by Jan Hinds
Cooper took his turn to cough and squeezed her shoulder.
Sylvia clapped her hands together. “Oh how wonderful! I’ve been longing to have grandchildren close by.”
Paige’s smile sagged a bit. She didn’t mean to get his mother’s hopes up on a lie. Guilt settled in her chest like a hot poker stabbing her heart.
Matt took his turn to grill her. “Are your parents living?”
“Yes. They have a hardware store in Creston.”
“What are their names?” Sylvia asked. She perched on the edge of her chair as if enthralled by every word Paige said.
Alarm bells went off in Paige’s mind. What harm was there in telling about her parents? Even so, her stomach tightened into knots. “Stuart and Evie Vaughn.”
Sylvia smiled. “We’ll have a get together soon so we can all get acquainted.”
Cooper pulled his phone from his hip pocket to check the time. “We really do need to get going. We have a lot to do yet this evening. I want to thank you both for all you’ve done for me. I really am grateful. As you can see, I’m in great hands now so you two don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
They stood and Paige supported Cooper while he distributed his weight between his crutch and his good leg.
Sylvia brushed a tear from her eye and Matt put a comforting arm around his wife. He said, “Son, you’ll find out soon enough, no matter how old and independent your children get, you will always worry about them. It’s part and parcel of parenting.”
Paige hugged Cooper and looked at Sylvia. “I promise I’ll take excellent care of him.” Not a lie.
Cooper and Paige managed to go down to his bedroom on the lower level, which was a walk-out basement. Once they were alone in his room with him sitting on the bed, she stood over him with her hands on her hips. “Call me Mom. Call me Dad. Welcome to the family. Just what exactly did you tell your parents?”
He tried to give her an innocent puppy look, but she wasn’t having any of it. He held out his hands palm up. “I might have let them think you were the one.”
“Me? Out of the blue in one day you tell them we’re dating and that I’m the one?” Her fingers scratched air quotes at the last two words.
He took her hand and pulled her down to sit next to him. “It started out innocent enough. I was depressed most of the time and they tried to get me to talk about classes. You and your wacky sense of humor were the bright spots of my days so I told them about the funny things you said. They glommed onto the fact that I smiled when I talked about you, so I tried to spend more time with you to give me more to talk about. It got to the point where the first thing my mother would ask me was ‘How was Paige today?’ I never tried to correct her because I was happier and Mom wasn’t looking at me with sad eyes any more. I’m sorry I drew you into my web of deceit.”
Paige’s shoulders shook with laughter. She tried to laugh quietly, but couldn’t contain her mirth and she laughed loud and hard. Tears streamed down her face and she fell back on the bed laughing hysterically.
Cooper laid back next to her, laughing as well. “What’s so funny?”
She wiped the tears from her face and turned to face him. “I’ve been in a relationship with this handsome, sexy man that I’ve been crushing on for years, and I didn’t even know it.” Another bubble of laughter burst from her before her smile slipped. “Too bad you don’t find me the least bit attractive.”
“Paige.” He touched her face, but she stood up and moved out of his reach.
“Friends it is then. Where will I find your suitcases? The quicker we get things done the sooner I can enjoy my Monet bedroom.”
She helped him pack up the clothes and personal care items he needed. Matt helped her load the bags in her car. By the time they finished, Cooper’s face looked flushed, his jaw clenched, and he moved slower.
They stood in the foyer with Sylvia and Matt, ready to say goodnight. Paige gave Cooper a worried look. “Did you pack your pain meds?”
He shook his head. “I can’t believe I almost forgot them.”
Sylvia motioned for her to follow. “They’re in the kitchen. Most of them require him to take them with food.”
Sylvia made sure Paige understood each medication and side effects to look for. After bagging up his drugs, Sylvia and Matt each hugged her once more before they left.
At her apartment, Paige insisted that Cooper remain in the car while she packed up her laundry and essentials. She made a few more trips to get her gaming console and computer. After leaving a note for her roommate, she drove to the grocery store where Cooper commandeered a motorized cart, insisting they purchase all of Paige’s favorite foods and any other supplies she needed. When they made it back to the house it was almost midnight.
Cooper refused to leave her alone while she unloaded the car, even though she could tell he was struggling with the pain. When they had everything inside and locked up the car and the house, she grabbed the medicine and their dinners and insisted he go upstairs. While he ate and took his medicine, she brought up the rest of their bags and started a load of laundry she had yet to hand wash and tossed some still damp clothing in the dryer.
After he finished eating, she followed him into his bedroom. Her face overheated again. “Do you need help getting ready for bed?”
His uncomfortable expression eased her own embarrassment. “Can you help me with my shoes and socks?”
He untied his laces and she carefully removed his footwear. She helped him stand and gave him his crutch.
Cooper looked down at her with a tenderness that took her breath away as he held her hand. “Paige, I don’t know how to thank you. My mom has aged ten years in the past eighteen months. It was killing me to see how much taking care of me was stressing her.”
Paige squeezed his hand. “I don’t know how to thank you. If I had to ask my mom for help, I’d have aged twenty years.” She reluctantly let go of his hand and looked around the room. “Are you good to go the rest of the evening?”
“If you can direct me to finding my toothbrush, I’ll finish unpacking in the morning.”
She glanced down at his knee and wondered how difficult standing might be for him. “I’ll unpack for you while you get ready for bed.” She handed him his shaving supplies, soap and toothbrush.
He quirked up his eyebrow. “Are you trying to get into my drawers?”
“Ha. Ha. I figured it would be hard on your leg to twist from the suitcase to the dresser.”
He yawned. “Thanks. I’ll grab a shower then.” He snatched a t-shirt and pajama shorts from his bag and headed into the bathroom.
She quickly unpacked his suitcases, putting his clothes roughly where they’d been in his bedroom at parent’s house. While she worked, she decided to listen to her messages.
Chapter Four
Seventeen missed calls.
Call 1—Evie: Paige, we just got the strangest call from a couple named Jennings. It seems you’re engaged and neglected to tell your mother? Honestly Paige, I know we’ve had our issues in the past, but I thought you matured to the point we’d moved beyond that. And who is Cooper? I thought you were dating some computer nerd named Ted. Is Ted his nickname? Please call us. Oh, your future in-laws sound lovely.
Call 2—Stuart: Sweetheart, this is your father. I ducked out to the garage to call so your mother wouldn’t hear. What is this about you living with a man before you marry him? (loud sigh) Paige, I know you haven’t dated much, but don’t settle. Especially for someone like that Ted character. Why did his parents call him Cooper? Whatever. What I really want to say is, don’t let the rift between you and your mother cause a rift with the entire family. We all love you, Paige, and we want only your happiness. Please call us back.
Call 3—Joni: You’re engaged? I guess hell froze over and pigs fly! Halleluiah miracles happen! Just kidding. I’m happy for you, Sis. I’m curious, how did Ted propose? Did he do it in a text? Or program it into a computer game that popped the question when you reach
ed the highest level? Call me. I want details.
Call 4—Evie: Honey, I spoke to Sylvia again. We’re wondering how soon you two are getting married? Do you want to have the wedding in Fort Wayne or here at home? How many bridesmaids are you planning on? Sylvia and I figured at least four. Joni, Amy, Cooper’s sister Grace, and your friend Angie. What about your high school best friend Melissa? And what about your roommate? What was her name? Trisha? I’m putting an announcement of your engagement in the paper here and Sylvia is putting one in the Fort Wayne paper. You and Cooper need to get an engagement picture done. You know what, that will take too long. I’ll find a suitable picture of you and Sylvia can supply one of Cooper. Cooper is such a lovely name. Why on earth have you been calling him Ted?
Call 5—Amy: Paige, I just heard the news! Brent and I are so happy for you and can’t wait to meet your fiancé. I’m sure you have tons to do, but call when you get the chance. You are the best person in the world. I’m over the moon happy for you.
Paige smiled as she thought about Amy. Her brother struck gold with her and it warmed Paige’s heart to hear how happy she was for her and Cooper.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. This wasn’t real. It was all a lie and everyone who loved her was going to be disappointed in her.
The water cut off and she heard his crutch clatter on the tile floor. Cooper swore.
“Do you need help?” she asked.
“I—uh, dropped my crutch and the tiles are pretty slick. Can you hand me my towel—without…”
“Without peeking? I don’t know. Perhaps I should let you stand there until the tiles dry.”
“Ha. Ha. Just hand me a towel and don’t look.”
“I’m coming in with my eyes on the floor.” She grabbed a towel from the towel rack and held it in front of the shower door. “My back is turned. Here you go.”
Cooper’s hand brushed hers when he took the towel and a zap of warmth travel up her arm from his touch. With her back still to the door, she picked up the crutch and held it behind her. “The crutch is right outside the shower when you’re ready for it.”
“Thanks,” he said as his hand closed over hers. “All this time at home, I’ve never had a problem like this. Sorry.”
“How come you never had trouble at your parents’ house?”
“Dad installed safety grab bars and slip resistant strips in my bathroom at home. I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing that here.”
“We can get some tomorrow. I can install them. My dad does bathroom remodels as a side job and I used to help him with them all the time.”
Cooper looked up and met her eyes in the mirror. “Paige, you can see me in the mirror.” His face turned red.
She laughed and averted her eyes. “I didn’t look. Honest.” She grinned and headed for the door.
Once the door was shut he called to her. The deep timbre of his words filtered out to her, strumming the chords of her heart. “I thought I heard voices out there earlier. Were you talking to someone?”
“Messages on my phone. You aren’t going to like it. It seems you and I are engaged.”
Cooper came out of the bathroom wearing a t-shirt and sleep shorts. He gave her an apologetic look. “We should listen to them together.”
She glanced down at his injured leg.
He made a disgusted wave at his leg as he sat down on the bed. “It looks grotesque, doesn’t it?”
She followed his gaze to the angry scars on his leg and tilted her head sideways. “You know what? I think it reminds me of a roadmap of Ohio.”
Cooper laughed and her heart fluttered. “Ohio? How do you figure?”
She grinned and pointed to the scars, skimming her finger along them without touching him. “Down here, we have Cincinnati. This is I-75, which looks like it ends around Lima. Must be some road closures.”
She grinned up at him, happy to see the despair gone from his countenance. “If we go back to Cincinnati, this takes us on I-71 to Columbus.” She traced around his kneecap.
Cooper grabbed her hand. “If you have any plans on traveling to Cleveland, be warned, I don’t think any level of pain would stop me from completing the trip.”
With forced laughter, she said, “Call me old fashioned, but I always dreamed of going to Cleveland with someone at least attracted to me.” She felt her cheeks burn and silently cursed herself for dwelling on the bruise his words had inflicted to her ego. She stood and turned to leave.
“I have to put my clothes in the dryer and get a shower. Besides, you might want to rethink listening to the messages from my family. They can be intense at times.”
“Go ahead and shower. I’ll wait for you. We’ll listen to them together.”
Too tired to argue, she handed him her phone. “I listened to the first five calls. Wait for me to listen to the rest.”
♥♥♥
She finished her shower and dressed in pajamas and a robe before she returned to Cooper’s room. He rested on pillows propped against the headboard.
She climbed onto the other side of the bed and sat in a relaxed half-lotus pose, facing him and pulled up the rest of the messages.
Call 6—Stuart: Honey, I’m a bit worried we still haven’t heard from you. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep tonight until I hear your voice. Call me no matter how late. Your mother just went out to buy bridal magazines from the store. Can’t imagine what she’ll find at this hour. Call me.
Call 7—Sylvia: Paige, I hope you don’t mind I got your number from your mother. I think she and I are going to become wonderful friends. Matt and I were so excited we couldn’t wait to talk to them. We are so happy Cooper has found you. Evie and I wanted to get the families together next weekend if you and Cooper are willing. Kind of a getting acquainted dinner. I know Cooper hates for me to make a fuss so I can cater it in if you like. Just let me know when will work for both of you.
Cooper scratched the back of his neck. “I had no idea my parents would contact yours on their own like this. What a mess.”
Call 8—Stuart: Still waiting to hear from you. I got your new address from Cooper’s father and if I don’t hear from you soon I’m coming there to make sure you’re all right. Call me.
Call 9—Evie: Honey, your father is about to go ballistic. Just call and assure him you’re fine. I told him you probably are too enraptured with young love to pay attention to your phone. You never have been good about answering your phone. I thought it was just when I called, but your Aunt Marty, Brent, Amy, and Joni all have assured me you aren’t answering their calls either. That in itself is both comforting and disturbing. Please call one of us so we can assure the others you are okay.
Call 10—Joni: Did I hurt your feelings when I called before? I’m sorry if I did. You know I love you, kiddo. Please call. Dad and Mom are freaking out that they haven’t heard from you.
Call 11—Stuart: Your mother has convinced me to not embarrass you by showing up on your doorstep in the middle of the night. I’m going to bed now. If I haven’t had at least a text from you by morning, I’ll be in Fort Wayne by noon.
Call 12—Evie: Your father went to bed. I don’t know how he can sleep. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better mother to you. Please call. I’m sleeping with my phone in my hands.
Call 13—Tina: What the heck? You’re moving out and sticking me with the rent? I thought we were friends.
Call 14—Brent: Hey, kid. Congratulations. I got up to take care of a puking child and thought I’d send my well wishes. Is that the same Cooper Jennings who used to play for Purdue? He was one of the few players who outran me. Glad to hear you caught him. He must be someone special to capture your heart. I guess I can tell you, I always secretly hoped you and Dan Cavanaugh would marry someday so my best friend would be my brother-in-law. I guess the fates never aligned for you two. I’m glad you’ve found true love. You are a treasure. Talk to you soon.
Call 15—Aunt Marty: Paige, sweetheart. I just heard the good news. Evie called frantic to find out if
I’ve heard from you. A word of advice? Elope before your parents even meet him. Don’t listen to anything they say about him. If you love him, hold on with both hands and never let him go.
Call 16—Stuart: I couldn’t sleep. Just looked up your guy on the internet to make sure he didn’t have a warrant out or something. He sounds like a great guy. Had some tough breaks and is coming out on top of them. I’m glad you ditched that Ted. He was never going to be good enough for you.
Call 17—Ted: Paige I just finished beta testing a game and wanted to know if you want to come over tomorrow night and cook dinner for me to celebrate.
Paige set her phone down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. No answers there.
Cooper frowned and wrinkled his nose as if a skunk took up residence under the bed. “I don’t like this Ted character. And who the heck is Dan Cavanaugh?”
She looked at him and laughed. “Out of all those calls, that’s what stands out to you? What are we going to do about this mess?” She scooted off the bed and paced around the room. “This is what comes from lying.”
Cooper caught her when she walked close enough. He moved over and put a comforting arm around her, as he pulled her down next to him. She snuggled against his chest and sighed at his scent of soap and musk with a hint of spice.
He tucked her head under his rough chin. “Are you in love with this Ted character?”
“No.” She surprised herself with how quickly she answered. “He’s a nice guy. Dating him helped me overcome some issues I had from a traumatic high school experience. He and I are both introverts who spent time alone together. Most of the time we played video games, or I studied while he worked his tech magic.”