No one's more surprised then Chase Stokes when his estranged step-sister shows up on his doorstep in South Carolina. They haven't talked in almost two years, but something has caused her to quit school, leave Maryland, and take up residence on his...
Sipping at the hot chocolate in her mug Evaline stood in Rudy's old room staring at the three boxes of her mother's things that Jen had packed up for her. They were currently sitting on the floor surrounded by the bags and boxes from the baby shower she'd yet to go through.
After the funeral and her short nap she had Rudy take the boxes out to Chase's jeep to keep her aunt from trying to find her mother's jewelry box. The angry look Stacie had shot Rudy and the boys as they took them out of the house told Evaline she'd done the right thing.
She and the girls had taken some time to sort out the rest of her things at her dad's house and she'd packed some more of her things to take with her when she made the move to L.A., including her portable backdrop.
After that she'd spent the night surrounded by both of her grandmothers explaining and discussing her plans for herself and the baby. They'd absolutely adored Rudy but she had to send both Chase and her father over when she noticed that both of her grandfathers had cornered him in the living room.
Seeing her Grandma and Madison together made Evaline realize why she got along with the girl so well. They were like kindred spirits and spent a majority of the time talking and laughing together. While on the opposite end she realized how similar Maddie and her Nana were. It was kind of surreal.
It was late by the time they'd all gotten back to the hotel and they'd left early Sunday morning to make the trip home since everyone but Rudy and Evaline had to report to work on Monday.
Maddie had offered to come over sometime this week to help Evaline sort through everything, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to open her mother's boxes yet. Sighing, she left the room and headed into the kitchen where she found Rudy making breakfast.
"If you're done your shot of sugar I'm making actual food here," he said eyeing her mug of hot chocolate. "That's why I love you," she replied toasting him with her mug.
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Putting her empty mug in the sink she went and sat at the counter as he placed a plate of eggs and a glass of orange juice in front of her. "So I need to tell you something," she told him as he sat down beside her with his own plate.
"I'm gonna inherit around 175,000.00 from my mother," she stated, slapping him on the back as he choked on his orange juice. "What?" he choked out, looking at her confused.
"So my dad had a life insurance policy on her and after the funeral expenses that's what's left over, and he wants us to have it," she told him shrugging. Blinking Rudy shook his head, "That's crazy."
"I know," she agreed, "I was umm.....thinking maybe eventually we could use it or at least some of it to buy a house either out here or in L.A.," she said, looking at him. Smiling he kissed her forehead, "I think we could do that," he agreed, "Where would you want to buy?" he asked.
"Wherever you want to," she answered, shrugging. "That's a good answer, but I genuinely want to know what you think," he commented.
"Honestly, I love it here," she admitted, "And I don't know how much of that is loving the city or loving what I found here with you and the others. I could get to L.A. and feel the exact same way just because I'm with you and them."
