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“She was the owner of a bakery I had to install an oven at. I can’t even explain to you the immediate pull I had to her. She mentioned a guy’s name—mind you, I have no fucking clue who this guy is, but just the mere mention of a guy from her had my blood boiling. When she shook my hand, it was like an electrical current raced through my entire body. And then, when I finished installing the unit, I was showing it to her and she threw herself into my arms, hugging me in her excitement. I didn’t even think twice about pulling her close and hugging her back tightly. It felt so natural to hold her like that. Like she was made to fit in my arms.” I word vomit all over my sister, hoping she can make something of my encounter with Lacey.
“Wow, that…that was a lot,” she says.
“Tell me about it,” I agree. “I overheard her talking to the other owner a little, who was telling her not to give up hope on love, so I have no clue what that means.”
“Sounds like maybe she’s gotten out of a bad relationship or situation. Where is this bakery at? Maybe I’ll go do some snooping and report back.”
“It’s in Sweet Valley,” I tell her. “So not really the closest place for you to go.”
“Oh goodie, a little road trip. Also, that’s a good thing. It won’t look so suspicious, and they won’t know I’m your sister and might be there trying to dig up some juicy details on your mystery woman. What’s her name?” she asks.
“Lacey,” I tell her. “I’m going back on Friday. They have two ovens, but requested they be installed on separate days so they wouldn’t have to close down due to no ovens.”
“Perfect, maybe the kids and I can go tomorrow and scope things out, then report back to you tomorrow night. Can you do your install in the afternoon on Friday? It would make a good excuse for you to ask her to dinner that night.”
“Maybe, but what if she turns me down? I don’t have an excuse to go back here after Friday.”
“You make an excuse. I know it isn’t really convenient, but you’ll figure something out. Maybe volunteer for any service calls that would take you that way, then stop in every chance you get. If she’s recently been in a bad relationship, she might be gun shy to start a new one.”
“Yeah.” I agree with my sister, because what else can I do.
“Dinner time!” she calls out, and my nephew, Noah, comes running into the dining room.
“Hey, buddy, how are you doing?” I ask him as I scoop him up.
“Unka Garrett,” he calls out in his two-year-old toddler-speak. He can’t quite say uncle yet, but he’s getting there.
“Are you ready for some yummy food? Mommy has made us some really good food,” I tell him as I pretend to munch on his neck, which makes him laugh and squirm in my arms. I place him in his booster seat at the table and set a few of the roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts on his plate, then cut them into bite-size pieces for him. One thing my sister has insisted on since he started eating food was he’d eat what they ate, and it has worked. The kid has a better palate than I do. I add a little pile of mashed potatoes and add some pork chop from my plate once I get it cut up.
“Thanks for helping with Noah,” Miranda says once she’s seated at the table.
“Can’t let my buddy starve, now,” I tell her as I mess his hair up, rubbing the top of his head.
We’re only a few minutes into the meal when my brother-in-law, Josh, comes in.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says as he leans down to kiss Miranda. “How was your day, babe?” he asks her.
“It was good. Mom’s been here most of the day hanging out. Sit down and eat while everything is still hot,” she tells him.
“Hey, man,” Josh greets as he pats my shoulder before he takes a second to kiss Ivy, who’s sleeping soundly in the pack-n-play in the room. He finally takes a seat and fills his plate, joining us for dinner.
* * *
I’m sittingon my couch, flipping through the channels trying to find something to keep my attention as I eat from a take-out container and nurse a beer. Work today kicked my ass. It was one problem after another at the job I was sent out on. After troubleshooting all day, we determined the control panel was bad and needed to be replaced. I got the part ordered and it should be in early next week.
My cell starts to ring and vibrate on the cushion next to me, so I hit the answer button and place it on speaker phone.
“Hey, what’s up, Sis?” I greet Miranda.
“My reconnaissance mission is complete, and I have some intel for you,” she tells me.
I sit up, muting the TV so I can pay close attention to anything my sister has to tell me.
“Go ahead, I’m listening,” I assure her.
“I briefly met Lacey, but she had to leave for an appointment with her daughter,” she starts out, and my body sags. Shit, she’s got a family already.
“Okay, is that all you found out, she’s got a kid?”
