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Chapter Five
Ellie
I had no idea why God hated me, but it seemed as if Ty Ranes was on the same PT schedule as my father. Every day that I brought Dad to his appointment, Ty was there. He always showed up early for his appointment so that he had plenty of time to sit in the waiting room and stare at me. It wasn’t my idea of a good time.
For two weeks, I saw him twice a week and had yet to utter a word to him. Apparently, Knox was talking to him again, and I was happy for him. I knew he’d missed Ty. But that didn’t mean I had to be friends with him too. That ship had sailed the moment he left town.
I pushed Daddy’s chair inside our home, my cheeks hot from being forced to endure Ty’s gaze yet again. He hadn’t tried to talk to me yet, which was strange for him, but I wasn’t complaining. Still, the way he sat there and smiled at me like he knew me anymore made me want to squirm. He was infuriating at times. Always had been.
I hastily got Daddy situated in his chair in front of the TV. I was running behind and felt flustered, but froze as he grabbed hold of my hand with a surprising amount of strength. I tugged on the end of my braid with the other hand as his knowing gaze bore into mine.
His brow furrowed as he lowered his chin in a small, reassuring nod. I opened my hand, exposing my palm and he signed, “All right?” against my skin.
I sighed, feeling exhausted to my very bones. I was always exhausted, it seemed. I pushed his graying hair back and placed a kiss on his forehead. Even in his most fragile state, my father only thought of me.
I forced a smile and hoped it looked convincing. “I’m fine, Daddy. I’m working at Faye’s for the rest of the day and the aide will be here soon.” I glanced at my watch, stifling a groan. “Do you think you’ll be okay for a little while until she gets here?” I was running later than I thought.
He rolled his eyes, nodding. I bent down and kissed him again, this time on the cheek. “I’ll see you later tonight. Love you.”
His good hand formed the I love you sign. I squeezed his shoulder before I turned and sprinted out the door.
Ten minutes later, I hurried into my sister’s clothing boutique, Southern Sunshine. Faye looked up at me from the other side of the counter with a smile so bright I almost squinted.
“Sorry I’m late,” I mumbled as I rounded the checkout counter and stuffed my purse on the built-in shelves beneath.
Faye shook her head. “That’s okay.” She stood and gathered her bag and keys. She paused as she took me in, her smile falling. “Is everything all right? How’s your dad doing?”
I glanced around the shop. It didn’t look like anyone else was in the store. One of the rare lulls. Her small store had become really popular ever since she started it up about four years ago.
“He’s doing about the same as always.” I shrugged. Faye and I were half sisters. We shared the same mother and had lived in the same house until Faye went to college. Unlike me, she had no idea who her father was. I was thankful mine knew me and had saved me from the woman who was our mother.
Faye tilted her head. “You sure you’re doing okay? You look beat.” I resisted the urge to sigh. It was nice knowing I looked as shitty as I felt. I glanced at my watch, wanting to change the subject.
“You should probably get going shouldn’t you? I mean, I think they’re pretty strict about visiting hours, aren’t they?”
She blinked, her cheeks reddening. “Uh, yes. You’re right.” She nodded and started heading toward the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ve made a list of items that need to be stocked and other little tasks. It’s in the back, on the desk.”
I nodded as she rushed out. I’d started working for Faye soon after my dad’s stroke. I’d been waitressing at the local bar and grill, and I enjoyed it, but the hours were too much and too long to be away. Faye was great about working around my schedule. We had a home health aide come on days I had longer hours and it worked out well. Dad was on as much assistance as possible and we were able to survive on my small income.
With the chime of the bell over the front entrance, Faye was gone. Once a week I manned the store alone while she made a special visit to the prison about forty minutes out of town. My stomach clenched as I thought of the man she saw on a regular basis. A man I’d once considered almost a friend, but hadn’t in a long time. Yet, Faye was as loyal as they came and she’d never given up on him, no matter what he’d done. She was a friend he never deserved.
I busied myself with the list of tasks Faye left for me. I enjoyed working at the boutique. I’d even started helping her pick out inventory and shopping at market with her sometimes. But the shop was still all hers. Even though I liked helping my sister with her passion, it wasn’t my own.
I was tidying up a table of graphic tees when the bell chimed above the door. I turned to greet the new customer, pausing as a baby buggy wheeled inside. Then I took in the mass of beautiful, curly blonde hair pushing it.
I couldn’t contain my squeal of delight as Wren pushed her sunglasses up on top of her head and grinned at me.
“Hey, Ellie!”
I barreled toward her, and she stepped back from the buggy just in time for me to engulf her in a tight, bone-crushing hug.
“Girl, it’s been way too long!” I beamed at my one and only true girlfriend. We had met a few years ago when she started dating Ty’s brother, Atlas. Seeing her now was the pick-me-up I’d needed for a while.
Wren blew a wayward curl out of her face. “I know, I’ve been an awful friend.”
I frowned at her. “Stop. You’ve been busy, obviously.” I bent down and peeked into the bassinet of the buggy. A sweet, chubby little baby boy stared up at me, chewing on what looked like a silicone cactus-shaped teether.
Wren pulled back the sunshade so the baby could look around better. “That’s an understatement.”
