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“DeeDee, he could have any woman in the world. Why would he want to be with me?” I have nothing to bring to the table.
“Oh, let’s see. Maybe because you bring something that is lacking in his life like…happiness, or maybe fun. From what you’ve told me, he definitely doesn’t sound like a boring, stick-in-the-mud guy.”
At first, Shanda had shared everything but the intimate details with her sister. Now she was glad she had. She needed someone to talk to who knew a little about their connection. “I just wish you had gotten the chance to meet him.”
“You’re talking like it is over between the two of you when in reality it is just beginning,” DeeDee said.
“And that’s why it should end now, before it gets any…harder,” she admitted.
“I know the guys you dated before. Never before have you ever cared if they came or went. Kenneth is different.”
“I know that. And that’s why we shouldn’t see each other anymore.” Because it already hurts and I don’t like it at all.
“Shanda, promise me you won’t do anything rash. Give it a few days. I’m sure if it was as bad as you think it was, then he needs time to think as well.”
“Time won’t change anything. We are from different worlds. I knew it the moment I walked into that house.” I’ll never be good enough for his mother.
“This isn’t about status. It’s about feelings. The two of you need to discuss this. One shouldn’t make the decision for you both,” DeeDee said.
“You know, you’re starting to sound a lot more like Mom,” Shanda said.
DeeDee laughed. “Us old married couples have to stick together.”
“Old. You’re only thirty and haven’t even been married a month,” Shanda corrected.
“Time means nothing. And remember that. Just because you and Kenneth haven’t been together long, doesn’t mean it’s any less real. Sometimes love sneaks up on you,” DeeDee said.
“And feels like a cast-iron pan to the back of the head,” she sighed.
“Oh yes. Love hurts at times, but there also isn’t any other feeling that compares.”
She hugged her sister. “DeeDee, I’m so glad you came over. I don’t think I would be able to make it through the day if you hadn’t.”
DeeDee smiled. “Shanda, you’re a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. I’m not near as independent as you. That’s probably why I went from living with Mom and Dad to living with Larry. Maybe it’s time for you to learn something new and lean on someone. Lean a bit on Kenneth. Who knows, maybe you’ll like it.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
When DeeDee left, only then did Shanda pull herself together and head to the shop. She never opened late, but today she really didn’t care. If she was there and crying, what good would that have done? Customers wouldn’t have stayed. And worse than that, the entire town would be talking about her. It was the only bad thing about Hope Valley. Everyone knew each other.
Maybe that’s why whoever I dated didn’t work out. They were all from here.
Shanda knew there was a lot more to it than that, but she wasn’t ready to admit that Kenneth was special, that he was the one. It scared her. Like DeeDee said, she’d never leaned on anyone, trusted them to be there, for the good times and the bad. What if alone was how she was meant to be and that’s why she was so independent?
Or maybe I’m independent because I have no choice.
Her cell phone vibrated with a text. Please be Kenneth. Before she even looked, she’d already changed her mind. She wasn’t ready to talk to Kenneth. Just in case it was going to be something she didn’t want to hear, Shanda opted not to check her messages.
I’m busy. I’m working. I’m…chicken.
She opened the top drawer of the counter and tossed it inside. Whoever it was, she’d respond after the shop closed. Right now, she had a manager she needed to think about hiring. And since she and Kenneth spent more time making love, than talking business, she had no idea where to start.
She flipped open her laptop and did the only thing she knew how to do. Okay Google. How to you hire a manager?
Kenneth had tried textingher twice and she didn’t respond. Should he just take the hint that she didn’t want to speak to him? He’d blown it last night. Shanda was the one who had to suffer through dinner. To him, it was normal, but for her, she probably found it hell. An apology was in order. One way or another, he was going to talk to her.
If she won’t answer me, then I’m going to see her.
He grabbed his keys when his phone rang. The number wasn’t familiar to him, but it had a Rhode Island area code. Maybe it was Shanda calling from Home Blown instead of her cell. “Hello, this is Kenneth.”
