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“No. I’m not hanging out at your house when I have a perfectly good house of my own. Besides, that would be weird being here without you.”
“Kate, I want this to be your home, too. You’re gonna have to get used to that, eventually.” I climb into my truck and start the engine.
“Yes, eventually, but not today. Now, go to work, fireman.” She stands on the running boards so she can reach inside. “And be careful.”
“At least get Pepper from Mom’s house to keep you company at your place.”
“Okay. I’ll go get her tonight and her, Wilbur, and I can have a sleepover at my place. Now, will you please go to work?” The exasperation is clear in her voice, and it makes me laugh.
“Thank you. I love you.” I kiss her honey lips.
“I love you, too. Now go.” She jumps off of the side of my truck.
“I’ll call you.” I call out as I back out of the driveway. Kate stands there in my bathrobe waving at me and I want to see that sight every time I leave the house… maybe with some kids at her feet.
CHAPTER 29
KATE
Today has been a great day just hanging out with Grace. She came over to my house around noon and we’ve been watching House Hunters all afternoon and talking about everything, including Hudson.
“So, you love him?” Grace asks as she puts the last of the paperwork I had to sign for the bank back in her camel-colored leather briefcase. It’s the one I gave her for graduating college.
“I do. He’s amazing, and he takes care of me.”
“I can tell with all the texting back and forth, you two have been doing all day.” She exaggerates.
“That’s not fair. We only texted twice. Once when he thought it was going to be a slow day and he invited me to the station for dinner with the guys and the second time when he realized that wasn’t going to happen because his shift is slammed. So, only two times.” I hold up two fingers. Even I can hear my defensive tone.
“Yeah, and each time, your face glowed. It’s almost disgusting if it didn’t melt my heart to see you so happy.”
“Are you leaving?” I notice that she’s packed up everything she brought over.
“Yeah, I’m beat. It’s been a long week. Frankly, I’m surprised you’re not tired, too.”
I follow her to the door. “Well, I haven’t had this many days off in a row since college. Plus, I’ve been sleeping really well.”
“It’s all the sex. It’s great for sleeping.” Grace laughs. “Are you going to be okay alone? I can stay if you want me to.”
“No, I’m fine. Actually, I think I may swing by the shop and box up the last of the paperwork that’s still there. The moving company is coming tomorrow to pick up the equipment and ovens to store them so that it’s all out of the way for the demolition crew that starts on Wednesday. I don’t want them to have to worry about anything and just get started when they get there.”
“And why isn’t the demo crew starting on Tuesday? It should only take a few hours to move your stuff, right?”
I laugh at Grace. “Because Tuesday is the Fourth of July. You are tired. Haven’t you been hearing all the fireworks people have been setting off lately?”
“Ah, yes. You’re right. I forgot. Ugh. Tomorrow is Monday. I don’t want to go to work,” Grace whines. “Okay. I’m going. I need to sleep. Tell Wilbur I’m sorry I missed him.”
“He’s at Betty’s, but I’ll tell him you said ‘Hi’. Drive safe.”
For the second time today, I watch as someone I love drives away. It’s kind of depressing if you think about it.
I go back inside and clean up our lunch plates and change into jeans and a T-shirt. Because it’s Sunday, the traffic to the shop is light and I make it there in under ten minutes.
Parking in the empty parking lot, I look over at my poor shop and tear up. All my hard work and all the years I’ve poured into this place, and someone destroys it in a matter of a few minutes.
Yesterday, I asked Declan if they had any leads on the culprits, but he said that they’re still working on it. He didn’t seem to have too much luck, but I’m still hopeful they’ll find something. I mean, it’s obvious who did it, but that means nothing if there’s no evidence to prove it.
Speaking of my neighbor, I notice his shop is closed and there’s no one in the parking lot. Four o’clock on a Sunday afternoon seems like the perfect time to get a pizza, but if the pizza place isn’t open, then how on earth is he staying in business? I don’t get it.
