Page 88 of A Dream for Daphne

“I’m sure her story would be different. Doesn’t that always happen?”

“It does,” she said. “But I only care about your side.”

“My side is, I ran into her a few weeks ago. I was getting a part for the lawn mower. I knew she was dating someone else. I’d seen them out months ago.” No way he was saying it was a week before his and Daphne’s night in the casino. “She looked happy and I was happy for her.”

“You were?” she asked. “Guess you’re a better person than me.”

He shrugged. “There was no reason to be a dick about it. We weren’t meant and that is how I look at it. If she’s happy, good for her. But as I said, a few weeks ago, she was getting plants. She called out my name. I didn’t want to talk to her.”

“Why did you?” she asked.

“Because I’m not a dick. I said a few words and tried to walk away, but she blocked me. She did that a lot. It was her way most of the time.”

“And you let her talk?” she asked.

“I did. For a minute. She commented about planting in the yard, that she had all this knowledge from me. It made me laugh. She never wanted to be outside to do anything like that.”

“She didn’t like to get her hands dirty?”

“No,” he said. “Then she said she heard my business was booming and she was happy for me.”

“Did you believe her?” she asked.

“I had no reason not to. Then I left. I got to my truck and realized then and there things happen the way they are supposed to. It’s you I love. You popped into my mind right away.”

“That’s very sweet,” she said, putting her head on his shoulder.

“I knew how much I felt for you. I hoped you felt the same way.”

“I just said I did,” she said, threading their fingers together.

He leaned down to kiss her on the top of the head. “I even thought I could teach you to plant. You know, get you some plants and give you a hobby.”

She jumped up quickly. “Really? That sounds like fun. Not that I can plant outside here, but I’d love some plants inside.”

He smiled. “Then we can go shopping for some this week. I’d love to give you a part of my world.”

“You already have, Abe,” she said softly.

Guess his mother was right. It was time for him to speak up.

30

REWARD YOU

Confessions could be good for the soul, but Daphne had some mixed reactions to what Abe had shared.

She played it off as if she was understanding, but there was a tiny part of her that wanted to find Ella and tell her to back off.

Then she wondered where that emotion came from.

The only jealousy she’d ever felt in her life was wanting more of a family life, never over a woman wanting a man she was dating.

“You’ve shown me a part of your world too,” Abe said. “I’d like to continue to learn more.”

“I plan on it,” she said.

She wanted to stop talking now. At least about his ex.

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