Page 9 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

Rocker and Keefer both emerge from the bedroom while I’m just standing at the kitchen island trying to figure out what to do next. “If you decide to move upstairs to be closer to them, let me know. I can come help move the furniture for you,” Keefer offers.

My tongue suddenly feels like cotton. That was the last thing I was expecting him to say, so I just nod my head in agreement. Rocker smiles. “I volunteer, too. Oh, and you got back just in time.”

My eyebrows pull together. “Why is that?”

“Little league football tryouts are this Friday. I think Silas would enjoy it plus it’ll help him meet some of the kids in town.”

“I’m not sure I can handle seeing my baby boy tossed around on a field,” I admit, biting my bottom lip in worry.

Rocker chuckles. “I’m coaching and I don’t let it get that rough, I promise. Just consider it.” Rocker’s phone makes an alert sound. “Warbee is here.”

“What?” I ask. Rocker jogs forward to the front door. When he pulls it open, my best friend is standing there. Her fiery red hair is piled on top of her head, large oversized black glasses sitting on her makeup free face, black leggings, oversized olive t-shirt, and an oversized black cardigan with her signature fur lined boots. “Bee?” She rushes forward and throws her arms around my neck. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to see you! Plus, you’ll need a car until you get yours back so we’re leaving my Jeep with you. Rocker and I can manage with his truck for now.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell her. I hate to put anyone out or for anyone to fuss over me. Most of the time I can manage on my own.

“I know, but I am. I can’t have you and my favorite kids running around the streets. That’ll definitely give the gossip musketeers something to talk about,” Warbee laughs, and I can’t resist laughing with her. “Speaking of...where are my kids?”

“They’re asleep.” Her face falls and I almost tell her to go wake them up, but I don’t know how long they’ll stay awake after they're gone and I’m exhausted.

As if he can read my mind, Keefer steps forward. “You can see them tomorrow, Bee. Let’s go so they can all get some rest.”

“Come to the bakery first thing in the morning for breakfast?” Warbee asks.

I smile and it isn’t forced at all. “Of course. There’s nowhere else I’d go.”

Before I can react, she pulls me into her arms again. “I’m so glad you’re home. All of us are back in Blue Ridge again.”

Her words catch me off guard, but I can’t question her now, not with Keefer standing here, watching us. “I’m glad to be back.”

“Bee,” Rocker says.

“I know, I know. I’m coming.” I follow behind them as we head for the front door. Warbee steps outside before turning back and placing a set of keys in my hands. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I promise.” We smile at each other and she jogs to catch up to Rocker. Once all three of them are inside Rocker’s truck, I wave to them. When the door shuts, I take my first deep breath. After a few moments, I lock the door and secure the alarm. As I head back to the bedroom, I turn off the lights. When I reach the bedroom, I find both of my kids sound asleep. It dawns on me we’re still in our clothes. The bags we packed are in the Jeep, but honestly, I don’t have the energy to go back out and get them right now. We can sleep in our clothes once. I turn off the light and climb in next to them. Sleep finds me quickly and I’m thankful for that.

NINE

Keefer

By the time I get home I’m exhausted again, but I do manage to make it upstairs to my bedroom. I strip off my clothes and directly climb between the sheets. I figured I’d fall asleep quickly, but a couple of hours later and I’m still lying in bed, wide awake. Sighing, I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling fan above me. Memoires flood me, the majority of them connected to Teaganne. Seeing her today threw me for a loop. I had no idea she was moving back here. Warbee had mentioned that Teaganne was getting a divorce, but some part of me assumed it’d get called off and she’d stay married to him and live her perfect life in New York City, far away from me and the small town of Blue Ridge. Sure, she’d visit, but I didn’t think she’d ever move back here. I’m really stunned. The large diamond that usually sits on her ring finger was missing, and in some odd way it turned everything into reality for me. I finally put all the pieces together.

Blue Ridge is small so I’m sure I could avoid Teaganne most of the time, but the fact that Warbee considers both of us her best friends...well that creates a problem. Warbee is not one to take no for an answer. There’s no way for me to completely avoid Teaganne like I would want to. I need to face the reality that we will be put together probably more than once if Warbee and Rocker have anything to say about it.

Just before sunrise my eyelids start to feel heavy and I drift off to sleep. A few hours later my phone is ringing. When I roll over, I see Rockers’ name on the screen so I answer. “Yeah?”

“Damn, did I wake you up?” he asks. I can hear the apology in his voice.

“Yeah, but only because I couldn’t sleep last night. Most days I’mup long before this. What’s up?”

There’s a pause. “You know what, it can wait.”

“Spit it out, Gordon,” I tell him.

Rocker sighs. “I have an opportunity for you, but I think I should explain in person. I was going to see if you wanted to meet me at the bakery before I head into work for the day.”

I check the time. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

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