Page 85 of Pick Yourself Up
Jolie squeezed her back. “I know so. You know we’re all here to help you, right?”
She nodded. “I do. And I won’t hesitate to ask for help or tell you when I’m scared. Not anymore.”
Jolie grinned. “Good. Okay, I’m going to take the compost buckets out to Thea. I’ll see you later.”
When Jolie walked out, Gray walked in with a grin. He reset the security and walked over to kiss Amber. “Hi there.”
“Hi.”
His gaze moved to the table where she’d set the door plaques. He smiled and tugged her hand to bring her over with him. “These are amazing. They’re exactly what you were envisioning.”
“They are. I’m thrilled with them.”
“That’s awesome. What’s in the other box?”
She took a deep breath. “It’s for you. I haven’t seen inside yet, but I’m hoping you’ll like them.”
“For me?”
Amber nodded, suddenly nervous. Had she overstepped? Boomer nuzzled her hand, making her realize she hadn’t locked down her nerves enough.
Gray also picked up on it. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Go ahead and open it. If I’ve overstepped, it’s okay to say so. I won’t mind.”
His brow furrowed, and he leaned down to kiss her. “You couldn’t overstep, Amber.”
She shrugged, unsure.
He pulled out a pocketknife and sliced open the large box. Inside were two other boxes. He set them both on the table. “Which one first?”
“I don’t know.”
He laughed and leaned in to kiss her. Then he rested his head on her forehead. “You seem super nervous. Do you want me to leave them alone?”
She blew out a breath. “I’m being ridiculous. Open this one first.”
He squeezed her hand and followed instructions. With gentle hands, he pulled out the wind chimes. She’d found one in burnished silver that matched the style of the B&B and fit in with the outdoors.
It was light and delicate, with the chimes attached to a harp played by an angel, with another angel resting her hand on the harpist’s shoulder.
Gray sucked in a breath and held it up to the light. He tapped a chime to send it into the others. A soft melody filled the room. As delicate as the angel herself.
She pointed to the other box. “They go together.”
He hadn’t said a word, and she wondered what he thought as he handed her the chimes and opened the other box.
Gray slid out the circular sign. It was made of the same delicate silver. Angel wings decorated the edges, along with flowers and butterflies. Angel’s Garden was written in the center, in the same font as her room plaques.
Gray’s fingers traced the letters, then the decorations along the edge. His eyes filled with tears, and he turned to tug Amber into a hug. He buried his head on her shoulder and she felt him draw in shuddering breaths. Boomer leaned into their legs.
She set down the chimes and wrapped both her arms around him. He did the same without lifting his head.
Then his arms banded her to him, and he drew in more breaths. “They’re amazing. Perfect. Just like you.”
Relief surged through her. “I didn’t want to overstep.”
His chuckle was soft and shaky. “You didn’t. You stepped exactly right. Angelina would love it. She’d love that you knew her so well without having met her.”
