Page 78 of Forever Endeavor

CHAPTER 24

Billie

She studied Sonny’s focus as he meticulously poured washer fluid into her car. A sweet, tingling flashback of waking up in his arms under the gauzy canopy-covered bed washed over her. Their lovemaking the night before had been prolonged and intense, fueled by the awareness that every kiss, every touch, every pleasurable sensation, would be for the last time.

“That should do it, you’re good to go. All the fluids are topped up, and I checked your oil and tire pressure,” he said, dropping the hood. “Even put in a full tank of gas for ya.”

Billie smirked, leaning up against the side of the car. “You sure you checked the gas cap? Because if you don’t tighten it properly, the sensor can trigger the check engine light.”

He laughed. “Princess, I’m gonna miss that sass almost as much as I’ll miss your ass.”

“Speaking of which, I left a little souvenir in your office. A photo of me in your favorite red bikini. Thought maybe you could tape it over the front of that hot rod calendar.”

He bounced his eyebrows. “Not a chance. That’ll be for my personal use only.”

Gurdeep sauntered outside, his hands shoved in his coveralls while he whistled. “It’s not going to be the same around here, Billie. And I’m not just saying that because my blood sugar level has become accustomed to you dropping off pastries every afternoon.”

“You know I couldn’t leave without bringing you one last treat.” She reached into the front seat to retrieve the still-warm bakery box. “My parting gift. Fresh cinnamon rolls.”

“Aw, you’re the best,” he said, scooping the box from her hands. “And don’t worry a thing about the big boss man here, we’ll keep a good eye on him.”

“Thank you. Promise to send me videos of him playing at open mike night.”

“Promise,” he said, putting his free arm around her shoulders. “Bye, Billie. Safe trip.”

“Bye, Gurdeep. Give Gary a hug from me too,” she said, smiling through her tears. When they pulled apart, she wiped her cheeks. “Whew, this is harder than I thought it was going to be.”

As he turned back toward the garage, Gurdeep resumed whistling a tune that sounded strangely like “Uptown Girl.” He amplified the volume as he passed Sonny.

“What was that about?” Billie laughed.

Sonny shrugged. “Oh, who the hell knows? I stopped trying to figure him out years ago.”

“Wait! Wait! Don’t leave! I’m coming!” Cal shouted from across the street. He’d been out on the lake since dawn, so Billie had left a farewell letter for him at home.

“Cal!” she exclaimed. “You made it!”

Out of breath, he waved her note in his hand. “What’s this? You’re leaving us? Now?”

“I’m afraid so. I explained it all in the letter.”

“I didn’t get past reading the first two lines. Why didn’t you tell me? Did you really think you’d just slip away without saying goodbye?”

“It’s all happened rather suddenly,” she said, glancing at Sonny before focusing again on Cal. “I didn’t want to tell you last night and take anything away from your time with Liona. You two looked so happy. Are you pleased with how it went?”

“Sunshine, I can’t thank you enough. We can’t thank you enough,” he said. “You gave us a wonderful gift by bringing us back together.”

Billie smiled. “We? Does that mean you plan to see her again?”

“Next weekend, as a matter of fact.” Cal’s eyes lit up as he chuckled. “She wants me to take her out on the boat and give her the ten cent tour of the lake.”

“I couldn’t be happier for you.” She threw her arms around Cal and hugged him. “Thank you, Cal. Thank you for inviting a stranger home for dinner. For sharing your story with me. For forgiving me when I screwed things up big time,” she said, sniffling. “Most of all, for reminding me that happily ever after does exist. You gave me hope again.”

Cradling her face in his giant hands, he pressed a tender, fatherly peck to her forehead. “I should be the one thanking you for giving me hope,” he said. “Whenever you’re craving the best fried fish in Wisconsin, you better come back and see us. We’ll always have a spot at the table for you.”

“That means more than you’ll ever know,” she said. “Goodbye, Cal.”

“Goodbye, Sunshine. As we anglers say when sending another off, tight lines to ya.”

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