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Crazy.
You’d think Little Web was my favorite. But I prefer Crazy.
There’s an acceptance there. Loving me not despite my wackiness but because of it. It always makes me smile.
Little Web is reserved for the bedroom.
The heavy wooden door groans open from the lobby and I squint at the sunlight piercing into the dark space.
I blink when the visitor comes into view. “Mr. Reeves?”
“Charlie, hey.” He glances around. "Happy birthday.”
"Thanks. Um…what…what are you doing here?”
He drags a hand across his bearded jaw. “Well, Noah mentioned he forgot his camera here and I was just going to pick it up.”
“Oh. That was nice of you." I offer. And strange. The campus is twenty minutes out of town. He must really want that group photo. Which I'm still feeling weird being a part of. "Noah is grabbing it now though."
He nods but doesn't move.
"You’re welcome to stay here and wait with me. He had to take a call.”
He frowns and sits beside me. “On your birthday? That doesn’t seem right.”
I brush it off. “That’s okay. I got breakfast in bed, a picnic by the lake, a new pair of boots—oh and we’ve got that family dinner tonight.”
He smiles thoughtfully and I blush. “I mean your family—and me. But you know you guys have always felt like family to me, so…”
He puts an arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze. “Charlie, you know I’ve considered you part of the family since you and Noah met.”
My grin falls. “Oh.”
He runs a hand down his face. “And I’ve always wondered if you secretly resented me for calling my son that night to tell him where you were.”
I gasp. “Oh no. Never. I’ve always admired you. You could try as hard as you want, Mr. Reeves, you’re a saint in our eyes.”
“Our?”
“My mother and I. She always was a good judge of people. Could read them like a book. And she liked you. Said you raised amazing boys. Survived unimaginable heartbreak. Saved an Inn and…still stayed handsome.”
He chuckles, it’s warm and contagious.
“I’m glad to hear that, Charlie. I never had any daughters. Now I get the bonus without having to raise one."
I laugh and wave him off. "I was easy."
He scoffs. "You say it like I wasn't good friends with your dad and didn't hear all about how 'easy' you were."
I tilt my head with a thoughtful smile.
"So if there’s no hard feelings between us and I could consider you one of my own…I’d be honored if you’d let me walk you down the aisle.”
“What?”
He smiles in response and turns his gaze to the bottom of the stairs—where Noah is standing. A camera hanging over his shoulder.
Aiden stands as if it's his cue. “I’ll see you tonight.” He walks down, passing Noah on his way out and giving him a quick pat on the shoulder.
