Page 91 of When There Was You
“Exactly.”
“But y’all like each other, don’t you? I mean,a lot.”
My expression, even without verbal corroboration, clearly pleases her. “Are you here to warn me off or threaten me if I hurt him?”
She barks a laugh. “Butchie can take care of himself. Although…” She turns thoughtful. “He’s been hurt, and by hurt, I’m talking almost mortally wounded, by what happened with Emmy’s…” She falters. “I can’t even say the word. Let’s just call her the…incubator. I would do anything and everything in my power to stop that from happening again.”
I nod, my affection for her growing. It also makes me wonder how the family’s coping with Butch’s ex-wife trying to insert herself back into Emmy’s life. “You’re a good sister.”
“And you’re making my brother happy for the first timein years.”
Our eyes meet, hers reflecting nothing but sincerity.
“He’s doing the same for me.”
As the day unfolds,the Hamilton family dynamic sets me further at ease. They get along, tease each other, help when needed. Butch wrestles with the kids, throwing them around like they’re weightless. The younger generation frolics…like they should. No one drinks too much or zones out in a haze of narcotics. No one yells. No one gets angry or upset. No one’s ignored.
Delicious food flows, from the appetizers to the big meal to the array of desserts, giving me my fill and then some. I’ve never eaten homemade stuffing the likes of Jerri’s and the cranberry sauce isn’t from a can but made with tart berries sweetened by sugar. Every dish—the mashed potatoes, sides, salads, and pies—were crafted from scratch. The time and energy infused into making this beautiful spread fills me with a foreign emotion. It’s so personal, generous, meaningful…as if love is the main ingredient in feeding us all.
Butch is attentive, but not overly demonstrative. When his hand finds mine under the table, he lightly strokes my skin, and even that simple touch electrifies.
As we’re nearing the end of a collective cleanup effort, Butch’s lips graze my ear. “Want to go for a walk?”
My body protests from overeating. “Mm-hmm, but you might have to roll me.”
He snickers, and I return the dish towel to its hook.
“We’re sneaking out of here.I want you all to myself,” he whispers.
Liz gives us a covert thumbs-up. I glance at Butch, who mouths “thank you,” to her.Ah.
We steal to the foyer, and he helps me into my coat, buttoning it up as his gaze burns into mine. Just like that, I’mfloating, my stomach flipping, heart pattering. He throws on his own jacket, and we quietly escape out the front door.
Butch leads me to a well-worn path, and we’re soon enveloped in nature. Tall pines stretch to the sky, and the undergrowth is a combination of dropped cones and needles along with patches of luminous moss. Our breath plumes in the brisk air as waning sunlight filters through the trees.
“It’s so beautiful here.” I stoop to admire a cluster of tiny, star-shaped ferns.
“It’s a kid’s paradise—and not too shabby for the grown-ups, either.”
Indeed. But I wonder… “Have you ever wanted to leave?”
“Once upon a time,” he admits, as we continue walking. “But life took such a U-turn with Emmy, and having the family’s support helped. I’m sure I could’ve managed without it, but it would have been a bitch. Now I don’t want to take her away from the people she loves and who love her.”
“Your parents would take it hard.” I’ve witnessed how they’ve doted on her today.
“You ain’t kidding.”
We round a bend, and I gasp in delight as we come to a short, arched bridge over a stream. I hurry toward it, stopping dead center on the wood-slatted span, taking in the tall trees and babbling brook, captivated by this wondrous place.
Butch cages me against the railing and holds my gaze. “I stopped thinking about myself, my wants and needs…until you.”
I stare into those serious, beautiful green eyes.The forest’s got nothing on them.
His lips caress mine softly, gently, and I close my eyes, sinking into his touch and savoring it. His grip tightens as he deepens the kiss, staking his claim and making me forget my own name.
“I want you,” he breathes.
I whimper. “I want you.”
