Page 140 of Nothing to Fear

It was bigger than they needed, but they’d both agreed they’d grow into it.

The wraparound porch led out to a picturesque fenced yard she could see from the large kitchen windows. There were five bedrooms, a finished basement, and a second master on the ground floor that was perfect for her dad. She’d fallen in love with the space, abundance of natural light, and proximity to work but fretted over the cost.

Gideon had pushed for a speedy close. He’d rallied the troops to help him install a ramp at the front of the house, make her father’s bathroom handicap accessible, and knock out a wall to open the family room to the kitchen, working everyone to exhaustion to get things done quickly.

Hand in hand, they’d picked out the Carrara marble for the countertops, new appliances, furniture, and paint colors. The kitchen, like the rest of the house, was a symbol of the life they were building together. As partners.

Gideon came up behind her, swiping a piece of bacon, and nipped the junction between her neck and shoulder.

“Two minutes.” She kissed him, enjoying the taste of his mouth. “Then we can eat.”

“I’m starving,” her dad said from the spacious family room off the kitchen. “And prepare yourself, Warden. I’m going to have three slices of bacon. Don’t give me a hard time.”

Shaking her head, Willow sighed. “One slice, if you agree to try the vegan sausage.”

“I’m the senior citizen, but I’d swear you’re the one hard of hearing. I said three.”

Gideon roped his arms around Willow’s waist, his broad hands teasing her stomach. “Two is a nice compromise. Plus one fake sausage.”

Her dad grumbled. “Fine. And coffee. Supersized, with cream.”

Gideon squeezed her, his head against her hair, then took an oversized mug from the glass-front cabinet and poured coffee.

“A splash of cream,” Willow whispered, plating the pancakes.

Smiling, he nodded. They had an unspoken code of conduct. Gideon was her dad’s ally, slipping him treats and the occasional sip of whiskey, negotiating deals, but he never crossed the line to excess.

Hannah, Gideon’s surrogate mom, laughed, pouring the fresh-squeezed orange juice into a pitcher. It had been nice having female company in the new house for the past week and hearing pleasant stories about Gideon as a child. Hannah lived less than two hours away, but when Willow had suggested she stay over for a few days to spare her the drive, Hannah had eagerly agreed.

Her dad took to Hannah immediately, the two bonding over music and movies.

“After getting to know your dad,” Hannah said, “I’m surprised he hasn’t griped about you two living together.”

“Oh, at first, he did.” Willow took out the waffles from the built-in warmer drawer. It was extra work making both pancakes and waffles, but Gideon preferred the former, her father the latter, and she didn’t mind. Besides, Gideon was on dirty dishes duty and would grill dinner later.

“Every day.” Her dad wheeled into the kitchen. “I reminded that boy of three things: be good to my daughter, I want a ring on her hand, and I’m not too old to use my baseball bat.”

Hannah’s laugh deepened. “Well, Gideon, you did an outstanding job with the engagement ring. Absolutely gorgeous.”

Willow held up her left hand, admiring it. A rose-gold band sat on her finger with two pearls surrounded by an infinity loop of diamonds. Perfection. “The pearls are from my mother’s necklace. I used to wear it all the time. The only thing of hers I had left, but it broke.” She put a hand to her throat, touching the jeweled starling, and refused to dwell on the bitter memory. “But Gideon found three.”

The pearls gave the ring a special meaning, as though her mother was part of everything.

“Incredibly sweet, Gideon.” Hannah patted his shoulder.

“I had to ask the jeweler to rush the custom order,” he said. “Her dad made me sleep in the guest room in the basement and demanded Willow promise—”

“No boys in her room until the engagement was official,” her dad finished.

Willow cringed from embarrassment. With her dad camped out in the bedroom on the main floor and her in the upstairs master, he had patrolled throughout the night and slept during the day, like a vampire, to ensure Gideon didn’t get past him.

Little had her dad realized that Gideon could’ve gone upstairs at any time, stealthy as a grim reaper, but he hadn’t, out of respect.

They’d still found creative ways to be together outside the house. A loophole, Gideon had called it, and sneaking around had been fun.

“I’m glad you two found happiness together.” Hannah grabbed the eggs and veggie sausage from the gleaming counter and helped Willow set breakfast on the table. “And I’m grateful you’re letting me share in it.”

Willow was the grateful one. With Hannah being a retired nurse an easy drive away, she agreed to help with her father whenever needed, pitched in cooking, and showed her fantastic healthy recipes. Even her dad thrived from Hannah’s jovial presence, complaining less and laughing more.