Page 132 of Small Town Swoo
“It’s from—” Owen’s sentence was cut off by his sister’s hand over his mouth.
“Owen. It’s a surprise.”
I picked up the note and unfolded it, my breath catching as my eyes skimmed the words scribbled in cursive.
Make it count. Meet me in the kitchen.
Immediately I looked over at where Veronica was sitting. She smiled.
“What does it say?” Adelaide asked eagerly.
“It says I’m supposed to go into the kitchen.” My heart had taken off running like a racehorse out of the stall. What was going on?
“Do it.” Owen clapped his hands.
Gerilyn appeared at my side, her expression sly. “Go on, honey. I’ll cover you.”
Tucking the note in my apron pocket, I wandered to the kitchen door and swung through it.
Then I gasped, my handflying to my mouth.
Standing not six feet away from me was Dash, wearing a grin so joyful and familiar I could have wept. “Oh my God!” Forgetting that I’d said I didn’t want any visits, I went running into his arms and felt myself swept right off my feet. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to surprise you.”
“It worked.” I inhaled his scent, burying my face in his neck—God, I’d missed him. What did it mean that he was here?
“I brought you a present.”
“You did?”
“Yes.” He set me on my feet. “Close your eyes.”
I closed them and he took my hands.
“Walk forward, okay? I’ve got you.” He led me out the back door, which someone must have opened for him. “Keep them closed.”
“They’re closed.” I heard the door shut behind me, felt the breeze on my skin. “Can I open yet?”
“No.” He let go of my hands, took me by the shoulders, and gently spun me around so I faced the back of the diner. “I want to say something first.”
“Okay.” Barely able to breathe, I felt him press up close behind me. His hands covered my eyes.
“I was worried you wouldn’t trust me,” he said.
“I’ve always trusted you.”
“That’s good. Because trust is going to be important.”
“For what?”
“For the future. For what I hope we can have.”
Hope was shooting through my veins like dynamite. “You hope we can have a future?”
“Yes. I know it will take work, but I’m willing if you are.”
“I’m willing,” I said breathlessly.
