Page 42 of Sweet Summertide

“So, I get to the farm, and boy, do I wish you had come with me. Or Millie, or heck, even Alfonso. At least I wouldn’t have been alone when Rinaldi propositioned me to get back together. I don’t know why he ever thought he could just show up and expect me to fall back into his arms like some simpering little girl.”

“Rinaldi is your ex? Did you deck him?”

“How could I? We were in front of all these potential investors and buyers. Honestly, I was so insulted that he and my mother thought that’s all it would take for me to change the trajectory of my life. I was beside myself. I told my mother we were done, and I got in my car and headed here.”

“Holly, that was hours ago.” Theodor wasn’t sure how far away the farm was from the Cove, but he knew it was nearby.

“Once I got in the car, I got myself all worked up and started crying.”

He hated that she was so upset, even now, he could hear the strain in her throat.

“I don’t know what’s worse, feeling set-up like that, or feeling so alone.”

“You’re not alone,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

She flipped her head over, her blonde hair falling over her face. He moved a strand away from her wet eyes. “I didn’t want you to think I forgot about our date. So, after I ran my car into a ditch, I walked the rest of the way.”

“Why didn’t you call me? Or anyone else. I would have come to get you.”

“I couldn’t find my phone. I don’t know whether I left it at the farm, or it got tossed in the car when I ran off the road. Plus, I thought I was a lot closer to town than I was. It’s not like I’d take a ride from a stranger.”

“Someone offered you a ride?”

“Yeah, some old guy in a blue truck. He seemed a little too happy to pick me up, so I told him no thank you and that I was fine. Maybe if I’d been wearing shoes, I would have been more convincing, but I told him I wanted to walk, and he moved on.”

“I wonder if that was Pa, the old guy that works here. He drives a blue pickup, but he would have sent help.”

“He asked if there was anyone he could call, and I told him I was fine. I kind of was at the time, but I thought I was a lot closer to here than I was.”

Theodor traced his eyes down Holly’s backside and legs to her bare feet. Dust coated her ankles to her toes. He used the washcloth, still damp, and cleaned them off. “You’re a mess.”

She cried at his accusation. “I know I am. I only pretend to have it all together. I skip through life just hoping that everything will work out every day. And most of the time itdoes.” She flipped over and perched up on her elbows to keep the aloe off the white duvet. “You’re the only person that really challenges me. You don’t buy into my fake side.”

“Would you really want me to?”

“I used to think that’s all I was to someone; the trophy meant to look and act the part. But it’s exhausting playing a role. That’s all Rinaldi wanted me for. He actually tried to convince me to be with him by tempting me with the exact opposite of what I want. He offered me a big ring, big enough to drown me. He wanted to pay for my creamery to open, basically with me as a pretty figurehead. And after all that, he said we would be royalty.”

“Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. Where can I sign up for the Rinaldi special?” His laugh was infectious, and her sad tears turned to happy ones.

She sat up and held the front of her dress across her chest with one hand while playfully hitting his shoulder with the other. He caught her hand against his beating heart so that she could feel it. Their breathing synced up and a quiet gravity descended on the room.

“Can I have a loose shirt to wear?” she asked, and her cheeks flushed.

“I have a better idea.”

Theodor knew just what this woman needed, and it had nothing to do with putting more clothing on. Knowing she needed to have something covering her body for his idea to work, he grabbed an oversized T-shirt from his dresser beside the bed and threw it at her. “You can put this on for now.”

Holly didn’t move from her spot in the middle of his bed. She sat up on her knees and slid the shirt over her head. The thin white fabric fell over her shoulders and chest down below her hips. She stood with her dirty feet on the white covers, and he didn’t even care. He swallowed hard as she shimmied her dress down her legs and kicked it from her pointed toes in hisdirection. Catching the yellow floral frock in his hand, he could smell the remnants of her vanilla perfume still in the fibers.

He tossed the garment to the floor where he preferred it to stay and offered his hand to her. She jumped down and he caught her at her waist, not wanting to cause any more pain or injury to her burned shoulders and chest. She took his hand and threaded her fingers in his.

At the door, Theodor nudged her a pair of flip-flops with his foot, even though they were far too large, it was cute seeing her wear his items. He slid on a pair of boat shoes, the same ones he had planned on wearing to their previously planned date that night. He was glad she was there, even if she was late, and even if she was miserable. She had come to him when she could have gone to anyone.

She was his. For now, at least, and Theodor intended to make the most of whatever time they had together.

He led Holly outside and down the path towards the shore. The stars had come out and twinkled like heavenly spotlights on their evening. The afternoon heat had given way to a comfortable breeze that he hoped was helping her angry skin feel better.

“Where are we going?” she whispered, and an excited little giggle escaped her throat like they were doing something they shouldn’t.

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