"Big-box is fine," she said after a moment. "I should be able to get everything there.”
Jude nodded, grateful for a reprieve from the intensely personal conversation they’d just had. It was the most he’d talked to a woman—to anyone!—about personal stuff in years.
And he’d be happy not to have to do it again anytime soon. Hopefully, Angela had gotten whatever information she’d wanted, and now she’d just let the subject die.
As Jude pulled into the parking lot, he couldn't help but notice Angela's reflection in the side window. Her expression was drawn, almost sad.
He'd disappointed her with his answers. But what else could he say? That sometimes at night, alone in his cabin surrounded by trees, he thought about what it might be like to have someone waiting for him? That watching Duncan with Elizabeth and Cole with Annie made him wonder if that was something he could have?
Those weren't things he could admit—especially not to her. He didn’t want to hurt her, but it felt like he had no choice. Regardless of whether he let her down now or later.
"I'll be close," he said as they walked toward the store’s entrance. "Just in case."
The store was moderately busy for a weekday. Jude stuck close to Angela as she gathered what she needed, keeping his eyes moving, scanning for potential threats. This was what he was good at—being vigilant and focused. Not talking about feelings.
At one point, he noticed her comparing prices and always choosing the cheaper version. Knowing there was no need for it, he stepped up beside her and took the store-brand painkillers from her hand. He put it back on the shelf and picked up the brand name.
In that particular case, there probably wasn’t much difference between the two products aside from price. But it was the principle of the thing. She didn’t need to pinch pennies anymore.
Jude had no idea why Duncan hadn’t addressed this with her yet, but he knew the man wouldn’t want her worrying about money.
“Listen. Get the best,” he said. “Your father would want you to.”
Angela looked at him, worry in her gaze. “But I don’t want to spend more, and then he says we need to take care of ourselves.”
“Angela, he’s not going to say that,” Jude assured her. “Here. Let me ask him.”
Pulling out his phone, he hit the button to call Duncan, then after making sure there was no one else too close to them, he put it on speakerphone so Angela could hear.
“Jude? Is everything okay?” Duncan asked when the call connected.
“Everything’s fine,” Jude told him. “But I’m here at the store with Angela. She needed to pick up a few things.”
“Does she have enough money?” Duncan asked. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about setting up accounts for her and Kiara.”
“Should I just put whatever she needs on my credit card?” Jude asked.
“Yes. Whatever she needs. No limits.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks for taking care of her for me. I’ll have a chat with her and Kiara soon.”
After saying goodbye, Jude slipped his phone into the pocket of his jacket. “Do you feel better about spending money now?”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “It’s just so… weird. I feel a little overwhelmed.”
“Well, for now, let’s get what you need,” Jude said. He wasn’t a big fan of shopping and tended to buy what he needed online, but he dutifully stuck close to Angela.
She didn’t rush, but she also didn’t linger too long in the pharmacy and personal hygiene areas. After she had the painkillers, some hair care and personal hygiene products, she hesitated.
By that point, Jude was pushing the cart for her, and he slowed his steps when he realized she wasn’t keeping up with him.
“Where to now?” he asked.
She hesitated a moment before she said, “Would you mind if I picked out a few clothing items?”
“Not at all. Lead the way.”
