Page 51 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“Hi,” Sam says to me as she walks past Olivia and Kara. I give a short nod, wanting to move along, but Maisie jumps in eagerly.

“Sam!” Maisie wraps her arms around Sam’s waist. “Look at my tool belt that Aunt Allie got me.” She steps back to show her. “I’m earning my keep.”

Sam chuckles. “Oh my. I love it! I bet you’ll be a professional in no time.” Sam lifts her eyes to see if I’m watching. Unfortunately, I am.

“Off we go,” I tell Maisie.

Maisie runs ahead of me. “I have to get this wall painted, but we can chat later.”

Sam laughs. “I look forward to it. I’ll be here in the kitchen. Come visit me in a bit.”

“Okay!” Maisie runs upstairs.

I turn away to avoid looking at Sam any longer. The ache in my chest is heavy from missing her. “Kara, please finish the doors if you haven’t.” I continue upstairs to a safer place. I can do this. I just need to keep my distance. Seeing her makes it so much harder. With her absence, I can handle the pain in peace.

After a couple of hours, we’re finished in this room for now. Maisie asked to go play in the backyard. There’s a swing set she’s been itching to play on. I shooed her off to go have some fun. She’s done so well helping me today. I told her to let Kara know she could have a break too. I’m sure she hasn’t been doing much work since Olivia arrived. I’ll check on her more after lunch. I ordered pizza about ten minutes ago. Hopefully, it won’t be much longer.

I gather up our paintbrushes to clean them out. Maisie, surprisingly, does pretty well for her age. She takes her time, her strokes uneven but careful, more patience than I would’ve guessed. When I was a teenager, I had various jobs. One of the toughest times I had was working on a farm painting barns, fence posts, and the outside of the house in the heat. It made me appreciate hard work. I want the girls to value these things as well.

The banging in the kitchen has stopped. I descend the stairs to find the cabinets are gone. Luke is measuring while talking to Steven about the design. “This looks different,” I say, moving around the open area. “I’m excited to see what it’ll look like. Steven’s plans are spectacular.”

“This place has a lot of character. I promise you’ll love the finished product.” Luke seems hesitant as he looks behind me. I follow his eyes to see Sam walking up.

“Those hands are magic, so I have no doubt.” Steven winks at Luke, who blushes. A big guy like him, getting bashful—it’s endearing.

“I don’t need to hear that about my brother.” Sam stops next to me, her arm brushing mine. I pull away from the touch before it can linger. As much as I crave her touch, she doesn’t have that privilege anymore.

“I’ve got to get these rinsed out.” I hold up the brushes. “I ordered pizza for lunch for everyone. It should be here soon.”

“Thanks, bestie,” Steven says.

“Anything for you, boo.” I leave them to their chatter as I go out the back door to use the hose on the side of the house.

“Look at me, Aunt Allie!” Maisie swings high, making me nervous with the tug and pull of the poles buried in the ground. Her legs push hard to get more air.

“Be careful, please.”

“I will,” she agrees as she continues swinging. I don’t see Kara and Olivia anywhere around. Who knows what they are up to.

The water from the hose is warm at first, then it gets cold soon after. The direct sunlight beats down on this side of the house right now with no shade. It’s a beautiful day with the temperature in the seventies. Fall is upon us, and I love it.

“Need any help?” Sam appears beside me, radiant in the sunlight as if she wasn’t tempting enough.

“Almost done.” I turn my attention back to cleaning the brushes, rubbing them underneath the water. The rhythm of my heart picks up, irritating the shit out of me.

“I hoped we could talk. I’ve been trying, but I can understand your apprehension.”

“I see. I guess you’re a little more enlightened than I am.” I keep rinsing the brushes. Why won’t this damn paint wash out already?

“Please don’t.” Sam’s voice is softer. “I never planned on—”

“Fucking my ex?” I look at her sharply.

“I didn’t fuck her.” Sam lowers her voice. “And I didn’t know she was your ex.”

“Mm-hm.” I keep my focus on the brush in my hand. The cold water feels good.

“Allie, I honestly had no idea who she was until we saw you at the restaurant. That’s when she told me you two had dated.”