Chapter 16 Family Albums
Oliver was looking around for his jacket after not being able to find it in his closet. Walking through his house searching for the jacket, he noticed bits of Shane scattered throughout different rooms. He wasn't sure how or when it had happened. In his office she'd left a hacking magazine. There was some type of hair tie on the table in the entryway. A sweater hung over a chair by the fireplace. Picking it up he considered taking it back to her until he caught a scent of her perfume. He remembered how much he enjoyed sitting with her reading the night she left it there and he slowly lowered it back down to the chair. In the kitchen he found one of her thermos mugs for her ever-present coffee. Making his way back into his bedroom he realized she'd infiltrated every room in the house except his bedroom. Seeing the napkin on his dresser she'd drawn on at Ramon's, he thought I brought her in here as well. He wasn't sure what it meant that he hadn't noticed the bits and pieces gradually being left behind. He normally kept his place immaculate, but he didn't seem to mind her clutter. The things left scattered around should bother him, but they felt like they belonged. Confused he picked up the phone to call her. "Shane good morning."
"Morning O'Tooley. I thought you were going to your Dad's?" He could tell she had put him on speaker phone and could hear her rustling paper while talking to him.
"I'm looking for my jacket. Did I happen to leave one at your place?" She looked around and finding it confirmed he had. "Do you mind if I swing by to pick it up on the way?"
"Sure. I think I might have left a magazine in your home office."
"Yes, you did." Oliver replied. "I can bring it when I come by."
"Thanks. I was wanting to finish reading an article in there about back doors." Oliver shook his head not even asking how a computer had a back door. "I'll be over in a bit." Backtracking to his office to grab the magazine he headed towards the garage. He stopped at the door to the garage when he saw a pair of her shoes. How did he not notice her leaving without shoes? He picked them up on the way to the car puzzled.
Arriving at her house he could hear music playing as he jogged up the steps. Knocking on the door he heard her call out "Come on in." He opened the door recognizing Beyonce. Smiling at her musical choice, he knew only a short time ago he wouldn't have known who that was.
"Hi Oliver let me just get this off my hands." He noticed they were covered in glitter as she brushed them off next to her project. She was dressed in exercise gear. Jogging pants were paired with a tank top under a loose sweatshirt, her feet bare, no makeup, with her hair in a loose messy ponytail. He grinned when he saw her brightly painted toes peeking out from under the table.
"What are you working on?" Oliver asked taking in the glue, glitter, paper, and other art supplies next to a box with what looked like a feathered boa peeking out. He left the magazine and shoes on a kitchen chair.
"Something to cheer Rita up." Thinking she'd gotten all the glitter removed she leaned over to kiss him. "I wondered where those shoes had gone. What are you and your dad up to today?"
"He wanted to make a picnic table for his outside fire pit. It's easier if you've got someone to hold pieces when you're putting it together." Oliver responded taking in her relaxed weekend look as he checked out her ponytail.
"I must look a mess. I was going for a run when I finished this." Shane grimaced.
"You look…cute." Oliver said leaning his forehead against hers before tilting his head for another kiss. She leaned against him a hand making its way into his hair as the kiss lengthened. When they parted Oliver cupped her face running his thumb across her cheek. Her eyes drifted shut as she nuzzled into his hand. "I like seeing you in your weekend attire."
"Attire?" Shane questioned smiling at her word nerd. "That's a bit lofty for workout clothes."
"I like the pants." Oliver said with a grin.
"Shocking." Shane replied knowing the skintight jogging pants were more form fitting than what she normally wore to work. She leaned up to kiss him again before stepping away. "Tell your dad I said hi."
"What are you doing today besides art projects?" Oliver asked.
"I'm meeting up with Rita and Norman for lunch. Norman and I are going through the information we gathered visiting the training facility before he starts number crunching. Afterwards it's picking out things for the wedding."
"Do you have time for dinner tonight?"
"For you, always." Shane said moving into the living area to get his jacket for him. He noticed a book from a bible study he'd attended on her side table next to a framed picture of the two of them from his birthday party. Glancing around he noticed that he'd left several things at her place as well scattered through the kitchen, living area and entryway. He felt better knowing that leaving things behind went both ways. Turning to hand him his jacket she noticed an oddly satisfied look on his face. "Oliver?"
"My dad asked if you'd come for dinner when we're done this afternoon."
She placed a hand on his chest. "What should I bring?"
"Yourself. You have his cell number?" Oliver asked putting a hand over hers on his chest.
"Yes, from when we planned your birthday party."
"Why don't you call or text when you're done and on the way." Oliver suggested moving towards the door. She followed him wondering what he was thinking about as she watched him get into his car.
Arriving at his dad's they immediately got to work pulling the wood Joe had gotten out of the garage into the driveway. They started piecing together the table. Glancing over after asking Oliver to move two pieces closer Joe grinned curious, "Ollie did you get into some glitter this morning?"
"I stopped by Shane's to pick up my jacket on the way here. She was working on some art project for Rita." Oliver said laughing. "Where is it?"
"All through your hair and on your neck." Joe said laughing. "I assume that means you're following my advice to take your time with her now you have her back."
Oliver brushed his hand through his hair and over the back of his neck sheepishly, "I have. Shane said she's free to come for dinner. I told her to call or text you when she's on the way." He paused for a minute. "Dad, I hadn't noticed until I was looking for my jacket this morning. She's started leaving things at my place."
Joe could tell Oliver wasn't sure what to think about the situation. Gesturing at the next board he asked, "Have you left things at her place?"
"Yes." Oliver admitted shrugging holding the board in place.
"Then what's the problem?" Joe asked.
"I've been thinking about where things are going. They've moved along faster than I expected. This morning when I stopped by Shane didn't even slam the door in my face." Oliver said emphatically. "I knocked and she's all 'Come on in.'"
"Son that's a good thing." Joe said looking rather confused while they picked up another board. "Slamming doors is usually a bad sign and to be avoided."
Oliver laughed and tried to explain. "A while back I had shown up too early for a breakfast date. Shane was embarrassed she wasn't dressed and didn't have any makeup on when she answered the door. She thought I was Fed-ex. This morning she'd gotten ready for a run. She didn't have any makeup on and hadn't done her hair. Other than an off-hand comment about looking a mess it didn't seem to bother her. Me seeing her that way…which wasn't a mess. In fact, her jogging pants looked…er really good." Oliver sighed, "I'm not making any sense, am I?"
Joe laughed, "Having worked together before you started dating you already knew each other well. You've both gotten comfortable with each other. You're becoming part of each other's lives outside of work. Its natural boundaries are going to start moving. Bill already told you women tend to adjust to relationships faster than you think." Between Oliver asking about kids and this latest development, Joe hoped the tie might not spend eternity in his glove department.
"I gave her a key to my house." Oliver said turning around when Joe dropped his side of the board in surprise.
"Sorry slipped." Joe said trying to cover up his shock and confusion. "You gave her a key but are surprised her things are getting left behind?" Joe looked at Oliver sardonically.
"She was making me dinner the night we finished up at the barn. Coming home to her felt right. I liked knowing that she had it in an emergency. I didn't want her giving the key back." Oliver sighed, "She's the first person I talk to when something happens good or bad. I want her to be part of my life."
"But you're not sure what that looks like?" Joe asked. Oliver nodded as Joe went back to screwing wood boards together. "You and Holly took things too fast and it didn't work out. Taking your time with Shane doesn't mean you have to go to the opposite extreme Ollie. It means being sure about how you feel before taking the next step. Once you're sure how you feel talk to Shane. She's got a good head on her shoulders." As well as the patience of Job Joe thought while they lifted the next board into place. They managed to finish putting the table together without Oliver dropping any more surprises. Shifting it over by the fire pit they sat for a drink admiring their handiwork.
"Ollie, Shane reminds me of your grandmother. Might be why I liked her from the beginning. She's got the same spunky approach to life and she's very protective of people she cares about. Shane cares about you. She's not anything at all like Holly. What is it that you're always telling me, you have to trust the timing?"
"I know Dad. Believe me I know." Oliver said with a laugh knowing his dad never thought much of Holly. Feeling like he'd said as much as he could Joe changed the subject asking about the next phase with the Kelser Farm now that the renovations were done.
Later in the afternoon Shane pulled up to Joe's place. She hadn't been there since breaking into the house when Joe and Oliver were late coming back from their camping trip. Seeing the guys out in the back staining the table she took a box out of the car and slowly walked around the side of the house to where they were.
"Your view is gorgeous. It was dark when I was here before." Joe leaned over to hug her while Oliver was wiping his hands on a towel.
"Yet you still managed to break in. That's quite a skillset you have Shane." Joe said teasingly.
Shane laughed, "The situation called for it." She leaned over to kiss Oliver on the cheek.
"Careful you don't want any wood stain on you. I wasn't so fortunate with the glitter this morning." Oliver said giving her a look.
"I did try. It just gets everywhere. A little sparkle never hurt anyone Oliver." Shane said patting his cheek. He rolled his eyes.
"We're almost done here then I'll get dinner started." Joe told her grinning at her comment before asking, "How'd the wedding plans go today?"
"Norman got a little overwhelmed picking out napkins and table center pieces, but he recovered fast when we hit the cake tasting. They sent along some of the extras." Shane said holding up the box. "I can go put it in the kitchen while you finish up."
Joe gestured smirking, "You know the way." Shane walking away laughing.
By the time she returned they were putting the lids on the stain and cleaning up around the table. Oliver asked, "Why the cake tasting? I thought they were having pie."
"For the groom's cake but they were sorting out the bride's cake." Shane answered watching them finish cleaning up.
"They can't share?" Oliver asked confused.
Shane smiled at Oliver's question . "Oliver it's typical now that there's usually a bride's cake and a groom's cake."
She helped them carry things back to the garage on their way inside to clean up. Taking her coat off inside Oliver got her a drink while Joe started dinner. "Can I help with anything?" Shane asked.
"No, I prepped a lot of it earlier. I need to cook the fajita meat and we'll be eating before you know it."
Leaning against the entry to the kitchen Oliver noticed Shane looking at a picture of him as a kid on the fridge. She had that look on her face when she was starting to initiate a plan she'd had in the works. "Shane what are you thinking?" He asked uneasily.
She gestured to the picture on the fridge, "Joe I noticed the picture on the fridge the night I broke in. I've been meaning to ask about it." She grinned widely at Oliver before continuing.
"What about it?" Joe asked turning around to see which one she was pointing at.
"Please tell me you have more like it in albums I can wander through." Shane said patting Oliver's chest as he started shaking his head no.
Joe grinned watching Oliver's discomfort, "My mother loved putting albums together. Let me go get you one." He wiped his hands on a towel and went over to a bookcase taking one down. "My parents were into family history, so we have them going way back."
"Shane really?" Oliver asked uncomfortable.
Shane leaned over batting her eyes before patting his cheek. "Oliver O'Toole you were such a cute little guy. Why wouldn't I want to see more of that little face."
Joe putting the album down on the table watched Shane wrap Oliver around her finger with a grin. It didn't take long for Oliver to cave sitting down next to Shane at the table while she opened the cover of the album. Joe went back to making dinner watching the two go through the album together. He'd occasionally lean over to answer a question when Oliver wasn't sure where a picture was taken. Joe took a moment to appreciate having his son back in his life in time to watch him fall in love with an amazing woman.
"You're turning the pages too fast Oliver. I need time to look." Shane scolded him weaving her fingers in between his pulling his hand down so she had free rein with the other.
Joe grinned before teasing, "Ollie I didn't even pull out the baby one with the naked bathtub pictures yet."
"Dad, you wouldn't," Oliver almost whined.
Shane grinned laughing, "Joe please after dinner."
It wasn't long before dinner was ready. Shane and Oliver helped move the album with Shane carefully marking where they left off before setting the table. Despite his embarrassment Oliver enjoyed watching Shane interacting with his father. They spent the rest of the evening talking and going through family albums. Joe and Oliver reminiscing with Shane soaking up the information she was learning about Oliver's family. Walking her to the car later, Oliver asked, "Did you enjoy yourself this evening?"
"Immensely." Shane said with a satisfied grin.
"At some point it will be your turn." Oliver said with a smirk taking her in his arms. For a moment Oliver saw a look of sadness flash across Shane's face before it passed. Knowing her relationship with her mom and sister was strained at times he understood. He leaned down to kiss her giving her what comfort he could. He rubbed a hand comfortingly down her back while the other cupped her face. Shane thought it was easy to forget everything else when she was in his arms. Breaking slowly away, Shane ran a finger down the side of his face before grinning, "You were a darling baby."
Oliver shook his head rolling his eyes again, "Good night Shane."