Page 63 of Heartstrings & Horizons
“I can understand that. Everyone has been so kind. Well… mostly,” she winces, no doubt recalling the events at the bar the night before. Cara reaches a hand out to ease the tension and Paige’s shoulders visibly relax at the gesture.
“I’m sorry about Jen,” Cara says, her tone apologetic and warm. “Honestly, it’s past time for me to set some boundaries or cut ties. She hasn’t always been this way, but there’s no excuse.”
“I don’t hold her actions against you, Cara. I’m not that kind of person.” Paige turns her hand over, giving Cara a reassuring squeeze.
As we finish our meal, Cara turns to Paige, an excited gleam in her eye. “So, I was thinking, since you’re here for a while, how about we make an appointment at the bridal boutique sometime?”
Paige’s whole face lights up at the suggestion. “I would love that!”
“Perfect! There’s an adorable little shop the next town over. We can grab lunch and make it a whole girl’s day!”
Dean and I share a knowing look. We’re in so much trouble with these two. Miles chuckles, eyeing us from his spot at the table. “You’re both so fucked,” he says, extending his arm out to pat Dean on the shoulder.
Don’t I know it? But I can’t bring myself to care. As long as Paige is happy, I’m happy. Before we leave, they exchange phone numbers with Paige, even going so far as creating a group chat called “The Brunch Bunch”.
Outside the diner, I wrap an arm around her shoulders. “How are you?” I ask softly.
Paige leans into me, her eyes shining in the midday sun. “I’m happy, Cade. Really happy.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Me too, Sunshine.”
After brunch, I brought Paige back to the cabin. We’re cuddling in the den, her head resting on my chest as the credits for Pride & Prejudice roll on in the background, her soft snores soothing something in me that I didn’t know existed. How many times did I imagine this exact scenario on the nights when we would fall asleep on FaceTime? It almost feels surreal to have her here in my space, and so veryright.
Thesound of my stomach grumbling snaps me out of my thoughts. Poor planning on my part means we don’t have much in the kitchen and Paige is probably going to wake up hungry. I carefully extricate myself from under my girl, gently placing her head on the pillow before tucking the blanket up around her chin exactly the way she likes it.
I snag a pen and paper from the junk drawer in the kitchen, leaving her a quick note, letting her know I went out to grab some groceries, then grab my keys and make my way to the grocery store a few blocks away.
Main street is bustling with the usual Saturday afternoon activity and I walk past the quaint storefronts adorned with hanging flower baskets and hand-painted signs. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted out of Rosie’s, enticing me to step inside, but duty calls, and I had to get home and feed my girl.
Stepping out of the grocery store half an hour later juggling bags of ingredients for taco night, I nearly collide with Rosie, known for both her famous pancakes and her insatiable appetite for gossip. I stand rooted on the spot, ready to face the firing squad. There’s no getting past Rosie Sullivan when she’s set her mind to something.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Cade Brooks,” she says with a grin, hands firmly planted on her hips with purpose. “Where are you going in such a hurry, honey?”
“Stocking up for the week and heading home,” I reply with a sincere smile.
“Uh-huh,” she says, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I already know what’s coming next. “I heard some whispers sayin’ you were at the diner this morning. Seems like you’ve got more than the bar keeping you busy these days.”
I chuckle, shaking my head, entirely unsurprised by the abrupt turn in the conversation. “News travels fast,” I chuckle. “Her name’s Paige. She’s from Toronto.”
“Toronto? City girl. What’s she doing here with you?” Her tone isn’t malicious. We don’t get a lot of city folk around here and she doesn’t know enough about Paige to know that she’s not really a city girl at heart.
“Hopefully sticking around,” I say with a smile, adjusting my grip on the groceries. “We met online, started out as friends and, well, one thing led to another.”
“I don’t know much about that online dating stuff but you know my Archie and I have been together for 50 years this June,” she says with a smile, affection taking over her expression. Rosie and Archie are the heart of Oak Ridge. Everybody knows and loves them. Arch runs the small hardware store in town when he’s not planted at the end of the counter at the diner watching Rosie at work.
“That’s the dream, Rosie. Got any advice? Kinda out of my depth here.”
Rosie smiles, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Happy wife, happy life, Cade. Never go to bed angry and make sure she comes first… in every way.”
I don’t miss the innuendo and I can feel an unwelcome blush creeping into my cheeks. I’m not a prude by any means, but hearing sweet old Rosie talking about sex is unsettling. “Well, in that case, I better get home. She’s bound to wake up hungry and I need to keep my girl well fed.”
“You got that right. Bring her ‘round when I’m working so we can meet her soon, would ya? You can’t keep her to yourself forever.”
“Deal. Nice running into ya, Rosie,” I say with a wink before making my way back to the truck, my hand now tingling from holding onto the heavy grocery bags.
If the whole town didn’t already know about Paige, they certainly will now. It’s not lost on me that I won’t be able to delay the inevitable for much longer — I’ll have to visit mom soon.
When Iget back to the house, Paige is sitting on the front porch with her kindle and a cup of tea. I may have been unprepared in the food department, but I’ve had her favorite Earl Grey tea stocked for months. Just in case.
