After I clean up the kitchen, she follows me into the bedroom for me to pack.
“I’m guessing the weather is the same there?”
“Yeah, pretty much. It might be a touch warmer during the day,” she answers as she sits down on the window seat.
“Perfect. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to dig out summer clothing.”
“Nope, you should be good in jeans and T-shirts. This is a pretty house. I can’t believe you moved in yesterday. How did you get it all unpacked already.”
“Yeah, funny you should ask that, and thank you. Wedidn’t actuallydo the moving or the unpacking. Our friends handled everything for us. Tony set it up as a surprise while he took me to Key West. I couldn’t believe it.”
“Shut your pie hole. You didn’t know? I’d have been madder than a wet hen if someone moved my shit while I was on vacation.”
“Yeah, trust me, I was not a happy camper. But Tony had good intentions when he bought the house as a surprise.”
“Wait a cotton-picking minute. He not only moved you in, but you didn’t know about the house either?” The look on her face was priceless. If I knew her better, I’d have told her to close her mouth, or she’d be catching flies.
I can’t help but chuckle. At least I’m not the only one who thought he crossed the line. “Nope, didn’t know. I mean, we’d looked at this house and tried to buy it, but we were outbid. When the other couple couldn’t get a mortgage, the realtor called Tony. He thought it would be a cool surprise.”
“But your name is on the tax records along with his?”
“Right? I guess in some ways that’s at least a little bit on me. He handed me some papers I thought were for the business and I signed without reading them. One of them was the contract for the house.”
“Good gravy. That was ballsy, huh?”
“You ain’t kidding,” I yell from the closet as I change out of my service khakis and into a pair of jeans and a sapphire blue silk blouse. Pulling open the drawers, I grab things to bring. I’m going to have to thank Tempest again for unpacking all of this. It would be a royal pain in the ass to go through boxes just to pack another suitcase.
It’s totally crazy. We’ve been here less than twenty-four hours, and we’re both leaving. Hopefully, this isn’t a sign of things to come. I’m carrying the stack of clothing and underwear into the bedroom when my phone buzzes. Dropping everything onto the bed next to the open carry-on, I pull the phone out of my pocket.
Bubba Stud: Hi sweetheart. It’s been crazy. Sorry I forgot to text earlier.
That doesn’t sound good. I wondered if they’d run into trouble when I hadn’t heard from him all day. Usually, he’s good about texting.
Me: That’s okay. I figured you were just tied up. Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?
I see the three bouncing dots and lay the phone on the bed while I fold the clothes into the suitcase.
Bubba Stud: We’re good. No confrontations. Ran into a hiccup or two. We’ll talk more when I’m home.
Well, fuck. That’s definitely not good. Placing my hands on my hips, I stare down at the phone and nibble on my lower lip. Do I tell him I’m leaving too? It’s not like he can tell me I can’t leave. I’m his partner, not his child. Still, I know he’ll try to convince me to wait for him. As far as I know, he’s still in Baltimore, and he hasn’t said when he’s coming back. Maybe if it were any other time I could wait, but not when there are two little girls in danger. God knows what that monster is doing to them.
Me: I hate not knowing what’s going on. But I understand. I love you. Please be careful.
Bubba Stud: Always, baby. I have the love of my life waiting for me. I’ll always come back.
My stomach knots, and I bite down so hard on my lip that I taste blood. I won’t be here waiting for him. It’s not like I told him I wouldn’t go anywhere. I’m still in the Navy. They could ship me out tomorrow if they wanted, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. So why do I feel so damn guilty for not telling him I’m leaving? What was it that Mellie said earlier? Oh yeah. Son of a motherless goat. Wait until Grace, Tempest and Harmony hear that one.
Me: Do you know when you’ll be home?
I probably should have asked that already. He might already be on his way home.
Bubba Stud: Probably not until late tomorrow or the next day. I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what we planned for this week.
Me: It’s okay. We’re grown-ups. Besides, you’re saving the world.
Bubba Stud: I don’t know if I’d go that far, but we’re trying to save a piece at least. I can’t wait until you’re part of the team full-time.
Honestly, I can’t wait either. I’ve been thinking hard about putting my retirement papers in. It’s time. I’ve done my twenty, and we have a future together that won’t include me sitting on my ass while it spreads wider while sitting on my front porch sipping mint juleps.
