25. Everly

Chapter 25

Everly

S un streams in the big windows, and I open my eyes, forgetting where I am for a moment. Then I remember that I’m at Nash’s, and Willow is sleeping over at Anne Marie’s since school is out for fall break. I checked my phone, and it’s late. We slept in. There’s a picture from Anne Marie of Willow and her having breakfast at the diner, and they’re both smiling and sharing a stack of pumpkin pancakes. God, I love these two.

And unfortunately, six missed calls from Richie and several texts. I still laugh when I see the name that Hayley changed his contact to and saved in my phone.

Little Dick

Where are you?

Little Dick

Answer me.

Little Dick

I went by your house, and no one is there. Where’s my daughter?

Little Dick

You are going to lose Willow.

I roll my eyes and slide my phone back onto the bedside table. It’s too early for his bullshit. I need to seriously get a restraining order. This has to stop.

Nash sleeps next to me, his face toward me, and he looks so peaceful as he sleeps. His dark eyelashes are full on his cheeks, and his cheeks are scruffy and in need of a shave that he probably won’t get to, and I will admit that I like it that way. It makes him feel rough and dark. I resist the urge to reach out and trace his jaw. Even though I want to, I don’t want to wake him up.

I think about what he said last night that Willow and I are it for him. And he has no idea how much that meant to me to hear it. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love Nash. He’s always been the one I think about, default to, and dream about. And having him here with me and no longer being a dream but a reality is surreal.

His eyes open, and he looks at me, brings his arms over, and pulls me close. “Why are you staring at me like a creep when I sleep?” he murmurs as he kisses my forehead and pulls me closer.

“I wasn’t,” I deny but curl into him.

“I forgot to close the blinds last night,” he complains as he buries his face into my neck. “Too bright.”

I sit up and straddle him, and he grabs me and pulls me into him.

And I show him what a good morning it is.

“You want coffee?” Nash calls as he stands in his small kitchen and holds up a mug toward me.

“Yes, I need coffee. Like my soul needs coffee,” I say as I take the mug and moan a little as I sip it. Heavenly.

“Did I just fall in love?” I say out loud.

“With me or the coffee?” he says as he snaps another pod in the coffee maker.

My eyebrows quirk as I look at him, taking in his muscles made by hard work and not the gym. Damn, Nash is so hot under his clothes.

“Is coffee all it takes?” He sounds amused as he brews himself a cup and watches me, his arms folded across his bare chest.

“You keep bringing me coffee like this, and you’ve got yourself a wifey for lifey,” I tease back.

“Again, weird way to propose, but yes.” He shrugs his shoulders playfully and brings his mug to his lips.

I laugh and then say more seriously, “I’ve missed you, Nash. You always made me laugh.”

His warm whiskey eyes look at me and say, “Missed you too, Ev.”

“So much has changed. We’ve changed,” I say quietly.

“We have changed,” he says as he lightens the serious mood. “Most people thought when I was in high school that I would wind up in jail. ”

“You still have time to live up to their expectations,” I tease.

“After watching Richie pull his shit, it’s not hard to imagine living up to,” he agrees, but I can tell he’s not serious.

“What’s going on with the assault charges from the bar?” I ask him.

“He’s trying to get them dropped,” he says as he takes a sip of coffee and leans against the counter.

“He needs to be held accountable. He’s a loose cannon.” I frown.

“Funny, I’m the one we thought was the bad boy, and your ex is the one in trouble now.” He sets his mug down and pulls me toward him, tucking a tendril of hair behind my ear.

“You’re still a bad boy,” I whisper, his dark goatee growing in and in need of a shave.

His head dips, and he kisses me, tasting like coffee and mint. The bad boy he tries to be isn’t there. He’s a good guy deep down, and we both know it. This town knows it. Nash has grown into a good man.

Hayley comes into the pub kitchen in the back after taking Anna and Mack to the airport. “I brought coffee.”

“Hey, how are you? Everything good with Mack and Anna?” I ask as I wipe my hands on my apron.

“Yep, this trip will be good for them. They haven’t both gone together in over a decade. Usually, one of them takes turns going to see Baa,” she says as she sets two coffees down and heads over to put on an apron and wash her hands at the sink.

“I worked out a schedule with two other people, and we have one schedule set up to make food and another for the ranch,” I say as I pull bread out of the oven. “I shared it with you.”

“That’s why I’m glad you’re helping. You’re so organized. I don’t know how Mom and Dad do all they do with the ranch. They need this break,” she says, wiping her hands on a towel.

“You’re here early today. What time did you get here?” she asks as she checks some of the bread and bags up the ones that have cooled off.

“Willow was with Anne Marie, so I figured I’d get a head start,” I say, not looking at her.

Hayley stops and turns. “You stayed here last night, didn’t you? Wait, gross, I don’t want to know.” She holds up her hand, laughing.

I finally meet her eyes and say guiltily, “I did.”

She twists her mouth in a grin. “’Bout time.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what I mean. It’s about damn time you and Nash got your shit together. I need you to become my official sister.”

“Well, that seems fast, but I’d be honored to be your official sister-in-law. Maybe someday.” I shrug, then add, “Do you think I’m crazy for just jumping in with him?”

“Well, first, you didn’t just jump in. You have been in love with him since elementary school, and him with you.”

“There was a pretty big break between there. ”

“So what? People grow up and go through things. It matters that you found your way back to each other,” she says as she puts a load of bread on a tray to take out front.

I nod. “Yeah, I just don’t want to mess things up. It’s going well. Finally. But when Richie finds out I’m with Nash, he’ll get even worse.”

“Yeah, well, we’re all sick of the satchel of Richards. Karma is going to get them,” she points out.

I glance at my watch and look over. “I have to go get Willow.”

“Thanks for catching up the baking. These loaves look amazing. Are you sure you don’t want to be a baker, not a librarian?” she teases as she sips her coffee.

“Why can’t I do both?” I say as I take off my apron and hang it up.

“Can I take a loaf to Anne Marie?” I ask as I grab my coffee and purse.

Hayley waves. “Of course, anytime. Tell her I said hi.”

“I will. Thanks, see you out at the ranch tonight. I’m staying out there with Willow. And Nash,” I add with a smirk before I duck out and hear her reaction.

I make my way to my car, relieved that she’s cool about Nash and me. It’s still new yet not new in ways, but honestly, I don’t know what to think. I’m still processing it all. It’s not really a new relationship because we were close.

I don’t remember a time in my life when the McCreedys weren’t an important part of my life—except when I was with Richie. And it made sense afterward that anyone who keeps you from your family is a toxic person.

I stop by Anne Marie’s and park in front of her small house with a bright pink front door.

She’s sitting on a porch swing and sets her book down when I walk up the sidewalk. She smiles when she sees me. “Hi, sweets. Is that bread for me?”

“You know it. How’s your day going?” I ask as I take in her face—no lipstick or makeup—and her eyes are suddenly more tired than I’ve ever noticed.

“I’m trying to stay busy. It’s hard not being at the library, and everyone is upset. I am just waiting at this point to hear what the next move will be. I tried to keep it open anyway, but they shut that down, too,” she says, sadness and frustration covering her face.

“We’re going to fight this,” I declare. “They won’t get away with this.”

“I know.” She nods as she stands and holds the door. “Let’s have some tea and toast.”

Knowing she needs this time with me, I follow her in and pull out a cutting board. I slice the bread while she brews tea for us.

“How was Willow?” I ask as I grab the pumpkin butter from the fridge.

“Darling as ever. I love that girl. She reminds me so much of you at that age,” she says, her face brightening at the mention of Willow.

Right here and now, watching her try to hide her sadness and her love for me, my daughter, and this town, I make a decision .

I’m going to fight so hard for this library. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that we get it back and this bullying from the Sullivans stops. Whatever it takes.

We sit and drink tea and catch up for a few minutes. But my brain spins with ideas. I’m going to be there for Anne Marie and the library the way she’s been there for me.