Page 15 of Property Of Nicky
I’m surprised by his urgent question, but I nod. “Yeah, but would it be okay if I showered first? It’s been a few days and I kind of stink.” He cracks a sweet smile and nods.
“You think I could join you, baby girl? I kind of need to be near you right now.”
I don’t even hesitate. I need him too. I stand, grabbing his hand and lead him into the bathroom. We strip out of our clothes and step into the shower. And as the steam begins to surround us, so does the love. He doesn’t stop looking into my eyes, even as he washes my body. His touch is sweet and reverent. Not at all sexual, and I appreciate the moment with him more than he could ever know. And when I’m all clean, he holds me under the warm spray and whispers his love and devotion to me until the water runs cold and we’re forced to get out.
I’ma bit surprised when we pull into a driveway and he tells me how this is his mom’s home. I’m not sure where I thought he was taking me, but to meet his mom hadn’t exactly crossed my mind.
“She’s going to love you, babe. You have nothing to be nervous about.” He reaches over and releases my bottom lip from under my teeth. I am nervous. Meeting his mom is a big deal. It makes us feel so official, but is that the right move? Should we be doing this right now, when I just got done confessing my fears about the future? For whatever reason, this is important to him though, so I take his hand as he reaches to help me down from his truck.
“Connor!” His mom practically shouts from the door. I turn to him and smile. It’s the first time I’m hearing him called by his given name. I like it. He does look like a Connor Jordan Shaw.
“Oh my gosh! Do I finally get to meet her?” she practically squeals as she rushes over.
I guess Trigger has told his mom about me. And she’s excited, which is a good sign.
“Yeah, Ma. This is her. Nichole, this is my mom, Marianne. Ma, this is Nicky, my girl.”
“Aw.” She smiles at her son, and then reaches for me and brings me in for a hug. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. My boy has been telling me all about you and I’ve been waiting for the day to thank the girl who brought him fully back to me.” She pulls back, giving me the warmest smile. “I also want to thank you for coming up with the Ox. That toy has changed my widowed life.”
Oh. My. Gosh. I don’t know whether to giggle or hide my face, which I can feel turning red with embarrassment. I guessTrigger has told her everything because it sounds like she’s been on my website and has placed an order.
“Mom, no. Please. I can’t be knowing this stuff. You can talk about my girl’s business with her when I’m not around, okay?”
She laughs and waves him off. “Fine. I’ll spare your prude little ears, but all I can say is your girl is a genius.”
“I know she is, Ma.” He smiles, giving me a wink.
We walk into the house and instantly I’m flooded with feelings of love and warmth. Pictures of their family are everywhere, and in every single one there is the portrait of true love. I’m not sure how Marianne can look at them and not get choked up, because the tears are already stinging my eyes. This was a very happy family before her husband was taken from her.
“He was so hot, wasn’t he?”
She points to the picture I’m staring at and smiles so brightly. Trigger grumbles in the background about remembering his sensitive ears and she just laughs him off.
“Yeah,” I nod. “I can see where Trigger got his looks from.” He’s a spitting image of his dad.
“Yep. He also got his stubbornness from him as well.”
To this I laugh, and to this Trigger grumbles once again.
“Why don’t you go on and get your girl a drink and pull out the cookies while I get to know Nicky better?”
He leans over and gives me a kiss then heads to the kitchen. His mom takes my hand and drags me to the couch. She immediately starts asking all the typical get-to-know-you questions. And once she’s taken her turn, I do the same. I learn all about how she and Grant, Trigger’s dad, met. I learn all about their life and the family they built. She tells me every sweet story, with a smile on her face and a gleam in her eye. And even when she begins talking about losing him, she’s still smiling, although maybe it’s a watery one, but she still is. I’m not sure how shecan even get through the story, telling me all about the dreams they’d had but never got to share, but she does.
“How is it so easy for you to talk about him? I still struggle talking about my mom.”
She reaches out and grips my hand. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Connor told me about your loss and I’m sorry that you lost your mom at such a young age.” Her kindness is so genuine even though we just met, and now I know exactly where her son got that big, soft heart of his.
“The reason I love talking about Grant is because I want him to live on in memory. He was an incredible man and we had the best life together. And sharing the stories is like living them all over again. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank the heavens for all the moments I got to spend with him, and sharing them with others is how I show my appreciation. How I keep the love we have alive.”
And now I get it. Now, I understand why Trigger wanted to bring me here. His parents had a marriage written in books and it ended much too soon. But instead of being miserable and writing herself a tragic ending, she has written herself a happy one. One where even after death, their love story still lives on. The woman before me is happy and thankful for what she had, and now she’s thankful to keep living and enjoying life to its absolute fullest so she can honor her husband’s memory. And like she said, keep their love alive. Trigger brought me here to show me what no words could. Happiness can still exist even after a great loss.
The afternoon passes so fast and when it’s time for us to head out so Trigger’s mom can get to her Bunko game, I’m sad to leave. I loved talking to her. More so, I loved watching them together. Seeing Trigger with his mom just makes me love the man that much more. He’s a big softy and treats his mother well and you can see how close they are.
She pulls me in for one final hug and whispers a message only meant for my ears. “My boy loves you with all his heart, but if you’re not ready, please don’t lead him on. That’s all I ask. I don’t want him to get his hopes up for a future he’s not going to have. I don’t want him to get hurt. But if you love him as much as I know he loves you, then I can guarantee you two are going to have the kind of love that lasts more than a lifetime.”
I nod and hug her tightly, letting her know that I’ve heard every word, and then I step aside so she can give her son a hug. There is no denying how much love she has for him. And there is no way I’m going to ignore her request. If I’m not ready, then I need to walk away.
CHAPTER 9
