Page 23 of Here With Me

The perfect distraction, because this conversation was over. They’d rehashed their past. Broke every rule she’d read on Google and aired out their dirty laundry. They had a mixed up and convoluted breakup, but it didn’t change anything. The past was the past.

And it had to stay there.

five

It had only been four days since Lottie had met David Williams after they’d blown up their past and fought in the middle of the store, and Sadie hadn’t had a moment of peace since.

Mom, did you know Mr. Williams knew Daddy?

Mom, did you know Mr. Williams speaks Spanish?

Mom, did you know Mr. Williams takes kids on rafting trips?

Yes. David knew Jeremy. And she’d taken Spanish with him in college, although Sadie hadn’t used it much since. She had no idea about the rafting trips.

At least things had gotten easier with David. It was like the blowup had brought a truce. They hadn’t shared anything personal since, but at least they weren’t tiptoeing around the tension now.

How he could have believed that she hadn’t wanted him back then was still a huge mystery to her.

Then again, she often held her cards a little too close. Just like her dad and the state of this store.

Speaking of which, she forced her mind to the problem at hand.

The curser blinked unrepentantly on the laptop screen. The numbers were still in red, and the bank note still sat in the top desk drawer, rather than a bag of chocolate. There was no need to waste money on non-essentials.

Sadie rubbed her fingers in circles at her temples. She might have to give in and take some Advil.

Even with David, who could sell water to a drowning man, and their increased sales this week, she had no idea how she’d make up the rest of the money. Maybe David could sell out the store.

Lottie’s giggles filled the shop. But underneath her happy, light-hearted belly laugh, David’s deep chuckle reverberated. Lottie couldn’t wait to see David after school each day.

The man could make a sale to anyone who walked in the store. He chatted with the elderly, making them feel welcome, carrying their purchases to the car, and he made her little girl laugh.

It was like the man could do it all. He had to have a fault.

Maybe he snored. Or drooled.

The welcome bell jingled, and Sadie left the office to greet her newest customer, letting David know she’d take care of this one. He didn’t need to do it all—even though he certainly made it look like he could.

Mrs. Allen stood inside the door of the store, looking around the shop. Her gray hair curled around her face, and her thick glasses settled on her nose.

“Hello, Mrs. Allen. What can I do for you today?”

The elderly woman shuffled forward, her sensible white sneakers peeking out from under her rose-colored, velour pantsuit. “Pastor Nate said he’s found a young man who can paint my kitchen for me. For free. I’d think it was a scam, but he’s a pastor. So, I’m here to look at paint colors.” Mrs. Allen looped her hand around Sadie’s arm.

“Do you have a color in mind?”

“My dear Roger loved yellow. So maybe a cheery daffodil color.” Mrs. Allen’s husband had died almost twenty years ago, and they’d had no children. Most all of Heritage had adopted her since.

Sadie led Mrs. Allen slowly across the front of the store to the back side wall where David had set up to repaint it, a fresh off-white color called Swiss Coffee that Sadie had picked out.

The section was a bit of a mess with a tarp spread across the floor.

Lottie held a paint roller and had it pressed against the wall. David stood behind her, his hand guiding the roller in the correct W pattern. They finished, and David returned the roller to the paint tray.

“That was great. I think you’re ready to try it on your own.” David held out the roller to Lottie, motioning for her to step forward.

Lottie took the roller carefully and pressed it against the wall. A soft squish sounded as she pressed the roller up and then down in a wobbly W movement.

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