Page 31 of Merry on the Mountain
“That was incredible.”
“You’re incredible,” I correct her. Because she is.
I made good on my promise to spend both days fucking her all over my house, and then hers. The rare moments where we weren’t tangled together usually consisted of us taking care of Maya or feeding ourselves. Honestly, the moments in between sex, spent doing mundane things, might have been my favorite part. Every conversation revealed something more about Willa, and I listened like I’d be given an exam afterward.
I’m on my way to Denver to pick Izzy up at the airport, and I know Willa’s probably getting up to go to work about now. We didn’t talk about how we’re going to continue this once my daughter is home. Izzy loves Willa, so it would probably make her over the moon to know that I want to start dating Willa. I just don’t want her to get too attached and be heartbroken when Willa leaves for the summer.
If I’m being honest, I’m worried about myself being heartbroken, too.
Instead of dwelling on the inevitability of that scenario, I turn up the music and force myself to think of anything else. It works, and before I know it, I’m pulling into the parking garage at the airport and sitting near the baggage claim. I’m early, so Ipull out my phone to check emails and messages, only to see a message from my broker that we got the house in Vail.
The plane just touched down, so I have just enough time to call him and set up a time to sign all the paperwork. Once that’s all taken care of, I slip my phone into my pocket and walk over to the area where Izzy and her grandparents will walk out from. Occasionally someone will give me a second glance, no doubt recognizing me from somewhere but not being able to put a finger on it.
I like to think of it as a perk of being a linebacker. I was good enough at my position to be spoken of regularly by commentators and have my headshot flashed on television screens during most games. But players on my side of the ball don’t get the flashy coverage of players on offense. Honestly, fine by me. It is humorous to watch people try to put it together, though. Depending on my mood I’ll either tell them I just have one of those faces or the truth. Usually the former, though.
“Daddy!”
My head snaps up as I see Isabel running to me, her dark curls flying behind her. I kneel down and scoop her up as soon as her tiny body comes barreling into me. I swear to everything precious in my life that my chest finally loosens for the first time in days. I bury my face in her hair and blink away the happy tears that sting my eyes.
“I missed you so much, Bug.”
“I missed you, too.”
I meet her grandfather’s eyes over her head. “Doug.” I hold my hand out in greeting. “How was the flight?”
“It was great. This one couldn’t wait to get back here, though.” He smiles as he takes my hand and shakes it. “Bea will meet us at the baggage claim. She had to use the restroom.”
“Alright.”
He falls in step beside me, and I can’t help but feel for him. I know what losing Isabel would do to me. I can’t imagine how he feels. Especially when he looks at her because she looks like a clone of her mother.
Izzy still clings to me, so I keep on holding her even as we step up to the carousel. Doug and Bea will have luggage as well; his sister lives in Boulder, so they’re going to visit for a few days. Bea joins us a few minutes later and gives me a brief hug.
“I hope you don’t mind, I put a scrapbook of Crystal in Isabel’s bag. I labeled everything, so each photo has context to tell Izzy.”
“I don’t mind at all. Thank you for doing that, Bea. It’ll definitely help when Izzy asks questions about her mom.”
“You can always call us, too.” She sighs with tears in her eyes and runs her fingers through Izzy’s curls. “Whatever time, any day. Nothing matters to us more than she does.”
“I know.”
“Don’t cry.” Izzy lets go of me and reaches for Bea. “It’s okay, Grandma.”
“I know, sweet girl.”
After we get our luggage, I offer one last time to drive them to Doug’s sister’s house, but they won’t hear of it. We say our goodbyes before Izzy and I head out to the truck, leaving them to walk over to the rental car kiosk. I get Izzy buckled into her car seat and get us headed home.
CHAPTER 12
WILLA
Despite having had a long,arduous day of lessons at work, I decided to go ahead and meet up with Ava for a drink. It was really fun getting to know her at Thanksgiving, and I’m sure Drew will want to soak up every minute he can with Izzy. I don’t want to intrude on that accidentally.
The great thing about Holly Ridge is that it’s so dog friendly. Many of the restaurants allow dogs on the patios, and there’s one pub that allows them inside as well. That’s where I’m meeting her.
I spot her as soon as I walk through the front door. Her light brown hair is swept up on top of her head in a messy knot with a pencil holding it up. She smiles brightly at me and stands to greet me with a quick hug.
“Hey,” she says as she drops her arms. “This must be Maya.” She crouches down, extending the back of her hand for Maya to sniff. “Hi, pretty girl.”
