Page 141 of The Clover Chapel (Jamison Valley 2)
“Our building. See you soon.”
It didn’t take me long before I was walking into the warehouse. Nick was standing in its center with two other men, Ryan from the construction company and Jess.
Jess bent to give me a quick hug and Ryan shook my hand. Then Nick secured me to his side and explained why we were all here.
“We’ve been brainstorming different layouts for the garage. I thought we could cut out two big doors on the front and then one at the back, add a couple of lifts in the middle of the floor, benches and tool cabinets around the walls.”
The sadness in my heart vanished. Did this mean he was going to do it, quit the fire station and start his own garage?
“Whatever you think is best.” I smiled.
“We were talking about building a paint booth out back. Maybe extend off the office? Keep that wooden siding so that it looks nice. That would save me room in here so I could fit two, maybe three cars at a time.”
“Okay.” I was so overjoyed that I had a hard time coming up with anything else to say.
“This place is gonna be great, Nick,” Jess said.
“Thanks, Brick. Appreciate you coming over and checking it out,” Nick said.
“Any time.” He reached out for a handshake. “I’m taking off. Georgia wants to celebrate Rowen’s last day of kindergarten.”
“I’m going to miss her,” I told Jess.
“She’s gonna miss you too.”
“I’m heading out too,” Ryan said, also shaking Nick’s hand. “I’ll get the original bid I did for Emmeline updated this weekend. Shoot it over to you on Monday. I’ve got extra hands right now. A couple of the kids that worked for me last summer are home from college. Maybe start at the end of June if you want.”
“We’ll talk about it tonight and I’ll let you know. Thanks, Ryan.”
When we were alone, I looked up at Nick with a hopeful smile. “Does this mean you’re considering a career change?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes!” I yelled, the sound echoing throughout the empty room.
Nick picked me up and spun me around. I threw my head back and watched the room twirl around me.
Things just kept getting better. It was hard to even process this much happiness.
“I love you, Emmy,” he said, looking up at me.
“I love you, Nick.”
We were finally getting our happy ending, starting the life that we had both longed for all those years ago.
It was a shame that the devils from the past wouldn’t let us live in peace.
I detested summer.
Which was unusual, considering it was my second favorite season behind spring. It had only been a month since school let out and I was bored out of my mind.
I struggled to find enough activity to occupy my time during the day until Nick got home each night. I lived for our weekends, and because they had become so precious, I was in a particularly grumpy mood today since Nick was at work.
Today was one of the Saturdays each spring that his volunteer crew did all-day field training. With forest fire season starting soon, they were doing extinguishing drills in the foothills outside of town with Beau at the Forest Service.
Rather than wallow inside alone and watch the clock, first thing this morning, I had jumped in the Jeep and driven to the garden center. I was going to liven up the front porch with flowers.
Did I have the first clue about planting? No.
