Page 70 of Tart
“You?” I asked chuckling. “I didn’t even think about this being your first year.”
“It’s true. I’m a Strawberry Fest virgin, but I was thinking of someone else.” He held up his phone, and I read a text on the screen.
I sat up instantly. “What? Athena is coming to visit?”
He nodded with a huge grin on his face. “She called me when we were in the garage. She’s flying home for a visit tomorrow!”
I threw my arms around him and squeezed him tight. “I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve missed her.”
He nodded his head over my shoulder before he leaned back. “I have, and I can’t wait for you to meet her. Will you stay here with Haylee and Brady tonight? I have to drive to St. Paul to pick her up early tomorrow morning from the airport. You’ve been through so much today. I’m not going to make you get up at the crack of dawn to go with me.”
I grasped his face in my hands. “Let’s go now. Let’s go. Let’s just go. We’ll get a room and be there in the morning when her flight arrives.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Haylee said, standing up. “A little getaway will do you a world of good right now. We’ll man the bakery, and when you get back tomorrow, spend the day with Athena. We’ll see you on Wednesday.”
Bishop kissed my cheek before he handed me my crutches. “Let’s do it. We’ll take a little time out from life to just be with each other.”
I stood and hugged Haylee, whispering thank you in her ear. She squeezed me tighter, and I knew, no matter what, I was going to be okay.
“ARE YOU SURE YOU’REokay with this?” I asked Amber when she sat back down on the bed.
She leaned back on the pillow and smiled. “Bishop, I already told you thirty times that I am. I want to meet Athena. I’m thrilled she’s coming home for a visit.”
“I know, but you’re so busy with the bakery that I hate to ask you to take more time away.” I strolled over and set a bottle of water on the nightstand for her. I had helped her to the bathroom after she woke up from a long sleep, and now I hoped to snuggle up with her and sleep until morning.
“You heard what Haylee said. It will be fine, and when I head in to help them, you can catch up with Athena.”
I was surprised to get the phone call from Athena saying she was flying in to see me tomorrow. I suspected she was homesick, but whatever the case, she assured me she was okay, healthy, and just wanted to see me for a few days before she went to Illinois. She knew I got married, so I was sure that was part of it, too. She had to check out dad’s new wife to decide if she approved.
“I’m having a security system installed tomorrow while we’re gone,” I said to change the subject.
“Why? It’s Lake Pendle. I can’t remember the last time there was a burglary there.”
“The system I bought has weather monitoring and will alert us immediately of any storm warnings or watches. Also, if you fall when you’re alone, you can use voice commands to get help. I planned to install a system before fall, so I just moved it up on the timeline a little bit. A security system is smart, and the one I bought will give me peace of mind when you’re there alone.”
She tipped her head to the side, her hand coming up to stroke my beard. “You found a system that warns of bad weather and acts like Life Alert?”
I turned my head and kissed her palm tenderly. “Peace of mind for you when we’re home. You’ll never be taken by surprise if we’re sleeping, either. It’s like a weather radio on steroids.”
She laughed, and the sound was sleepy and relaxed. “I guess you plan on keeping me around for a while.”
“I was thinking forever,” I whispered, kissing her lips. “And ever, and ever. I want to be known as the most ridiculously cute married couple in Lake Pendle.”
That got a smile out of her, and she kissed my lips, her breath minty fresh. “I don’t know, Haylee and Brady might try to take that title.”
“Well, they can try,” I whispered into her neck, “but they won’t win.”
“What time is it?” she asked, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s only three a.m.? I must have slept like a rock.”
“You had been asleep since eight o’clock last night. I did some work and then crawled in bed around eleven. You never stirred.”
“Yesterday was stressful. I guess I needed the sleep.”
Ithadbeen stressful and emotional for her, and I was glad she got to see Haylee for a few minutes. They have a bond that she and I will never have, and I accepted that for what it was. Sometimes you just need to cry on your sister’s shoulder.
I brushed a piece of hair off her forehead. “I love you,” I whispered, my hand sweeping into her hair to grasp the back of her neck. “We’ll get through this together.”
She smiled that smile that told me she believed something I said was true. “I love you, too. I keep telling myself we’ll get through this stronger than before. I concluded that letting someone help me, look after me once in a while, isn’t going to sink my boat of independence.”
