Page 45 of Never and Always
He watched my face, a smile on his lips. “It’s never dull.” Then he leaned his head back against the cushion. “In California, I turned into a workaholic. The work was interesting at first, it fueled me, but soon, I was burned out. I worked weekends, stayed up late doing extra work, didn’t take any vacations.”
I felt an uncomfortable pinch.
“I didn’t get home much, and by the time I realized my Mom was sick, it was too late.”
I sucked in a breath.
“She had cancer and she was dying.”
I heard the pain in his voice. “I’m so sorry, Everett.” The thought of losing my mom or Gram left me aching.
“So, I quit and came home. I spent the little time I had left with Mom, I got a job at the hotel, bought this place. I have dinner with my dad a few nights a week. I’m living for now instead of turning myself inside out for some promise of a future that might never come. Instead, I’m enjoying the life I have right here. A little hiking in the summer, a little skiing or snowboarding in the winter.”
I pulled a face, and he laughed.
One day, he’d no doubt meet some sweet, young woman who loved hiking, camping, skiing and other outdoor activities. I could see him with some pretty woman tucked under his arm. She’d wear jeans, have freckles, and braid her hair.
For some reason, I really didn’t want to think about his hypothetical mountain girl. “You must miss your mom.”
“Yeah, but I talk to her. I sit on my back deck and look at the stars and talk to her.”
My heart clenched. “That’s nice. I’m sorry you lost her.”
“Thanks. You see your father?”
“Nope. After he left, we saw him sporadically. He’d turn up and take us to a movie or out for lunch, but it slowly faded. I haven’t seen him in over ten years. And I don’t want to see him. He took himself out of our lives, but thankfully, I had two amazing women who raised me and loved me.”
“You’re lucky.” He tugged her my hair. “Anyway, you haven’t cornered the market on sad life stories.”
“I guess everyone has their ups and downs.”
“True, big city, very true.”
My eyes started drooping.
“Why don’t I show you the guest room?”
The idea of being alone, in an unfamiliar room, made my pulse spike. “I…um…”
Everett being Everett must have sensed it. He shifted us until we were lying down on the couch. “Or, we can just rest here for a bit.”
“That sounds good,” I murmured.
I felt his fingers sifting through my hair. “You have great hair.”
“Thanks.”
“And great legs.”
I let out a watery laugh. “And you have terrible fashion sense.”
“I reckon the mountain man look might grow on you.”
I was afraid it already was.
It was on that thought, tangled up with him, that I fell asleep.
Chapter 15
