“How long will you be gone?” Axe seemed to be fidgeting nervously and struggling with the news of her departure. I wanted her to stay, but I understood that she needed to get things in order at home.
“Just a couple of days at most. I have to deliver my grandmother’s ashes, give my father this paperwork, and make sure he’s going to be okay once I’m gone. I’ve been living with him since I graduated from college and he hasn’t been doing that great health wise.” She sighed and shook her head. “The doctor says he’ll recover, but I’m still worried.”
“Why don’t you bring him with you to Granite Falls? He could stay in your grandmother’s old house. Between the seven of us and you—plus Blue’s mom living next door—I’m sure we can make sure he’s well taken care of.” Mayor Danvers leaned forward and put his hand on Samantha’s knee. “You’re now a part of our family, which means your father is family too.”
“I’ll ask him.” Samantha’s face took on a look of concern after she pondered her response. “But I’m not sure he would approve of this—I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to tell him.”
“One of us could be your boyfriend in public—maybe even marry you. No one has to know what we’re doing behind closed doors.” I grinned and shrugged. “I’d be happy to marry you.”
“Telling him I’ve fallen for someone in Granite Falls might be a little easier to believe than telling him I just decided to move here. He grew up here, so he’s probably not going to believe I just decided to move here on my own.” She nodded. “Yeah, I think that could work.”
“I guess I should buy some rings.” I felt a bit of a flutter in my stomach.
“Luther’s a preacher—where is he anyway?” Samantha looked around the room.
“He had some things to attend to at the church to get ready for the next service. He’ll be back soon. Steve and Major still haven’t gotten back. Blue is outside hanging a swing on the porch if you didn’t notice the sound of a power tool in your ear.” I chuckled.
“I wondered what that was.” She nodded. “Well since Luther is a preacher, he could do the ceremony. We wouldn’t even have to file legal documents, we could just do the ceremony and put on a performance for my father and the rest of the town.”
“You don’t want to marry me for real?” I raised my eyebrows with sarcasm lacing my words. “I took your virginity, young lady. It is only right I should make an honest woman out of you.”
“You just want me barefoot and pregnant!” Her tone was sarcastic as well which caused Axe and Mayor Danvers to laugh.
“About that...” Axe’s tone got a little more serious. “We’re not exactly using protection here. Are you on the pill or anything?”
“I was a virgin until yesterday, so I haven’t exactly felt a need for birth control.” She raised her eyebrows. “Are you not going to care for a child that is one-seventh yours?”
“Did you expect more from a deadbeat?” I teased Axe who shot me an angry glare.
“I’m happy to raise any child that we are lucky enough to have join our family. I was just asking the question.” He continued his angry glare, but then his face relaxed into a smile.
“Do you guys want me to go on birth control? I’ve always wanted children, but it is probably far too soon for that.” Samantha bit down on her lip as if she was contemplating what she said.
“No, I don’t.” I shook my head. “I’m perfectly fine with children.”
“Me too.” Mayor Danvers nodded.
“Like I said, I’m happy to raise any child that we are lucky enough to have.” Axe picked up his beer and took a sip.
“Okay then, it’s settled.” Samantha’s face widened to a smile. I could tell she was happy with that news.
Chapter 14: Samantha
It had been a wonderful day, easily the most relaxing one I had been able to enjoy in months. The breakfast in bed, massage, and spa treatment was enough to get me going for a couple of hours, but I was still exhausted. They insisted that I take a nap and Blue even hung some quilts over the windows so the room was completely dark. I thought I was going to have trouble sleeping when I heard them downstairs working on the house, but the next thing I knew, my eyes were shut and I was dreaming. I woke up a co
uple of times but I had no idea how much time had passed with the light gone from the room so I ended up falling asleep. By the time I woke up and couldn’t realistically sleep any longer, I checked my social media accounts and ventured downstairs. After breaking the news to them that I had to go, Blue appeared and let me know the swing on the front porch was ready. I got to sit in it for a couple of hours and enjoy the scenery before Steve arrived with a bouquet of flowers. They were beautiful, but it was the roses Major brought that made me swoon—and that kiss—that kiss was incredible. When we finally broke from the embrace, my head was spinning. We walked inside and I could already smell dinner cooking.
“We will eat as soon as Luther gets back. I called the church and he said he would be leaving soon.” Jesse poked his head around the doorway and then immediately returned to tending whatever he was cooking.
“What can I get for you?” Axe stood up when I walked into the house, holding hands with Major.
“I think I’m good for now.” I smiled and walked over to the chair I seemed to always sit in when we were in the living room.
“Just let me know.” Axe took his seat and picked up his bottle of beer.
“You could get me a beer.” Major chuckled and stared at Axe.
“Get your own beer.” Axe scoffed and pointed to the kitchen.