Without You Here by Carter Ashby Page A

your woman," Wyatt said.
    Blake chuckled. Ettie spun away from Grampy and stumbled toward the island, rosy cheeked and beaming. "Dance with me!" she said, over the loud music. Her eyes were on Wyatt when she said it, but they bounced quickly to Blake. "Blake. Dance with me, Blake!"
    So he did and had a pretty good time. He generally preferred to sit on the side and watch while people had fun. But if he was going to get her back, he had to be willing to be silly with her.
    Two more songs went by and then it was time to start setting the table. Which cleared out most of the room. Grammy, Aunt Diane, and Wyatt usually did this chore. Blake dragged Ettie out to the back porch and was dismayed to see she'd grown solemn again. This was so not like her. He led her to the swing. "Did you meet Jesse's and Alex's girlfriends?"
    She nodded and swung her feet, which couldn't reach the floor. They'd set the swing too high so that almost none of the women in the family could touch the ground.
    "They're nice girls, huh?" Blake said. "You think you could be friends?"
    She shrugged. "They're cool."
    "I don't know how serious Alex is about Candy. But Jesse and Stacy are hearing wedding bells. Don't tell anyone, but he told me he's been doing some ring shopping."
    She smiled. "That's really exciting. I love weddings."
    "Yeah, well, if you make friends with her, maybe she'll let you be a bridesmaid."
    Grammy came out, then, and bee-lined for them. She leaned back on the porch rail in front of them. "I was thinking, maybe you two would be more comfortable staying here rather than at your dad's house."
    Blake looked at Ettie and then back to Grammy. "Thanks, Grammy, but we'll be fine at Dad's. I want her to see my old room and—“ 
    "I'd like to stay here," Ettie said. "You stay at your dad's. I'll stay here. Since we're just friends, now."
    Blake closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. He hadn't wanted the whole world to know. He'd thought they could still sleep in the same room and keep their personal problems private.
    "Just friends?" Grammy asked.
    "We broke up," Ettie said. "Just now. But I'm staying the weekend until my friend can come get me on Sunday. So I would really appreciate your hospitality."
    "Of course, dear," Grammy said. "Would you go help Wyatt and Diane set the table? I'd like a moment alone with Blake."
    "Sure." Ettie hopped up and skipped inside like she hadn't a care in the world.
    Grammy took her spot on the swing. "What's going on?"
    Blake groaned. "I don't know. She's been weird since we got here."
    "So she broke up with you?"
    "I've lost track of how many times she's broken up with me. But this time it feels serious. Lauren can't come get her until Sunday, so I talked her into giving me the weekend; see if I can't convince her to stay. I told her I'd take her riding tomorrow. Do you think we could have dinner, all of us together again tomorrow?"
    Grammy beamed. "I'm sure something can be arranged."
    "Maybe if I can get her to relax, she'll open up to me about what's bothering her."
    Grammy kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see if I can get her to talk. Might help having a woman to talk to."
    "Thanks. I really don't want to lose her."
    "I can see why. She's a delightful girl. Such zest and eccentricity."
    Funny she should pick out two of the attributes Blake liked least in Ettie. They rose and began gathering everyone inside for dinner.
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
    I can't believe how much I loved that family. It sucked so bad knowing I couldn't be a part. They were so close. And so loving. Even Cecily, Wyatt's sister, who acted pretty prudish and judgmental, was still ultimately accepting of everyone else's flaws and mistakes. They had spontaneous sing-alongs and they cooked and cleaned together. They all cared so much for Wyatt, I was happy about that. He deserved to be loved and cared for.
    Dinner was loud and messy. There was a lot of banter from the grown-ups towards the kids about how it was time to start producing