Page 17 of Anything for You
“I am so happy, little Dove. And I am so grateful to you.” Tears lined her eyes, and she smiled, her face so loving and soft. “Thank you.”
With a quick flick of my napkin under each eye, I beamed at her and told her what was most true. “I’m grateful to you, too, Nan.”
I drove home in silence. No audiobook, no music, just the sound of the road lulling me along. If I hadn’t been so sad, I might’ve fallen asleep. But my heart felt like it was breaking and as exhausting as it was, it kept me focused on getting home.
Once inside, I could huddle up on the couch and let it out. I could cry for what I’d lost and what I’d gained. I could cry for missing Nan and missing the rest of my family who hadn’t been safe but had still been mine. I could cry because I loved my job but wanted to take a week off, and I could cry because what I wanted most in this life felt so far away right now.
The lights burned in the windows of Dorian’s home. A wild thought flitted across my mind and said, “Just go knock on his door.” Thank goodness I had enough wherewithal not to or I’d end up crying into his shirt again.
But after trudging up the small staircase, I found another small box tucked behind the storm door. This time with a folded piece of notebook paper taped to the top.
My heart leaped as I quickly unlocked the door and hustled inside. After washing my hands, I opened the box and sighed at the delicious little creation. I didn’t even needto know what was in it—I’d eat it. I didn’t know where he was getting these, but I needed the name.
Flakey crust with a cinnamon-sugar dusting and what tasted like peaches again, and maybe blackberries, on the inside.Delicious.
I consumed the little delight in a matter of seconds and then unfolded the note with a wild little flip in my chest.
Dear Ms. Dove L. Jensen, Esq.,
I’ll call you Dove if you call me Dorian.
I appreciate your note and the donuts. That is one delicacy I can’t seem to replicate to my satisfaction. You’ve earned Bear’s unending gratitude as well, though it’s worth noting he’s easily bought.
It’s important you know you don’t need to thank me for anything. You’re a person. You’re a paying tenant. Sometimes we all need pie.
Please enjoy this peach and blackberry hand pie. If you ever want me to show you the berry bushes, let me know.
I hope work was good and you rest well.
Sincerely,
Dorian M. Forrester
PS. Bear would like to request a visit at your earliest convenience.
I grinned to myself so hard, I nearly pulled a muscle.
He wrote back!
And he didn’t seem put off by my weirdness. If anything, this felt like an open letter, one I could possibly reply again to. Why did I feel so completely charmed by his offer to show me the berrybushes?
First, obviously yes. Second, had this man picked fresh berries and then baked the little delight I’d just hoovered up in seconds by hand?
A swoon forced me to rest my elbows on the counter—or maybe that was the general exhaustion and emotions piling up again. I’d come home with every intention of sobbing into my pillow after a bowl of cereal, but here I was, smiling and glowing.
In the scheme of things, this meant nothing. Dorian—and yes, I officially had the green light for first-name basis—couldn’t change my exhaustion or the bittersweet feelings churning around in me about living apart from Nan. He couldn’t affect anything about how all of my friends’ lives were moving on in these beautiful ways and I felt stuck.
But the man was proving to be an unanticipated bright spot. A gift.
And so, without anything to give him except my enthusiasm and friendship, I pulled out another card and set to writing.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Stone
My heart felt so full and light, I didn’t know what to do with it.
“Thanks, guys. I’m so happy, I hardly know what to do with myself. Obviously, she has to say yes, but… yeah. It’ll be good.” Kenny wiped his hands down his quads, then knocked back the last bit of tea in his cup. “Right?”
