Page 14 of Mine

Six Months Later

June

My morning was off to a great start. I’d gotten up early enough to have breakfast, read my bible, and work out before sending my freelance client the research I’d done for her book. I loved everything about being a librarian, but I loved research most, which was why I did research for doctors, professors, and authors as well.

The drive to Rose Valley Hills was only three hours, so I didn’t hit the road until noon. I was sure I’d packed all the essentials—my Kindle, my iced latte (though I was on cup number two after stopping by Starbucks), and I even had my audiobook queued for the ride. All was well until I was about two hours in and couldn’t remember if I’d packed the most important thing for the trip—my grandmother’s pearl necklace.

Since I was the oldest sibling, Granny May’s pearl necklace and diamond ring were given to me. I was supposed to wear the necklace at my wedding and give it to my daughter and the ring to my son for his wife. With Paisley getting married before me, the necklace would be given to her to wear at her wedding and passed down to her daughter, but I would still be able to keep the ring. The necklace was not only important because it was from Granny May but also because it was thesomething oldfor the tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

I could notnothave that necklace.

I could not ruin the tradition for my baby sister’s wedding.

For a few minutes, I tried to convince myself I’d packed the necklace and just couldn’t remember where. When that didn’t satisfy me, I pulled over into the first gas station I saw. Even though Rose Valley Hills was only three hours from Memphis, I didn’t want to have to turn around and take that drive all over again.

Once I had my car parked and turned off, I searched my purse for the necklace and didn’t find it. Frantically, I hopped out of the car, latte in hand, and went to my trunk. I set the latte on the top of my car and yanked my luggage out. Somehow, maybe because I was moving too fast, I tipped the latte over and it spilled all over my white tee. I shrieked and stepped back as the brown liquid cascaded down my frame, but I didn’t have the time to worry about that.

Ripping my luggage open, I started tossing my clothes left and right. At first, I threw them in the trunk. The deeper I got into the bag and hadn’t set my eyes on the necklace, the more wildly I threw. By the time I’d emptied my bag, my clothes and underwear were in the trunk and on the concrete around my car. The thought of germs and dirt immediately made mecringe, which sent my anxiety into overdrive. I’d have to wash everything as soon as I made it to Rose Valley Hills.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I muttered, gripping my forehead as I paced. “How could I forget the necklace?”

Deciding to suck it up and head back home, I grabbed a few pieces of clothing off the ground, stopping at the sight of a large brown hand extended in my direction. He held my black lace bra, and it was then I realized how crazy I must have looked in my panicked public state. Releasing a shaky breath, I stood upright and pushed my hair out of my face.

He looked down at me with a cocky grin, still holding the bra out for me to take. For some reason, that irritated me. I appreciated him trying to help but still. Who told him to help while I wasclearlyin the middle of a breakdown?

“Thanks,” I grumbled, snatching the bra.

I turned to stuff the rest of my clothes in my bag before going through my smaller duffel bag. The necklace wasn’t in there either.

“Great. Now I have to change and go all the way back home. Ugh!”

“Here.”

Turning, I watched as he handed me the button down shirt he was wearing. Now, a white tee covered his massively wide chest. Had this been any other time, I would have taken the time to appreciate how fine this man was. “This gas station has a pretty decent bathroom. You can wear that and go change so your uh…” His pointer finger wiggled between my breasts, and I looked down, growing even more mortified when I realized the liquid had seeped through and exposed my nipples. “Uh…” He cleared his throat and looked away. “Won’t be showing.”

“Oh. Um, thanks,” I replied, more sincerely this time as I accepted the shirt.

“I’ll watch your stuff. Just go take care of your business.”

I didn’t get the vibe that he was a thief who planned to take my bags or car. He was dressed in an expensive looking, tailormade suit, and the silver jewelry that adorned his wrist, neck, and ears definitely looked real.

“Okay. Thank you.”

With haste, I covered myself with his shirt, grabbed the sleep shirt that was within reach, and scurried to the bathroom. I used a few wet towels to wipe the ick of the latte off my shirt and skin. Once I was dry and changed into the silk shirt, I felt calm enough to think clearly. I lifted his shirt and inhaled his scent. Even without asking, I knew the notes. Dior Sauvage. Mm… His shirt was long, and he was tall. It came down to my ass cheeks, which said a lot since I was five-five. He had to be at least six-two or six-three.

Snapping out of my trance from how good he smelled, and how big he was, I made my way back outside and found him leaning against my car. His attention was on something in his phone, but when he felt my presence, he looked up and gave me a genuine smile.

“Thanks again,” I said, handing him the shirt. “But I’m in a rush so I really have to g—”

“Is this what you were looking for?”

He lifted the necklace and my eyes watered instantly as I snatched it and hugged it to my chest.

“Yes! Where did you find it?”

“It was on the ground. Probably in one of the shirts you threw.”

Slapping my forehead gently, I sighed as realization settled within me. “Yeah, I think I set it on top of the outfit I planned to wear to the rehearsal dinner and forgot to put it in my purse. I must have just rolled it up in the dress and didn’t even realize it. Thank you so much. You just helped me avoid putting another five hours on my trip.”

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