“Even if it doesn’t work out,” Oma said. “You’re a lovely and talented woman. Don’t sit around wallowing in hurt. The best revenge is carrying on and showing him that he can’t hurt you.”
“But he did hurt me.” How could they not understand her pain? “He didn’t even consider bending.” She jumped to her feet. “Well screw you, Ford Butthammer. I don’t need you.” Her friends cheered and she joined in.
After they left, she slunk back to the sofa and huddled under a blanket. The trouble was, she did need him. He filled a hole in her heart she hadn’t even known was empty. The pain she felt at his loss echoed with her heartbeats in that newly opened hole like a big bass kettle drum.
♥♥♥
Ford leaned on his shovel and stared down the street. He was only half a block from the duplex he and Drinda shared. It was Sunday. Maybe she was at home with her dog. Even his mind sneered the word.
How in the world had a dog ruined their relationship?
Because he’d been a stubborn jerk and refused to bend. It was a wonder Grammie L. hadn’t shown up to give him a piece of her mind. She’d been so pleased when it became clear that he and Drinda were dating.
Something smacked into the back of his head.
“What the …” he whirled round and squatted defensively.
“Dude. Wake up. We’re all shoveling and you’re standing there mooning over a woman. Get moving,” Brad shouted. “We have ten more yards and Ihave a very hot girlfriend waiting at home. Our days off rarely coincide and I’m not wasting this opportunity for some hot lovin’.”
Around them, everyone groaned. Especially Ford and the station’s number one bachelor and deputy chief, Gibson. As if on cue, five men bent and formed snowballs and launched the barrage at Brad’s head. A free-for-all ensued. They thrashed around the yard ducking and dodging while pitching snowballs at each other. Mayhem reigned until the whoop of a siren interrupted them.
Allison Birks, head of the Cherry Lake RCMP detachment stood between her car and its open door. “Enough of that, boys; or I’ll arrest you for causing a disturbance.”
Six snowballs rocketed into the passenger door of her car. She didn’t even flinch. She just grinned as they went back to work. She locked up her cruiser and let herself into her house on the other side of the street.
Gibson and Brad wandered over to Ford as the others finished the last few feet of sidewalk. “What’s with you, bro?” Gibson frowned and scraped a hand over his five-o’clock shadow. “You’re totally distracted. I swear ahouse would burn down around you and you’d never notice.”
“He broke up with Drinda,” Brad said. “Over a dog.” He filled the last word with derision, though Ford knew the derision was for him, not the animal.
“Wait, you mean to tell me Drinda McKenzie, baker extraordinaire is single?” He fist-pumped the air. “I’m outta here. I need to get myself a date.”
“Make a move on her and I’ll kick your backside.” Ford’s entire body tensed as a wave of rage washed over him.
“Not done with her yet?” Gibson mocked.
“We’re done.”
“You and I are done, or you and Drinda? I’m going to need a clear and definitive answer on that.” Ford clenched his fists at Gibson’s annoying smirk.
“Get stuffed,” Ford snapped. “I’m finished. I’ll catch you at the station next shift. Stay away from Drinda.” He stormed down the street to his duplex mumbling about worthless friendswith every step.
Inside, he leaned back against the door and sucked in a breath. “What the heck is wrong with me? Drinda and I are done. Over.” He sighed.
He missed her every minute of every day. He’d spent hours over the past few days, watching her stupid dog romp around in the snow. Drinda managed to stay out of sight unless she was picking up after the dog, after Oscar.
Ford relished every single glimpse. He’d taken to walking past The Coffee Loft as often as possible, hoping for a glimpse of her. He was a danged fool and didn’t know how to fix things. At least he hadn’t followed through on evicting her. That threat had been way over the top. Guilt was his constant companion from the second he’d uttered the words.
He wasn’t prone to fits of temper, but she lied to him. She didn’t even ask first. She was right, he probably would have said no. He sighed. He’d have done the same thing in her place. Sneak the dog inside and hope for the best. He’d seen the notices all over town. They were in practically every store window. She had even rented one of those mobile signs. But she’d had the dog for weeks now and it was unlikely that she’d ever find its owner.
He just wished he didn’t miss Drinda so much.
She wasn’t what he wanted. All his life he’d wanted a wife just like his mother. She stayed home until he was in school. Even then, she was home by the time he got home each day. He wanted that security for his kids.
His mind panned over people he’d gone to school with. Hardly any of them had stay-at-home moms and most of them turned out fine. Several fire fighters he knew had working wives and together they managed to handle kids, work, and keep a household. One couple had six kids and they were fine.
But he wanted what he wanted.
It didn’t matter that Drinda was funny. Or that they shared a lot of interests. They came from similar backgrounds, though he couldn’t imagine practically being raised by his grandparents as Drinda had.
