Into the Sunshine: Of Love and Loss Series Book Two

14

The remainder of their time in Denver flew by, and with every passing day, Everett's anxiety about returning to his lonely life climbed. Because after dinner the night before they were leaving, he'd realized that one of his worst fears had whittled itself into existence.

Iris not only made it so he didn't know how he would live without her, but so he didn't want to, which was not only cause for deep concern but also terrifying. Everett was so absorbed in pondering the new dilemma that he didn't notice until too late that everyone except his aunt had abandoned him at the dining table.

"You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," Mable murmured, leaning over to pat his hand. "What's wrong? And don't try to tell me some nonsense about traveling."

"That's partly it...." Everett removed his glasses, set them on the table, and rubbed his face with both hands. "I've been thinking about our trip home. Getting back into life like it was before—"

"You mean with Iris no longer the nanny, only a friend."

Everett looked at her and rested his chin on his interlaced fingers. Even after all his years away, his aunt knew him too well.

She arched a dramatic brow at his continued silence.

He heaved a weary sigh. Relaxing in his chair, utterly defeated, Everett stretched his aching right leg out under the table. "Very well. You want to hear my deep, dark innermost thoughts?"

She nodded.

His mouth grew parched and his voice hoarse, making the words come out raw and low as he admitted, "I don't know how I'll live without her."

Mable studied him and folded her arms beneath her ample bosom. "Iris is an immense help with the bottles, diaper changes, and washing, but you could easily hire—"

"It isn't the immense help she is with chores that I'm talking—" Everett all but snapped. Then, at catching the devilish twinkle in his aunt's eyes, he scowled. "You baited me."

"And you fell right into my trap, dear boy," Mable murmured, her eyes softening with affection. She pursed her mouth and watched him before saying, "The solution to your problem is simple."

"Delay our return a few more weeks?"

She clucked her tongue and shook her head. "While the boys and I would love to have you all here should you decide that course, it solves nothing, and when you return, you'll be in an even worse predicament than you are now."

"How could it possibly get—No. Don't answer—"

"Feelings," Mable declared, making Everett wonder if her ears were, in fact, failing her. "You think they're pesky, unwanted things now? Well, I can assure you, they're only bound—"

"I get the point," Everett grumbled. An expletive sprang to his tongue, but he bit it back, his stomach twisting in dread, as he asked, "What are you suggesting I do?"

"You really want my opinion?"

No. Everett most assuredly did not. But he was at a complete loss, so he had little choice but to accept direction from a source he trusted wholeheartedly. He swallowed, hesitating before nodding. "Yep."

"Marry her. She adores the children, and there's clearly a vibrant spark between you two. It was apparent from the moment I saw you together at the station."

Somehow, Everett knew that would be her reply. Yet hearing it aloud still drove the air from his lungs with the force of a solid punch to the gut. If only because the same desperate, lonely part of him, unable to stop thinking of their kiss two days ago or how good it had felt to hold Iris, ached to make it happen.