Page 62 of Suits and Spark Plugs

Mom’s face was deceptively calm, and I wondered if she was feeling the same way, only on a different level. Maybe it was good to finally know where she stood. Maybe hope had been cruel to her and reality was easier to bear.

The three of us Phelps girls stood at the window and watched Dad carry all of his suitcases out to his truck. Mom whispered that that was the last of his things, and Sadie’s hand slipped into mine. We didn’t say a word. What do you say when you’re watching your world take its final fall?

* * * * *

I was still processing all that had happened when I entered the hardware store the next afternoon. I was cautiously optimistic that things were going to be okay, even if it hurt like the devil right now. It would take time, but we’d at least stepped onto a better path. Any path at all had to be better than floating aimlessly had been.

I made my way to the back counter where an order of paint supplies was waiting for me. I always chose to order them rather than drive through the pass to Springfield, even though I had to pay a small premium for shipping. It was a luxury I allowed myself. I couldn’t wait to get home and have a chance to use the new set of brushes. I’d had a picture of two silver angels against a swirling black and white backdrop come into my head the other night, and I wanted to put it on canvas before it faded away.

I caught a flash of auburn hair and broad shoulders turning the corner of the aisle next to me as I finished paying and made my way to the front of the store to leave.

Connor. I still needed to thank him for the house cleaning, and now seemed as good a time as any.

I found him in the plumbing aisle and was grateful that he was alone. He didn’t look up until I was standing right next to him. When he did, he seemed surprised to see me.

“I know, I know. You usually see me at the diner or your shop and never here, so it’s made your head spin,” I teased, knowing full well he’d seen me around town all our lives. He rolled his eyes, but they were smiling. “It’s like when you run into your school teacher at the grocery store and get all tongue tied. I’ll understand if you don’t know what to say.”

“I have no problem thinking of things to say to you.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what?”

“Like, do you have a good showerhead at home that you’d recommend? Mine died this morning.”

“I can see why you’ve dropped everything to hurry over here. You can’t miss a shower. Have to stay fresh for the ladies.” I leaned closer to the selection of showerheads and pretended to take it seriously. “Out of curiosity, how does a showerhead die? I mean, I’ve seen some pretty old heads in my lifetime. I thought you just kind of replaced them when you realized you deserve better.”

“I went to adjust it and it cracked down the middle.”

“Wow, bragging about your muscles, huh? Save it for your next date. I’m not interested.” He chuckled, which made my toes curl inside my shoes. I hadn’t realized before that I liked the sound of his low laugh.

“What brings you here?” he asked.

“Oh, mostly stalking you.” I turned to face him.

“What?”

“You cleaned my house and fed my people.”

He stood up straighter, sobering. “They were sworn to secrecy.”

“You can’t trust those two any more than you can trust your showerhead.”

“Information that would have been helpful a few days ago.”

“You were smart to avoid cleaning our toilets. You don’t want to know what’s been happening in those bathrooms this week.” I pulled a face.

“I have a pretty good idea after hearing it in great detail from Sadie. In case you weren’t aware, times have been hard on her.”

I felt a smile tug at my lips. “You didn’t have to do it.”

“I know.”

Then, the worst thing happened and my voice quivered when I went to say more. “I mean, it was kind of the best thing to happen to me in a while.” I had to swallow hard over the truth. It had been a rough couple of months, especially the past two days, and his genuine service had been a bright spot.

“Don’t get weird about it,” he said lightly. “I helped out your family, no big deal.”

“Is this something you do all the time? You just pop into random houses and go all Mary Poppins on the place?” The banter helped settle nerves that had been racing since I had walked up to him.

“We all have our secret side lives that no one knows about.”

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