She ends the call, and I take the stuffed animal to the checkout before heading to Presley’s. It’s then real life calls.
“Kelly. How are things going out there?” I ask, taking her call.
“Good. How are things at the ranch?”
“Moving along.”
“Have you decided what you’re going to do?”
Isn’t that the million-dollar question? It’s one I keep weighing. Things are going well here with Presley and Poppy. But are we in the honeymoon phase? Is it only good because things are easy right now?
There’s nothing making it hard and that’s what worries me. Back in high school, the first time things got hard, I left. I’m not that same kid. But I also have a life in Seattle.
A well-established life that I need to get back to.
“Kade? Are you still with me?” Kelly asks, breaking my train of thought.
“Sorry, I’m here,” I say.
“Contracts are going to be signed next week for the Brissett account. I’m forwarding to you for one last review before signatures. I’ll get that on the calendar for you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate all you’ve been doing to help me while I’m out.”
“Anything I can do to make this easier for you,” she says. “That’s all I have right now, unless you need anything else?”
“No. I’ll review the contracts soon and let you know. Thanks, Kelly.”
“Talk soon.”
She ends the call and I stuff the phone in my pocket. Checking both directions, I jog across the street to head up to Presley’s apartment, bag in hand.
I hope Poppy will like my surprise.
I don’t even have the chance to knock before Poppy is pulling open the front door.
“I saw you coming from across the street.”
Her face is still pink from her earlier tears.
“Did you see I have something for you then?”
I hold up the bag as I kick the door shut behind me.
“I have something for you.” Poppy hands me a picture.
I’m not quite sure what I’m looking at, but it’s bright and colorful. “Thanks, Poppy. I love it. I’ll hang it up in my office.”
That brightens her face.
Good.
“This is for you.”
Poppy unfurls the curled top and pulls out the brown stuffed horse. “It’s Lollipop!”
“I hope Strawberry likes her,” I say.
“She will.” Poppy bounds over to her room, my guess to get Strawberry.
