Page 69 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“I hope so. My husband and my son—God love them—aren’t good with sizes. Is it possible to exchange what they gave me? I haven’t tried them on or anything. I don’t think I could’ve gotten that negligee on my thigh.” A full laugh bubbled out of her. “I asked David why he’d gotten me a medium, and do you know what he said?”

I shook my head.

“When he called in the order, he told the woman I was average size. Average. Loveisblind.”

I grabbed the counter, trying to keep myself from slamming into the floor. “Oh. That’s funny.”

“I probably have you to thank for helping Eli pick out such a cute robe. I love it. I just need a bigger size.”

“I helped a little.” Clicking the end of a pen over and over, I tried to quell my panic. “What did Eli tell you on Friday?” There was a big possibility I’d regret asking the question.

Her brow wrinkled. “About what?”

“Me.”

She walked around the counter and rubbed my arm. “He was quiet. I didn’t ask. Arguments are part of every relationship.”

After tossing the pen on the counter, I grabbed her hand. “I love your son.” I was a horrible person for telling his mom before telling him.

Wiping her eyes, she grinned. “That makes me so happy.”

My head swam with all the apologies I owed Eli. “Let me get you the correct sizes.”

“Extra-large for both please.” She waited at the counter as I picked out the right sizes. “Is your house finished? Eli mentioned that it was close a few days ago.”

“The final walkthrough is tomorrow. They were staining some cabinetry today and a few other final touches.” I folded the items and put them in a bag. “Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad we got those sizes sorted out.”

“Me too.” She answered a call as she walked out the door. “Hi, David. I can model my birthday present tonight. I have the right size now.” Her laughter echoed as she walked to her car.

As soon as she was in the parking lot, I flipped the sign and locked the door. I needed to get to Eli’s. With my phone shattered, I couldn’t even text him to let him know I was on my way.

I exceeded the speed limit in my hurry to get to the goat farm and was glad I didn’t get a ticket. I needed to see Eli and beg him to forgive me. Tessa had been right. I’d let those rules blind me. Eli had been right. I’d been so convinced I was right I wouldn’t even listen to him.

As I turned into the goat farm, I spotted his truck. He wasn’t working. I hadn’t even considered that he might be working. Showing up at the station with a tear-stained face and asking for Eli would spark gossip, but if he didn’t answer here, that was my next stop.

I jumped out and pounded on his door. “Eli, please answer. I need to talk to you.”

Sherlock barked inside.

Boingo ran up the steps and sat beside me.

“Do you know where Eli is?” I held out hope that Boingo would run off the steps and lead me to where Eli was hiding.

But Boingo only cocked his head. Talking to a goat wasn’t helping.

Sherlock barked again. Maybe Eli was inside, deciding whether to answer the door.

“I was wrong.” After a few more bangs, I pressed my ear to the door. Sherlock was the only one making a sound.

I rested my forehead against the door. “Eli, I see your truck, so I’m guessing you’re in there. You have every right to hate me and never speak to me again, but I need you to know that I love you. I should’ve trusted you. And I’m sorry.”

If that didn’t get him to open the door, then nothing would.

Chapter 24

As I pulled out of the gate, I thought through Eli’s schedule. He was supposed to be working today. Maybe someone had driven him to work. I couldn’t imagine why, but there was an easy way to find out. I’d walk myself into the station and ask at the front desk.

We could deal with the gossip after the fact, but right now I didn’t have a choice. I needed to apologize to Eli.

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