Carry Me Home (The Home Series: Book Three) (13 page)

Chapter Eighteen

The weekend came quickly, almost too quickly for my liking.  I left ea
rly on Saturday morning.  As Evan had insisted, Jill didn’t have a problem with me taking the day off.  She’d hugged me tightly when I told her about the engagement.  Just as Matt had been there when everything went down that summer Jesse’s dad died, so had Jill. She’d watched from a distance as I struggled and I never really knew how much she knew about the situation or how much Matt told her, but she’d been nothing but supportive and I knew she was relieved to see I’d picked up the pieces and was taking the next step in my life.  After I’d told her, she immediately started planning my bouquet and all the flower arrangements we could make and she couldn’t wait for me to tell Matt, picking up her cell phone, dialing his number and basically shoving it to my ear. 

“You’re engaged?” I could still hear him repeating what I’d just told him, almost as if he hadn’t heard me correctly.

“Yeah.  Evan proposed last weekend,” I’d confirmed and the line went quieter longer than I’d expected.  That was typical with Matt though.  He was always thinking, always analyzing the situation, thinking of the right thing to say.

“Congratulations,” he’d said, but I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t detect the hesitation in his voice. 

“Thanks,” I’d said softly, but I didn’t press him for the reasons behind the reluctance.  I hadn’t spoken to Matt about Jesse being home, but I was certain Jill probably filled him in and I wondered if that had anything to do with his hesitation.  I almost didn’t want to know what he was thinking because he always got me to uncover the deeper meaning of things.  I wanted him to keep his psychoanalytical bullcrap to himself for once and I was surprised he didn’t say much of anything else.

I’d put that conversation aside though as I drove up I-35 towards Kansas City.  I was nervous about telling Evan’s family and I tried not to think about how his parents would react. 

It wasn’t long before I was sitting in the parking lot of Evan’s apartment building.  It looked like a nice place…modern and new and I couldn’t help but think how different it was than anything in Carver.  As I sat in my car, I texted him that I’d arrived and a few moments later I saw him walking towards me, smiling and relaxed in a faded red t-shirt and jeans that were too long for him.  The fray at the bottom hung over his flip flops and he brushed the dark blond hair off his forehead.  I got out of the car and he picked up his pace, hugging me tightly once he’d reached me. 

“How was your drive?” he asked a few moments later once he’d let go and held me at arm’s length. 

“Not as bad as I’d expected,” I said and we started walking towards one of the buildings in his complex. 

“I’m glad you’re finally here,” he told me as we walked up a flight of stairs and then stopped at the second floor in front of a dark blue door.  He pulle
d a key out, unlocking it and gesturing for me to go in.

It was a nice place with a large living room that led into a small kitchen and dining area.  Down the hall I could see three doors, which I assumed led to the bedrooms and bathroom.

“So, whaddya think?” he asked, shutting the door behind us.

“I
like it,” I said, turning back to him. “It’s really nice,” I continued as I looked around.  I started down the hall and opened the first door.  He had set himself up a little office with his computer and a comfy looking plush chair. “Wow.  It’s like a grown up lives here,” I grinned as I shut the door and then opened the next one, which led into his bedroom.  The king sized bed was neatly made and he had a dark oak dresser where a TV rested. “Nice big bedroom too.”

“It’s perfect for two people,” he said, his arms sliding around me from behind.  I just laughed lightly as he turned me to face him.  He didn’t wait for me to say anything, instead he started kissing me, slowly
at first and then more eagerly. “I’ve missed you,” he said between kisses.

“It’s only been a week
.”

“So, you’re telling me you haven’t missed me?”

“Of course I’ve missed you,” I said, reaching up and stroking his cheek.

“
Ya know, Riley,” he said with a grin and I had a sneaking suspicion where this conversation was headed. “There is a very simple way to remedy this whole situation…for the summer anyway.”

“Oh yeah?
  What’s that?  Me move in here with you?”

“You’re thinking the same thing then?” he said with a smile, kissing me again and I just laughed. “I’m serious,” he said, his smile disa
ppearing. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t, especially now that we’re engaged.  You can get a job up here and we can really start planning.”

“I can’t move up here yet.”

“Why not?”

“My mom’s wedding is
coming up. I need to help her with that.”

“What about after that?” he continued.

“The summer will be half over by then.  I’ve gotta head back to Manhattan in August.”

“The summer won’t be half o
ver.  She’s getting married June twenty-fifth.  There’s like a month and a half left after that before you’ve gotta go back.”

The way he looked at me told me he wasn’t going to relent on the topic.

“I’ll think about it,” I said, not knowing if I really meant it, but I said it anyway so we could move past it.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take that.” He smiled and kissed me again.

“You still haven’t told your family?” I asked, changing the subject.

“No.  I told you I wanted you here with me when I tell them.
”

“When are we telling them?”

“Tonight.  We’re having dinner at my parents’ house,” he said and I suddenly grew nervous.  I’d only met his parents that time he’d taken me to the Royals game and then again at Evan’s graduation.  Mr. and Mrs. Bryant seemed nice enough, but I was still anxious about telling them of our engagement.  Evan, on the other hand, couldn’t wait.

“Who’s all gonna be there?”

“My mom and dad and my brother,” he answered and my stomach started swimming with nerves again. “Are you okay?” he asked, obviously catching on to how reluctant I was.

“I’m just nervous about telling them.  I mean, I hardly know them.”

“Don’t be nervous,” he said, trying to comfort me, but his words did little to make me feel better.

****

The afternoon went by quickly.  We had a small lunch at a café near his apartment and then caught a movie before going back to his place to get ready for our evening at his parents’ house.  I took a quick shower and slid into a black skirt and top, before drying and curling my hair.  Once I’d put my make-up on, I went out to the living room where Evan was waiting for me.  He’d changed out of his jeans and t-shirt and replaced it with a pair of khakis and a polo. 

“You ready?” he asked when I walked in and I nodded.  He walked across the room,
took my hand and kissed the back of it, before smiling reassuringly at me. “Don’t be nervous.  They’re gonna be thrilled.”

“I hope so,” he said as
he led me out to his car.

It didn’t take long before we were pulling into the driveway of his parents’ house and I’d almost forgotten how well-off Evan’s family was.  The big house and perfectly manicured lawn looked like something you’d see on one of those home improvement shows
that featured houses you didn’t think actually existed. 

“I forgot how rich you are,” I said once he’d turned off the engine.

“We’re not rich.  We’re comfortable.  Or maybe I should say my parents are comfortable.  I’m an entry level accountant,” he said, leaning across the console to kiss me. “Now, let’s go.”

Evan waited for me at the front of the car and then grabbed my hand as he led me up the walkway to the intimidating oak double doors.  When we walked in, the house seemed as perfect on the inside as it did on the outside.  The hardwood floors were flawless and covered with expensive looking area rugs and it smelled like peaches.  I could hear voices coming from down the hall and Evan started leading me towards them. 

We were greeted by his parents, whose conversation stopped when we walked in.  Mr. Bryant smiled at us.  Then my eyes focused on Mrs. Bryant.  She was as pretty as I remembered.  Tal
l and thin with perfectly styled blonde hair.  She smiled at us too, just as her husband had done, but her smile seemed a little forced. 

“Hey,” Evan said when we walked in and my nerves doubled.

“I hope you guys are hungry,” Mrs. Bryant said, walking over and hugging Evan and then looking at me. “Riley, hi.  It’s good to see you again,” she said, shaking my hand. I half-way expected a hug, but was almost relieved with the handshake. 

“You too, Mrs. Bryant,” I said and waited for her to tell me to call her Julie, but she didn’t.

Mr. Bryant stood up and walked over to me, extending a hand, which I shook.

“
It’s nice to see you again, Riley.  Call me Tom,” he said and I smiled.  I already liked his dad more than his mom.

“Thanks,
Tom,” I said, trying not to sound as shy as I felt.  I needed to buck-up, as my grandma probably would’ve said.  I was a grown woman.  A woman engaged to be married.  I needed to stop acting like a child. “Thank you for having me.” My voice was stronger now and my back straighter.

“Of course
,” Mrs. Bryant said, and then added, “Call me Julie.”  I wondered if she would’ve made the offer if her husband hadn’t. “I hope you like pot roast.”

“Love it,” I said, suddenly feeling more grown up as I let
go of Evan’s hand and followed Julie into the kitchen. “Can I help with anything?”

“I think we’re all set
,” she said. “Would you like something to drink?  Some wine perhaps?”

“No, thank you, though.” I still found it strange sometimes that
legally, I was old enough to drink, even though I rarely did. 

“Evan, set the table please,” Julie said and Evan nodded, walking over to the cabinet and pulling out the plates. 

“Where’s Paul?” Evan called to his mom from the dining room, referring to his older brother.

“He’ll be here any minute,” Julie said and as if on cue I heard the front door open and a moment later, someone I assumed was Paul,
walked in, wearing a police uniform.  I’d never met Paul.  He’d hadn’t been around during my visit to Kansas City and he hadn’t come to Evan’s graduation.

“Hey!  Let the party begi
n because I have arrived!” Paul’s booming voice called out and I could immediately sense that while he and Evan may look similar, their personalities were very different.  Evan was quieter, more discreet.  Paul seemed like a person who demanded attention the moment he walked in the room and if I was being perfectly honest, he was one of those people you instantly found annoying.

“Hey Paul,” Evan’s voice called out.

Julie walked over and hugged her oldest son and then Paul looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Who’re you?” he asked bluntly.

“I’m Riley.”

“Evan’s Riley?”

“Yep, my Riley,” Evan said, appearing out of the dining room. “Riley, this is my
understated brother, Paul.”

“Good to meet you,” Paul said, extending a hand to me. “I didn’t know we were expecting such a lovely dinner guest. I would’ve changed out of my uniform.”

“You don’t need to worry about how you look, because she’s looking at me, not you,” Evan said, putting an arm around me and pulling me closer to him. 

“Why doesn’t everyone make their way to the dining room?” Julie said and I followed them in. 

Evan pulled a chair out and I sat down, making sure to keep my left hand tucked under the table.  I was surprised no one had noticed already.  I didn’t know when Evan planned to tell his family and I didn’t want to ruin it for him, so until then, I was going to do my best to keep it under wraps. 

We made small talk as we ate, mostly because Paul dominated the conversation by lamenting us all with tales of his most recent traffic stops.  I noticed Evan was unusually quiet and wondered if the nerves were finally getting to him. 

“You live down near Wichita, don’t you, Riley?” Evan’s father asked in a break between Paul’s stories.

“Actually in Carver.
  It’s about thirty miles south,” I said before taking a bite of my salad.

“But you’re not from there originally, right?” Tom continued.

“No.  I grew up in Boston.”

“Great city,” Tom said with a smile.

“It is,” I agreed.

“What bro
ught you to Kansas?” Paul asked and I was surprised he wanted to participate in a conversation that didn’t revolve around him.  I was already dreading family gatherings once he was my actual brother-in-law. 

“My mom’s from Carver and after my parents divorced, she decided to move back.”

“Ever think about going back east?”

Before I could answer Paul though, Evan interrupted.