AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ignoring his question, I take out my wallet. “What’s the total?”
He glances at the tag stuck to the box on top of the stack. “Fifty-seven fifty.”
I hand him enough to cover it, then add an extra twenty to cover the pants he probably just shit and take the boxes from him. “Thank you.”
When I turn around, Emily’s waiting on the porch with her arms folded over her chest and a smile teasing her lips.
She lifts one hand and waves. “Thanks, Sam!” she calls out.
I can’t tell if he returns the gesture or not. The engine starts, though. A few seconds later, tires screech away from the curb.
“Did youhaveto scare our regular delivery boy?” she asks.
“Seems the delivery boy has a crush on you.” I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Just wanted to warn him that the Walker sisters have someone looking out for them.”
She lets out a low chuckle and leans up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “You didn’t have to pay for that. I invited you.”
“Guess you’ll have to time it better in the future.” I kiss her cheek again. “Missed you,” I whisper in her ear.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” she says.
She turns and opens the screen door for me. I head straight for the kitchen, bumping the door open with my hip, and setting everything on the counter.
“Where’s the city girl?” I ask Emily.
“Ah, turns out she’s not much of a city girl.”
“She didn’t have fun?”
“No, she did but she doesn’t want to return any time soon.”
“Does that mean you’re happy she won’t be flying far from the nest?”
Emily tilts her head, as she seems to contemplate her answer. “I want her to go as far as she wants. And be happy,” she finishes on a whisper. “Safe and happy.”
The air between us suddenly feels ten times heavier. I can’t tell if it’s the thought of her sister going away to college in a few years or if she’s thinking of her parents.
“Come here.” I pull her into my arms. “You’re doing a good job of making sure she’s both.”
She nods against my chest and blows out a breath. Whatever cloud settled over her seems to evaporate. “How wasyourday?”
“Better now.”
“Dex!” Libby bursts into the kitchen. “You’re back!”
Not expecting Emily’s sister to be so excited to see me, I take a second to respond. “You’reback. How was your trip?” I ask, not letting on that Emily already gave me a summary.
“Excellent! My feet are killing me. We walked everywhere. But it was so much fun.” She skates over the kitchen tile in her socks and skids to a stop in front of me with her hands behind her back. “I got you something.”
Surprise ties my tongue in another knot.
“Just something small.” She ducks her head and holds out her right hand. “So you can remember the Walker sisters wherever you are.”
In the palm of her hand rests a Statue of Liberty key chain. I reach out and pick it up, letting it dangle for a moment. A smaller, yellow charm hangs from the split circle ring. A lemon.
“Lady Liberty for me.” Libby grins and touches her left hand to her chest. “And a lemon for Emily.” She frowns. “Because she loves lemons, not because she’s sour,” she hurries to add.
Behind her, Emily chuckles. “I’m definitely more salty than sour.”
