AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She giggles and races back, her hands out, ready to accept her winnings. A few minutes later, we get to the end of Washburn Trail, a small lookout on the west side of the lake. From this vantage point, we can see South Bank Resort & Marina and all of downtown to the south, the beautiful lakefront properties along the eastern shoreline, and Drucker Landing near the middle of the lake. It really is a great view for such an easy hike, and we take a seat on a wooden bench for a minute to enjoy it. Sydney hops up next to me as Busy opens up her backpack and retrieves an applesauce pouch for Junie.
“Any fun plans for the Fourth?” she asks before she bites into an apple.
I shake my head, petting Sydney’s head as she pants next to my ear. “I’ll just be working, for the most part.”
She looks surprised at that. “Really? Don’t you get to like…make your own hours? Take some time off and enjoy the holiday?”
“Nah. Holiday weekends are usually super busy, and I like to be in the store to answer questions.”
Busy nods. “I’ll be working, too. The bookstore opens on Thursday.”
I smile. “That’s right. You must be so excited.”
Her head dips from side to side as she chews. “Mostly. A little nervous.”
“How come?”
“Well, I’ve been working in an empty space with no customers. Painting and shelving books is one thing. Answering questions and problem solving and managing the issues a new store undoubtedly presents is an entirely different animal.”
“That’s true. Anything I can do to help before the doors open?”
Busy laughs. “You can come by and help me shelve the million books still left to go up if you want.”
“Just let me know when.”
She blinks, her head jerking back. Then she laughs again. “I was joking, Reid. You…donothave to come in and help with that. I promise.”
“I know I don’thaveto. Iwantto.”
Because I want to spend more time with you, no matter how foolish it might be.
We sit in silence for a bit before she responds, and I get the feeling she’s debating if she wants to accept my help. When she actually relents, I’m far too happy about it.
“Can you come around noon tomorrow? I told Briar I’d go in this weekend to work for a few hours.”
I nod. “Happy to.”
She takes a deep breath then lets it out, nodding. “Thanks.”
For whatever reason, it feels like accepting my help is a big deal to Busy. Based on some of the things she’s said over the past few weeks, it seems like doing things on her own is really important to her. It feels good to know she believes she can accept that help from me.
Sydney hops down from the bench and begins snooping around, marking the edges of the overlook a few times before she lies down in a shady spot, staring out at the water.
“So what’s the plan for Junie’s birthday? Having a big party or just something small?”
Busy’s lips tilt up. “Just something small at my mom’s on Thursday night. We’ll barbeque and watch the fireworks from the back deck.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“It will be. I just want Junie to feel like she’s loved, you know? Like she’s worth celebrating.”
I nod, my mind conjuring up the memory of Busy on the phone with Junie’s dad. It makes sense, how much she tries to make her daughter a priority. She has to make up for a man who doesn’t do it at all.
“Well, I’m sure a party surrounded by family will make her feel like a princess.”
“I’n a princess,” Junie says.
“That’s right, sweetie. Youare.” Busy brings Junie in close and kisses her forehead. “You absolutely are.”
