I said hello to the nurse at the desk and then headed towards my grandma’s room. As I got closer, I heard her voice and I felt myself exhale deeply, relieved she was awake. I heard another voice too and a laugh that was deep and familiar. I turned into her room and I instantly knew who was with her. His back was to the door, but he was unmistakable by the dark hair, jeans and t-shirt. I stood in the doorway, quietly watching them for a moment, a smile spread on my face as he sat with her, playing a game of Yahtzee. He was so sweet and gentle with her and she looked so happy.
“Hey,” I finally said and they both turned towards me. Jesse looked startled to see me. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I just thought I’d come by and say hi to your grandma,” he said and then turned to smile at her. “Somehow I got roped into a game of Yahtzee.”
“Speaking of which, it’s your turn, Jesse,” my grandma said, handing him the cup and then looking to me. “Join us, Riley.”
I was relieved she knew it was me. It made the visits so much easier, especially since I hadn’t spoken to her since she’d been admitted. I also knew it could change at any moment. I walked over to her, hugging her tightly. It was the first time I’d seen her cognizant since the heart attack.
“How’re you feeling, Grandma?” I asked, kissing her on the cheek.
“I’m fine. I just want to get out of this place and go back home,” she said and I frowned, wondering if she was talking about our house or the nursing home. I hated that she couldn’t be with us anymore.
“You’ll get to go home soon,” I said, running my hand through her curly gray hair.
“This is such a nice surprise. First Jesse and now you, Riley. Why don’t you two come see me more often?”
“I’m sorry, Grandma. Jesse’s just really busy, but we’ll try and do better,” I said, squeezing her hand and I saw Jesse looking at me curiously. I returned the look with one that told him I’d explain later.
“Well, I hope so. I’ve missed seeing the two of you.”
She seemed coherent for the most part as we played and if not for the IV, oxygen tube and the fact she was lying in a hospital bed, she looked like her old self. She laughed and made jokes and for a little while, I forgot she was sick. I knew the good time was over though when the glazed expression swept over her eyes and she looked at us as if she didn’t know who we were. She started to fidget uncomfortably and then she got agitated when she couldn’t understand who we were and she threw the dice from the game on the floor. This type of reaction happened sometimes. Not very often, but when it did, I hated it. I hated seeing my grandma looking so scared and frantic. I hit the button to page a nurse and a second later, the woman I’d seen sitting at the desk came rushing in. She started trying to calm my grandma and then turned to me.
“I’m sorry, but I think it’s best if you step outside,” she said and then paged another nurse.
I watched anxiously as my grandmother pawed at her face, trying to rip out the tube and mumbling nonsense to the nurse. She looked terrified and my eyes brimmed with tears for her. I felt Jesse’s hand on my arm and he gently led me out into the hallway.
“She’ll be okay,” he said, trying to reassure me as I blinked and started wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“I hate seeing her like that,” I sighed and before I knew what he was doing, he’d taken me in his arms and was holding me. I closed my eyes and let him as I tried not to think about how good it felt.
“Me too,” he said.
“It’s not usually like that,” I said and he released his hold on me and I stepped back. “She’s forgetful and she doesn’t know who I am half the time, but she doesn’t usually get upset like that.”
“The nurses will get her calmed down. Don’t stress.”
“I know they will. She just needs to rest,” I said and then paused for a few moments before I asked the question I’d been wanting to know since I’d walked in. “I don’t mean to sound rude, Jesse, but why’d you come here?”
He looked surprised by my question and he waited a few moments before answering.
“Riley, your family…” he began and then hesitated before continuing. “Your family always meant a lot to me, especially after my dad died. You know I never had much of a family growing up, but yours always made me feel welcome. I wanted to come by and make sure she was doing better.”
“That’s really sweet of you,” I said softly, meeting his eyes. “My family always loved you, Jesse. My grandma asks about you every time I come to see her. Well, every time she knows who I am,” I continued with a soft laugh. “She still thinks we’re together.”
“What do you tell her?”
“I just go with it. It’s easier that way. I don’t want to confuse her even more with trying to explain what’s really going on,” I told him and paused for a second before adding, “I know your visit meant a lot to her, even if she’s not aware of it anymore.”
“It meant a lot to me too,” he said and it grew quiet between us again. “Is Evan still here?” he asked and I felt my hands start to fidget.
“Yeah. He’s leaving tomorrow. I just finished up with work and wanted to come see my grandma before heading home. He told me he’s got something special planned tonight,” I said with a laugh. “I’m dying to know what kind of special he’s found in Carver.”
Jesse laughed too, but then looked at me, his mouth formed into a serious line.
“Anything can be special as long as you’re with the right person.”
I knew he was right. Carver may have been a Podunk town with nothing to offer, but Jesse and I had made special memories more times than I could count. Nights on the hunting platform just looking at the stars and talking, tearing down the trails in the mule, gazing out into the Kansas landscape from the top of a grain silo, skinny dipping at Mrs. Kramer’s and the memories we’d made in the grove of trees. To anyone else, all of those things would probably seem lame and insignificant, but to us, they’d been anything but.
“Well, I’ll have to tell you what he comes up with,” I said, finally returning from my drifting thoughts and I had to look away, his gaze becoming uncomfortably familiar.
“I look forward to a full report,” he said with a slight laugh and then I started digging into my purse for my keys.
“I should get going. Evan will be waiting for me.”
“Let me walk you out,” he said and we made our way to the parking lot, walking quietly until I got to my car. I clicked the button and after hearing the door unlock, Jesse held it open for me as I climbed inside.
“Thanks for visiting my grandma,” I said as I buckled my seatbelt.
“No need to thank me. See ya later.” He smiled, shut the door and knocked on the window before walking away.
Chapter Fifteen
The house was quiet when I got home. I texted Evan telling him I’d be ready in an hour and then went upstairs to take a quick shower. I put on a pair of jeans and black tank top, quickly drying my hair so it hung long and sleek down my back and after putting on my make-up, I headed downstairs to wait for Evan.
I didn’t have to wait long and a few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Before I could get it, it opened and Evan walked in. I felt myself do a double-take as I looked at him, standing there in a dark gray suit.
“Wow. I think I’m a little underdressed,” I laughed.
“Yes, you are,” he said and then held up a garment bag. “That’s why I brought you this.”
“What is that?” I knew I was staring at him like an idiot, but he just grinned slyly at me.
“Open it,” he encouraged, handing it to me. I looked at it again, but then unzipped the bag, revealing a pretty white cocktail dress. “Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, staring at it before looking up at him again.
“Go put it on.”
“What’s going on?” I laughed.
“Just go put it on.”
“Where are we going?”
“No questions. Just go change. I’ll wait here,” he said, plopping himself on the couch and I just shook my head.
“It’s a good thing I shaved my legs,” I laughed as I started up the stairs and I heard him chuckle.
“Classy, Riley,” he called, but I just turned, flashing my best flirty smile.
Up in my room, I quickly changed out of my jeans and tank top and put on the dress, which was a surprisingly perfect fit. It clung to my body, sleeveless and stopping right above my knees. After sliding on a pair of red heels, I looked at myself in the mirror, wondering where in the heck he was taking me that required such a posh get up. My relationship with Evan had always been relaxed and casual…nothing like this and I found it difficult he could find anywhere in the state of Kansas where this would be the dress code.
Evan stood up when he heard me walking down the stairs and I noticed how his eyes traveled the length of my body.
“Damn,” he said, shaking his head as he extended his hand to me and helped me down the last step. “I did a good job picking out that dress.”
“You didn’t have any help?” I asked doubtfully with a smile.
“Well…maybe a little. I showed the sales girl a picture of you and this is what she suggested,” he admitted. “I think I need to stop by the store and thank her for doing such a good job.” The way his eyes were moving over my body made me blush and I looked at the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes again.
“So, are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“To Wichita.”
“I go to Wichita a lot, yet this attire has never been required.”
“Well…we’re going to dinner and then to see Wicked. The Broadway tour is at the theater and I thought you might like to see it.”
“Are you serious?” I said excitedly. “I love Wicked! I haven’t seen it since I went to New York before I moved here.”
“Which is why I thought it would be nice to take you.”
“This is too much, Evan,” I said, stretching up and kissing him and when I pulled back, he was grinning down at me.
“Nothing’s too much for you. Now, we need to go or we’re going to be late,” he said, linking arms with me and leading me out the door.
****
“I can’t believe you did this,” I said as we were pulling away from the theater. The show had been just as good as when I saw it in New York and dinner had been amazing too. He’d found an upscale French restaurant close to the theater. I’d never even had French food before, but it had been delicious and intimate and the perfect start to what turned out to be an amazing night.
“You seem surprised,” he said, glancing over to me as he drove.
“I am, a little,” I said, taking his hand. “I didn’t realize Kansas offered such culture.”
“You may have lived here nearly five years now, but you’ll never lose your East Coast snobbery.”
I just rolled my eyes and he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
“How’d you even pull it off with such short notice?”
“I’d been planning it for a while, I just hadn’t expected to come so soon, but after your grandma got sick, I knew I needed to get here sooner, so I got online, got the tickets, called the restaurant and here we are,” he said, squeezing my hand and then glancing over to me quickly before looking back at the road. “I hope you had a good time.”
“I did. It was a nice way to clear my mind of everything. Thank you.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“How’s your grandma?”
“She’s good. I stopped by to see her after work for a minute. She was alert and seemed like herself…well, she seemed like herself for a little while anyway. I think she’ll probably be released tomorrow.”
“That’s good to hear.”
We were quiet again and Evan reached over, turning on his iPod and the slow and sensual beat of Always by Peter Bradley Adams came flowing through the car. I stared out the window at the clear, dark night as we drove down the highway towards Carver. My eyes drifted to the sky and I found myself thinking what a perfect night it would be to lie back and just stare at the stars. I was still in awe of how many stars I could see in Kansas. Growing up in Boston, I’d never been able to enjoy the little nuances of the night sky, like the faint powdering of the Milky Way or seeing an entire constellation. In Boston there were too many buildings, lights, trees and hills to see much of anything, but in Carver, especially far out in the country like at Jesse’s place, I’d discovered a whole sky I’d never been aware of.
“Ya know, there’s a great theater scene up in Kansas City,” Evan said a while later, tearing me from my reverie. I turned to him and laughed softly, knowing what he was up to.
“You’re slick, Evan.”
“I think you should come stay with me for a week or so. Maybe you’ll realize it’s not such a bad place.”
“You know I have to work.”
“There are jobs in Kansas City,” he said, glancing at me for a moment before turning his attention back to the road.
“I’ll consider it,” I said quietly, and whether or not I ended up staying there for the rest of the summer, a week with Evan sounded nice.
“You’re welcome any time. The sooner the better though,” he said, squeezing my hand again as we continued driving and a while later, my house came into view.
“Thank you for tonight,” I said, turning my body to face him as he eased the car to a stop in front of the porch and turned off the ignition.
“You don’t need to thank me,” he replied, leaning across the console, brushing his lips over mine.
“I know I don’t, but still…I’m glad you came. I needed this…to be with you.” He smiled and kissed me again.
“Not as much as I needed to be with you,” he said softly and he held my face in his hands for a few moments as he looked into my eyes.
“I’ll see you in the morning then. I’ll make you breakfast. I’m not sure how good it’ll be, but I’ll try,” I said and he just laughed.
“I look forward to it,” he said quietly, finally releasing me.
“See you tomorrow then,” I said and he just nodded.
I reached into the backseat and grabbed my purse before kissing him once more and opening the door. I was half way up the porch steps when I heard his voice.
“Riley, wait,” Evan called and I turned to see him walking towards me. “There’s something else I need from you tonight.”
I stepped back down the stairs until I was on solid ground again as he finished closing the distance between us.
“What is it?” I asked and before I could comprehend what he was doing, he’d swooped down to one knee. He reached into his jacket pocket and then he took my hand in his as I struggled to listen to his words over the sound of the pounding in my chest.
“I need you to say you’ll marry me,” he began, his voice gentle but strong at the same time as he stared up at me. “Since we left Manhattan, I’ve come to realize I don’t want to be apart from you anymore. I thought it might be okay, but I know now it’s not and I want us to be together. I was going to wait to ask you, to make some big production about it, but I don’t want to wait anymore. So, I’m asking you to be my wife. Will you marry me, Riley?”
My eyes focused on the beautiful diamond ring he was holding up to me and I opened my mouth to speak, but I found I had no words. Evan and I had never discussed marriage. His proposal came as a complete shock and I could hardly breathe as I stood there, not knowing what to say. I felt myself starting to sweat and my chest was in a knot as I tried to say something.
“Will you?” he asked again. His brow was starting to furrow as he stared up at me anxiously. I still couldn’t speak, so instead, I just nodded as he began to slip the ring onto my left hand, which was trembling so badly, he had to work to steady it. When it was finally on my finger, I stared down at the ring, a square cut diamond, surrounded b
y a cluster of smaller diamonds on each side. It was more extravagant than any ring I’d ever imagined wearing.
Evan stood up and held my hands, before leaning in and brushing his lips over mine and I finally felt like I could breathe again.
“I’m getting nervous, Riley,” he chuckled lightly. “You haven’t said a word.”
I met his eyes and I opened my mouth, hoping something would come out this time.
“I…I’m…I’m just so shocked.”
“Yeah, you look a little surprised,” he grinned.
“Surprised is not the word to describe what I’m feeling right now.”
“You’re speechless then?”
“Yes,” I answered and then he took me in his arms.
“I’ve left you speechless twice in as many days,” he said with a light laugh. “That was exactly the reaction I was hoping for.”
Chapter Sixteen
I couldn’t stop staring at the diamond on my finger. I was still in shock and I’d hardly slept as I wrapped my mind around the notion that I’d agreed to marry Evan. Marriage was so far off my radar so when he’d asked, I’d hadn’t been able to talk. Now that it was morning though, I wished I’d been able to speak. I wished I’d been able to ask him what had suddenly inspired the proposal, aside from missing me. I wished I could’ve asked him what he expected from me now that we were engaged. I wondered if he expected me to drop everything and move to Kansas City or transfer to a university there, which was something I definitely didn’t want to do. I knew I had decisions to make, but I also knew they didn’t need to made right away. We didn’t have to get married immediately. It would be after graduation, at least, maybe longer and until then, I could continue on with life as it was, only now as Evan’s fiancé.
One thing I couldn’t put off though, was telling my mother. After Evan proposed, he’d come inside, but she’d already been asleep, so as far as my mom was concerned she still thought I merely had a college boyfriend who lived four hours away and I tried to imagine her reaction when she found out I was engaged.
Carry Me Home (The Home Series: Book Three) Page 11