Ty frowned. “Excuse me.” He rose and walked through the house, searching for the woman in question. When he didn’t see her, he went outside to the front porch to see Sledge pulling into the driveway and Scarlett climbing into his car.
Watching them leave, Ty sighed. What made Scarlett run away from him? He thought he made his interest clear. Deciding not to push his luck any further, Ty hoped to run into her the following day and clear up their misunderstanding.
CHAPTER 18
The following morning,Scarlett dragged herself from the bed and got dressed. Sledge anxiously waited for his wife to meet them in the cafeteria after she changed the baby’s diaper.
“Come on, boy,” Scarlett reached for Ice, who nudged her hand. She took him outside for his potty break, fed him breakfast, and made her way down.
“Over here, Scarlett,” Sledge called.
She ordered Ice toward his voice. “Kim, meet Scarlett. She’s the one who saved my ass,” he bragged.
“He’s exaggerating,” Scarlett said, holding out her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. I feel like I already know you,” Kim said, taking her hand.
“I’ve heard about you and this beautiful baby. Sledge can’t talk about anything else.”
Sledge pulled out a chair and guided her to it. Ice sat at her feet. “Do you want to hold her?”
“If you don’t mind,” she said, holding out her arms. Sledge placed Andrea in them. The baby smelled like heaven. She felt her tiny fingers and brushed her hand across her cheek.This was the closest she’d ever get to having a child in her arms. “She’s stunning. I’m glad I got to meet you. I’m sorry. I can’t stay for breakfast. I’m taking Ice into town and practicing walking around. Rayne promised to visit and I want to get the hang of it before she arrives.”
“But Scarlett…” Sledge started to protest.
“Don’t worry. Debbie and Barb plan on doing inventory today. They’ll make sure I’m fed. Have a lovely time together,” she said, rushing off before Sledge tried to stop her. He needed to spend time with his wife.
She walked to the entrance and stopped a veteran, asking if anyone planned to go into town.
“You’re in luck. I’m taking a couple of people down now if you two want to hop in,” he said.
“Thank you,” she murmured, heading outside.
When they stopped in town, she ascertained her location and crossed the street. She wanted to avoid Ty if possible. She circled the bakery and stopped in when she smelled the fresh pastries.
Taking her chocolate croissant, she entered the community center.
“Where did you go last night? We saw you visiting with Ty, and then you disappeared,” Debbie admonished.
“I got a migraine,” she lied, not wanting to get into it. She found her corner table and sat, taking her pastry from the bag.
Debbie returned with a carton of milk and a cup of coffee. “Tell me what spooked you,” she demanded.
She shrugged as tears sprang to her eyes. “Ty wanted to take me to the library. He forgot I can’t read.”
“Did you want him to think you’re helpless? Think about all the things you’ve accomplished in such a short time, and you’re going about town on your own with Ice. I’m beyondproud of you. Can you imagine the possibilities if you give it more time?”
“I miss my old job. Don’t think I'm ungrateful, but I want to do something and feel alive again. Before, I enjoyed my career and knew what I wanted to do. Now I can’t see. Everything’s dark. My eyesight, my future and…”
“Finish your croissant and have a good cry,” Debbie interrupted. “Goodness knows I felt the same way when we learned of Diana’s cancer. No matter how much you feel sorry for yourself, it won’t change the fact you’re blind. It didn’t change my daughter’s diagnosis either. Life has a way of working these things out,” Debbie said quietly. “I lost my Diana, but it gave me a community of people who took us in and gave my grandbabies a loving home. Just because you don’t see it, Scarlett, doesn’t mean life doesn’t have something better in store for you.” Debbie clasped her hand. “You have to fight sometimes to find it, but you must keep your courage when under fire.”
Scarlett nodded. “It’s hard.”
“Most things worth fighting for are,” Debbie said before patting her hand and rising. “Take your time and think about it.”
Scarlett bit into her treat and let Debbie’s words sink in. If she gave it more time, would life give her something in return for losing her sight? More importantly, did she have the courage to withstand the fire?
CHAPTER 19
