Page 103 of Embers of You
“This doesn’t count as payment, you know?”
He chuckles. “I know, he also sent cash.”
Parker hands over way too much, and I try to give back the extra, but he refuses to take it. I sigh, giving in once he’s practically out of the door. As soon as it closes, Lily looks at me with a mischievous look on her face.
“Please tell me he didn’t involve everyone in this town for whatever scheme he’s planning.”
“Like I said, I can keep some secrets,” she singsongs, practically skipping away from me.
The worst part is I’m already anticipating what note and flower tomorrow may bring.
It’s beena week since the first note and flower. Today is day eight and I’m officially conditioned to search for them. There was nothing at work today, so I anticipate when I get home what I’ll find, but there’s nothing. Unless he hid it extremely well.
I search for a decent amount of time and still find nothing. I guess a week of trying was his limit. Seven letters and seven flowers is where he draws the line. At first I’m disappointed he wouldn’t try a little more, but then I’m annoyed that’s all the time he was willing to give me.
Oh well, now I can really focus on actually moving on like I should have anyway.
My phone starts to ring and it’s an unfamiliar Washington number. I assume it’s a client wanting to make an appointment so I answer professionally.
“Hello, this is Sutton.”
“Hi, Sutton, honey.” The voice is one I recognize instantly as Emily. I’m instantly on alert, wondering why she would be calling me. Just like her son, she instantly eases my panic. “He’s fine, I’m calling for myself. I need some help and he’s on shift. I hate to ask, but would you mind coming by?”
“Of course, are you okay?”
“I am. I miss having you around, but I’ll see you soon?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yeah, I’ll head over.”
“Thank you.”
I look at Bennet, and even he’s been moping around for the last week. “You want to go see your friend?”
He perks up, and I lead him out to my car where I take a deep breath before driving. I’m a little worried about seeing the place where I felt my heart cracking as I left. As I pull up, my nerves kick up even more. I know she said Jameson was on shift, but I can’t be here without thinking about him. He’s everywhere here, even after I park and step out into the fresh air, the cool weather reminding me how long I’ve been here as summer is starting to turn into fall. I swear I get the faintest whiff of him, the slightly spicy scent that always clung to him along with the pine from the trees.
Emily steps out onto the porch, greeting me with a smile and I’m in awe of this woman. She’s fighting the battle of her life and just lost her husband, but she’s here smiling at me, and inviting me into her arms for a hug as soon as I’m up the steps.
“Hi sweetie,” she says softly before we part.
Bennet is already walking through the open front door searching for his friend.
“Come on in.” She guides me inside.
“What did you need help with?” I look around in case it’s completely obvious.
“Actually, it’s something out at the barn with the horses if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, I’m really not a professional with horses, I only rode one once.” I shake my head.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing you can’t handle. I would do it myself, but Jameson would throw a fit if he knew I went down there alone.”
“So you just need me with you?” I clarify. “Not that I mind because it’s really nice to see you again, but I’m just wondering why it couldn’t wait until he came back home.”
“We’ve been caring for a friend’s horse for the summer and they’re coming to get him tomorrow morning so I just want to make sure everything is together for him, and that he’s all clean and ready to go home.” She smiles, and I can see how genuine she is.
“Okay, do you want me to drive us down there?”
She waves me off. “Nonsense, it’s not that far of a walk and I want the fresh air.”
