A Moment In Time (Calaway Crossing #6)

22. Chapter 22

Chapter twenty-two

"It's not going to kill me."

G age could hear Sydney rummaging around in his kitchen, and she called out to him.

“You have absolutely no food in here.”

“That’s not true. There is a box of Frosted Shredded Wheat and a half-gallon of milk. There’s also coffee and beer. What more does a man need?”

She left the kitchen and went to the couch. “Most men would require the basics. Meat, bread, canned goods, maybe some fruit and vegetables.”

He looked up at her. “Most men don’t come from a family who owns two of the three restaurants in town.”

“So you never cook for yourself?”

“No need to. I’m in town every day.”

“What about on the weekends?”

“Having a big family guarantees at least one or two dinner invites. Especially now that four of them are married.”

Sydney shook her head. “Okay. If that works for you.”

“It works just fine.”

“But this weekend you’re not going into town or over to someone’s house. You’re staying put. So, I’ll cook for you.”

“You cook?”

She put her hands on her hips. “Most grown up adults cook for themselves. Or at least know how to open up a can.”

“I know how to open a can. I just choose not to.”

“In any case, you’re taking a nap. And I’m going to the grocery store.” She put on her coat and slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “Any requests?”

“How’s the beer supply?”

“I’ll get some beer. Will you drink wine if I get a bottle to go with dinner?”

“Not really a wine guy. But I won’t judge you if you want to drink some wine.”

“We’ll stick to beer. Do you need anything before I go?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

Sydney left and Gage settled into the couch cushions. I’m her superman, huh? An over-confident, but not confident, man with unreasonable expectations. “Shit.”

Gage woke up some time later to the sound of someone in the kitchen. It took him a moment to remember it had to be Sydney. He started to sit up, but the pain in his ribcage stopped him. Sydney came out of the kitchen.

“Did I wake you?”

“The smell did. What are you cooking in there?”

“Lemon ricotta.”

He tried to get comfortable. “Will you get me the pill bottle from my coat pocket?”

She went to his coat and took out a small bottle, then looked at him. “You told me you weren’t on pain medication.”

“Can you just bring me two, please?”

She dropped two pills into her palm, then brought them to him. “Let me get you some water.”

“I’d prefer another beer.”

“Gage!”

He sighed. “It’s not going to kill me. If God wanted me dead, he would’ve taken me out yesterday.”

She squinted at him. “You believe in God?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You’ve never mentioned going to church.”

“I don’t have to go to church to believe in God. All I have to do is go outside and look around.”

She smiled. “You’re right.”

“Can I have that beer now?”

Sydney went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and a beer. He took the beer from her, popped the pills into his mouth, then washed them down with some beer.

“You can keep the water.” He set the beer on the floor next to the empty bottle. He took a moment, then sat up.

“Where are you going?”

“To the bathroom.”

“Okay. We’ll eat when you come back.”

He held his hand out to her, and she pulled him to his feet. “Thank you.” He smiled at her. “I just wanted to make you feel useful.”

“I appreciate it.”

When Gage returned to the living room, he went back to the couch and sat down. Sydney had taken the empty bottle away. He picked up the fresh beer and took a drink. He hated being in pain. Even when it really wasn’t that much pain. He didn’t know how Cooper rode bulls for so long. He must’ve constantly had pain somewhere in his body.

Sydney came from the kitchen with a plate of pasta. “Do you want to stay there to eat?”

He picked up a pillow and put it on his lap. “Yes.” She handed him the plate. “Wow. This looks fantastic. Is that spinach?”

“Yes. You like spinach, right?”

“I like everything.”

“Good.”

She hovered, waiting for him to take a bite. So he obliged. “Whoa.” He nodded. “Incredible.”

“Thank you.” She waited until he took another bite, then went to get her plate. She brought it back to the chair and sat down.

“How long have you been back?”

“Not long. This is a really quick meal to make.”

“So you cook like this for yourself?”

“Not always. But a few times a week.”

“Lucky you.”

Gage had two helpings of the pasta and finished off his second beer. He was full. But it felt good. “Man. You need to give that recipe to Remy.”

“That would be like giving a paint by number kit to Monet.”

“Maybe. But I know he’s always looking for new ideas for the restaurant. He gets bored making the same things all the time.”

“Was he trained? Or did he just learn from your mother and uncle?”

“He and Brynlee spent a couple of years in Portland. She went to culinary school, and he worked in several high-end restaurants. Then they compared notes.”

“Interesting. It sure worked for them.”

“They make a good team. They’ve known each other since high school. I had the biggest crush on her then. Of course, I was in eighth grade when they were seniors.”

“Does she know?”

“I never told her. But I probably acted like an idiot around her.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“Oh. It’s true. Even I was a stupid adolescent.”

Sydney stood and took the plate from him. “I stopped at the café and bought a pie. Do you have room for a piece?”

Gage patted his stomach. “Not now. Maybe in a while.” He thought about what he wanted to do. “I think I need to take a walk.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“Yes. My legs aren’t broken. I need to move or I’ll just get stiff.”

“Okay. Let’s take a walk.”

“I could go by myself.”

“Do you want to go by yourself?”

He smiled. “No.”

“Then let’s take a walk.”

They put on coats and stocking caps, then went out the front door. Sydney took Gage’s arm down the steps, then they headed down the road. It was a clear night, and the wind had died down. The sun was low in the sky, but there was still plenty of light to see by. They went about a quarter of a mile, then turned back.

When they got back to the house, Gage stopped before going up the steps. “I need to see the tree.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Maybe it will bring back what happened.” He looked at her. “I know you think it’s better that I don’t remember. But I need to try.”

“Okay.”

She took his arm, and they circled the house, then followed the tracks in the snow to the fallen tree. Gage stopped walking. “Damn.”

“Yeah.”

“How did that not crush me?” He looked at the sky. “Thanks, big guy.”

Sydney tightened her grip on his arm. “Wow.”

“Hmm.”

She glanced at him. “Any revelations?”

He shook his head. “No. And I think you’re right. I don’t want to remember.”

“Let’s go inside.”

They turned and headed back for the house. “I’ll have Cooper or Cabe come cut that bastard up. Then I will thoroughly enjoy burning it in the wood stove.”

“Retribution?”

“Damn right.”

Gage and Sydney spent the next couple of hours talking about the paper and how him being mayor was going to change things.

Gage leaned back on the couch. “You know. I don’t see why I should need to sit around the office at city hall. I can work out of my office at the paper, right?”

“Um…I don’t see why not. I think your office should be wherever you want it to be. Wherever you’re comfortable.”

He nodded. “Yeah. If they want to see the mayor, then they can come find me at the Calaway Report. Or behind the bar on busy nights.”

Sydney smiled. “I like that.”

He looked at her for a moment. “I have a question for you.”

“Okay.”

“When you quit a month ago. You told me it was too hard to work with me…” He held up a hand. “I will paraphrase here to save both of us from any embarrassment. You said you couldn’t work with someone you…cared for.”

“Yes. I did say that.”

“So, why now? Why have you changed your mind? Do you feel differently now?”

She took a moment. “About you? No. When I couldn’t find you yesterday, I got worried. And then when Cooper showed up at the office without you, I panicked.” She looked at him for a moment. “We almost lost you yesterday. And if the worst had happened, I knew I’d forever regret how I spent the last month distancing myself from you. I realized I’d rather spend time with you in whatever capacity that might be, than be hurt or frustrated and alone.”

He nodded. “This has made me realize something, too.” He looked at her. “I’m much happier and more productive when you’re around. And I always told myself it was because you were good at your job. I didn’t need to micromanage you. We worked well together. But I see now I was lying to myself because I was afraid to commit to how I really felt.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what to call it. But I’d like to figure that out. I don’t do dating very well. And I’ve pretty much given up on the concept. But if you can be patient with me, I’d like to spend time with you away from the office. Do you think we can do that?”

She nodded as her eyes filled with tears. “I’d like that.”

“I want to get it right. I don’t want to rush into anything we might later regret. Is that okay?”

She nodded again.

“Okay. Next Saturday is the April Fools dance at the community center. I know we talked about going as a last social appearance before the election. But maybe instead of going as my social liaison. You could go as my date.”

“I’d like that very much.”

He smiled. “Good.” He laughed. “That’s assuming you don’t hate me after this weekend.”

“I think we’ll be fine this weekend.”

He looked at his watch. “We’ve made it five hours.”

“Only forty-eight hours to go.”

“Actually, it’s sixty hours until nine o’clock Monday morning.”

She shook her head. “Of course you know that.”