Page 32 of Missing Pieces

I try not to laugh because those have been my thoughts the last month I’ve been here. “I’m sure I could suggest some upgrades.”

“Oh! And my house. You need to paint and decorate it so it’s as pretty as this!”

“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself,” I say sipping on my wine.

“Hey, I’m not just some southern girl who owns a diner and makes amazing peach cobbler. I happen to be quite the business women. And you might have just discovered a much-needed business here in White Creek and probably the entire county, and part of Tennessee.”

I never thought about it. I never thought starting a business was in my cards. It was far too difficult in Chicago, but maybe it was possible here. If I decided to stay. If I had a reason to stay.

I pick at an invisible thread on the couch as Ivy adds, “I’ll pay you.”

I look up at her, shocked. “You don’t have to do that.”

She shakes her head at me. “You’re doing labor. I’ll pull some numbers together, but I’ll pay you for costs and labor.”

I look at her in awe because I can’t remember another time someone put this much trust and support in me. “I’ll make sure to get approval on everything from you first.”

“Oh, I am sure I’ll agree. But you must put in the wraparound porch. It was something I always wanted here!” We clink glasses again on the agreement. I’m already feeling lighter until she says, “So, Easton?”

My smile deflates, and the cloud returns over my head. “I don’t really want to talk about him.”

She blows a piece of her blonde hair out of her face. “Well, we are because that’s why I am here. I know you got feelin’s for him. A blind person could see that.”

I snort. “It’s only because you’re pushing him on me.”

She takes a sip of wine. “That may or may not be true. But don’t deny the fact you think he is smokin’ hot.”

“I don’t really think that is a fact anyone could deny,” I retort.

She purses her lips. “Good point.” She sighs and continues, “If only I had chosen Easton instead.”

“You’re kidding, right? I don’t think you should be complaining. Trace is just as hot as Easton.”

She laughs. “Of course I’m kidding. My husband is hot. And he can do some pretty hot things with that tongue of his too, if you know what I mean,” she says as she points at her crotch.

I start coughing as I choke on my wine. She glances over at me and says, “Anyway, you and Easton. It will work. Y’all are perfect for each other. Neither of ya know it just yet.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, well standing a girl up, even if it’s not a date and just plans to paint some more, is still not cool. Nor a sign that we’re perfect for each other. He’s pissed me off.”

“He coulda been less of a dick and texted you.” She sighs, a look of contemplation crosses her face. “I shouldn’t be tellin’ ya this, but it might ease your doubts a bit. He leaves town usually once a month because his youngest sister is a bit of a wreck. He goes to check on her and make sure she’s still alive and breathing.”

I’m in complete shock. Easton didn’t talk much about his sisters, even though it is one of the many things I wanted to know more about him. But this statement is not what I would have ever expected.

“Please don’t tell him I told you.”

“Of course not.”

“He just doesn’t want anyone to know. It’s one of the secrets he’s been able to keep from this town actually. Only me and Trace know about Raelynn’s problem.”

I finish my wine and feel a little better that Ivy told me his secret. I wish he would have told me. But I understand how much his sisters mean to him and he would do anything for them at the drop of a hat.

Ivy grabs my hand and squeezes. “Sorry that was a bit deep. How about we grab more wine and talk about something fun?”

I nod and volunteer to get another bottle. As I sit back down Ivy is texting on her phone. She looks up at me with a grin.

“What?” I ask as I pour wine. I don’t like that grin on her face, that damn plotting grin.

“Well,” she drawls. “My friend Summer is getting married in a few months. Her bachelorette party is this weekend and she has been buggin’ me for weeks to introduce y’all. I realized that besides me and I guess Easton you haven’t really hung out with anyone else. And I think you could use some fun. You deserve it.”

The idea of hanging out with girls does sound appealing because I was getting a little tired of the party of one’s I’d been having most nights. But I didn’t know any of her friends and I don’t know how receptive they would be to a city girl like me. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“Don’t be silly,” she laughs. “We’ll show you a true southern time. Kinda. It’s this weekend. Well, one night out in Nashville. It will be one helluva party.”

That did sound fun. I didn’t stop in Nashville on my way here, but it sounded like a great way to release some steam. Then it hit me, “What about the diner? Someone’s gotta be there to run it this weekend.”

She scoffs, “I’ll make Trace do it. Or we can just close her down. I think half the people in this town could do without donuts and pancakes for a day.”

I laugh and agree. This is one more baby step to getting back to my normal self. And a great excuse to not think about Easton.

Ivy shakes my shoulders. “We are gonna have so much fun!”

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