Page 40 of Maple Mountain
“Hi Brooks,” I said with a smile.
“Hi.”
“How the hell are you going to add a baby and all the baby stuff to this place?”
“Prayer,” she said.“And organization.”
“A bassinet and a changing table will get us through until the house is built,” Brooks said.
I frowned.“House?Hadley’s house?Why would that matter?”
“Not Hadley’s house.Ourhouse,” Brooks corrected.
My gaze darted from Brooks to Poet.“You’re building a house?”
“Yeaaah.We’re going to build a house,” Poet said.
“Where?”I demanded.
Brooks looked at his fiancé.“You haven’t told her yet?”
“No,” Poet said, her voice sounding thin.“Not yet.”
I took a deep breath.“Tell me what?”
“Mr.Powell sold Brooks ten acres of Elk Ridge.We’re going to build a house near Salem and Hadley,” Poet said, her eyes wide behind her glasses.
I swallowed.“Well, that’ll be nice.”
Silence descended in the small apartment.
I wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Where are you guys going for dinner?”Brooks asked, clearly attempting to revive the halted conversation.
“The Copper Mule,” Poet said.“It’s the only place open that serves food.We need more restaurants in this town.”
Brooks riffled through the grocery bag and pulled out the three pints of ice cream.“Hopefully The Diner will be up and running soon.”
“One can only hope,” Poet agreed.She walked to her fiancé and placed a hand on his chest.She tilted her head back and he leaned down to kiss her.
I turned away, but not before I saw the love and devotion in Brooks’ eyes as he stared down at my best friend.
It was strange—fighting the battle inside me.I was happy for her, and all my friends who had found love, but I was devastated for myself.
Because I was scared I’d never get that.
“Ready?”Poet asked as she pulled away.
“Yep,” I said.
Poet squeezed Brooks’ hand and then followed me to the door.She grabbed her coat and purse, and we headed down the stairs.We were silent until we got into the back alley.
“When were you going to tell me you guys bought land to build a house?”I asked her.
“Now?”
I sighed.“Salem and Hadley already know, don’t they?”
