[Dating by Design 02.0] Statistically Improbable

by Jennifer Peel

  Dad was a trooper and carried my two large suitcases and still made it before me. He held the mudroom door open for me. Warmth hit me and I sighed in relief. And before I knew it, Dakota had come running and was by my side. I leaned down and loved on his head. “How are you, boy?” He nudged me and kissed my cheek. “I’m glad someone missed me.”

  “Never said I didn’t.” Dad sat down to take off his boots.

  “I can get my bags to my room. I know you want to head out and clear the drive.”

  He stood and stretched his back. He had aged well, but he lived a hard life. And the cold didn’t help the aches and pains he sometimes experienced. Though you would never hear him complain. I used to remember my mom rubbing his neck and back. I enjoyed seeing those tender moments. Once, I even caught them dancing in the kitchen. I knew it embarrassed my dad, but I remember the look of love and contentment on my mom’s face as he held her tight in his arms.

  “Are you sure?” Dad brought me out of my thoughts.

  “Yeah, Dad. I’ve lived on my own for a long time now.”

  “All right. The house is a mess, but don’t worry about it.”

  “You know I will.”

  “Megan, you don’t need to take care of me.”

  I tilted my head. “You sound a lot like someone I know.” In that moment, it struck me how much Zander reminded me of my dad.

  He kissed my head. “Get out of those wet boots and pants.” That was how he said he loved me.

  He didn’t need to tell me twice. I sat on the bench and pulled off my shoes. Dakota was beside himself, happy I was home. “Come on boy, let’s go see the damage these men have done since I was here in the summer.” I had spent three days cleaning up then. I couldn’t believe the dishes that were left in the weirdest places, like the bathroom. And I didn’t think anything had been dusted in over a year.

  Dakota followed me to the main living area of the house. There was nothing fancy about it, but it was home. I smiled at the plaid couch and dad’s recliner. I think he slept more in that than he did in his bed. There were dishes and newspapers scattered about on the coffee table. The wood floors needed a good sweeping, and to be mopped. The kitchen was the worst. Dishes piled in the sink and crusted dirty pots and pans sat on the stove. The trash can overflowed. I didn’t dare look in the fridge. I couldn’t help but think of Zander’s apartment. I couldn’t help but think of him. I wondered if he took Eva up on her offer. He wouldn’t, would he? If not her, I was sure it would be someone else. My insides rolled at the thought.

  Before I unpacked, I started a fire in the fireplace. The inside was a lot warmer than outside, but the house felt chilled. The stone fireplace stood proud, its mantle graced with family photos that needed a good dusting. In front of it sat a bearskin rug. The black bear had been preying on our herd years ago and Colton took him down after the bear killed a momma and her calf. My dad never wasted anything. Bear meat wasn’t all that bad and the rug wasn’t a bad place to sit on in front of the fire.

  When I grabbed the logs from the neatly stacked wood pile near the fireplace, it dawned on me that there wasn’t a Christmas tree up. I didn’t even see the gifts I had mailed. That was going to change.

  After I got the fire roaring, I headed to my old room with my suitcases. Dakota followed, happy as could be. It was nice to be loved, even if he did drool and shed. My room had been untouched since my last visit, or since high school really. The baby-blue ruffled comforter still lay neatly across the twin size bed. My dresser was topped with awards and ribbons from academic and sports achievements through the years. My favorite thing, though, was the framed picture of my mom and me that sat in the middle. I picked it up and blew off the dust. She was holding her brand new daughter in her arms. Even for being in a hospital bed and giving birth, she looked like perfection to me. We shared the same dark hair, but hers was long and braided. I inherited her olive skin. She was looking at my dad, who took the picture, like look what we just created. She told me never to tell my brothers, but she confessed that having a daughter was something extraordinarily special to her. She said it was like giving birth to her best friend. And she had been my best friend. I wished she was here now.

  I unpacked while Dakota lay on the bed. I told him all about Zander and how foolish I had been. He was a good listener, but gave no advice.

  I walked back into a warmer living room and started cleaning up. I didn’t care that my dad didn’t want me taking care of him, I couldn’t live like this during my visit. I wasn’t sure how long I would be here. My bank account was a consideration, so I needed to decide fairly quickly on what I would do. Find a job here for a while, go back and keep my current job, or go back to Atlanta and find a new job. I knew my dad would be against option one. Option two made me queasy. I liked my job, but how could I work there again under the circumstances? Eva and Cara probably wanted to pull my hair out, and then there was Zander. I fell for him, hard.

  Work. I needed to work. The house gave me plenty to do. I started with the kitchen so I could make dinner. It was getting dark and I knew my dad would be tired when he rolled in. I was surprised I hadn’t seen the boys. Colton and Savannah rented their own little place in town, and Lincoln lived in the quarters above the barn. From time to time we had ranch hands and that’s where they had stayed.

  I got a pot of beef stew going while I continued to clean. My mom would have died to see the state of the house now. She ran a tight ship and kept a tidy house. Not Zander clean, but that was abnormal. Quit thinking about him, Meg. I couldn’t get the feel of his lips off my skin or out of my mind. But I had to.

  What choice did I have?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I fell asleep fast. After a night with no sleep, a day of travel and cleaning, I was spent. I curled up with Dakota. I was missing Jasper, who I’d left with my aunt, but Dakota snuggled in and kept me warm during the below zero night.

  I was awakened by two morons at the crack of dawn, jumping on my bed like they were six-year-olds.

  My eyes peeked open to see the grinning idiots. “I don’t remember ordering a wakeup call.”

  “City life has made you soft, sleeping in until five.”

  I put my pillow over my head. “Ugh.”

  They laughed and tickled me.

  That got me going. Between laughing and begging for mercy, I yelled at them to stop. But Lincoln got his. Dakota nipped at him, thinking he was hurting me.

  “Dumb dog is still more loyal to you.” Lincoln rubbed his hand.

  “Boys,” Dad yelled from what sounded like the kitchen.

  “You’re in trouble now.” I gave them a sleepy smile.

  They both ruffled my hair before leaving.

  I dragged myself out of bed and threw my robe over my flannel pajamas and followed them to the kitchen. My dad stood by the stove drinking coffee, the boys were each pouring themselves a cup.

  “I told you boys to leave your sister alone.”

  “She needs to be acclimated back to real life.” Colton grinned.

  “She’s not staying.” Dad looked at me to make sure I got the message.

  It was then I noticed what they were all wearing. “You guys already opened your Christmas presents?”

  They all looked down at their clothes with looks of guilt.

  “I guess I’ll have to head into town today and do some shopping.”

  “Don’t waste your money, Megan.”

  “Speak for yourself, Dad. I’ll give you my wish list.” Lincoln grinned at me.

  “And where’s the tree?”

  “Don’t have time or need for one.” Dad rinsed out his cup in the sink.

  “Well, we’re getting one now that I’m home, even if I have to chop it down myself and drag it home.”

  “That’d be a sight.” Colton laughed.

  “I could do it.”

  “Let’s bet.” Lincoln held out his hand to me.

  “Enough.” Dad threw on his lined hat. “If it means that much to
you, I’ll bring one home tonight.”

  I approached my dad, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “Thank you, Daddy,” the boys mocked.

  I rolled my eyes at them. We had reverted to grade school.

  My dad touched his cheek where I kissed him.

  “Do you guys want me to make you some breakfast?”

  My dad scowled. “We already ate. You’re not here to wait on us.”

  “I want to help.”

  “Why don’t you come out and break the ice with us in the ponds and water troughs then?” Lincoln asked.

  “Lincoln, knock it off.” My dad had always had the final say.

  “I’ll need to take the truck into town to get some cleaning supplies and stock up the pantry.”

  Dad shook his head. “I suppose.”

  “Can you still drive in the snow?” Colton teased.

  “Let’s go, boys, we need to get that gate fixed and protein tubs out.”

  “Have a good day.” I waved. “I’ll leave something warm for lunch in the crockpot before I head to town.”

  Dad kissed my head as he left, frowning.

  The boys had stupid grins and requested chili as they followed Dad and the dog out.

  I took a long, hot shower, trying to warm up after scouring the thing. My body wasn’t used to this weather. I wore a layer of thermal underwear under my lined jeans and sweatshirt. I wasn’t looking my finest, but who did I have to dress up for?

  I made chili and put it in the crockpot to keep it warm. I wanted to hurry and get to town so I could get home and clean, maybe even bake some cookies. Christmas was in six days and I intended to have a proper Christmas in a clean house. Mom would have agreed.

  I should have known going into town wouldn’t be a fast trip. Everybody knew everyone in Addison. And as luck would have it, I ran into Bernadette at the local grocery store. There she was with a baby on her hip, a toddler sitting in the basket, and she looked several months pregnant, and did I mention tired? I was tired just looking at her. No longer did she look like our prom queen with her barely combed hair in a ponytail and her mom jeans. She exuded a different kind of beauty now, but it looked like it came with little time for herself.

  “Bernie.” I smiled as I walked toward her with my full cart.

  Her eyes widened. “Is that you, Meg? What are you doing in town?”

  I gave her a hug and took the hand her baby boy reached out to me. “Just home for the holidays,” I half lied.

  “You look terrific. City life looks good on you.”

  “Thanks. How are you?”

  She shifted the little guy in her arms and grabbed a box of cookies out of her daughter’s hand. “Oh, you know, busy.”

  “I see that. How’s Richie?” Richie was her husband and our high school quarterback.

  “He’s still working in the mines.”

  “That’s quite a drive from here.”

  “He’s been staying there during the week and coming home on weekends.”

  “That must be difficult.”

  She shrugged. “It keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table, so we can’t complain.”

  No wonder she looked so tired. I gave her another hug. “You’re doing good things.” I smiled at her cute kids.

  “You do what you have to do out here.”

  “It was good to see you. Merry Christmas.” I walked away, knowing she was exactly why my dad sent me away and why he didn’t want me to come back.

  I got home and unloaded the truck. It was time to crank up the old stereo, put on some Christmas tunes, and get my clean on. While I was sweeping, I kept thinking about what I would be doing at work. I wondered how full my inbox was getting. Kenadie said she would put an out of office reply and handle any client emails that came in for me. It was more than nice considering she was getting married the following weekend. A wedding I was supposed to be in. That dress alone made going back worth it.

  I wondered who the Nanettes found to be the new bridesmaids on such short notice. I loved those women, even if they did give me false hope about Zander. I wondered what he was doing. I was dumb enough to keep checking my phone to see if he would contact me. I knew it was unrealistic, but there was a microscopic hope in my heart that he would figure out what he wanted and his conclusion would be me. But that was as unrealistic as this house cleaning itself.

  Even though I was tired after a day of serious cleaning, I looked nowhere near as beat as my dad did when he came walking in with the most beautiful blue spruce. He had made a wood stand for it and everything. He set it near the roaring fireplace, but not too close.

  I hugged his cold mid-section. “It’s perfect, thank you.”

  He wrapped his arms around me. “You remind me so much of your mother.”

  “That’s a good thing, right?”

  “Yes, but she deserved better too.”

  “She was happy.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “You’re a good kid.”

  I let go of him. “Get warm by the fire. I thought we could grill steaks tonight cowboy style in the fireplace. I have potatoes baking in the oven.” It was his favorite dinner.

  “You’re still not staying,” he called out to me as I headed for the kitchen.

  I knew that.

  I was too tired to even think about decorating the tree, besides I had to let the popcorn sit out and dry for a day before I could string it. I hesitated making another popcorn and cranberry garland. The memory of Zander and me making one together lingered in my heart. But it was tradition and I wanted my time at home to be filled with what I loved about growing up.

  I was asleep before I knew it, but was awakened around 11 p.m. by the landline ringing. Out here, you still needed one, even if they went out as much as the cell service sometimes did. I wasn’t too worried about it. It was probably some neighbor who lost an animal or got stuck. Maybe even an animal that needed help birthing. My dad wasn’t a veterinarian, but he had a lot of experience and had saved several animals’ lives over the years.

  Sure enough, within a few minutes my dad was knocking on my door. “I’ve got to go pull someone out of a ditch on County Road 185.”

  I rubbed my eyes. “Okay, be careful.”

  “I’m taking Lincoln, so call Colton if you need anything.”

  What would I need this late at night? I think he sometimes forgot I lived alone and that I was a grown woman. All I needed was sleep and, thankfully, it was easy to come by. I curled back up with Dakota and drifted right back off until I heard rustling in the kitchen the next morning.

  I stretched under the covers and looked at the clock, 5:36 a.m. How my dad kept up his hours, I would never know. I hadn’t heard him come back in last night. I hoped he wasn’t just now getting home. That thought had me braving getting out of my warm bed. I ran my fingers through my hair while Dakota and I headed toward the kitchen.

  Dakota veered away from me and headed for the couch instead of outside, where he needed to go. He started sniffing at the lump under a pile of blankets on the couch. My dad walked out with a coffee cup in hand and leaned against the entryway between the kitchen and living room.

  “Lincoln spend the night?”

  My dad stared at the pile of blankets. “Dakota go outside.” My dad’s tone was hushed, but full of authority.

  Dakota quit investigating and headed for the back door where his dog door was.

  “Why didn’t Lincoln go back to his place?”

  “That’s not Lincoln.” Dad headed back into the kitchen.

  I followed my dad, curious about who slept on the couch. I hoped it wasn’t Colton. That wouldn’t be good news.

  “Is it Colton?” I whispered.

  Dad shook his head.

  “Is it anyone I know?”

  “Claims he knows you.”

  A he? “Did we go to school together?”

  “Nope.”

  “Dad, who is it?”

  “Does Al
exzander Grainger ring a bell?”

  I fell back against the counter. Yeah, I knew him.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  I heard a ringing in my ears. For a moment I thought it was a joke, but my dad never joked and he didn’t pull that name out of a hat. But all that kept running through my brain was who, what, when, where, and especially why.

  I leaned over so I could peek at the lump of blankets on the couch. “When did he get here?” I kept my voice down. I was surprised we hadn’t already woken him up.

  Dad sat at the now cleared kitchen table. It had taken me an hour to clear and clean it properly. “We rescued the dang fool last night.”

  “He’s the one who was stuck? Is he okay?” I joined my dad at the table.

  “He’s a little banged up, but he’ll survive. Idiot rented a sports car.”

  That sounded like him. I would have smiled, but I was too stunned and confused. “Did he say why he’s here?”

  My dad’s chin lowered. “I would think that was obvious.”

  I sat back. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Well, believe it.” He pushed back his chair and stood up. “Daylight’s burning.” He kissed my head. The sun wasn’t even up.

  “You’re going to leave me alone with him?”

  Dad halted, alarmed. “Has he hurt you?”

  “No.” Not physically.

  “Sounds like you two have some things to work out then.” He started to leave again.

  “Wait.”

  Dad turned back around.

  “Did he say anything to you?”

  “The only thing that matters is what his coming here says to you.” He didn’t give me a chance to say anything else. He threw his hat on and headed out into the bitter cold morning.

  I pulled my knees up on the chair and thought for a minute. I did not see this coming. I wasn’t sure what to do. Did I check on him? Did I send him packing? It was a toss-up. My conscience won out. I crept into the family room, nervous as I had ever been. I had never felt nervous around him before. It was one of the many aspects of our relationship, or whatever you called it, I enjoyed. I watched the mound on the couch for a minute before approaching. I tiptoed across the cold hardwood floor before kneeling in front of the couch where I assumed his head was. I detected a hint that he was still alive when his body shifted.