Page 44 of One Good Puck
“Mom duty calls.”
He smiles. “Have a good night, Abby.”
“You too. Talk to you again tomorrow night?”
“Can’t wait. Oh hey, I left something for you on the table in the guest house.”
“Aww, really?”
“It’s just a little something I thought you might like.”
“I’ll go check it out after I help Emma. Thanks, Gavin.”
“Yeah, of course.”
When we hang up, I head to Emma’s bathroom, which is next to her bedroom, and dig through the drawers until I find a fresh tube of toothpaste.
Once she gets started brushing her teeth, I head to the guest house. I flip on the light and walk over to the table. When I see what Gavin left me, I gasp.
It’s a massive set of oil pastels, a stack of blank canvas boards, a pad of blank pastel paper, and a brand new brush kit.
When I see what kind of oil pastels they are, I gasp again. This is the most expensive, high-quality brand. I could never afford these.
I open up the kit and breathe in the earthy, waxy scent. My eyes go wide at how many colors are included in this seventy-two-piece set. Literally every color and shade imaginable. I’ve never had a set this big.
Emotion bubbles up inside of me. It’s been years since I’ve had a decent oil pastel set—not since before Emma was born.
The urge to sit down at the table and start drawing hits me. Not yet thought.
I grab my phone and text Gavin.
Me: Gavin! You got me a new oil pastel set??
Gavin: I did
Me: Oh my gosh! Thank you! SO MUCH!! I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to use this!
Gavin: I’m so glad you like it.
Me: You didn’t have to do this. It’s too much.
Gavin: It’s not too much. I wanted you to be able to create the art you want, Abby. You deserve to.
I’m speechless as I stare down at my phone screen, blown away at how thoughtful this is. Another wave of emotion washes over me, this time hitting me square in the chest.
Me: This means so much. I can’t thank you enough.
Gavin: It’s my pleasure. I can’t wait to see what you create.
I’m buzzing as I run back to the house and tuck Emma back into bed. After she falls asleep, I head back to the guest house and sit down at the table. I open up the oil pastel kit and skim the colors. I fixate on one of the blue shades. Rich and deep and crystal, like the ocean. Like Gavin’s eyes.
I bite back a smile as I grab a piece of pastel paper and draw.
Chapter 18
Abby
Iglance around the kitchen. It looks like a tornado hit it.
