He stood, holding out his hand to help me. We left the blanket behind. I carried the empty glasses carefully while he clutched the small bottle in his hand. We went inside the house and secured the doors. I always reminded Austin where I lived, but he said that after being in New York, it was just a habit of his.
We got some big slices of the decadent cake and sat down in the kitchen to eat. I looked around and thought about it being a new year now. I couldn’t believe that I was with Austin. I expected to be planning my sister’s move and trying to settle here without any family. Instead, she spent the evening with a former fling who asked her out again a few days ago. We always had dinner together the night after New Year’s Eve, and Austin would be joining us at my house for that.
But first, I had tonight with Austin. We sipped the champagne and ate the cake, laughing softly as we talked about the fireworks. I thanked him for them again. He kissed me gently, licking off a thick chunk of frosting from my mouth.
After we finished the cake and the bottle, Austin washed the dishes and led me down the hall to his old room. It was across the house from his parents’ room, something that we were relying on tonight as we closed the door. Austin paused before locking it and pulled me against him. “This is the best New Year’s Eve that I’ve ever had, Rebecca.”
“Even after all of those parties in New York and that thing that you have on the street?” I asked him, watching with a silly smile.
He nodded.
“I get to be inside of you tonight. That’s the best feeling I’ll ever experience.” Austin kissed me, backing me to the bed.
Before we fell asleep, Austin told me to take Thursday off for a surprise. I murmured something to him in response, too dizzy with exhaustion and champagne to think much of it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Austin
I kissed Rebecca before she left for the afternoon shift at the salon. I was headed back to my parents’ house anyway, so I locked her door and walked out to my car.
There was still that light snow on the ground, but the original car that I rented seemed to handle it just fine. I glanced down at the fancy car, laughing as I realized that this just wasn’t my style anymore. Here, I’d prefer a sturdy SUV. It made me think about Rebecca’s car situation. She was driving her parents’ car around. She didn’t have one to herself, having gotten rid of the old Toyota she drove in high school.
I figured I should get her something else in town at some point. Something newer that I had more faith in and that suited her simple needs. Rebecca wasn’t into fancy stuff at all, but I’d find a way to spoil her.
I grinned as I thought back to her questions about Thursday this morning when we woke up. I wasn’t going to cave, though, because I wanted to fully surprise her with my plans. I was going to treat her like the queen that she was in my life, leaving no room for doubt. I thought about New York and the massive loose ends I had going on there right now. I really did need to make a trip back to deal with all of it, but I worried about bringing that up with anyone.
I pondered the idea as I made the short drive home and parked in the driveway. Getting out, I looked over the yard and thought about the company I was planning to hire to take care of all this for Dad. They were local and friends of mine from high school, and so thrilled at the money I offered them that I knew they would do a great job. I was surprised that Dad didn’t argue about that, but I think his latest heart attack was a wakeup call for all of us.
I walked inside and found Mom reading a book at the table and sipping coffee. “Hey, Mom. Where’s Dad?” I asked as I leaned down to kiss her cheek. I walked over to the coffee pot and poured myself some before I joined her.
“Sleeping. He’s so much better about that now and goes to bed without a fight.” She sounded relieved.
“I have been in touch with all of the doctors and the hospital. All of the bills are covered, and he will be getting his medications sent here regularly.” She smiled gratefully at me, and tears filled her eyes. “He just needs to take care of himself and follow all of the rules, and he will make a full recovery. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Thank you so much, Austin. I am grateful for all that you’ve done for us.” She reached up and I moved to hug her before returning to my seat.
“It’s nothing, Mom. I want Dad healthy and for you to stop worrying about him. He’s under good care here. I finally know that now.”
I talked to the cardiologist that I brought in, and he assured me that everything that could be done for my father was, indeed, being done here. He’d gone home just a couple of days after arriving, and everything seemed good here, meaning that I could head back to New York and deal with my own pressing issues.
“What are your long-term plans now, Austin?” Mom asked me. I met her curious gaze, filled with hope.
“I have a whole life in New York that I need to deal with, Mom. There’s the business and my place, and I have Preston on an extended vacation. I can do some things here on my laptop, but I need to meet with people to get other things done.” I saw the sadness in her eyes as she slowly nodded. “I need to get back there eventually, Mom. There’s no way around that.”
“You’ve seemed so happy here, Austin. Seeing you and Rebecca together again has been so nice, and I’ve gotten used to you being around all over again.” She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. “What are you planning to do about her?”
“I’ll bring her with me. She’d enjoy seeing the city while I’m tying up loose ends if I let her know she’s coming back here as often as she wants to.” Mom gave me a dubious
look. “What?”
“Rebecca loves this town, and she won’t want to leave. Her sister is staying now, and that’s all the more reason that Rebecca won’t go anywhere. She’s going to want to help her sister with all the library plans as well as keeping her job. Rebecca doesn’t care about your money, Austin. She doesn’t want to be sitting in a house that you pay for, not doing anything. That goes for here or New York, unless you’re planning to give her what she wants for her future. Can you let go of your dreams enough to see hers?”
“Why can’t we combine our dreams into one? Why can’t we compromise?”
She shook her head. “Austin, you’ve made your money there. What more do you need? What can you have there that you don’t have here?”
There was no way I could describe to Mom what I had there. It was more than the business and the apartment to me. I enjoyed being home with everyone now, but I had to get back to reality. I could visit them as often as they wanted me to with Rebecca since she would want to see her sister as well. I could completely compromise with Rebecca on what we both wanted. I didn’t want to avoid North Reed any longer, or avoid my ties here. If anything, they were stronger now, and I’d be here a lot more than before.