Page 38 of The One Who Got Away
“No problem.”
Sully looked up from the steps he was measuring. “You good?”
“Yeah.” I sipped my coffee. “Where do you want me?”
Sully frowned a me but pointed to the stack of sandstone. “We’ve got Wyatt for the day so why don’t you knock out the walkway so he can do the plantings?”
“Got it.”
The backbreaking work would be better than letting me stew about going to see Eloise.
Too bad, it wasn’t complex enough to keep me from overthinking everything. By the time we stopped for our late morning break, I was spiraling like a lunatic.
I worked through the break then checked in with Sully. “Hey. Eloise asked me to come over and check her house for something.”
“In her bedroom?” Sully asked with a smirk.
I huffed out a hollow laugh. “No. Her mom’s thinking about selling their house.”
“Oh.” He pushed his ball cap back on his head. “Yeah, definitely. We’ll help her out. I can’t believe Eloise’s dad just split like that.”
“Yeah, me neither. Her mom took it pretty hard. Gotta say, I didn’t see selling the house for my Friday morning text.”
“That why you’re so quiet?”
I shrugged.
“Talk to her. Don’t jump to conclusions about anything.”
“I didn’t.”
“Right. That’s why you look like you swallowed one of Mrs. Miller’s lemons.”
I sighed. “I’ll be back this afternoon.”
“Nah, kick off for the day. We got this. Wyatt’s already done with the shrubs anyway. We’re just pouring the stairs then I’m off for the day too. Danny has a game.”
“Okay, cool.”
Sully slapped my arm. “Breathe, Gus. Don’t go looking for trouble.”
I blew out a breath. “You’re right.”
It was only a five-minute drive to El’s. Both cars were in the driveway when I arrived. I scrubbed my hands down my work pants. No need to be nervous.
I climbed the incline of her driveway to the porch. The pumpkins and gourds were rearranged on the steps withadditional fall plants. A new bench sat in the corner with a scarecrow waving hello.
Evidently the ladies had been busy.
I hit the bell and waited.
Eloise swung the door open with a wide grin. “I wasn’t expecting you this early.” She stepped outside with bare toes in hot pink, one of her favorite fuzzy sweaters, and a pair of loose pants.
I hauled her into my arms and swallowed her squeak of surprise at the deep kiss.
She melted into me and part of me felt better.
When I lifted my head, her golden eyes were hazy with happiness. “Well, hi.”
