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“It’s the best lead we have at the moment, but I wanted to check in with you before we pursue it.”
“I appreciate it. Yeah, keep looking. Whatever it takes.”
Not dead, I tell myself after we hang up. My gaze settles on the cardboard urn sitting on the edge of the fireplace mantel. I’m going to find him. I want to tell him Mom’s dead and give him the gift of the same relief I felt when I got that email to pick up her ashes.
The same ashes I can’t seem to get rid of. The urge to snatch it up and go flush them down the toilet hits me, but that’s not something I want to explain if it clogs. Hey, sorry, dumped a bitch in the toilet.
Arlow doesn’t return by the time I leave for work and it’s the longest night ever. Misty was due to work with me, but she calls in sick. Silver is out of town with her boyfriend, and it’s clear Mona is exhausted after working all day.
She’s grateful when I assure her that I can get everything done and I don’t mind doing it alone. Tonight, I prefer it. Ethan is working on prep but once Mona leaves, we both tuck earbuds into our ears and do our own thing. Without the second set of hands, it’s nearly six in the morning by the time I put the last of the donuts in the display case. It feels weird to leave in the daylight.
Arlow’s truck sits in his driveway. There’s no sign of him but I’m not surprised. These are the hours we’re both usually asleep. Talking to him will have to wait. The scent of fresh paint reaches me when I step onto the porch, and I stop in my tracks.
The glider is where I left it, but now green vines climb around the wooden slats. Bright yellow flowers grow along them, and everything is so detailed it looks like you could tug on the vines or pluck one of the flowers. This wasn’t done with any stencil. Hesaid he likes to draw. Scribbles, he called it, but this is beyond talented.
It’s absolutely beautiful.
Tears fill my eyes. I could blame it on the lack of sleep and the long night, but that’s not it. While I was worried that he may not want to be around me anymore, he was spending the night painting this for me. It’s the sweetest thing.
Wiping my eyes, I head inside and crawl into bed, confident that things will be okay. After such a restless night before and a long night at work, I’m asleep as soon as my head touches the pillow.
The grating motor of a chainsaw wakes me, and it takes a few blinks to clear my bleary eyes enough to see the clock. Two in the afternoon. That’s late even for me, but I needed it.
After dragging myself to the kitchen for a coffee, I check my phone to see a text from Mona, thanking me for staying late and telling me that Misty will be in tonight, so I won’t be needed on my scheduled night off.
I need to shower and eat, but instead, I throw on some clothes and follow the sound of the chainsaw. Arlow doesn’t see me at first. He sets the chainsaw aside and loads a chunk of wood into the log splitter. Sweat stains the sides of his shirt and beads on his forehead. No one could blame me for kissing a man who looks this sexy in the heat. I’m only a foot away by the time he notices me.
“Hey,” he says. That deep soft voice seems to reach out and remind me that everything is alright.
“Hi, can you take a break?” He shuts off the splitter and turns to face me. “Someone left a masterpiece on my porch. Any idea who that might’ve been?”
His lips crease into an impish smile. “I didn’t see anyone, but I’ll keep my eye out.”
“Seriously, Arlow, it’s stunning. I love it. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
Wetting my lips, I spit out what needs to be said. “Listen, the other night, I misinterpreted things.”
Before I can continue, his eyes land on mine and he shakes his head. “You didn’t misinterpret anything, Calliope.” God, the way my name rolls off his tongue. “I wanted to kiss you, but I shouldn’t have.” His hand travels up to rub the back of his neck and he sighs, looking away. “I’m not in a good place for anything romantic right now.”
“I understand. You don’t owe me any further explanations. It’s not what you want.”
“It’s not what I can have.” Sincerity shines in his eyes when he regards me. “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
“You didn’t. It was just a kiss. It’s no big deal. I don’t want things to be awkward between us.” There’s no way I’m going to forget a kiss that good, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“I don’t want that either.”
“Still friends, then?”
“Of course. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to work.” As I turn to leave, he calls after me.
“Bonfire tonight?”
“Absolutely. I’ll even bring you an apple fritter.”
