Page 32 of All Inn Thyme
“The greenhouse looks great,” Pete calls from the doorway, having just arrived from somewhere. “What else do you need help with? I know you won’t ask, but I’m offering, you stubborn girl.” He grins at me and slides his work gloves in his back pocket before planting a kiss on Sasha’s cheek. “You know I would have helped you if you would have asked,” he tries to scold me playfully, even though we both know he’s a big teddy bear.
“I know. I just don’t want to bother you with things I can try to figure out on my own. I know you’re busy, too.”
“I’m never too busy for you, kiddo. You need something, you just ask, okay?”
“Okay, thanks.” I take a bite of my omelet, cheesy, warm, and comforting, and close my eyes. “Sasha, what do you put into these omelets? For the love of God, they’re so good.”
“It’s one of the new seasoning blends I’m playing around with. I’m hoping I can sell some of my seasonings at your farmers’ market, if you think that would be okay?”
“Of course. Everyone will love them. Especially the maple bourbon. That’s one of my favorites.”
Pete wraps his arms around Sasha and gives her another kiss. “See you later, babe.”
“Bye, love you,” she tells him.
“Love you more,” he calls back as he shuts the door behind him.
What Pete and Sasha have is total relationship goals. A solid, happy couple who love their life and love each other, happy and secure in their marriage. I dream of having even a fraction of that someday, but how can I ever risk that again?
“Penny for your thoughts,” Sasha says. As close as we are to her, she and Pete don’t know the details of our past, nor will they.
“Just that you and Pete are couple goals.”
She laughs. “We’re not perfect. Took us twenty years to get to this point, and we both sure had our moments along the way.” She looks at me and says, “You’ll find yours.”
“I think I’m content with the way things are. I have to focus on Kase.” I take the last bite of my omelet, and then resist my desire to lick the plate.
Sasha is a strong woman who doesn’t do mushy feelings. It’s one of the things that I love about her. She is who she is, and that’s that. She runs this kitchen and takes no nonsense from anyone. She’s not afraid to voice her opinions, but it’s meant with love. She’s the backbone of this inn.
The door opens and Allie and Beth come in. “Oh, good, you’re here.” Allie smiles as she heads in my direction and sets down a few bags.
By the look on their faces, they’re up to something.
“What’s all this?” I ask before drinking the last of my juice.
“Your new clothes,” Beth says. “And don’t give me any grief. I wanted to, and you can just say, ‘Thanks for the new sexy underwear for Ty.’” She says the last part in a high-pitched voice.
“I don’t sound like that,” I deadpan.
“Oh, okay, how about this.” Allie affects a deep, husky voice, then adds, “Thanks, Allie and Beth! Now I can get laid by that sexy, blue-collar mechanic and—”
I hold up my hands and look around to make sure no one is around. “Okay, okay, stop. I don’t sound like that either.” I shake my head and laugh. God, I love them. It feels good to be comfortable being razzed by my friends. To have friends here is a complete privilege. After a year of being here in Freedom Valley, I feel pretty good about where we’re at, knowing we’re safe, no longer feeling like we’re living day by day. The longer we’re here, the better I feel about Bradley not finding me.
I feel guilty keeping my past a secret from Allie and Beth. I’ve let them in a bit, but I’m starting to wonder if I could open up even more now that I’ve been here awhile and feel confident that we’re safe. I don’t worry about them compromising our location, I just worry they’ll look at me differently. I left the past behind and I kind of like that this is how they know me, as the new Mellie. They don’t look at me with pity, and I can’t help but ask myself if they would still look at me the same if they really knew the truth.
Beth is giddy as she starts pulling underwear out of her bag. “Here’s what you need to be gardening in.”
“What the heck are you talking about?” Sasha asks, then puts her hand up. “Wait, maybe I don’t want to know.” She hangs up her dish towel and walks over to the pantry, shaking her head.
Allie pulls out new jeans and two cute sets of overalls—one in a pretty shade of jade green and one in maroon.
“Oh, I love these,” I whisper, holding them up. I’ve grabbed a few t-shirts and a pair of jeans for myself at the local thrift store in Freedom Valley, but I haven’t gotten new clothes in so long. Especially ones like these, trendy and beautiful. It’s such a luxury.
“You shouldn’t have done this,” I tell them. My heart feels so full as warm fuzzies buzz through me.
“We wanted to do something nice for you. You do so much for me by helping with Caleb, and you’re like a sister to me, Mellie.”
“We love you,” Beth says. “I don’t know what I would have done without you since I’ve been here. You’ve been there for me when I was at my worst, and when I came back you gave me a friendship that I’m so grateful for.”
