Page 46 of Chasing Storm

Teagan surrounds herself with a purse, blanket, and a bag full of snacks. As tiny as she is, the woman can pack in the food. In the back, we have an emergency kit, drinks, and more blankets and pillows. I’m fiddling with my playlists while Tea reads.

My hand reaches over, brushing the back of it against her cheek. “Are you feeling okay?”

She leans into my hand and smiles. “Better than okay. We’re heading to our future. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Seven hours into the ride, we stop off at a diner to catch up with Sean and my mom. So far, we haven’t hit too much traffic, but we’re only halfway through. The four of us are hyped on adrenalin. My mom has become a whizz on her phone, and she shows us houses for sale. None of us has a place to live yet, so we’ll be staying in a hotel in our small new town. We inhale our meals, itching to get back on the road.

Two hours from our arrival, Leo calls, and when I answer, his voice blares through the car. “How’s the drive?”

Teagan perks up. “Hey, Leo. The scenery is beautiful.”

“You making Joey drive the whole way, Monkey?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Well, I’m calling to let you both know Jimar came out of hiding.” I give Teagan a sideways glance, and she swallows slowly. “He’s no longer a threat, Teagan. I promise you, you’re safe. I hope this news gets rid of your nightmares.”

She turns to look out her side window, swiping at her eyes. Jimar almost cost Teagan her life, but she doesn’t wish death on anyone. Leo’s promise of erasing the threat is self-explanatory. Jimar’s no longer breathing. I’m ecstatic about it. The fucker hurt one of the most precious things in my life, and I have no problem sleeping, knowing the world is down one criminal.

I respond to Leo, “Thanks for letting us know.”

“No problem. Contact me when you get to your destination.”

The call ends and I slip my hand into hers, resting both on my thigh. She turns to give me a warm smile. We let the news simmer, and we’ll both gnaw on it in different ways.

After checking into the hotel, the four of us wander around town. The downtown area is a pedestrian zone, loaded with businesses, such as coffee shops, bakeries, boutiques, and restaurants. There’s a park behind the downtown area with walking and bicycle trails. At the north end of the park sits a large wishing well, and along the trails are playgrounds, benches, and a small botanical garden. Teagan and my mom are in heaven, seeing all the places they can shop at. The one place missing in the downtown area is a florist. We passed one near the gas station, but nothing in this area.

On the outskirts of this community space, we gather at the realtor who listed some of the homes we are interested in. Two hours and three coffees later, the realtor sets us up with showings over the next several days. Since this is our new home, we all go to each other’s listings. Tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood is a blue jay colored house set on an acre of land. It has a wraparound porch, and planters decorate the white shuttered windows. There’s a basement, main floor, and four bedrooms on the upper level. This is the first house we’re seeing, and Teagan is in love with it. My mom and her run from room to room, gasping at the crown molding, tray ceilings in some rooms, and the ensuite master bedroom.

We hear their feet dodging from one place to another as the realtor talks to Sean and me about the details of the house. It’s an older one that has unique qualities, such as built-in nooks in the hallway and living room, and rustic reclaimed flooring throughout the house.

Teagan comes barreling down the stairs, bouncing on the balls of her feet, asking, “Can we buy it?”

Sean and I glance at each other, and I respond, “This is the first house we’ve seen. There—”

“No, this is it. It feels like home. Don’t you like it?”

“Tea, the house is great, but I think we’d be jumping the gun by buying the first one we’ve seen.”

She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her chin on my chest. “When something’s right, it’s right. There’s no need to look elsewhere.” Her beautiful pleading denim blues stare up at me. “Pretty please?”

There’s no way I can say no. “If this is the house you want, then we’ll get it.” I kiss her on the nose. “But make sure you’re positive. The realtor has a lot of other houses for us to view.”

Teagan claps and says, “I’m positive.”

I look up at the realtor. “All right, you heard the lady. Place a bid five thousand over the asking price.”

My mom and Teagan walk off, already talking about how to decorate the place.

The following day are showings for my mom. On the other side of town are townhomes and small houses where she demands to live. I’m not happy about the distance. Granted, it’s only about a five-minute drive, but for me, it’s too far to keep an eye on her. My mom argues that’s the point. She doesn’t want me hovering over her. Teagan and I will have our new home to tend to and we’ll start a family. She says this is her opportunity of independence. I can’t argue the last point. My mom has been couped up and locked away for years. Her own home and job are exactly what she wants and needs.

I back off while we browse this part of town. Between another home and a children’s park is a small one-level house. The outside has been kept up, and like she dreamed, there’s space in the backyard for a garden. Once she takes a step inside, she’s sold. There’s not much to it. It’s a one-bedroom, with each room walled off, and French doors opening onto the backyard. As small homes go, it’s quaint.

My mom stands in the living room, fingers steepled against her lips, and tears cascade down her cheeks.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing. It’s perfect.”

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