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“You moved here after she passed?”
“She gave me the farm, the van, and some money to open the flower shop.”
We stopped on the porch, facing each other.
“She supported you.”
“She did. She gave me my dream after she died. I feel a little guilty about that sometimes.” That she had to die so I could live how I wanted.
“She’d want you to be happy,” Jake said.
“I have ideas for the farm too. I’m excited about the future. I don’t want her gift to go to waste.”
“I’m sure it won’t. You’re already doing what’s right for Berta.”
A smile spread slowly over my face. “I never thought you’d be referring to my hunk-of-junk van by her name.”
“She’s growing on me,” he said grudgingly.
Was it wrong that I wanted him to talk about me the way he talked about my van? “I’d better get inside. Thank you for picking me up and bringing me home.”
“No problem. I’ll be in touch about Berta.” Then he turned away, jogging down the steps to his truck.
“I’m looking forward to it,” I called after him.
I turned the key in the lock, feeling hopeful. Things were working out. Soon, Berta would look like new, and maybe I’d have some help in renovating the farm too.
Seven
JAKE
Sitting at the computer in my office, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Lily’s voice wavered when she’d called me. How relieved she’d looked when I arrived. I hated that she was so far away from me, and I wanted to get to her as fast as I could.
I wanted to fix Berta so this wouldn’t happen again. I didn’t want Lily stranded on the side of a highway if I could help it. The decision to help her was an easy one. She loved Berta, and I could make her new again. Why wouldn’t I step in and offer my services and expertise?
I wanted to be the one to help Lily and restore Berta.
I wanted to make Lily smile, even if being around her was reckless. I could so easily fall for her. Her sweet outlook on life, her optimism. But someone like her wasn’t for me.
She’d probably grown up in the ideal family. Two point five siblings, a dog, and the white picket fence. I’d expect no less than the perfect family unit from someone with her outlook on life.
My past would shock her, or worse, it would make her pity me. I hated the idea of that even more.
Ryan leaned a shoulder on the door frame of my office. “What’s Berta doing back?”
“The engine overheated last night. Stranded Lily on 95.”
His eyes widened. “Fuck. She okay?”
“She was a little scared. Probably ran it too long so that she could pull off onto the exit ramp, but I can’t fault her. Her safety is more important than the engine.”
“I’m sorry. What, now?” Ryan pushed off the frame and walked into the office. “Did you just say a woman was more important than an engine?”
I held up a hand to stop his teasing. “I said her safety is more important.”
Ryan sat in the chair opposite me, his gaze fixed on me. “I never thought I’d see the day when you said something like that. This woman mean something to you?”
I shook my head. “I’m just helping her out like you suggested. It will be good for business.”
