Page 42 of Family Forever
Chapter Eleven
Dylan paced the floor in the kitchen, looking out the window every five minutes, hoping to see Cole and Marissa pulling onto the driveway. What was taking them so long? Marissa had phoned when Cole arrived at school to pick her up, yet nearly an hour and a half had passed by since then. The forty mile drive shouldn’t take that long. His chest squeezed his heart to the point it was hardly able to beat as he imagined the worst. Had they been in an accident?
“Oh, would you calm down already,” Aric stated as he stepped into the kitchen. “They probably just stopped off somewhere to get a bite to eat or something.”
Why would they do that when they were so close to home? Why weren’t they answering his calls?
He glanced out the window again, willing Cole's car into the driveway. Nothing. They had been home a mere three weeks ago for Thanksgiving break, yet, he felt like it had been an eternity since he’d last seen Marissa. And ever since his heart-to-heart with his Aunt Mitzi, all he could think about was Marissa. He hadn’t known it was possible to think of any one person that much, or more than he already had before his deep conversation with his aunt, but now he knew it was possible. Maybe it was time, time to put himself out there to her but he still wasn’t fully sure he was ready. All this time, he’d madeitabout making sure Marissa was ready but his aunt had made him come to realize he was the one who was not ready and willing.
The landline rang. Dylan’s gaze shot to the phone. Fearing the worst, he hesitated to make a move for the phone.
Aric shot him an odd look and snatched up the receiver.
“Yep … okay … see ya soon.”
His brother hung up the phone and made a move for the refrigerator. Why wouldn’t he, it had to have been at least an hour since they ate lunch.
“Well?” Dylan asked.
“What?”
“Was that Cole on the phone?”
“No, Marissa,” Aric replied before leaning back into the refrigerator.
Dylan blew out a calming breath as he counted to ten. “What did she have to say?”
“Cole got a flat tire. He changed it and now they’re on the road again.”
Relief rippled through him. But still, having to change a tire in thirty degree temperatures was not good.
A short time later, Cole pulled into the driveway. All was well, and Dylan couldn’t be happier to have the whole family together again for another holiday. He yelled up the stairs for Braden and Nate, letting them know Cole and Marissa were home. The boys nearly flew down the stairs, and Luke bounded into the kitchen from the living room, and directly into Marissa’s arms. He’d give his right arm to be Luke right now.
Dylan shifted his gaze to Cole and hardened it. "Why didn't you guys return my calls? I thought something had happened to you."
Cole scowled back at him. "We did return your calls when we got back into the car after changing the tire and noticed that you had called our cells."
"Oh, I guess … never mind. Sorry. I'm glad everything is okay." Now he felt like an irrational idiot. Cole's look confirmed he was right about his self-assessment. It was probably best to just stop talking for now.
Cole disappeared upstairs and returned a moment later. “Chop, chop, you guys, the movie starts in thirty minutes, and it’s going to be busy today so we may be in line for a while. Those butts not in the car in two minutes are going to be left behind.”
Boys scattered for their jackets. Thank goodness Cole was taking them to the movies, Dylan was looking forward to the peace and quiet, though he’d likely be scrambling to get all the presents wrapped before they returned.
The door slammed shut and there was silence. But better yet, he now had time alone with Marissa, a rare event, especially since she went off to college.
Marissa eyed him from across the kitchen. Concern seeped from her bright blue gaze. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“You look tired. I’ve never seen you look so beat, are you feeling okay. Are you ill?” She lowered her gaze. "And you kind of jumped all over Cole just now for nothing."
Did he really look that bad and sound that on edge? Judging from the look in her eyes, he must. He straightened his stance and pulled a smile, hoping to alleviate her concern. “I’m good, just a little tired. Thomas hurt his back a couple of weeks ago so I’ve been working his shifts in the barn. And with the holidays … well, you know how it is.”
Her worried gaze deepened.Shoot, wrong direction.“No need to worry, now that Cole is back for the next ten days, and Aric is on Christmas break, I can work them into the schedule a bit.”
“I’ll do whatever I can in here for you, too. We’ll give you a break. Perhaps I should cancel my January interim class and stay longer to help you out until Thomas is back to work…”
“No, absolutely not. Your education comes first.”
