Page 12 of Trace's Passion
Chapter 3
Trace
Walking away after asking Emery out, he found that he was nervous.
He hadn’t gone on a date before. Never had the chance really. He could've asked out one of the women who lived in town, but there wasn't any that interested him.
Since he had gotten out of the hospital, he'd been getting to know his sister and loving that she was back in his life again.
But meeting Emery? He knew exactly why Brek did what he did when it came to Sienna. Knew why he acted so out of character.
He'd seen her trying to kick the first box in her car and had smothered his laugh behind his hand when she did so.
Her tiny karate kick did nothing but almost threw her to the ground, but she got the box free. And when she'd struggled taking it inside, he'd wanted to help then, but was still uncertain.
It wasn’t until he saw the box, she was trying to get out next. The rip of the cardboard had been loud in the quiet of the day, so he hurried to get to her before she fell.
Glad he had caught her. He laughed to himself. She literally fell all over herself to meet him.
Shaking his head, he finished his rounds and drove to Polly’s. He wanted to check on her and since she'd stopped trying to get in his or Brek’s pants, had actually become a friend.
She still struggled with being alone in her house. She'd invested in three deadbolt locks on her doors, but it helped her feel safe, so who was he to judge?
Knocking on the front door, he waited until she unlocked each lock and then she smiled.
“Well, well. Deputy Barker. How are you today?”
He smiled. “Hey Polly. I’m good. Just wanted to check on things around town and thought I would come say hello.”
She gestured him inside and he followed her in.
She redecorated her house since the break-in, and he liked it.
It was much more her style and not her trying to be someone she wasn't. It was comfortable. She'd also changed her platinum blond locks to a light brown that suited her much better.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” She asked and he shook his head. “I can only stay for a minute. I just wanted to stop in and say hi.”
She reached out and grabbed his hand. “I am glad you did. I wanted to tell you I met someone.”
Trace raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
Polly smiled, “Yeah. He owns a small store in the next town over and he's my age. We've been talking and have gone out a few times. I really like him, and he likes me. I think we might make things permanent soon.”
He smiled, “I'm happy for you Polly. You deserve it. Are you sure it isn’t too fast?”
She shook her head, “When you know, you know. Like Brek and Sienna. They knew right away and didn’t waste time. Life is too short to wait. I want to finally be happy. To be in a relationship that I have wanted since I was young. And I finally am. He makes me happy Trace. Really happy.”
Trace hugged Polly softly. “Good. That’s all I need to know then. What is his name?”
She pulled up a picture on her phone and showed it to him. The man she was talking about had a shaved head, a slight paunch and kind eyes.
It made him smile to see. “His name is Walter. Walter Rhodes. And I wanted to tell you that if it wasn’t for you and Brek, I would've never tried to find love. You both opened my eyes and I am sorry for any hurt I caused. If I caused you any. I just thought I was young and beautiful. I was just lonely and wanted the attention. Even though I knew it was wrong.”
She shook her head, “I still can’t believe the lengths I went to with both of you.”
Trace laughed. “I promise Polly, all is forgiven.”
She smiled and he gave her a quick hug. “Good luck with everything. I really am happy for you. You deserve it.”
