Page 56 of Clean Sweep
I shoved that thought aside as I plunged into the steamy shower. No need to get ahead of myself. I still had an outfit to pick out and that would probably take awhile.
Before Tanner had entered my plans, I hadn’t thought about what I’d wear to the reunion. Now that he’d accompany me, everything mattered. My hair. My clothes. My scent.
Did I smell like my deodorant, or something better? Did my shoes matchandprovide protection from the snow? No. Of course not, because when had anyone ever thought ofthatbefore?
Never.
Nowneverhaunted me.
The quiet of the house without Blake bustling around or blowing something up on his video game with Missy kept my thoughts on Tanner.
Did I hate the quiet? Did I enjoy it? What did I think about it? Until he’d asked, I hadn’t thought much about it. Now, I couldn’t stop. The quiet was a blessed change from what I’d had the last twenty-something years.
After ten outfits, I settled on a simple pair of black pants that had a flattering effect on my derriere, a pair of sensible snow boots with a fluffy top of fur that added a dash of white and sensibility, and a long-sleeve shirt beneath a vest. My favorite coat would top it with a fur-lined hood that complimented my eyes. A swipe of eyeliner and mascara finished out my process.
I hurried out of my bedroom to the sound of the weather forecast on the TV.
“Snow, snow, and more snow,” boomed the weatherwoman. “Get ready for Christmas, because snow is falling all day long—to the tune of up to sixteen inches.”
“Ho, ho, ho,” I murmured as I peered at a slowly dawning world.
Max’s flight was supposed to arrive later this morning and Ethan would pick him up at the airport. Nicholas flew in after Christmas because he didn’t want to see his father—and who knew why. He’d certainly never told me, so I’d pick him up and the other boys up in a few days.
With a wish that they were having fun at their dad’s, I grabbed my keys and headed out, giddy for the day ahead.
Checklists, dates, timestamps, and things thathadto happen sailed through my mind. Easy. I had this. Today would be a great day.
When I stepped into the shop, flurries accompanied me. An inch of snow had accumulated on the bright windowsills, and more fell in a dizzying array. Cars lined the drive-through with glowing red brake lights, illuminating the gathering moisture.
I shook off my hood.
“Merry Christmas!” I called.
Dahlia groaned behind the counter. “This place is too freaking cold!” she squeaked, then turned back to the drive-through. A puffy winter coat kept her warm under her apron. Her hair was pulled away, tucked back into a fur-lined hood that made me laugh. She glared. I sent her a sympathetic look.
For the past month, she’d walked around the shop clutching something hot, asking when it would stop.
“Sorry, Dahlia,” I said. “I didn’t order this.”
But secretly, I loved it.
She muttered something unintelligible and let the window slide shut. This would be the last Christmas for Bastian’s older sister, a woman with Down’s Syndrome named Inessa. She lived in a care facility in Jackson City. According to the latest report, the doctor expected Inessa to pass after the first of the year. They stayed to spend the holiday with her.
Bastian sat tucked in his usual corner and waved without looking up when I entered. A Christmas miracle, for sure. The man hardly said a word to anyone now that Dahlia entered his life. Like he used up all his words on her and wouldn’t extend any others to the rest of us poor suckers. Dahlia only worked until ten, when Katelyn took over.
I pulled in a bolstering breath. The next part of the conversation had to be broached very carefully.
“Have you seen Tanner here yet?” I asked as nonchalantly as possible. Another car whizzed through the drive-through, leaving an empty space. Dahlia’s gaze tapered into slits over the top of her coffee mug.
“What do you mean?”
“Tanner.” I met her gaze. “Has he stopped by?”
Her cup lowered. She straightened. “No, why? Is he supposed to stop by? Do you have a date with Tanner?” She squealed. “Is he cominghere?”
“Yes, no, and yes.”
“Boss lady!” she cried. “You’re killing me. Tell me everything.”
