Page 19 of Peaches & Pistols

It’s bigger than I imagined, for being above the hardware store. The front door opens to a lovely, combined living room and eat-in kitchen. Harper skips ahead, holding Everly’s hand.

“Hope it’s okay I made an executive decision.” He opens a door to reveal a small bedroom with a low-profile queen-sized bed, and a matching dresser and nightstand. I can’t help but run my hand across the light orange quilt. I’d be shocked if it wasn’t handmade.

Greyson sets our backpacks just inside the door, not setting foot inside, like I’m an animal likely to spook.

“Figured you’d feel the most secure sharing a room with your kid.” He figured right.

“And no offense intended, but I don’t know your situation and I don’t want Harper getting overly attached to Everly if they bunked together.”

I wish he didn’t see me as a flight risk, but it’s what I am.

“This is more than generous, Greyson. I’m thankful you have space for us at all.” I search his face for any hint of discomfort or regret. “If you’ll give me a minute to catch my breath, I’d be happy to make dinner for everyone.”

Greyson huffs a laugh, catching me off guard to why my suggestion is funny. “Once Cecelia and the girls found out you planned to stay, they stocked my fridge and freezer with so much food we won’t have to cook for days, if not weeks.”

He knocks on the doorframe, angling to leave me to my thoughts while the girls giggle and play down the hall.

“I’ve, uh, got a few tubs of clothes Harper’s outgrown. I’ll bring them up from the cellar tomorrow. Maybe some of it’d fit Everly.”

With that, I’m left alone in my new bedroom, in disbelief how different my life looks than just a few days ago.

Gleaming from the polished surface of the dresser is my new house key.

“Mia!” I whip around to find the source of my hollered name.

Greyson’s black truck is stopped in the middle of Main Street, uncaring about the line of traffic gathering behind him.

“Mr. Greyson!” Everly shouts, frantically waving her tiny hand.

“What are you doing?” he barks.

“Walking?” That part of me Carter broke has me panicked I’m doing something egregiously wrong.

“I can see that. You’re all the way across town, loaded down with groceries, at the hottest part of the day.”

One of the cars behind him grows impatient and honks their horn. Greyson stretches his neck to one side in irritation, his ear nearly touching his raised shoulder.

“Hop in, let’s get you back to the apartment.”

Not wanting to create any bigger of a scene, I hustle Everly over to the truck and get her buckled in, followed by myself, groceries at my feet. I tuck my hands beneath my thighs to stop them from tremoring.

We pull in behind the hardware store and silently head into the apartment.

“Mr. Greyson! I petted a dog and there was a yellow butterfly. I thought it was a bee, but it wasn’t a bee, it was a butterfly. Did you know the market has peaches? Mama loves peaches. But we didn’t buy any peaches, because peaches are ‘spensive.”

My little outgoing girl; I have no idea where she got that trait from, but I’m grateful for it every day.

Greyson’s eyes burn the side of my face as he takes in Everly’s account of the afternoon.

“When will Harper come home?” she asks.

“Her Aunt Olivia took her paddleboarding, they should be back any time,” he answers.

“Baby, why don’t you go play in Harper’s room while I put away the groceries.” I don’t want her to hear whatever conversation is about to take place.

“Okay, Mama!” She disappears down the hallway, unaware the anxiety throbbing in my chest cavity.

I busy myself shelving the cold items and nonperishables, not wanting to face Greyson.