Page 61 of Here With Me

“Don’t know. I don’t reckon I’ve seen this clock in person. Seen pictures but not the actual thing. How’d it end up in your grandpa’s barn?”

“That’s a mystery that will continue, I suppose.”

“Like Otis.” The man harrumphed. “So, tell me. What’s going on between you and Lottie that you’re here with the clock and not her.”

“Nothing is going on. Lottie’s nine.” David shoved his hands in his pockets and took a step backward.

“So, this is about her mother.” Chet stood up and pushed his glasses on top of his head, his older eyes squinting at David.

“I offered to help. Sadie’s got a lot on her plate.”

“Sadie? I’ve heard that name recently. Is that Gary’s girl? She got married.”

David nodded, and when Chet glared at David, he held up his hands. “She’s widowed now.”

Chet hummed. “Sorry to hear that. I take it you’re helping out, hoping to fill her late husband’s spot.”

David hadn’t anticipated that being thrown out. Fill her late husband’s spot? Way to make it sound morbid. Marriage, though…he hadn’t actually thought that far ahead. Stay in Heritage? Sadie’s words, the look in her eye, the way she’d kissed him last night—he’d like it to be in his future. Not that he’d admit that to Chet.

“Sadie and I share a history. I’m here now and can help. That’s what I’m doing.”

Chet took David in, watched him, like he was measuring David’s words. Uncomfortable though it was, David stood his ground. Didn’t break eye contact.

Chet must have found something though, because a rough smile broke out across his face. “I’ll call you when I’m done. I don’t like working with people staring down my back. And you better figure out a way to tell that girl you love her.”

David took a step back. Confess his love? “It may be too soon to call it that.”

“Look, David, I may be old, but I’m not dumb. I’ve got eyeballs and ears. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t love her. And it’s about time, boy. You’ve been running from love for as long as I’ve known you. Now git. I got work to do.”

“Thanks, Chet.” David didn’t know about running from love, but he’d gladly ‘git’ from this conversation.

“David?” Chet’s voice rang out as David stepped outside the barn.

He poked his head back in. “Yeah?”

“Don’t go hurting that girl again. But as I see it, if you’re to put this much effort into helping her daughter out, there must be more going through your mind. If Sadie makes you happy, don’t bungle your chance with her. You hear me, boy?”

David knocked on the barn door. “I hear ya.”

Then he hightailed it for his truck. Because no matter what else Chet had to say, he was right. There were feelings involved. Strong feelings he wasn’t ready to name.

David tossed the truck into reverse and hurried over the bumpy road. He had a job to get to, and Sadie would be waiting for him.

twelve

Three days without a sale.

Could that even be real?

Sadie stood inside the empty store. The floors practically glowed after she mopped them, not a single dust bunny or cobweb could be found, but even with satisfaction of a job well done, the looming bank deadline flashed in her mind like a blinking neon sign.

Outside the store, children played across the street. A huge soccer game that David had watched through the window. When a couple of teens had stopped by to see if he would come play after he finished, Sadie had pushed him out the door. With no business, and the store clean, there had been no point in making him stay cooped up inside.

David passed the ball to someone who shot and made a goal. The two high-fived and a small celebration took place.

This could be life—in five years. Ten even. Working the store together, enjoying life together. The key word: together.

Maybe even a few kids of their own.

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