Page 79 of Embers of You
I shrug. “I have no idea, but I wasn’t about to sit down with them and unpack it all. I just had to leave.”
“I don’t blame you.” He doesn’t try to apologize or placate me. He doesn’t say I should talk to them, or that I should try to work past it because we’re family. He just accepts my choices, and the relief that gives me makes me feel even better about this thing between us.
“Thank you.” I squeeze his hand, and look over at him. He smiles down at me, showing his white teeth against the lips that I want to attack with my own. He really is perfect. I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to be, but he is. I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop, to see a flaw of his and ruin this illusion of him.
But I don’t think it’s an illusion. I don’t think there’s another shoe. I think this is just him.
He leads me to an open area we haven’t gone before, and I look around the field, wondering why we’re out here. Jamesondoesn’t say anything, just pulls me down with him so I’m between his legs while the dogs run around together.
Jameson just holds me like this. The fresh mountain air blowing around us, and the secret I’ve been too afraid to tell anyone is finally off my chest. I feel lighter and more content than I have in a long time.
“Do you think you and your dad will ever have a better relationship?” I run my fingers along his arm that’s draped around me; there’s a prominent vein in his muscular forearm that I trace.
“If he made an effort then maybe, but I’ve tried, Ma is trying. The only one that isn’t is him.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“Because he’s a stubborn man stuck in his ways and for some reason, me chasing a dream off this land was too much for him to ever forgive, apparently.”
I continue trailing my fingers along his skin, the soft hair dusting his tan skin. There’s a couple of scars from years of working on the ranch I’m sure. “Maybe he just isn’t good at expressing how he feels.”
“I’m sure that’s part of it, but he could at least do something. You’d think with Ma being so sick it would make him realize how finite time is.”
I nod, thinking about that for my own situation. It’s a different circumstance, but it makes me consider if I should try to make amends. It’s not my amends to make, though and I shake the thought away.
“He seems to really love your mom.” I bring his hand up to my lips brushing them against his rough skin.
“He always has. I just think she takes it too easy on him.”
I lean my head back to look up at him. “Why do you say that?”
“She’s always understanding. Of everyone. She’s the sweetest person I know, but maybe my dad needs more tough love to get it through his head.”
“What about you? What is it that you need?”
Jameson looks down at me, tightening his hold on me. “Right now? All I need is you.”
CHAPTER 37
Jameson
We havea call to Sutton’s neighborhood, and when it comes through I hear Scenic drive and am instantly on edge. Luckily, the house number is different so I’m able to keep my calm as we head out. Once we get there I realize it’s one of the houses across the street from Sutton. I knock on the door and Wes is the one that answers.
“What’s going on?” he asks, confused.
“Uh, we had a call for this address about a possible fire,” I answer, now just as confused as him.
“My fire alarm went off, but I didn’t call…” His voice trails off and I see him look toward the neighbors house next to him. “Sorry guys, it’s a false alarm. If you excuse me I need to have a talk with my overbearing neighbor.”
“Just to be clear, you don’t want us to check anything out?” I clarify because we can’t leave until a scene is cleared.
“No, you’re off the hook.” Wes is already walking out toward his next door neighbor.
I nod to my coworkers and we load back up to go back to the station. Just as I’m climbing into the truck, the yelling starts.
“Why did you call them, it was just a fire alarm?” Wes snaps.
“I’m not going to have my house burn down because you’re incapable of cooking and started a damned fire.” I look over and see it’s Bailey, Sutton’s friend, yelling back at him.
