Page 43 of Might as Well

“I’m happy to be here to volunteer my services,” Jamie says after we exchange pleasantries. “Just tell me what you want me to do.”

“I appreciate the thought, but are you sure? I don’t want to take you away from work or whatever.”

Jamie laughs. “My boss is my husband; I’m still getting paid and he won’t mind I’m not there. So, how can I help?”

Deciding to simply accept the help Kayla brought with her, I give them the tasks of putting the kits together while Zane and I work on packaging them for shipment. It doesn’t take long before I realize I should’ve hired more help. Even with the four of us, we’re going to be here a while and I’m set to ship them in two days. We may not make it.

When we break for lunch, which we had delivered, I confess my fear to Zane about not finishing in time. Before he has a chance to respond, there is a knock at the front door. Zane grins.

“Be right back.”

He stands and I watch with confusion as he lets a group of women inside.

“Violet, you may remember everyone, but Jamie, meet Sylvia, Lizzy, Julie, Raelynn, and Sydney. They’re here to help.”

For a moment, I’m flabbergasted. All I can do is stare with surprise as the ladies say hello. He called in reinforcements? And they actually showed? Wow.

Zane sidles up next to me and whispers with a kiss to my neck, just below my ear, “Family helps family.”

I shove my emotions down and accept their help. It makes all the difference in the world. By the end of the day, all kits have been assembled, packaged, and are ready to ship out.

“I don’t know how to repay you and thank y’all enough,” I say as the ladies get ready to leave.

Sylvia hooks an arm through mine. “Come hang out with us more often and that is payment enough.”

Zane does the same on the other side of me, but tugs me out of her hold. “Don’t even think about trying to scare her away, Sylvia.” To me, he adds, “She’s nosy as hell.”

Sylvia gasps as if she’s shocked he said such a thing. “Forgive me for trying to get to know the other spouses.” To me, she says, “Don’t listen to what anyone tells you about me. And if you ever don’t want to answer something I’ve asked, you can tell me to mind my own business.”

Lizzy snorts. “Not that she will.”

Sylvia rolls her eyes and I smile. The camaraderie between them is nice. I will definitely have to do more with them since they were so nice to come out and help me.

Zane stays by my side for the next few days, helping with anything I need, and reassuring me with his presence. We’re only separated for a brief hour when I run out on an errand for a little surprise I’m working on for Zane. I sure hope I don’t regret what I’m doing, but at the same time, it feels right.

Tonight, though, I meet Graham’s girlfriend. Nervous doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. We’re meeting them at a restaurant and Zane drives us there now.

He finds a parking space and I take a deep breath, not prepared for this at all.

Zane takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Are you ready?”

I shake my head and Zane gives me that boyish grin of his I love so much.

“It’ll be okay; let’s go.”

Within a couple of minutes, we’re seated at a table across from Graham and his girlfriend, Carrie. He introduces us and I’m a little relieved that she seems nervous too. But it’s all for nothing. We spend the next hour having nice conversation, learning about one another. She seems like a nice girl and Graham is almost a different person around her. A better one. He acts like the person I’ve been hoping he’d grow up to be.

But as our dinner winds down, Graham clears his throat, glances at me, and then turns toward Carrie.

“It’s good that you’ve met my sister; I want you two to get along and stuff, especially since I leave for basic training next week.”

My heart falls to the pit of my stomach. This is really happening. A sob erupts from Carrie as she throws her arms around him. Zane rests a hand on my knee and gives it a little squeeze. It’s clear from watching them that they care for one another and I’m glad my brother has someone in his corner.

“If you need anything while he’s gone, I’m here,” I manage to say.

Carrie gives me a grateful smile.

“It was nice to finally meet you,” I add. “We’ll go so you two can spend more time together.”

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