Page 59 of Take Me to the Valley

“When you are healed, I still reserved the right to punch you,” he adds.

“We can sell tickets and make it an event,” I say, smirking. I’m okay with our conversation. I’ve said my piece and Cody knows where I stand.

“Well, you have always been family. I guess we might as well make it official. Besides, I can’t have Calista mad at me for this for too long…” he says, a slight blush on his face.

“What am I missing?” I ask.

“There might be someone, but she’s connected to Cal. With how things went over and how I reacted, I’m not at all sure how my news will go over. I guess we’ll just have to see,” he sighs.

“Well, whatever you do, don’t tell me what you don’t want her to know. I’m pretty sure I signed an oath in blood to tell her everything from now on. If I had to choose, I’d rather have you mad at me than her. For reasons we won’t talk about, since she is your sister.”

Cody tosses a throw pillow at me, but has a smile on his face.

“Well, I’m not ready to talk about it anyway,” Cody says.

“So, are we good?” I ask hesitantly.

Cody nods, “Yeah, we are good. But there was something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What's that?”

“Listen, I’ve talked with my brothers and Dad about this. But, not Cal, so that is a talk for you two. Since you will be family soon, this is even better timing,” he says.

“I don’t know if I’m interested or scared…” I say, several things racing through my head.

“When you told me you didn’t want Skye to worry about you, I heard your concern. And selfishly, I don’t want to worry about you either. Definitely, I know Cal won’t want too either. I know my sister. After seeing you having been shot, she won’t do well with you going back to work. If it’s what you want, she will hide it. But know, she will be a wreck,” Cody says.

My mind starts racing and whirling with what that means. I was worried enough about going back to work when it was just Skye. Now, I have to consider Calista too. Skye only has hospital images in her head, but Calista saw the worst of it. I can’t do that to her…

“Evan!” Cody yells my name, jerking me from my careening thoughts.

“Fuck,” I say, trying to take deep breaths. I realize I was on the edge of a full-blown panic attack. It’s been years since I had one, but I know what they feel like.

“You, okay?” Cody asks.

“I will be. Sorry about that.” I’m trying to get us back on track and my mind focused on something else.

“Where did your mind go just then?”

“To the fact that it’s not just Skye and me I have to worry about anymore. Calista was there and saw all of it. I can’t do that to her again.” My voice is hoarse as I imagine a similar scenario.

“Well then, I might have a solution. After the BBQ competition, the distillery business increased more than we planned. We need help full time. We’d like to keep the ranks close, and would like for you to join us,” Cody says.

“Doing what?” He has my interest, but I don’t know what he has in mind.

“A manager role. Preferably mornings. We need to open earlier and get the employees in to make more products. But you know none of us are morning people. Colt has already said he’s happy to stay later. He overshared telling me that it’s a good way to pick up woman to take home. I thought since you are up early with Skye taking her to school, you might be interested. We’ll need you for mornings. Monday through Friday and afternoon hours are flexible. Mom is happy to keep picking up Skye, but if you need to run out, I’m in by eleven most days.

We have an idea of what you do at the station, and we can offer you more. However, I’m not sure we can match the benefits. If you are interested, talk it over with Cal. We’d like to bring her in to do front of the house stuff. Growing up, she loved decorating,so it will suit her. She’ll be doing other tasks as well, but you won’t be her direct boss. Though she might have her own plans. We can talk more later,” Cody says.

My head is spinning. Before Calista, I’d have accepted on the spot. But he’s right. I need to talk to her.

“While I know I’ll have to talk to Calista, I am very interested,” I say.

We’ve said everything we’re going to say, so we stand and give each other a half hug, saying goodbye.

When I get to my car, I check my phone. Calista said she was going home about ten minutes ago, so she should get there before me. It’s not even lunchtime, so we have plenty of time before Skye gets out of school.

Me:I’m heading home now. I expect to find you naked in our bed, waiting. After I give us both the relief I know we need, I have a lot to talk to you about.

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