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And Kelly was free of her.
Boom.
Done deal.
Leo got up and left right away, but Stacy made no such move. Leaning forward, she planted her elbow on the table, rested her chin in her hand, and smirked. “So, just who are you to Kelly?”
“A friend.”
“Right.” She sat back, folding her arms over her chest. “That’s a helluva lot of money to hand over for a friend.”
“It’s just money.” He shrugged.
“Uh-huh.” Nodding her head, Stacy swiped her tongue across her lip. “I’ve got to say, I’m rather surprised.”
“Why’s that?”
“You’re not Kelly’s type.”
The woman was blunt. She certainly didn’t pull any punches. He’d give her that much.
“And you are?”
“As it turned out, no,” she conceded with a snicker. “But then I think I always knew that. I’m glad she’s okay now.”
“What do you mean?” Kodiak asked, keeping his expression neutral.
“I’ve got to get going. My wife is waiting on me.” Stacy rose from the table, extending her hand. “It’s been a pleasure.”
Yeah, well, alritey then.
With his business at Beanie’s concluded, Kodiak figured he’d do a little Christmas shopping of his own. He saw it hanging in a shop window on Maple Street while walking home. The moon and stars. A sun-catcher made of crystal.
“Swarovski,” the white-haired old lady said.
The name meant nothing to him, but Kodiak knew in his gut, Charlotte was supposed to have it.
He wrapped it up in pretty pink paper and was tying it off with silver ribbon when his phone vibrated on the table.
“Hey, my man. What’s up?”
“You need to get over to Illinois Masonic. Linn’s in labor. She needs you.”
She was slow dancing with Dillon in her hospital room when he quietly opened the door.
“Seth?” Her strained voice sounded whisper thin.
“I’m here, little one.”
He held her head to his chest, and gently rubbing the skin on her back, they swayed on a linoleum floor. Reminded of the first time he held her, Kodiak closed his eyes. God, he’d loved this girl for her entire life, and he always, always would. His heart, his soul, and his blood. He couldn’t simply unlove her.
And that wasn’t ‘the thoughts’ talking. It was just fact.
“It hurts.” Linnea looked up at him, green eyes like his own, tired and glassy.
“Shh, you know it kills me to see you cry.” Kodiak kissed her forehead, whispering in the most soothing voice he could muster, “Remember when you were little, and we’d go to the park? I used to push you on the swings.”
“Yeah.”
