Page 48 of Storm Warning
There’s an odd look on his face. Not quite disappointment,but not necessarily confusion either. Something listless remains in his gaze.
He’s mentioned his Pops a lot, from all the years they lived together before his passing, but never much more than a mention of Nan. I’m sure her early death and her absence from his childhood limited his knowledge of her. I bet this place feels like uncovering a piece of her.
I don’t know much, if any, of their story, but I find myself saying, “Maybe it was too hard.”
I make it to the end of the row and I almost can’t believe what lies before me. Had I not been looking so intensely, I might not have ever noticed, but in a pot that sits upon a stained-glass plant stand, right below a small hole in the roof, is a single flower. One that somehow survived the fall of this beautiful place. And just like all the others, a hand written sign is sunken within its dirt. I wipe a bit of debris away and peer at the name. My mouth gapes open as I silently read the words to myself.
Fallen Angel.
28
KAYLEE - JULY 7, 2004
The sinking feeling is gone.
I don’t really know when it happened, but as I look around my shop and how smoothly it seems to be running, I finally feel like I can spend time outside this place without worrying about it.
Rhett has inspired me to focus a bit more on pursuing something that excites me. Not that the shop hasn’t become a big part of my life, but I like the creative outlet I get with designing far more than I like making sure everyone’s got their daily dose of caffeine. And with all the success I’ve been seeing, I can now fund that dream.
My phone vibrates.
I swear the man knows just when to show up.
RHETT: PIC 4 PIC?
I smile at his forwardness.
ME: U 1st ;)
RHETT: DON’T THINK RICHY WILL BE HAPPY IF I STRIP NAKED ON SITE
ME: ONLY 1 WAY 2 FIND OUT…
I put my phone in my pocket, regretting my boring choice in underwear today. Not that Rhett would probably care. He said before I could wear a potato sack and still look hot, and a thong has definitely got to beat that. It’s crazy to think that not that long ago I hated his guts. Well, at least I acted like I did. Now, almost every single one of my waking thoughts seem to have something to do with him.
“You look extra cheerful lately, Miss Kaylee,” Ginny says, clearly noticing my pause. “This wouldn’t have to do with a certain handsome cowboy, would it?” She lets out a soft giggle and I smile.
“He’s, ironically, part of the reason, but you’re also to thank.”
Surprise gleams in her eyes. “Me?”
“Absolutely. We are such a good team. The shop feels like it’s always in good hands, and that makes actually living my life here and there possible.” I release a breath, once again scanning the shop and how every square inch of it is perfectly tidy, even without me having been here yesterday. “Thank you again for all of your help. You’re the best.”
She smiles so brightly you’d think my compliment came with a million-dollar check.
I think of how sad she was the other day, and how today is such a stark difference. I’m glad to see her so happy, but it makes me wonder about our conversation about Rhett’s friend, Judd. Maybe this happiness means things have changed? “So,” I ask softly, “any news from the cup situation?”
Her smile vanishes, diverting her gaze away from me and toward her feet.
Nope, that definitely means it didn’t go well.
Her eyes become glassy and she sniffles, stifling her sadness as she fights back tears.
Dammit, I shouldn’t have brought it up.
“Maybe he didn’t see the note you left. If he didn’t know to look for it, there’s a huge chance he didn’t find it.”
Glancing back up from the floor, she dabs at her eyes, doing her best to hide the sorrow that she very clearly feels.
