Authors: Evan Grace
“Well, just let me know what time and I’ll come scoop you up.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. “What’re your plans tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow my Uncle Garrett’s coming into town and his little girl is coming to stay with me. You could come visit if you wanted to.”
He was slightly disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to go out with him tomorrow, but he’d just have to make do. “How about I call you tomorrow and see if you’re up for company?”
Stacy smiled and told him that would be nice. She looked at her watch. “I better get home. It’s late.” Stacy got up and took her empty bowl into the kitchen. He could hear the water running as she rinsed it out.
“You could always stay here,” he blurted out.
She came around the corner. “What?”
“I said you could stay here. It’s late and I don’t like the idea of you going home this late to your house all alone.” Dustin cut her off when she tried to interrupt him. “I’ll sleep on the couch. You can have my bed.”
Stacy came over until she was standing right in front of him. “Dustin, I’ll be fine. I’ve got my cell phone and even some pepper spray in my purse. I’ll call you when I get home if it makes you feel better.”
He knew he didn’t have the right to demand she stay, but it still didn’t make it any easier to let her leave. “Okay, but I’ll stay on the phone with you while you get in your house and lock up.”
“Bu—” Stacy said until Dustin silenced her with his fingers, shushing her.
“But nothing, Stacy. You’ll call me before you even get out of your car.” Dustin leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Please, don’t argue with me about this.”
“Okay, I’ll call you as soon as I pull in my driveway.” She placed a kiss on his cheek and then walked past him to her truck.
Dustin watched as she started her truck and pulled out of his driveway. He shut and locked his door and went in search of his cell phone so he’d have it handy when she called.
Chapter 6
Stacy woke up Friday morning, excited that she was going to get to see Garrett, Ian, and the kids. Things were starting to look up.
She had an awesome night with Dustin and was really considering a relationship with him.
Stacy had called him when she got home the night before and stayed on the phone with him as she went inside and locked up. She ended up talking to him for a long time and didn’t get off the phone until they both started yawning in each other’s ears.
She hadn’t heard from Mark at all since his call earlier in the week, which made her let out a sigh of relief. That was drama Stacy didn’t want in her life.
Stacy got up and jumped into the shower. It was going to be a busy day. She had to work on her website, clean up, and go get some groceries for when little Miss Chloe came to spend the night. The rest of her family would be coming in to town tomorrow morning.
Her nana, who she hadn’t seen in over six months, was riding down with her Uncle Tom, Aunt Mara and their boys Mitchell and Gabe.
Stacy got out of the shower and went to her closet to find something to wear. She was just getting ready to get dressed when her doorbell rang. Stacy threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and headed for the door.
When she looked out the front window there was a man standing on the front porch. Stacy opened the door and greeted the man.
“Stacy Hutchins?”
“Yes, that’s me,” she said, curious as to what he had for her since her pictures always got delivered by another service.
He held out a little clipboard asking her to sign and when she did, the man handed Stacy a long, skinny box. Stacy thanked him and then closed her door. She sat the box on the table and quickly opened it.
Stacy gasped. Inside lay at least a dozen beautiful purple roses. They were her favorite flower by far. She dug through the box and found the little envelope. Stacy wasn’t sure if they were from Dustin, her parents, or even her uncle.
She pulled out the card and smiled when she read what it said.
Miss you already.
Stacy couldn’t believe Dustin did that. She was going to have to call him later and thank him for the beautiful flowers. Stacy grabbed the box and took it into the kitchen so she could put them in some water.
She found a vase under the sink, cut the end of the stems and arranged them in the water. Stacy sat the vase in the middle of her kitchen table. Chloe would get a kick out of them later. She was such a little girly-girl and loved flowers.
With one last look and a smile, Stacy went to finish getting ready for the day.
***
It was a quarter after one when Stacy finished all of her work and had her errands done. She jumped into her truck to head over to her mom and dad’s. Stacy sang along to Heart as she turned down the street to her parent’s house. She saw her uncle’s SUV already in the driveway.
Stacy pulled in right next to his spot and jumped out of her truck. Running to the door, she watched it open as Chloe came running out to her. “Tay Tay, you’re here!” Stacy caught Chloe as the little pixie launched herself off of the porch and into Stacy’s waiting arms.
“Hi, my little princess,” Stacy said as she kissed Chloe’s cheek. The girl and her brother were gorgeous, their skin the color of porcelain, and their eyes were the deepest, darkest blue she’d ever seen. Chloe looked like what Stacy pictured a younger Snow White would look like. Chloe was very little for her age, but made up for it with her attitude.
When Garrett and Ian had decided to adopt, the family banded together to give them their support. They originally wanted a newborn, but the first time they met Chloe they both fell in love with her and they were excited that she had a little brother, too, so within a few months they were a family.
“Are you going to Kindergarten this year, my little princess?” Stacy asked as Chloe wrapped her arms around Stacy’s neck.
“Yep, Daddy and Papa told me that I get to go pick out new clothes and a lunch box. Daddy said I could get whatever kind I wanted. I told him I wanted Princesses ,of course.” Stacy almost lost it when Chloe rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Papa told me that Carter can’t come to school with me cause he’s too little, and I’m gonna miss him so much, Tay Tay.”
Boy, that little girl could talk. “I’m sure you are, sweetie pie, but you’re gonna make so many friends while you’re at school,” Stacy told her as she carried her into the house.
Ian was sitting next to her mom while she held Carter in her lap and he ate a cookie. Garrett and her dad were nowhere to be seen until they came walking out of the kitchen laughing.
“Are you guys interested in buying this little girl? I’ll take fifty bucks and she’s all yours,” Stacy announced to the room.
She sat Chloe down as Garrett ran over to her, lifting her off the ground in a big bear hug. “Stacy, my god; when did you get so gorgeous?” he said as he set her feet back on the ground. “Have I mentioned it’s good you don’t look anything like my brother?” Garrett said in a mock whisper.
“I heard that, ass—I mean punk. Just remember I’m your older brother and I can still beat the tar out of you if necessary,” her dad said.
“I mean it, Stacy, you look great.” She felt her eyes get misty as he pulled her into another hug. “I’ve missed you, baby girl.”
“I’ve missed you too, Garrett. So much has happened that I need to tell you about.” She knew she’d need to tell him about Mark. He’d never had the chance to meet him, so unlike most everyone else, he really didn’t have an opinion about him.
Stacy watched Ian walk over and gave him a big smile before she threw her arms around his neck. “Ian, you look great. I’m so glad you guys are here.”
Ian wasn’t that much taller than she was, but he had hair the color of corn silk, blue eyes, and the biggest dimples when he smiled. He looked like the typical All-American male.
Stacy felt a tug on her skirt and looked down to see Carter looking up at her. He was very shy compared to his sister, but he was still a loving child.
“Hi, little man. Have you missed me?” Stacy smiled when he nodded his head. “Well, that’s good, because I missed you, too.” He threw his arms around her neck and she stood up, holding his little body close. “Were you a good boy for your daddy and papa on the way here?”
“Yep, I was, Tay Tay.” She gave him a big smooch before she set him back down and went to hug her mom and dad.
***
They’d had an early dinner at her parents. Carter was passed out on her mom’s lap. Stacy’s mom and dad didn’t plan on making her an only child, but she’d had complications after delivering Stacy and they had no choice but to do a hysterectomy.
Stacy knew it must’ve been hard on her mom. Her parents were only 21 and 22 when she was born, and they’d probably planned on a large family, so instead they doted on Stacy and their niece and nephews.
She sat listening to Garrett and Ian talk about work while Chloe curled up in her lap. Stacy stroked the little girl’s hair as they talked.
“Tay Tay?” She looked down and smiled at Chloe.
“Yes, baby girl.”
“Can we go to your house now? I want to give you a makeover,” Chloe said, sounding very serious, but to a six year old girl makeovers were serious business.
“If it’s okay with your daddies,” Stacy told her, which it was because Ian already was heading inside to get Chloe’s backpack.
Stacy quickly helped her dad and Garrett pick up the last of the dinner dishes. Her mom curled up watching a cartoon with Carter, who was actually fast asleep.
Once everything was done and Ian had Chloe’s bag all set up for Stacy, they all headed out to the front porch. Stacy stopped to kiss her mom goodbye. “Night, Mom.”
“Goodnight,
Minha filha.
Have fun with Chloe,” Stacy’s mom said from the couch.
She and Chloe headed outside where Ian was putting Chloe’s booster seat in Stacy’s truck. Stacy hugged her dad and Garrett goodbye. Ian picked Chloe up, gave her a quick kiss, and told her to be a good girl for Stacy. He loaded Chloe into the truck and buckled her in. Stacy gave him a quick kiss goodbye and he reminded her that Chloe was a light sleeper.
Stacy and Chloe waved one last time at everyone before they pulled out of the driveway and headed to Stacy’s. Chloe chatted happily all the way to Stacy’s. The little girl could talk forever without taking a breath.
“Tay Tay, do you have a boyfriend?” Chloe asked, her tone very serious.
Stacy wasn’t even sure where that came from. The girl was an old soul, that was for sure.
“No, Tay Tay doesn’t have a boyfriend. I have a friend who’s a boy, but he’s not my boyfriend.”
“Why isn’t he? You’re so pretty, Tay Tay, Daddy says you’re so pretty and sweet, but you go out with shitheads.”
“Um, Sweetie, don’t say shithead—that’s a bad word. But thank you for saying I’m pretty. You’ll get to meet Dustin tomorrow; I’m bringing him to the party.” That little girl had a mind like a steel trap. She’d have to watch what she said around Chloe.
They got back to Stacy’s. She grabbed Chloe’s bag and then helped the little girl out of the truck. On the ride over she called Bellamy to see if she wanted to bring Carrington over so Chloe could see her. Bellamy was gonna wait for Care Bear to finish her nap and then bring her over.
Just like Stacy thought, Chloe noticed the roses immediately. “Oh, Tay Tay, they’re so pretty!” she said as she climbed up onto a chair to inspect them more closely. “Who got them for you?”
“My friend Dustin did. We had dinner and watched a movie last night and we both had a good time.” Stacy smiled while she remembered waking up with her head against his chest and Dustin fast asleep. She didn’t move for a long time as she laid there listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
“I thought he wasn’t your boyfriend. Daddy still brings Papa home flowers, especially when he’s late for dinner.”
Stacy couldn’t help but laugh because that did sound like Garrett. He had been running late since the day he was born. So he and Ian were definitely part of the whole opposites attract club. But Stacy knew no matter what that Ian and Garrett loved each other so much. One day Stacy hoped that she’d find a love like that as well.
“Come on, baby girl, let’s put your bag in my room and we’ll start getting our makeover supplies ready,” Stacy said as she led Chloe down the hall.
“Yay!” Chloe shouted as they went to get ready.
***
Dustin and his dad Charlie met Luke at Shooter’s after work for a quick bite and some beer. Dustin and Luke had just landed a job renovating some apartments in Hilton Head.
He was surprised he hadn’t blown it this morning during their last meeting with the owners of the apartment complex. Dustin’s mind had been preoccupied with thoughts of Stacy. They’d had such a great night. He was glad that she’d asked him out for Saturday night.
Dustin had met most of her uncles and cousins. He was looking forward to seeing them again. Garrett was only a few years older than he was and they knew each other pretty well. He was a good guy and Dustin loved how protective over Stacy the guy was.
He bet anything that Garrett didn’t know about the whole Mark thing, otherwise he knew that Garrett would go hunt the asshole down.
Charlie, Dustin’s dad, came and sat down at the table where Dustin and Luke waited for him.
“I ordered a large pizza with the works and they’re getting us a pitcher of beer,” Charlie said. “I can only stay for one round or your mother will come hunt me down.”
“I can only stay for one, too. I think Bell will be home by the time we’re done,” Luke added.
“What’s my sister up to?” Dustin asked, grabbing the pitcher of beer from the waitress.
“She and Carrington are over at Stacy’s,” Luke said as he took the beer Dustin poured for him. “Her little cousin is staying with her tonight and she asked Bell to come over so Chloe could see the baby.”
They sat and made small talk as they waited for the pizza to come.