Page 53 of An Unexpected Everything
I wasn’t even sure that Bella was comfortable with the idea of being ingrained.
I pushed that thought away once again, because the more I thought about the future the more I wanted to punch something. Things were going well between Bella and I because we did our best not talking about it.
“Do you know what her plans are once they find that man? Because they will find that man,” Ms. Patty asked, and my hands fisted at my sides.
“I don’t know anything other than I have to head out and get ready for the wedding. If I’m late, I’m going to have to deal with Bella. And I will blame all of you.”
I wasn’t exactly lying with that pointed comment, and all three women tittered before Ms. Patty reached out and cupped my cheek. I froze, since the woman didn’t tend to touch me.
“You are doing such a good job, Weston. I know we joke, and we prod, but we do adore you. Those girls of yours are bright and shiny, and just true pillars of this community. They are going to go off to college, start new lives, and thrive. And it’s because you helped with that foundation. Your parents did so much, and you helped provide the comfort they needed. The same with Lance.”
My throat tightened, not wanting this conversation especially when people we knew kept milling about, either listening in or nodding as they said their hellos.
“Ms. Patty’s right,” Ms. Faith added when Ms. Patty took a step back. “I know Lance had to take time off for a while, but we’ve loved watching all four of you grow up. And now you’re here, going to a wedding with a woman we adore. She was so frightened of all of us when she first got here, and now we see her working at a little table in the café or coming into Cage Italiano just to get a tiramisu and talk with us. She doesn’t shy away from us anymore. I hope she stays. Even if it’s just to build or buy a home with the other Cages. She makes you smile, Weston.”
“She truly does,” Ms. Janice put in, and I wanted to be anywhere but here. “We’ll stop pressuring you, but we are so proud of you, Weston.”
Ms. Patty reached forward and squeezed my hand again, my fist finally relaxing. “We’d like to think of us three as your honorary aunties. Even though you wouldn’t want to call us that.”
“And we’re far too young for that,” Ms. Faith added, and my lips twitched.
“Far too young,” I added, my voice gruff.
“When the children are off finding their new paths, I hope you know that while Cage Lake is your home and we never want you to leave, you’re allowed to follow your heart too.”
I stood stunned at Ms. Patty’s words as they each said their goodbyes and left me.
Ms. Patty and her husband were pillars of Cage Lake. Her husband was the mayor, and one of the only people not a Cage who held strength and lineage to the community.
They had been there for us when our parents had died, and Ms. Patty had been at the forefront ensuring that I wasn’t alone trying to figure out how to braid hair and get Lance off to school. They had always been there for me. Even when I had thought they were too much.
And I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do now.
Was I supposed to leave once the kids left?
That dream was far gone. I wasn’t going to be opening up another shop or finding another job in the city. It wasn’t eight years ago anymore. I was comfortable here.
But Isabella wasn’t here.
I shoved that thought off, because no matter what happened later, I had to focus on the now. Namely a road trip with my siblings, Bella, and a wedding I still didn’t know how I was invited to.
“This house is amazing,”Sydney said as she bounced on her toes before throwing herself at Blakely.
Blakely laughed, hugging Sydney tight before doing the same to Sam.
“I know right? I have to pinch myself every time I look at it. I don’t know what Aston was thinking of living here alone. He obviously needed me here.” She fluttered her eyelashes at Aston, and the other man just snorted.
“Yes. Because you’ve added so many decorations and flares to the house. Totally making it your own and adding your style,” he replied dryly.
Blakely flushed. “Stop. I’m not that bad. I’ll figure out if I want to touch anything and break it later.”
Aston gave me a look as he tilted his beer toward me. “She refuses to add her personal touch to anything. As if it’s going to hurt the Cage ambience.”
“You have great style. I like the house as it is.”
“And you should make it yours too.”
The two continued on with what had to be a familiar refrain, and I just stood back as Lance and Bella came back from the hallway.
