Page 22 of Axe-identally Married
What had I gotten myself into? Marriage? With Willa?
I got up for another bottle of water, making sure not to wake my wife.
From the doorway, I watched her sleep, taking in her thick lashes, the blond hair spread out on the pillow, and the curve of her hip under the thin blanket.
I should be panicking. I should be spiraling.
But as I took in every detail of her, all I could think was:
This is my wife.
Chapter Eight
Cole
The trip home had been uneventful. We’d landed in Portland this afternoon, then jumped on a shuttle to Bangor. From there, I drove Debbie home.
Though we hadn’t had much time to talk through the details since we were surrounded by my family, Willa and I had agreed that I should move into her cottage right away. I had no idea how this was going to work, but I was determined to try. She was the best kind of person, and a single day with me had royally fucked up her life. I owed it to her to do all I could to make this right.
Debbie, exhausted by the busy weekend, was quiet on the drive, but she eyed me suspiciously several times during the trip. To her credit, she didn’t ask questions, even as she helped me fold my laundry and pack my limited possessions into a few plastic totes she kept around for craft supplies.
It was already getting dark, but I wouldn’t leave until this place was nicer than it was when I’d arrived. It was a challenge, because Debbie took great pride in her house. But I owed her that much. So I took out the trash, vacuumed, and changed the sheets on my bed.
Debbie appeared as I was adjusting the throw pillows in the room I’d been occupying. “You don’t have to do all the chores.”
“I put fresh batteries in the smoke detectors last week,” I explained, keeping my attention on my task. “And I set an alert on my phone to replace them in six months.”
“Stop,” she said softly, stepping up beside me. She stood silently and waited for me to look at her. Then, pushing her dark blond hair behind her ears, she tilted her head and gave me a soft smile. “It’s okay, Cole. Go. Move in with your wife. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Emotion tore through me, ripping at my composure. I owed this woman so much. A lifetime of repaying her kindnesses wouldn’t be enough, and I didn’t have the vocabulary to tell her what her love for me meant.
“Thank you,” I said as my nose stung and my eyes went hot. That was the best I could do. “For giving me a home, a place to land.”
She threw her arms around my torso. “Oh, sweetie. You are my sixth son, and you always will be. And like my other boys, you always have a place here.” She patted my arm, sniffling, as she pulled back. “You’ve been on a bumpy road, but you have such a good heart. I know you’ll be okay. Please come have dinner with me every once in a while. And don’t forget about knitting club.”
Despite the ache in my chest, I couldn’t help but smile down at her. “I won’t. I promise.” I hugged her close again. My whole life, Debbie had been there for me, and she had always treated me as one of her own.
People like her, the kind who had a person’s back when the chips were down, were the kind worth holding on to.
I squeezed her hard. “I love you,” I said, my eyes stinging with tears.
I’d moved in with Debbie when I hit rock bottom. With nowhere to go. I was recovering from hip surgery, and I’drecently lost my career and my long-term girlfriend, along with all sense of direction. My father had been tossed into prison, my mother had moved away—and hadn’t wanted anything to do with me anyway—and I’d alienated every person who’d ever cared about me.
Except Debbie. She didn’t scare easily. Even when I was at my lowest, she’d rolled her eyes, given me a list of chores to do, and baked a batch of peanut butter cookies for me.
She never let me feel sorry for myself, and she kept me busy, even if it was only watchingJeopardyor going to knitting club.
“I love you too, kid. Now go move in with your wife. I wouldn’t give my favorite roommate up for anyone. But I have a good feeling about this. She will keep you on your toes. Not that you need to be any taller.”
“Thank you,” I said again, because she’d done more for me than anyone ever had. More than I deserved. “I’m not sure I can ever repay you.”
“You don’t owe me anything. Being a mom is my job. It’s my calling in this life. I’ve been given six wonderful boys to love, and now I’ve got a couple of grandkids too. I’ll gladly do this every day for the rest of my life. Someday you will understand.”
The drivethat headed down toward the lake was wooded, and in the evening, the road was dark. But when the woods opened up a half mile in and the light of the setting sun lit up the property before me, it was hard to breathe. Willa had mentioned she was renting a cottage on the water, but this was a spectacular estate. The grounds were meticulously manicured and included what looked like an apple orchard. Old-fashioned style lights litthe long drive that led to a large cottage surrounded by shrubbery. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.
I parked next to a blue hatchback I assumed was Willa’s. How strange, that we were married and I didn’t even know what kind of car she drove.
Before I’d even turned off the engine, she was out on the porch to greet me, wringing her hands. Clearly, she was as anxious about this arrangement as I was.
