I tipped my head in response. “I feel him. Just wishful thinking.” I glanced down at the Ouija board on my kitchen table. As strange as it seemed, I didn’t need it any longer. Even with the continued grief, I’d found my way through muck and mud, allowing karma to guide me where she’d wanted. Straight into Montgomery’s arms.
How strange that I could seem so fulfilled yet so empty at the same time.
We’d returned to Stowe the night before, arriving at almost two in the morning. While I was much happier in my life, Montgomery everything in a man I’d ever wanted, there were several pieces of business that needed to be handled.
Including attending Danny’s funeral. I’d made a few phone calls, but until I formally identified his body, the morgue wouldn’t release him to the funeral home. A chore I didn’t want to do but had to be done.
After that, I honestly wasn’t certain what I wanted to do with Sunlight and Sparkles. In truth, one day I hoped to open a sister shop in New Orleans, a promise Montgomery had made. At least his sister Emmeline had offered to sell my goods at the Indulgence gift shop while I decided what I wanted to do.
Right now, one thing at a time.
The hardest thing would come first. Perhaps the toughest thing I’d ever had to do. I’d been so young when our parents were killed.
“Come on, baby. I’ll be right with you.” He took my hand, pulling my fingers to his lips. The soft brush of them against my knuckles was exactly what I needed.
I remained numb even as he helped load me into the rental car. Jesus. I had to think about the house and my little truck as well. So many details.
“Do you have the keys to the new Blazer for Walt?” I asked.
“Relax. They’re in my pocket. You’re not going to sell your little house.”
“We’re not?”
“You’renot,” he corrected before sliding onto the driver’s seat. “Keep it. We’ll use it as a vacation spot, or you can use it for a seasonal rental option. A lady entrepreneur.”
“Not a bad idea. I’ll think about it.”
He laughed and started the engine. “Why don’t we head to Tilly’s for a quick bite afterwards?”
“You like Tilly’s food?”
“Well, I have it under advisement that the fire chief usually has lunch there.” He held up the set of keys, dangling them as if bait.
Laughing, I squeezed his arm. “Is the new Blazer all decked out with every option?”
“With every option.”
I realized when he snorted that we made the same cute sound. Call it kismet.
We were meant to be together.
We sat in silence as the town came into view. All my favorite places.
Eastwood Hardware.
Great Foods Grocery.
Wildwood Bar.
I shifted in my seat thinking about the bar. At least I had amazing memories. Maybe he was right. I’d keep the house. Why not?
As we rolled past Tilly’s I noticed Bekka coming out the door. When I waved, I could tell it took her a few seconds to recognize me. I’d slunk into town without letting anyone know, fearful the pain of leaving once again would be too much.
Montgomery continued driving. We had an appointment to keep.
We were already in the parking lot of the medical examiner’s office when my burner phone rang. We’d yet to make the simplest of changes.
“Bekka.”
