Page 11 of Worth the Risk
“Huh, he didn’t mention anything. Well I’m sure everything is in order if your brother had a hand in it.” The comment doesn’t bother me like it might have at one point. I know he thinks I’m a capable adult but Knoxisa lawyer.
“What did I mention and have a hand in?” Knox says as he climbs the stairs to the deck. My adorable, little, two year old niece is high on his hip and he looks at her as he addresses me. “Hi, Uncle Rhett.” Hazel smiles so big her nose scrunches and I can see her two tiny teeth. My brother is all but forgotten.
“Hazey! Hi babygirl.” I hold my arms out to see if she’ll come to me. I’ve facetimed her weekly since she was born. Knox was annoyed at first but I wanted my niece to know my voice…and I wanted to be her favorite. “Wanna come see Uncle Rhett?” I make my voice as exciting as I can. She wiggles and then nosedives for me.Yes!
“That’s my girl!” I hug her close then move her to my hip and spin slowly. “I’ve missed you sweet girl. Have you been making daddy give you everything you want like we talked about?” My dad and Knox both chuckle.
“So what’s in order because of me? There is a long list.” I shake my head and kiss my niece's cheek.
“You’re gonna have to put that guy in his place babygirl,” I tell her quietly.
“Rhett’s new house,” My dad answers.
“I wouldn’t saynew…” Knox says. “It’s one of the historical houses in town.” My dad looks puzzled.
“You bought a historical house?” Having lived in a luxury apartment the last six years in Seattle I can see how he might think I would want something newer, but I’ve loved that house since I was a kid.
“Yeah, it’s the one off of Stumbolt,” I say as I raise Hazel over my head and blow a raspberry on her belly. She giggles and I feel like I just won the Stanley Cup. I would know what that feels like because I have won it. Three times, but who’s counting?
“Off Stumbolt? Isn’t that the house that’s right down the street from Winnie’s place?” Alder asks as he comes out of the house. Hazel squeals and reaches for him. Typical. Alder is always the favorite.
“Hey, Hazel baby! Come see your favorite uncle,” he croons. I roll my eyes but pass the little traitor to him after one more smooch to her chubby cheek. Curious about his comment about Winnie. I clear my throat.
“Winnie lives off Stumbolt?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“Oh yes, she’s been working on renovating it. It’s darling!” Mom answers while carrying a large bowl of salad and two more plates of food to the table outside.
“I’ve been over there a few times, helping her carry some tile in and I picked up a couple tools for her because she needed help,” Alder adds. “It’s looking really nice.” I hate that Alder has been in her place and I haven’t.
“Dadadada…” Hazel babbles at Knox and her tiny hands make the cutest grabbing motion. He reaches for her and scrunches his nose just like she does and grabs under her arms.
“We better get you inside for a little nap, huh pretty girl?” As if on cue, she yawns. We all wave at her before Knox takes her in, her sweet head resting on his shoulder.
“Hey little brother! ’Bout time you showed up.” Alder puts his arm around my back then swifty slips it up and puts me in a headlock. We wrestle around for a couple minutes before mom shuts it down.
“Boys—if you’re going to do that, move it to the yard.” Florence snorts.
“And I’m supposed to be the youngest here,” she says dryly. I give her a smile then turn to Alder.
“How’s everything at the resort?” His comment about Winnie is still on my mind. I didn’t know she lived near the house I’ve had my eye on for the last month. It might make the house even more appealing. For reasons I’m not ready to really dive into.
“It’s good. You know how it is in the off season. We’re running the lifts right now for the mountain bikers.” I nod. Alder works at ski resort a few towns over. He started out as an instructor and now he runs the whole place.
“I need to get out there.” My mountain bike hasn’t gotten as much use as I would’ve liked the past couple years but it’ll be here with the rest of my things on Monday. “Let me know when a good day is and I’ll meet you there.”
“Sure, I’ll text you Monday and let you know what my weeks looking like. It’s gonna be nice to have you back here to ride with. Knox hardly does anything anymore.”
“Knox has a child.” My mom fixes him with a look. He rushes to add.
“…because he’s busy taking care of my perfect niece.” She smiles at him then and I chuckle. We will never be too old to be put in our place by her.
“Alright family! We are ready to eat, everyone to the table!” Dad announces.
We all make our way to our seats and start piling our plates high. Knox walks out with a baby monitor and sets it on the table. A sleeping Hazel on the screen. I’ve missed this. Having lunch on a random Friday with my family. I look around the table and feel incredibly grateful and fortunate to have these people in my life.
After lunch everyone helps mom bring in the dishes to the kitchen. We say our goodbyes and it’s nice to know that it won’t be months or even weeks before I’m able to do this again. Igive mom and dad another hug and head to the school. I’m meeting my team for the first time today and getting them on a schedule and talk to them about their participation in the festival happening tomorrow. When I was asked if the hockey team would have a booth a month ago, I said yes automatically and sent out an email to the list the school provided to ask the boys to come up with a theme.
Their ideas ranged from “magic mike” to “jello wrestling” but when I shot those down I allowed “kissing booth”. I shake my head. I said yes because it sounded like something I would have done. I have a feeling these boys are going to be a handful. I will also be stopping by the title company to sign papers to make the house on Stumbolt officially mine. The thought makes me smile and I’m genuinely excited to slow down and settle in here.
