“Mom!” she whined.
“Two,” I repeated only for her to grumble and drop two into her mug with a splash.
Over our hot chocolate, Noelle babbled while Chris and I eyed each other over the rim of our mugs, our looks saying more than either of us was ready to admit. I didn’t know what to say. I was leaving. Our life, my job, and Noelle’s school weren't in Evergreen Lake, but I had this sinking feeling that our hearts were. Leaving wasn’t going to be easy,but it wasn’t like I could just stay. Besides, Chris hadn’t asked me to.
Noelle finished her drink and scampered off to play with the deck of cards on the coffee table, leaving Chris and me staring at each other.
“Chris …”
“Holly …”
We both spoke at the same time.
“You go first,” he invited, setting our empty mugs in the sink.
“Thank you for everything. If you hadn’t taken us in, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”
“You’re welcome, Holly,” he replied politely.
“How much do I owe you?” I don’t know what it was I wanted to say, but it wasn’t that.
“Excuse me?” Chris snapped, looking like I’d slapped him across the face.
I realized how it sounded and wanted to crawl into a hole. “For my car,” I added quickly.
“Oh.”
“How much do I owe you for the car?” I asked, this time putting it in a full sentence.
“I don’t know, four hundred,” Chris replied, not bothering to look at me.
I walked over to the door and picked up my purse which I’d left there. Taking out my wallet, I reached in and grabbed some cash before setting it on the kitchen counter.
Chris didn’t touch it.
He stared at it as if it was poison.
“I’ll grab your keys,” he replied automatically, already moving toward the door and stuffing his feet in his boots.
I knew I’d pissed him off, but I didn’t know how to undo it. I hadn’t meant to, but I’d been stupid and now I’d hurt him.
“Come on, Noelle. It’s time to go,” I hurried her, holding out her coat.
We followed Chris down the stairs and into the dark workshop. Chris disappeared into his office before returning with my keys.
“Here you go. She’s all good to go.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll help get your bags loaded,” Chris offered as he walked over to the door and pressed a button, the roller door rising with a groan.
A gust of cold wind blew through the door making us shiver. I helped Noelle into the car and got her settled, while Chris loaded our bags. Not once did he make eye contact or even look at me. It was like we were strangers.
He shut the truck and came to stand beside me.
“Drive safe,” he offered, opening my door.
I thought he was going to kiss me. I thought he was going to ask me to stay. I wanted him to. But instead, he told me to drive safe. Not wanting to draw out my humiliation any further, I slid behind the wheel and fired up the ignition.
