.”

“I’ll have a beer, thanks.” I don’t drink often, but I like to indulge once in a while.

I lean my elbows on the table and breathe in the cool crisp air, smelling lavender on the breeze. If I have any problems sleeping tonight, I’ll just open the window. That smell will put me right out.

“Here you go.” I jump when Tom hands me a beer, not hearing him come back. He’s gone again moments later before returning with two plates piled high with baked potatoes, sour cream, cheese, and some kind of pasta salad.

“Oh, this looks delicious.”

“Good. I was worried you might only eat rabbit food.”

I laugh. “I have a chef who makes the most caloric food because he doesn’t believe in diet shit. His words, not mine. I don’t complain because the man is a god in the kitchen. It just means I have to work out like the devil’s chasing me.”

Now it’s his turn to laugh as he grabs the steaks from the grill and adds one to my plate before putting one on his own. “Dig in.”

I don’t hesitate to do just that. The food is rich and comforting and the steak is cooked to perfection.

“I wanted to talk to you about something. Get a feel for ya, you know?”

“Okay,” I say, placing my knife and fork on my plate and sipping my beer.

“I want to know what your intentions are with that boy.”

I choke on my mouthful of beer but thankfully I don’t spray it everywhere. “Okay, wow.” I take a deep breath and decide to lay my cards on the table. “I love him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”

“Aiden has Tempest in his veins. How’s that gonna work with you up in Hollywood?”

“My home is wherever Aiden is,” I tell him softly, and it’s true. He might not have asked me to move to Tempest with him, but when he does, my answer will be yes.

“You’d pack up your life and move here to be with him?”

“In a heartbeat.”

He grins widely at my answer. “In that case, I have a proposal for you.”

After a shower, I change into one of Aiden’s shirts and crawl into bed. Half an hour ago, he texted me to tell me he would be another hour or so yet. I thought I’d settle down for the evening and read, but try as I might, my brain won’t stop going a million miles a minute.

I take a quick look at the time and contemplate whether it’s too late to call. In the end, I figure they won’t answer if they’re asleep. I hit call and wait. After a couple of rings, Marley answers.

“You weren’t sleeping, were you?”

“No, I was making a snack. Is everything okay? We got your note to say where you went but not when you’re coming back.”

“Sorry, I honestly forgot and scrawled it as I headed out the door.”

“You didn’t answer my question. Is everything okay?”

“No. Yes. Maybe.”

“Well, that’s a lot to unpack. I might as well start a batch of cookies while you tell me what’s going on. And start from the beginning.”

“Peanut butter oatmeal raisin cookies?”

“No, because you’re the only one who likes them. I’m making snickerdoodles. But I’ll make you a batch of your favorites when you return.”

“Deal. Okay, where to start? It all began, I guess, when I overheard Aiden and Kellen talking.”

“Kellen? Why does that name sound familiar?”

“He’s the one who was hurt, the one we flew back to see. Well, he came and met us at the studio because he was on a mission.”

I tell him all about what they discussed in the kitchen when they didn’t know I could hear them. I then tell him about the surprise wedding, which he laughs about. And finally, I tell him about Tom and the house.

He says nothing when I’m finished, making my nerves feel frayed.

“Marley?”

“I’m here, Matilda, I’m just processing.”

“Are you mad? I made this monumental decision without talking to any of you first.”

“Oh, sweet girl, you don’t owe us any explanations at all. Truth is, it’s been a long time coming.”

“What?” I whisper, unsure of what I heard.

“You were going to move before, remember? You wanted to spread your wings and fly far from this place that’s brought you more sadness than joy. Then all that ugliness invaded your life and I thought you’d stay locked away in a tower of your own making.”

“And then Aiden came along.”

“Actually, no. It was the movie script that first sparked life into you and the yearning to direct it. That’s what made you brave enough to start putting yourself out there again.

You only let Aiden in because you were finally ready to start living again.

I was worried that everything would flare up again and that you’d backslide.

But you held true, and I’m so proud of you. ”

“Marley,” I choke out, feeling tears prick my eyes.

“It’s time. Time for you to be happy. Time for you to be free. There’ll never be either of those things here.”

“I know, but I’m scared.”

“Be scared, Matilda, but also be brave.”

A tear slips over my cheek and drips onto the back of my hand. “Do you think Greyson will understand?”

“Yes. He’ll be sad and worried about all the things a father feels when his kid leaves home. But he’ll be proud too. How could we be anything but happy for you, Matilda? This is all we ever wanted for you.”

I blow out a shaky breath and let his words settle in my bones. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure what to say or how to say it. You guys are the only family I have now. My mom is out of the picture. I don’t want to lose you.”

“Never. We are as much a part of you as you are a part of us. But this is your life. You can’t live it for us. “

“Okay.”

“Okay? So you’re good?”

“Yeah, I think I am.”

“I’ll break the news to Greyson. That way he’ll be back to his usual calm self by the time you get back.”

I chuckle. “Sounds like a good plan to me.”

“Good. Now tell me about this house.”