“I know.” She looks down at her socked feet before meeting my eyes again. “We worry about you. You have never lived completely alone before.”
She’s not wrong. I went from my parents’ house to Aunt Maggie’s. Then Maggie’s house to living with Braden, and back to Maggie’s again. I had my own space there, but she was still only a stone’s throw away. But I can do this.
“Good Lord.” I throw my hands in the air. “I’m not fragile. I promise I’ll be fine. I can invite a garden gnome in if I get too lonely.”
“Oooooh, that reminds me.” Hannah scurries from the kitchen to the mudroom and back again with a gift bag. Her eyes light up as she hands it to me.
“You have done so much. You didn’t need to get me a gift as well.” I place it on the counter beside me and remove the tissue.
“Of course I did. It’s tradition.” She is practically giddy, bouncing on her toes as she waits. “Hurry and open it.”
“I’m doing it, girl.” I remove multiple sheets of red tissue paper and pull out a garden gnome. My eyes dampen as I takein the red hat that covers her eyes, long black braids, and a yellow dress. “She’s so sweet. Thank you.” What a ridiculously impractical and thoughtful gift. “I think I’ll name her Lucy.”
“That’s a great name. Now you don’t have to invite any of them in because you’ll have Lucy to keep you company.” She beams.
“For the love of God, please do not invite any of them inside. They have taken over the yard; they can’t infiltrate the house too. I’ll never be able to get rid of them.” Logan drops his shoulders and groans loudly.
“Are you not taking any with you?” I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to laugh.
“Fuck, no,” he gasps and steps away. “I’m not letting them follow me. Plus, it’s bad luck. If I remove one, two will follow.”
“So dramatic.” Hannah chuckles, patting his chest. “Don’t worry, they can live here.”
I’m checking out my cool new little friend when I hear Hannah whisper, “You know you can visit us anytime, right?”
“That’s it. Get out,” I insist, pushing them towards the back door before they invite me for a sleepover. “I love you both and appreciate what you have done for me. But it’s time to go. I promise I will call if I need anything.” I cross my heart.
They slowly put on their warm coats, boots, and toques. This is possibly becoming the longest goodbye of my life. After hugs and more reassurance, they finally leave, taking their last box with them.
“Lock the door and turn on the alarm, okay?” Logan calls through the closed door.
“Yes, Dad.” Rolling my eyes, I twist the knob. They listen to the clunk of it engaging before I hear snow crunching on the stairs as they walk away.
I’m surprised they didn’t insist that Logan’s dog, Morgan, spend the night with me.
Letting out a sigh, I turn on the security system Logan insisted he install before I head to the fridge and take out a bottle of wine. With dreams of slipping into a hot bubble bath, I just about make it out of the kitchen when there’s a knock on the back door. For fuck’s sake. Spinning around, I place the wine beside Lucy on the counter and disengage the alarm.
Exasperated, I swing open the door. “Back so soon?” I ask.
My eyes widen in shock when I see my unexpected guest. “Ryan? What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Trouble.”
Twenty-Four
“Are you going to invite me inside?” A smile slides across my face at her surprise.
This has been one of the longest weeks of my life. I was distracted the entire time I was away because I could only think about coming back to her.
“Yes!” She grabs me by the hand and pulls me through the door into the mudroom. “I didn’t think you would be back until tomorrow.”
I barely have time to drop my bag on the bench before she takes my coat and hangs it on a nearby hook.
“I left early to beat the weather. But mostly because I wanted to see you,” I confess.
“You just missed Hannah and Logan.”
“I know. I’ve been sitting in my truck down the street for the past fifteen minutes. I didn’t think they were ever going to leave.”
