Carry Me Home (The Home Series: Book Three) Read online

  “You’re engaged?” I could still hear him repeating what I’d just told him, almost as if he hadn’t heard me correctly.

  “Yeah. Evan proposed last weekend,” I’d confirmed and the line went quieter longer than I’d expected. That was typical with Matt though. He was always thinking, always analyzing the situation, thinking of the right thing to say.

  “Congratulations,” he’d said, but I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t detect the hesitation in his voice.

  “Thanks,” I’d said softly, but I didn’t press him for the reasons behind the reluctance. I hadn’t spoken to Matt about Jesse being home, but I was certain Jill probably filled him in and I wondered if that had anything to do with his hesitation. I almost didn’t want to know what he was thinking because he always got me to uncover the deeper meaning of things. I wanted him to keep his psychoanalytical bullcrap to himself for once and I was surprised he didn’t say much of anything else.

  I’d put that conversation aside though as I drove up I-35 towards Kansas City. I was nervous about telling Evan’s family and I tried not to think about how his parents would react.

  It wasn’t long before I was sitting in the parking lot of Evan’s apartment building. It looked like a nice place…modern and new and I couldn’t help but think how different it was than anything in Carver. As I sat in my car, I texted him that I’d arrived and a few moments later I saw him walking towards me, smiling and relaxed in a faded red t-shirt and jeans that were too long for him. The fray at the bottom hung over his flip flops and he brushed the dark blond hair off his forehead. I got out of the car and he picked up his pace, hugging me tightly once he’d reached me.

  “How was your drive?” he asked a few moments later once he’d let go and held me at arm’s length.

  “Not as bad as I’d expected,” I said and we started walking towards one of the buildings in his complex.

  “I’m glad you’re finally here,” he told me as we walked up a flight of stairs and then stopped at the second floor in front of a dark blue door. He pulled a key out, unlocking it and gesturing for me to go in.

  It was a nice place with a large living room that led into a small kitchen and dining area. Down the hall I could see three doors, which I assumed led to the bedrooms and bathroom.

  “So, whaddya think?” he asked, shutting the door behind us.

  “I like it,” I said, turning back to him. “It’s really nice,” I continued as I looked around. I started down the hall and opened the first door. He had set himself up a little office with his computer and a comfy looking plush chair. “Wow. It’s like a grown up lives here,” I grinned as I shut the door and then opened the next one, which led into his bedroom. The king sized bed was neatly made and he had a dark oak dresser where a TV rested. “Nice big bedroom too.”

  “It’s perfect for two people,” he said, his arms sliding around me from behind. I just laughed lightly as he turned me to face him. He didn’t wait for me to say anything, instead he started kissing me, slowly at first and then more eagerly. “I’ve missed you,” he said between kisses.

  “It’s only been a week.”

  “So, you’re telling me you haven’t missed me?”

  “Of course I’ve missed you,” I said, reaching up and stroking his cheek.

  “Ya know, Riley,” he said with a grin and I had a sneaking suspicion where this conversation was headed. “There is a very simple way to remedy this whole situation…for the summer anyway.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s that? Me move in here with you?”

  “You’re thinking the same thing then?” he said with a smile, kissing me again and I just laughed. “I’m serious,” he said, his smile disappearing. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t, especially now that we’re engaged. You can get a job up here and we can really start planning.”

  “I can’t move up here yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “My mom’s wedding is coming up. I need to help her with that.”

  “What about after that?” he continued.

  “The summer will be half over by then. I’ve gotta head back to Manhattan in August.”

  “The summer won’t be half over. She’s getting married June twenty-fifth. There’s like a month and a half left after that before you’ve gotta go back.”

  The way he looked at me told me he wasn’t going to relent on the topic.

  “I’ll think about it,” I said, not knowing if I really meant it, but I said it anyway so we could move past it.

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll take that.” He smiled and kissed me again.

  “You still haven’t told your family?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “No. I told you I wanted you here with me when I tell them.”

  “When are we telling them?”

  “Tonight. We’re having dinner at my parents’ house,” he said and I suddenly grew nervous. I’d only met his parents that time he’d taken me to the Royals game and then again at Evan’s graduation. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant seemed nice enough, but I was still anxious about telling them of our engagement. Evan, on the other hand, couldn’t wait.

  “Who’s all gonna be there?”

  “My mom and dad and my brother,” he answered and my stomach started swimming with nerves again. “Are you okay?” he asked, obviously catching on to how reluctant I was.

  “I’m just nervous about telling them. I mean, I hardly know them.”

  “Don’t be nervous,” he said, trying to comfort me, but his words did little to make me feel better.

  ****

  The afternoon went by quickly. We had a small lunch at a café near his apartment and then caught a movie before going back to his place to get ready for our evening at his parents’ house. I took a quick shower and slid into a black skirt and top, before drying and curling my hair. Once I’d put my make-up on, I went out to the living room where Evan was waiting for me. He’d changed out of his jeans and t-shirt and replaced it with a pair of khakis and a polo.

  “You ready?” he asked when I walked in and I nodded. He walked across the room, took my hand and kissed the back of it, before smiling reassuringly at me. “Don’t be nervous. They’re gonna be thrilled.”

  “I hope so,” he said as he led me out to his car.

  It didn’t take long before we were pulling into the driveway of his parents’ house and I’d almost forgotten how well-off Evan’s family was. The big house and perfectly manicured lawn looked like something you’d see on one of those home improvement shows that featured houses you didn’t think actually existed.

  “I forgot how rich you are,” I said once he’d turned off the engine.

  “We’re not rich. We’re comfortable. Or maybe I should say my parents are comfortable. I’m an entry level accountant,” he said, leaning across the console to kiss me. “Now, let’s go.”

  Evan waited for me at the front of the car and then grabbed my hand as he led me up the walkway to the intimidating oak double doors. When we walked in, the house seemed as perfect on the inside as it did on the outside. The hardwood floors were flawless and covered with expensive looking area rugs and it smelled like peaches. I could hear voices coming from down the hall and Evan started leading me towards them.

  We were greeted by his parents, whose conversation stopped when we walked in. Mr. Bryant smiled at us. Then my eyes focused on Mrs. Bryant. She was as pretty as I remembered. Tall and thin with perfectly styled blonde hair. She smiled at us too, just as her husband had done, but her smile seemed a little forced.

  “Hey,” Evan said when we walked in and my nerves doubled.

  “I hope you guys are hungry,” Mrs. Bryant said, walking over and hugging Evan and then looking at me. “Riley, hi. It’s good to see you again,” she said, shaking my hand. I half-way expected a hug, but was almost relieved with the handshake.

  “You too, Mrs. Bryant,” I said and waited for her to tell me to call her Julie, but she didn’t.

&
nbsp; Mr. Bryant stood up and walked over to me, extending a hand, which I shook.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Riley. Call me Tom,” he said and I smiled. I already liked his dad more than his mom.

  “Thanks, Tom,” I said, trying not to sound as shy as I felt. I needed to buck-up, as my grandma probably would’ve said. I was a grown woman. A woman engaged to be married. I needed to stop acting like a child. “Thank you for having me.” My voice was stronger now and my back straighter.

  “Of course,” Mrs. Bryant said, and then added, “Call me Julie.” I wondered if she would’ve made the offer if her husband hadn’t. “I hope you like pot roast.”

  “Love it,” I said, suddenly feeling more grown up as I let go of Evan’s hand and followed Julie into the kitchen. “Can I help with anything?”

  “I think we’re all set,” she said. “Would you like something to drink? Some wine perhaps?”

  “No, thank you, though.” I still found it strange sometimes that legally, I was old enough to drink, even though I rarely did.

  “Evan, set the table please,” Julie said and Evan nodded, walking over to the cabinet and pulling out the plates.

  “Where’s Paul?” Evan called to his mom from the dining room, referring to his older brother.

  “He’ll be here any minute,” Julie said and as if on cue I heard the front door open and a moment later, someone I assumed was Paul, walked in, wearing a police uniform. I’d never met Paul. He’d hadn’t been around during my visit to Kansas City and he hadn’t come to Evan’s graduation.

  “Hey! Let the party begin because I have arrived!” Paul’s booming voice called out and I could immediately sense that while he and Evan may look similar, their personalities were very different. Evan was quieter, more discreet. Paul seemed like a person who demanded attention the moment he walked in the room and if I was being perfectly honest, he was one of those people you instantly found annoying.

  “Hey Paul,” Evan’s voice called out.

  Julie walked over and hugged her oldest son and then Paul looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

  “Who’re you?” he asked bluntly.

  “I’m Riley.”

  “Evan’s Riley?”

  “Yep, my Riley,” Evan said, appearing out of the dining room. “Riley, this is my understated brother, Paul.”

  “Good to meet you,” Paul said, extending a hand to me. “I didn’t know we were expecting such a lovely dinner guest. I would’ve changed out of my uniform.”

  “You don’t need to worry about how you look, because she’s looking at me, not you,” Evan said, putting an arm around me and pulling me closer to him.

  “Why doesn’t everyone make their way to the dining room?” Julie said and I followed them in.

  Evan pulled a chair out and I sat down, making sure to keep my left hand tucked under the table. I was surprised no one had noticed already. I didn’t know when Evan planned to tell his family and I didn’t want to ruin it for him, so until then, I was going to do my best to keep it under wraps.

  We made small talk as we ate, mostly because Paul dominated the conversation by lamenting us all with tales of his most recent traffic stops. I noticed Evan was unusually quiet and wondered if the nerves were finally getting to him.

  “You live down near Wichita, don’t you, Riley?” Evan’s father asked in a break between Paul’s stories.

  “Actually in Carver. It’s about thirty miles south,” I said before taking a bite of my salad.

  “But you’re not from there originally, right?” Tom continued.

  “No. I grew up in Boston.”

  “Great city,” Tom said with a smile.

  “It is,” I agreed.

  “What brought you to Kansas?” Paul asked and I was surprised he wanted to participate in a conversation that didn’t revolve around him. I was already dreading family gatherings once he was my actual brother-in-law.

  “My mom’s from Carver and after my parents divorced, she decided to move back.”

  “Ever think about going back east?”

  Before I could answer Paul though, Evan interrupted.

  “I don’t think she does,” he began and my stomach knotted when I realized he was going to tell his family.

  “You let him answer for you?” Paul laughed, but I didn’t say anything.

  “I don’t answer for her,” Evan said, eyeing his brother. “The reason I said that is,” Evan continued and I felt him reach under the table and take my hand I’d been trying hard to conceal, placing it for all to see on the tabletop. “Riley and I are getting married.”

  The room went dead silent and as I looked around the table, Evan’s entire family was staring at me as they all sat motionless.

  “You’re getting married?” Julie finally said and I noticed her expression wasn’t changing.

  “We got engaged when I went down to visit last weekend,” Evan said and I waited for more reaction, but the table remained quiet until Julie slowly got up and walked over to Evan and I.

  “Well…congratulations,” she said, and I couldn’t help compare her reaction to my mom’s. Her congratulation sounded obligatory and I hoped it was just due to surprise and not the fact she didn’t want Evan marrying me. She leaned down and hugged me from my place still on the chair. When she pulled back, she took my hand and looked down at the ring. “It’s a beautiful ring, Evan. Nice work.”

  She hugged Evan and the table came back to life.

  “Yes, congratulations,” Tom said, coming over to us and hugging both Evan and me. Paul stood up and shook Evan’s hand and then turned to me.

  “I just met you tonight, Riley, but welcome to the family,” he said, leaning in for a hug.

  “Thanks, Paul,” I said as everyone returned to their seats and continued eating quietly for a few minutes until Evan’s mother started talking.

  “Have you thought about when the wedding might be?” Julie asked and I saw how she was addressing Evan and not me.

  “We haven’t discussed it much yet,” Evan said, looking over to me. “We’re thinking it’ll be after Riley graduates.”

  “Well, we’ll have to get planning then so I can book the club,” Julie said, taking a bite of her pot roast. I glanced over to Evan, wondering what club she was talking about. “Speaking of the club,” she continued. “We’ll go there for dinner tomorrow to celebrate. Dinner and dancing will be fun,” Julie continued and I hoped my cringe wasn’t obvious when I realized she must be talking about a country club.

  Evan was looking at me again, this time wanting my approval. I couldn’t say no. That would be rude and not the best start to my relationship with my future mother-in-law, so I nodded and smiled.

  “Sounds good,” I said and continued with my meal.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I hadn’t planned on dinner and dancing at Evan’s family’s country club, therefore, I hadn’t packed anything that would be fitting. We made an unexpected trip to the mall and I found a cute pink dress that I figured would work. Julie asked us to meet at the club at six o’clock and after we were both ready, me in my new dress, my hair tied up into a loose bun with a few wispy pieces framing my face, and Evan in a black suit, we headed out.

  Evan told me not to be intimidated, but I was when we pulled into the parking lot and I saw the impeccable white building at the end of the perfect green grass. I held onto Evan’s hand as we entered the upscale club and walked into the dining room, greeted by music and people dancing. Evan knew exactly where he was going because we weaved through the tables effortlessly and a moment later, we were with his family. His parents and brother were waiting for us and I put on my best smile as we sat down.

  “You look lovely, Riley,” Julie said and I instantly felt more at ease. She seemed warmer tonight, no doubt due to the ability to process our news for twenty-four hours.

  “Thank you,” I replied just as a waiter in black pants and a white shirt and black tie approached the table, wanting to take our drink orders. J
ulie insisted I splurge and have a glass of wine. I didn’t want to argue, so I agreed and a couple of minutes later, I was sipping on a glass of chardonnay and ordering the New York strip.

  “So, Riley,” Julie began. “You have another year of college, correct?” I nodded and she continued. “And what are you studying again?”

  “Physical therapy.”

  “Interesting field,” she said, taking a sip of her wine. “What do you want to do with it?”

  “I haven’t decided exactly. I’m thinking I may look into something with Veteran’s Affairs,” I said and noticed the surprised look on Evan’s face. I hadn’t told him about Jesse’s idea and I really hadn’t given it much thought since he’d suggested it, but it just slipped out and I realized how much I liked the idea of it.

  “Really?” she asked, looking genuinely interested. “What prompted an interest in the VA?”

  “A friend of mine suggested it. We have a good friend who lost a leg during a tour in Afghanistan. I think I might want to help people like my friend.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Julie said and I just nodded.

  “Thanks,” I said as a server appeared with our food.

  I was quiet as we ate, half-listening to what they were all saying. I finished my steak, which I had to admit was a little dry considering this was supposed to be some hoity toity country club in addition to the fact that Kansas City was supposed to be renowned for its beef, and then excused myself to the bathroom.

  As I walked the halls, searching for the restroom, I looked around and knew it would be a perfect place for a reception. It had a Victorian feel that reminded me a bit of New England and I found it odd to find that familiarity in Kansas City. Still, even if it had the high end feel of a place I always thought I’d get married in, part of me found it difficult to think about getting married anywhere but Carver. I had too many memories there. It was the place that felt like home, but then I stopped in front of a large oil painting of the Kansas countryside and realized even though it felt like home, it couldn’t remain my home, not if I was marrying Evan. Carver offered nothing for us in the way of our future and I was surprised when the painting became blurry by the tears that started forming unexpectedly in my eyes. I didn’t dare blink because I knew they would spill down my cheeks, destroying my make-up and basically forming a target on my face that would tell Evan I’d been crying. Instead, I walked quickly into the bathroom and shut myself into a stall, grabbing some toilet paper and dabbing at my eyes. I didn’t even know where the tears had come from. I looked down at my dress and shook my head at the fact that I was locked in one of the fanciest bathroom stalls I’d ever seen and I suddenly longed for a pair of cut offs and flip-flops while flying through the summer air as my hair whipped around me on the back of a quad, a fire crackling in the distance as train whistles and country music serenaded me.