Page 94 of One Small Spark

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“Aww. Touching.” I round the back of the truck. “See you, Krause.”

“Bye, Callahan.”

In my rearview, I watch her wait in the driveway until I turn onto the street, my ribs aching like I left my heart back there with her.

TEXT THREAD

Wren: Out of curiosity, can you add handlebar streamers to my bike?

Wren: August admired some at the park today

Wren: I want to get a pair for his bike, too

Shepherd: I can set you up with a little razzle dazzle

Wren: I heard they make the bike go faster

Shepherd: Verified. They create a slipstream effect

Wren: Are you home?

Shepherd: It’s almost ten at night

Shepherd: Yes, I’m home. Where are you?

Wren: Home

Wren: Just thinking about how quiet it must be out there

Wren: Like spooky quiet

Shepherd: I don’t mind the quiet

Shepherd: But I like that you’re thinking about me late at night

Wren: I’m thinking about your cabin

Wren: You aren’t part of it

Shepherd: Whatever you need to tell yourself

Wren: Daniel’s trying to arrange for Tess and me to meet his kids

Wren: Adult kids, to be clear. His son’s older than Tess

Wren: Easton and Evie

Wren: Bit of a theme

Shepherd: Are you okay with that?

Wren: I guess. It seems like he’s pretty serious about making a life with Mom

Shepherd: He wants to be part of your life, too

Shepherd: He was protective of you the other day at your house

Wren: He was not

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