Snowed in With My Small Town Billionaire

Chapter 14 Gwen

14

C H A P T E R

Gwen

G wen’s heart skipped a beat when she heard him say that. She didn’t know why because he hadn’t given her any sign that he might look at her that way. Of course, he had kissed her, but a kiss doesn’t equal a marriage proposal and happily ever after.

She opened her mouth to ask him what the right woman would be like, but Millie bustled into the room.

“There you are. I was wondering if you would mind helping out with dinner. The girls are doing some cleaning and Joseph and Elsie are trying to wash their clothes in an old metal tub Daniel found in the shed.

“I’d be glad to help out with whatever you need me to do,” Gwen said.

“Do you need my help?” Sawyer asked.

“No, Sir, but I imagine that Daniel could use some help carrying in more wood.”

He saluted her. “On my way.”

Millie handed her a knife and potato peeler. “We’re going to have some fried potatoes tonight to go with hominy and pork chops.”

“Sounds delicious to me.”

“We’re friends now, right?”

“Sure,” Gwen said cautiously.

“Then I can ask you, what in the world is your father’s problem?”

“I bet there are a lot of people who want to ask that same question.”

Gwen explained the entire story.

“I’m so sorry about your brother. I know that hurts. I lost my brother when I was younger. He was in the military and engaged in a skirmish that never should have happened.”

“That’s terrible. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It nearly killed my parents. There is no pain in the world like being handed that folded flag. They’ve gone on to be with him. I have the flag in my living room.”

Gwen didn’t know what to say, so she focused on the potato, cutting it into thin slices.

“Sawyer is an incredible man. If I wasn’t so in love with Daniel, I think I’d be crushing on him.”

Gwen laughed. “Sawyer is a great guy. He was always incredibly nice to me when I was a kid. Sawyer never minded when I tagged along with him and Kyle. He treated me like I was his little sister.”

“He doesn’t look at you like you’re his little sister. You certainly don’t look at him like he’s your brother.”

“To be honest, I think I’ve had a crush on him since I was in diapers. Then, I let my father get into my head.”

“Luckily, you evicted your father and you’re thinking straight now. What are you going to do about Sawyer?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll take it one day at a time.”

“That’s the best course. Daniel and I were friends first. When that friendship turned to love, it gave us a good solid foundation for a solid marriage. We’ve been married for forty-one years.”

“Congrats.”

Millie scooped up the potatoes that Gwen had sliced and put them into a large skillet with melted butter and diced onions. She seasoned them and then put the lid on the pan.

“Thank you. We’ve had our disagreements and we’ve faced some tough times together, but we never let those get in the way of our love and commitment to each other.”

“That’s amazing.” Gwen hesitated and sighed. “Between you and me, I don’t know why my mother stays with my father. Don’t get me wrong, he has his great days. You guys have only seen him at his worst. But he doesn’t treat her like the treasure that he should. He doesn’t treat her like an equal partner.”

“Have you thought about talking to her about it?”

“Once. She said that when she said her vows she meant it. Unless he got physical with her, then she would deal with the rest of it. She also said that most of the time, things were good.”

“You have to respect her choice, then.”

They chatted and then served dinner to everyone. Sawyer said that Brent could come to the dining room and eat with them, as long as he took small bites and chewed them well.

Jerome came to the dining room long enough to get a plate and leave. Fifteen minutes later, he brought it back and then returned to his room. By now, everyone was so used to his attitude that they ignored him.

After dinner, Gwen and Samantha organized games for them to play. They started with musical chairs. Brent felt well enough to play although he was still coughing a lot. Zaid wasn’t able to play, but he controlled the music and kept the fun going with his jokes and commentary.

Elsie proposed a game of charades. They divided into four teams, including Daniel, Millie, Tessie, and Oliver. Only Jerome decided not to join in on the fun.

“Alright guys, I hate to be a party pooper, but I have a young man who still has a fever and just this morning was physically ill. He sounds a little better, but I want him to get his rest.”

“I’ve turned on the heat,” Oliver said. He looked at Brent. “I also put a cot and sleeping bag in the men’s room for you. You guys will be packed in there like a bunch of sardines. Nothing can be done about that.”

Brent sucked in his cheeks and made a fishy face.

Gwen went into the bedroom he had shared with her parents. Jerome was sitting in a chair reading a book.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting Brent’s clothes.”

“Why?”

“He’s sleeping with the men tonight.”

Jerome started to get up. “Like heck he is.”

“Dad, knock it off. Mom said he could. No one wants to be around you when you’re like this. It’s really too bad because the only person you’re hurting is yourself. We all had a great time tonight. The only one who wasn’t out there laughing and playing games was you. You chose to be in here making yourself miserable.”

He looked at her and narrowed his eyes. “Get his bag and get out of here,” he growled.

“Fine, Dad. Just know that I love you despite your grouchiness.”

Jerome simply stared at her.

“I’ve got your stuff. Let’s get you settled.”

“Aunt Gwen. I’m ten. I can do this by myself.”

She laughed. “Of course, you can.”

He grabbed his bag and headed off to the men’s quarters. Gwen looked at her mother who was sitting in the recliner by the fireplace.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Audrey said. “I think that I’m just going to hang out here for a while.”

“How long have you been sleeping out here instead of with Dad?”

“Since the second night that we were in the lodge. I feel like it makes me a bad wife, but I honestly can’t stand to hear him grumbling and complaining, nonstop. I know he doesn’t have anyone else to vent to, but I’m pretty sure if I stay in there with him, I’d suffocate him while he was sleeping.”

“I can’t see you doing any such thing, but I hear what you’re saying. I told him that he was only hurting himself, but he’s hurting you, too. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Audrey shook her head. “You just keep being the best you that you know how to be.”

“That’s what I tell my kids at school.”

Gwen kissed her mother on the cheek. “Good night, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

No one was in the shower, so Gwen quickly gathered her supplies and jumped in. She felt guilty that she took a seven-minute shower instead of sticking to the allotted five minutes, but the hot water felt so good.

She was surprised that only Samantha was in the room when Gwen came out of the bathroom.

“Where are Maddie and Emilia?”

“They’re hanging out with Darren and Zaid in the library, playing Tripoly , which is a game that combines hearts and poker.”

“I’ve heard of it,” Gwen said.

After a brief silence, Samantha asked, “What’s up with you and the good doctor.”

Gwen blushed. “I really like him.” She explained about their past.

“Oooh, a love to hate to love story.”

Laughing, Gwen shook her head. “I think that it’s way too early to be using that “l” word. I will admit that I feel something for him. I got all tingly and warm inside when he kissed me.”

Samantha sat up straight in bed. “He kissed you? Do tell.”

“It was just once. It was nice.” Gwen grinned at Samantha. “What about you and Lucas?”

“Girl, I’m not gonna lie to you. That man does something to me that I’ve never felt before. I had a long-time boyfriend and thought that he was the one – until I found him with my best friend. But even then, I never felt for him what I feel when I’m with Lucas. We’ve held hands and talked. He’s kissed me a couple of times. He’s sweet and smart.”

“Is it love?”

“Like you, I’m not ready to jump in the lake with both feet, but I will say that maybe, it could be. I go to school in Colorado Springs and he’s in Estes Park. He does fly helicopters, so it wouldn’t be hard for him to come visit. I’ll graduate in May. Who knows? The Fates have a very wicked sense of humor.”

“Yes, they do,” Gwen yawned. “I hope things work out. You are both great people and deserve to be happy.”

“Ditto,” Samantha laughed. “Good night.”

Gwen turned off the light and slid into her sleeping bag. She never heard Maddie and Emilia come into the room.

She was having a very pleasant dream about having a romantic picnic with Sawyer in the woods when a loud explosion rocked the building. Emilia screamed and the women jumped out of bed and ran to the window. More snow was rushing their way like a great white tidal wave.