Page 52 of Shattered Melodies

Cleo had laughed, the sound bright and joyful.

“Oh, honey. I thought you’d never ask. Of course I’ll help you. I’ll make that house so fabulous, you won’t even recognize it when I’m done.”

The sound of a particularly loud bang jolted me out of my reverie, bringing me back to the present with a start.

I glanced over at the kitten, the tiny ball of fluff that Caleb had brought over the previous night. It was curled up on the chair next to me, sleeping peacefully like it didn’t have a care in the world.

I envied it, in a way. Envied its innocence, its ability to live in the moment without being haunted by the ghosts of the past. Because god knows I couldn’t do that, couldn’t escape the memories and the emotions that had been stirred up by seeing Caleb again after all these years.

It was like a wound that had never fully healed, a scar that still throbbed and ached when I pressed on it too hard.

And seeing him standing there on my doorstep, with that damn kitten in his arms and that look of hope and fear and longing in his eyes. It had been like pouring salt in that wound, like ripping open the stitches and letting all the pain and the anger and the unresolved feelings come pouring out.

I didn’t know how to handle it, didn’t know how to reconcile the part of me that still loved him, still wanted him with every fiber of my being.

I knew I needed answers, needed closure. But I also knew that I couldn’t let myself get lost in the past, couldn’t let my feelings for Caleb overshadow the reason I had come back to Oakwood Grove in the first place.

To find myself, to heal. To build a life that was truly my own, free from the expectations and the demands of my parents and the world I had left behind.

I took a deep breath, trying to focus on the conversation at hand. But it was no use. My mind was already racing ahead, already making plans and decisions that I knew I might come to regret.

I walked over to the chair where the kitten was sleeping, scooping it up gently in my arms. It stirred, blinking up at me with sleepy eyes.

“Come on, little one,” I murmured, stroking its soft fur. “We’re going on a little adventure.”

I grabbed my keys and headed out to the car, settling Peanut into the passenger seat. As I drove through the quiet streets of Oakwood Grove, my mind raced with thoughts of the past, of the future, of the tiny creature curled up beside me.

The little one seemed to like her name that I’d given her.

Right now, Peanut needed me. Needed me to be strong, to be steady. To take care of her the way Caleb had taken care of me, all those years ago.

I pulled into the parking lot of the vet clinic that I had found online. Taking a deep breath to steady myself. Then I reached over and scooped up Peanut, holding her close to my chest as I made my way inside.

The receptionist looked up as I entered, a bright smile on her face. “Good morning! How can I help you today?”

I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling awkward and uncertain. “Um, hi. I found this kitten and I’m taking care of her now. I just wanted to bring her in for a checkup. Make sure she’s healthy and everything.”

The receptionist nodded, her expression softening as she took in the sight of Peanut. “Of course. Let me just check with the vet and see when we can fit you in. Why don’t you have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”

I murmured my thanks and made my way over to the waiting area, sinking down into one of the hard plastic chairs. Peanut squirmed in my arms, letting out a soft mew of protest.

“I know, I know,” I soothed, stroking her head gently. “I don’t like waiting either. But it’s for your own good, little one. We’ve got to make sure you’re ship-shape and bristol fashion.”

I chuckled at my own joke, shaking my head. Bristol fashion? Where the hell had that come from? Maybe Cleo was rubbing off on me more than I realized. She was always spouting off weird phrases and obscure references, her quick wit and sharp tongue keeping me on my toes.

Speaking of which, I figured I might as well check in with Jimmy while I waited. See how things were holding up back in the big city without me.

I pulled out my phone and dialed his number, drumming my fingers impatiently on my knee as it rang.

“Liam, my man!” Jimmy’s booming voice filled my ear, making me wince and pull the phone away slightly. “How’s life in the sticks treating you?”

I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me. “It’s not the sticks, Jimmy. It’s a charming small town with a lot of character.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. So, give me the scoop. How’s the house coming along? You turn it into a palace fit for a king yet?”

I snorted, glancing down at Peanut who was curled up in my lap, fast asleep. “Hardly. It’s a work in progress. But it’s getting there. Slowly but surely.”

“And how about you? You doing okay out there all by your lonesome?”

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