Page 102 of Lose You to Find Me

Mom smiles sadly and asks one simple question. “Can you really put a price on love?”

When Dad moves his hand away from his mouth, there’s bright red blood covering his skin.

Mom stares at Dad.

I stare at Mom.

And Dad stares at his hand.

Chapter Thirty-Six

RAINE

When I seeLeon walk into Bea’s with a young, brunette woman beside him, I smile for the first time in nearly two weeks. Ever since the falling-out with Caleb, I’ve felt a hole in my chest that nothing seems to mend. Not even Sigmund’s warm cuddles, the Milk Duds Dad has been sending me, or the cooking class Mom signed us up for together that starts right before the beginning of spring semester. I take each day as it comes and do my best to distract myself from feeling sorry over the choices I’ve made.

Christmas is in a matter of days, and I don’t have the same spirit I typically do. Our tree is up but bare of decorations, and the only shopping I did consisted of gift certificates that I’ve tucked in holiday cards because it was the easiest route to take.

My neighbor snorts in amusement when he stops at the counter and sees the antlers that Elena made me wear. They have bells on them and give me a headache the longer they rattle, but the sassy teenager insisted we get in the holiday spirit with antlers, ugly sweaters, and Christmas music playing all day long.

“Nice antlers, kid,” Leon muses, causing the woman beside him to smile. I recognize her from the pictures he’s shown me in the albums he’d pull out when I was over. “This is my daughter, Jenna. Figured it was about time the two of you met.”

She reaches her hand out first, which I meet halfway over the counter. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Raine. Anybody who can handle this grumpy bastard has my respect.”

I grin at the man in question. “I like her, Leon.”

The old man rolls his eyes. “Of course you do.” He gestures toward the seasonal special written on the chalkboard. “Don’t suppose you still have some of the warm cider left, do you?”

“Bea bought more yesterday. Two cups?”

Jenna holds out a credit card before Leon can reach for his tattered wallet. “And I’d love it if you could add two apple fritters for here. Dad hasn’t been able to stop raving about them for months, so it’s time I tried one.”

I accept the card. “No problem.”

Leon grabs his wallet, which is on its last legs, and pulls out a five-dollar bill to stick into the tip jar.

“You really need a new wallet,” I tell him, passing his daughter’s credit card back and waiting for the receipt to print.

He scoffs. “There’s nothing wrong with this one. Nothing a little duct tape can’t fix.”

Jenna rolls her eyes. “You’re getting a new one for Christmas. It’s in your stocking already. Act surprised.”

Laughing lightly, I grab two cups and start on their order. “Are you two doing holiday shopping or are you finished?”

“We’re almost done,” she tells me. “Dad wanted help getting something for the kids, so they’re with their father for the day being loaded up on sugar and God only knows what else.”

Despite the wary look Leon gives me, I don’t feel any sadness hearing about her children. If anything, it makes me happy that he’s finding something perfect for them. I guess that’s what happens when you accept nothing is going to change about your situation.

It takes too much energy being angry, so you might as well find the little things in life to lift your spirits.

“I bet they’re excited for Christmas,” I reply, passing her the cups of cider and going toward the display case for the fritters. “I remember how much I loved this time of year when I was little. Everything was so…”

“Magical,” Jenna finishes for me with a warm smile.

I return the smile easily before transferring the fritters into the small heating oven to warm.

Leon clears his throat, shifting his cane and looking behind him at the tables. “You wouldn’t happen to have a few minutes to sit down, would you?”

Elena is in the back helping Bea, but things are slow enough for a quick break. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Is everything okay?”

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