Page 76 of Sinful Skulls
“I love it,” Elizabeth finally whispers. “I can’t wait to hang it up at home.”
“I can drop it to you in a few days. Brody is letting me use his truck to take some paintings over to Junkyard Creations. Lily’s letting me sell there.”
“Just text me when you’re heading over. There’s a chance I might already be there. I’ve been selling her out of flowers almost every day.”
“That would be great! Brody said there’s a little coffee shop down the street. Maybe we could grab a cup.”
“I would love that,” Elizabeth says, looking back at her husband. He smiles at her.
“Why don’t you guys join us tomorrow at the junkyard? Ash and Lexie are coming by. We’ll fire up the old grill,” he says.
Daisy looks at me to answer, and I see the excitement in her eyes.
“Yeah, that would be great. I know Daisy has been dying to catch up with Lex. Plus I wanted to talk to Ash about helping out with the run Jackson wants to put together for Rachel. Jackson has enough on his plate right now.”
“He does, but I don’t think you should leave him out. He might need this to feel like he’s doing something for her.”
“I didn’t think about it that way.”
Elizabeth gives me a hug. “If you ever need to talk, we’re here for you.” She then gives Daisy one, holding her close for several moments. “I had a wonderful evening. Thank you.”
We walk them out and watch as they drive away. Daisy hugs my arm. “I think she really liked the painting.”
I laugh. “So, you’re okay with going over to see them tomorrow night?”
She sighs, laying her head against me. “I am. I really like them, and I’m excited to see Lexie.”
We clean up and then head to bed. I fall right to sleep but wake up a few hours later in an empty bed.
I pad through the living room, rubbing my eyes, hoping I don’t stub my toe. I find Daisy curled up on the couch in the blanket Elizabeth made her.
“What are you doing up?”
She startles as she turns my direction, placing her hand over her heart. “Oh, you scared me. I didn’t wake you, did I? I couldn’t sleep.”
“You didn’t, but you should have.”
“Why would I make both of us suffer?” She laughs lightly, rubbing her temples.
I sit down on the end of the couch and motion for her to lie down. “Put your head in my lap.”
She listens without hesitation, and I love that. I begin to rub her temples, and almost instantaneously she relaxes. Her eyes fall closed, and a faint smile paints her lips.
“Daisy, I asked you to marry me. That means I want to share in your suffering. I don’t just want your joy; I want your sadness too. I thought you understood that. It doesn’t just apply in the bedroom.”
“You have to work tomorrow. I didn’t want to keep you up.”
“Next time you can’t sleep, you wake me … you know what, never mind. I’ll just wait until you fall asleep before I let myself drift off.”
“Brody,” she giggles.
It makes me smile, because I love lifting her heart. It makes me feel invincible.
“You can’t do that. I promise I’ll wake you if I need to.”
I continue to rub her temples for a few more minutes. I drop one hand to her chest, and the other I place on her forehead. She softens into the couch a little more. “You are safe with me, little flower.”
Even though she’s relaxed, her face tells a different story. She’s struggling to hold herself together. Keeping your composure is a good skill to have, but sometimes your soul has no choice but to cry out.
