Page 18 of Needing His Touch
“Do I need to whoop Gabe’s ass for making you cry, sweet pea?” My laughter is the only thing you can hear in the cab of his truck. I’m shaking my head.
“Didn’t think so. I’ve got a great set of ears. They’re all yours whenever. It’s an open invitation,” Bernie says with a soft smile on his face. “You go on in now, and I’ll watch you until the door is closed, alright?” My hand covers his on the center console, squeezing it before leaning over and kissing his cheek.
“You’re the best, Bernie. I’ll probably take you up on that offer. Some of my childhood and adulthood was hard. Gabe was upset today when I opened up to him, not that I blame him. It wasn’t easy to live through, let alone tell someone else, and he’s awfully protective of me, kind of like another McCoy I know.” I wink, and he nods slightly. I see the way his throat bobs, and maybe telling him won’t be a good thing either. Gabe and Bernie are fixers, but the past isn’t something you can fix. You can only work on your future and breaking the cycle, so you don’t treat someone the way you were treated.
“Anytime, sweet pea, anytime.”
“Oh, do you think I can get a ride to work every now and then? I’m sure Denny and Nikki will have me on the schedule as soon as everything is back open. I’ll be able to walk to the shop once my shift is over. At least until I get a car?” I ask him.
“You got it. You know as well as I do, Gabe will be the one taking you to work. Coming home, I’ll pick you up whenever. Think about the job he offered you. You’re an amazing waitress, but, honey, it’s hard on your back, your feet, and a whole list of other stuff. You talked about going to college one day. You’ll make money faster, have more time to study, and I’m not sure what you plan on going to college for, but I’ll tell you this: there’s a lot of businesses around here that could use your enthusiasm and work ethic.” Man, today must be one of those days when the tears are going to fall no matter how much you don’t want them to. Everything Bernie is saying is true. I’m stubborn to the core, thinking and assuming I could do everything on my own. Refusing to take the help Gabe offered is dumb.
“You’re right. I’m going to do a lot of thinking between now and when Gabe gets home, though I already know the answer. I’m pretty sure you do, too. Thank you, Grandpa Bernie, for everything. I can’t find the words,” I tell him as my hand grabs the handle.
“You don’t have to thank me, Carsynn. You keep loving my boy as much as I know you do, give me a few great-grandkids before I’m too old to chase them around, and that’s all the thanks I’ll need.” My lips quiver, my eyes water, and I nod, unable to respond with the emotion clogging my throat. “Go on, honey. I’ll see you later.” I look at Gramps one last time, chest aching with happiness, tears ready to tumble down my cheeks. You’d think it’s that time of the month with the way I’m all over the place with my crying jags today.
“I’d say call me when you get home, except Gabe doesn’t have a house phone. Maybe I can convince him to install one like yours?” Then again, it’s probably an added expense and not a necessity.
“I’ll call Gabe when I get home, and he’ll deliver you the news I made it there safe. Carsynn, there isn’t much he wouldn’t do for you, but if you want a phone like mine, we’ll hit up the antique mall and find one of your own.” See? He’s the best. Bernie’s house is full of amazing items he’s collected throughout the years. There isn’t anything brand new in his house, except for maybe his beloved recliner.
“Okay, thanks again, Grandpa Bernie. Today was a great day.” I finally say my goodbyes. I’ve prolonged him leaving long enough. It’s time for me to go inside, cook dinner, and clean up the house a little bit before Gabe gets home. It’s funny. I was so opposed to help, but now, a few days of being around him, I’m changing my tune. Maybe Grandpa Bernie has the right idea about me loving Gabe. It’s hard to put a name on something you’ve never had, but if the ache in my chest when he’s away, the way my eyes track his every move, or how my stomach flutters when he walks into a room are an indication, then yeah, this must be what love feels like.
21
GABE
After working late, later than I was expecting, it’s well past dark by the time I head home. Gramps came back out to tell Carsynn I wasn’t going to be home for dinner, and he took my place at the dinner table. A whole lot of shit went sideways today. Her car took a fucking minute to pull out of the ditch, with a shit ton of onlookers, including Sheriff Sanders, who came out to look at the situation himself. It took everything I had not to send my fist flying into his ugly mug. When he commented that she was lucky to be alive, the look I sent his way had him lifting his hands up and walking backward. Still, it pissed me off. Gramps asked for help, so he should have been out looking for a citizen of Plaine Hill, but he abandoned his duty. I towed her car back to the shop and put a tarp over it, not that it wasn’t shot to shit with the snow melting into water and slush. What I should have done was take Carsynn to the shop with me this morning, grab her a phone, and then drop her off at Gramps’. I wasn’t thinking things through, more worried about keeping my fairy calm while in the car.
“Boyo, you make it home?” Gramps asks when I walk through the door of Carsynn’s apartment. She doesn’t have a lot in the way of clothes or shoes at my place, and I noticed she’s on the last few pages of her book.
“Yep, well, I’m at Carsynn’s old place. I’m picking up a few of her things before I make my way home.” I’m taking my phone off Bluetooth, ready to step out into the cold night air.
“Won’t do you any good. She had me help her pack all of her belongings tonight.” My gut tightens, wondering where this conversation is going. We spoke twice today after I left. Once at lunch, the last at dinnertime when Gramps was over.
“What do you mean she packed everything?” I cut him off. Where the hell would she go?
“If you hadn’t cut me off, you damn idiot, you’d have known she decided to move all of her things from the apartment to the main house. You’re welcome, by the way.” There’s a smugness to his tone. The worry leaves me. I close the door to my truck, turn the ignition back on, put my phone on speaker phone, and back out of the now empty apartment's small driveway.
“Thank you. Jesus, you about gave me a heart attack, old man.”
“Well, the feeling’s mutual. Carsynn about gave me one, too, when she wouldn’t let me lift a freaking box. I was onstand there and watchduty. Bullshit, I tell you. At least she used my truck. I’m pretty damn sure she’d have walked back and forth until every last box was at the main house.” I’m hitting the garage button, hard, out of my mind with the need to see my woman, to celebrate the fact she’s right where she belongs. Finally, the damn thing starts to lift, and I’m racing to get my truck parked in the garage.
“I’d like to say I’m surprised, but I’m not. Thanks, Gramps, for being with Carsynn tonight. I’ve got her a phone and a set of keys, and tomorrow, the guys are going to bring the SUV up to the house for her. Then she can start working again,” I tell him as I put the truck inParkyet again, take my keys out of the ignition, and hit the button to close the doors behind my vehicle. This weekend, I’ll have to clear a spot out for her SUV. For the time being, I’ll park in the driveway.
“Alright, it’s late. Go see your girl, and we’ll talk tomorrow. I’m proud of you, Gabe. I knew Carsynn would be the one for you. Love her like I love your Grams.”
“I will. Love you, old man.” I climb out of my truck, ready to finish this conversation and celebrate with my woman.
“Love you, too. Talk tomorrow.” He hangs up the phone. I’m already up the steps, opening the door and ripping off my jacket now that my hands are free. I kick my boots off, place them in the boot tray, hang my jacket up, and start walking through the house while unbuttoning the flannel I wore today. I should probably take a shower before even thinking about touching Carsynn. Too bad that’s not going to happen.
“Fairy, I’m home!” I call out into the mostly dark house. There’s a lamp on in the living room, the fireplace has a few coals burning, but she’s nowhere in sight. A few books sit on the coffee table, as well as a new candle. It’s unlit but is set up in a way she’s putting a stamp on our home. Fuck, I love that she took what I said to heart. The whole reason for me stopping at the apartment was to pack all her shit, regardless of what I told Gramps. He doesn’t need to know how obsessed with Carsynn I am that I’d move her in while she was sleeping.
“In the bedroom.” Her voice is muffled. My eyes sweep the rest of the living room. There’s a blanket on the loveseat, draped over the arm, and one of her giant claw clips for her hair sits on top of the floral blanket that’s been added. A smile tugs at my lips as I head toward the hallway. The two spare rooms in the house are pretty much empty. Gramps always refuses to stay the night if it’s too late, and much like this last time, he won’t stay when there’s a storm coming our way. One of the rooms sits completely empty with the door open, while the other holds a few odds and ends, like a nightstand from Gramps’ house, and some artwork is leaning against the wall that I’ve yet to decide where to hang, and that about sums it up. Before Carsynn came into my life, my house was a place to eat and sleep. The bulk of my time was spent at work or with Gramps. Now things have changed for the better.
My feet take me to the entrance of the master bedroom. Clothes are spread out on the bed, a few boxes sit near the dresser, and for a woman who didn’t have a lot in the apartment a few days ago, it seems her stuff has exploded everywhere, but I’m not mad in the least. I look to the left. She’s sitting on the floor in the closet, moving things back and forth until she has her shoes in the place she wants them. “Fairy.” My voice grabs her attention.
“Gabe.” She was on the floor, legs crossed in front of her, when I moved toward the closet, but I watch as she stands up quickly, standing only a few feet in front of me, and then I’m snatching her up in my arms.
“Seems you’ve been busy.” My hands grip her waist, and I wrap her up in my arms, her legs rounding my hips without guidance. I stand in place and watch as her face lights up in pure happiness.