Page 9 of Close to My Heart

I turned to find Dad on his phone. Jameson must have texted. I wondered if that would be a way to spend more time with Sutton today. We could cut down a tree for her place, and I could help her set it up. Or I could get one for my place.

I wasn’t sure why I wanted to extend our time together, but I did. It already felt limited, and I’d only just heard about the ultimatum. Besides, the longer I could keep her away from her family, the better off she was.

I sprinkled shredded cheese over the almost-cooked omelet.

I knew Sutton had to go back but not today. Not when she had a mild concussion, bumps, and bruises. Remembering she might be in pain, I grabbed a glass of water and a bottle of pain medication from the cabinet.

“Take care of your girl.”

“I always do.” I liked Dad calling her my girl a little too much. I carefully folded the omelet, then placed everything on a tray Mom had used when we were kids and one of us was sick in bed. Then I carried the entire thing upstairs, wishing I had a flower to offer her.

I wanted to cheer her up. Get her mind off Mrs. Rosesmith’s ridiculous ultimatum. The problem was, I knew Sutton would want to meet her demands. Sutton wouldn’t be mine for much longer, and I needed to enjoy every minute I had with her.

I knocked softly on the door, but hearing the shower running, I opened the door and set the tray on the nightstand. My stomach rumbling, I ran downstairs to grab something for myself.

When I entered the kitchen, I said, “Sutton’s in the shower.”

Dad was cooking pancakes on the griddle. “You can have the first few.”

“The warm water should help with the sore muscles and her headache. I just want her to take the meds before it gets any worse.” I should have thought of that before I cooked her breakfast, but I was so thrown by waking with her on top of me, then how she felt underneath me… I was a mess.

I sipped my coffee and waited for the first two pancakes to be cooked, then carried them on a plate up to my room. Sutton sat cross-legged on the bed in an old T-shirt of mine she must have found in the dresser.

She smiled when I came inside. “Oh, good. I wanted to eat with you.”

I lifted my plate. “Did you want pancakes? I can give you these.”

Sutton shook her head. “This is good.”

I rushed to put my plate down, then arranged the tray on Sutton’s lap. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Sutton frowned. “My neck and back are sore. I have a bit of a headache.”

“Eat. Then you can take the meds.”

Sutton’s expression softened. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

“Of course.” I grabbed my plate and sat next to her on the bed.

“After dinner, I wanted to be with you. Your family is so different. I can forget anything outside of this house exists.”

“Jameson mentioned cutting down a Christmas tree.”

Sutton’s eyes lit up. She loved the holidays.

“Are you up to coming with us? You just need to pick out the perfect tree, and I’ll do all the work.”

Sutton smiled. “That depends. Who’s the tree for?”

I swallowed. “I thought I’d get one for myself this year.”

“Really? This I have to see.” Sutton loved the holidays and never failed to give me shit for not wanting to decorate. I didn’t have kids and hadn’t dated anyone seriously over the holidays. I think it was because I wanted to have that time with Sutton.

If I could convince Sutton that it would be a bad idea to marry a stranger, then it would be worth it.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on your house.”

I held up a hand. “I said we’d cut down a tree. I didn’t say anything about decorating my house.”

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