Page 84 of Here and Now
“Do you think you can put it here?” I ask.
“Not a problem. I’ll get some soil and be back to get it done.”
“Thank you.”
I head back out front to unload the few groceries I picked up for dinner tonight while Kai is at practice. Since Miles is going to just happen to stop by tonight, I needed to make something really good.
Not that I’m that great of a cook, but I can google like the best of them.
I’m going with something that I’ve done a few times and was good: pork chops, stuffing, and my grandma’s homemade macaroni and cheese.
I check my watch and hurry out the door. “Justin, I have to run to get my son. Are you okay to head out the side yard?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll let Miles know it’s in dirt.”
I chuckle. “Good play on words. Thank you again!”
“Of course.”
The entire drive I can’t wipe the smile off my face. He’s so sweet to give me a tree and the note and to have Justin actually plant it. Just ... so freaking adorable.
I find a parking spot, and Eloise is outside the rink. “Hey!”
“Hey, Eloise. How are you?”
“I’m good. Cora is finally sleeping more, which means I’m sleeping more. Doug goes to the doctor tomorrow, where hopefully he’s cleared to start weight bearing, and then ... I might fly to Mexico and leave him with the kids.”
“Take me with you,” I joke.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time.” She sighs. “Anyway, how are you? I heard that you have learned of our magical secret of the town?”
“That news traveled fast.”
She shrugs. “I got coffee with Ainsley this morning and it came up. Lachlan’s land owns half of the falls, and the other half is Gran’s. I was mentioning that we were going tonight and would probably take the kids down to swim.”
I didn’t know that. No one mentioned that Lachlan owned the falls. “I didn’t know anyone owned them.”
This town is just full of surprises. I will say, the falls were pretty cool, and I can’t wait to hear more of the history of them.
“Did Miles tell you the stories behind it?”
“He said I needed to be dating someone.”
She bursts out laughing. “Did he?”
“I’m going to guess that’s not true.”
Eloise shakes her head. “No, but then again, it might be. We learned about them when we were kids, since it was our backyard growing up. You know what? He might be right. There is all kinds of weird shit in the town oath. Anyway, I’m glad you know now and you’re an official Ember Fallsian.”
My heart swells at those stupid words. She thinks I belong here, and I have never felt more at home since moving here. I want to always stay here, but wants aren’t truths, and I’ll have to face that at some point.
I force a smile, not letting the sadness take over. “Thank you for the welcome.”
We head inside just as practice is finishing up. It’s the part of their day they love the most. They get to hit pucks at Miles. I laugh as he gets pelted over and over again and that there seems to be a frying pan-looking thing hanging from his belt.
“Oh dear lord,” Eloise says when there’s a loud gong sound as the puck hits his makeshift cup. “That would’ve hurt.”
I would agree with her there. Another puck hits the same spot, and Miles points his finger at Ethan, who laughs and then lines up for another swack at the puck and once again hits the pan.
