Page 45 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“What’s the plan for that area?”
“That’s going to have chalk paint. It’ll be my daily board behind the counter where I can write out our menu and specials.”
“Cool. You got the chalk paint on hand? We can knock that out while we’re here.”
“No, that’s okay. You and Skeeter have both done so much already, and I can’t thank you enough.” I glance at the wall. “I’ll do that part myself.”
“Don’t you trust us to do a good job, Fiona?” He gives me a cocky grin.
“Of course, I do.” I turn to look at the square. “Janey is looking for a gold wooden picture frame to mount around it. But we haven’t had any luck yet.”
“That size?” His expression shows his doubt. “It’ll be pretty hard to find one that big.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Maybe I could make one for you. Nothing too fancy, but you could paint it.” He shrugs. “Maybe that’d work.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Sure. We all want you to succeed, Fiona. Plus, maybe there’d be free cupcakes in it for me.” He waggles his brows.
Happiness floods me at his offer. I’ve had so much help from everyone, and I know I shouldn’t be surprised by that, but it’s so much more than I ever expected. Suddenly my eyes flood, and when Cody sees, his grin fades.
I wave a hand in front of my face, wishing he wasn’t witnessing this.
“Darlin’, you okay?”
“I’m fine. Really.” There’s a lump in my throat, making it hard to speak. I turn away and cover my face.
Cody spins me back and wraps his arms around me, and now my face is pressed against his chest. I breathe in the scent of his leather cut, and my mind flashes to Shine. Right now, I wish it were Shine standing here, holding me. But that will never happen again. The thought makes me so sad.
“Hey, it’s all gonna work out, kiddo. We’re here for you. You know that, right?”
I nod against his chest, then dash the tears away, paste a smile on my face and push out of his arms. “I know that. I do. I’m just so grateful for everyone. It’s a little overwhelming, I guess. Thank you for everything, Cody. Really.”
Skeeter pokes his head in the door. “I’m takin’ off, Cody. You comin’?”
“Go on. I’ll catch up.”
“Take it easy, Fiona.” Then he’s out the door, and a moment later, we hear his bike roar off.
“Your father told me to check on the showerhead in your upstairs bathroom. Said you told him it wouldn’t shut off all the way. It probably just needs to be tightened.”
“Oh, thanks. It’s this way.” I lead him to the rear of the store and a set of stairs that lead up to the apartment. The place is small with a living area in the front of the building overlooking the street, a small kitchen with a bar that’s open to the living room, and in the back a bedroom and bath. I point to the door. “It’s there.”
He steps in and sees the dribbling showerhead. “Yeah, I think it just needs to be tightened.”
“My father left me a toolbox. It’s in the hall closet.”
Cody gets a wrench and returns to make the repairs while I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. I set one on the counter for Cody, and move to the front windows, watching the cars roll past and the people walking by. I’m so thrilled with this location. It’s going to give me so much foot traffic. I’ve already got plans to put out a sandwich board on the sidewalk with our daily special.
I reach a hand up and rub the back of my neck. I haven’t been sleeping well, and now on top of everything I’m trying to get done, I’ve got a new worry to keep me up at night.
“Fiona?”
I turn to find Cody standing near the bar with a strange expression on his face. “You finished already? That was quick.”
“What is this?” He holds up the pregnancy test box, and my eyes slide shut.
