Page 101 of Someone to Hold
“Fantastic. I’ll make something special that will fit both.” Sally winks. “Off my secret menu.”
That pulls an actual smile from me. “I didn’t know you had a secret menu.”
“We all have secrets,” she says. “Mine are of the delicious variety. How are the twins?”
“They’re good.” At least I can say that with some certainty, but I need to change the subject. It’s not that Luke getting lost in the storm is a secret. I just haven’t told anyone why he went out in the first place. The emotions are still too raw and too close to the surface. And despite my close call with tears in the doctor’s office, I prefer not to lose my shit in public on the regular.
“Is Trina enjoying pregnancy?” Sally and her wife are expecting their first baby in a few months.
“He kicked for the first time the other day.” Sally grins as she steams the milk.“It scared the crap out of us, to be honest. But it was also pretty amazing.”
“You two are going to be the best parents,” Piper says.
“You’re going to be a heck of an auntie. I can’t tell you how many times my wife has reassured herself and me that we can get through anything having a nurse in the family.”
Piper’s smile goes a little tight around the edges. “I can’t wait to be an auntie.”
I know she means it, but there’s something she’s not saying. Asthe coffee maker whirs, I think about Sally’s comment that everybody has secrets. It seems like Piper is holding hers close.
Sally places our drinks and a plated apple fritter on the counter and refuses to let us pay.
“Celebratory coffee and an emotional support pastry,” she explains, and I blow her a kiss.
It’s not as if caffeine and sugar can take away all my troubles, but somehow they do make life seem more manageable. Piper and I turn toward one of the tables that’s just been vacated.
“Hey, Molly,” an older man says as he enters the shop, the bells above the door ringing cheerfully.
“Hey, George. Did you get my message about the greenhouse? Like I said, I don’t know that it’s worth a call to Linda. It might be easier to wait until she’s back, but I’d love to have you come out and take a look if you have time.”
He frowns and adjusts the belt that is barely visible underneath his round belly. “The decision to file a claim or pay for repairs needs to be made by the new owner.”
Coffee sloshes over the side of my cup. Piper, who has already placed hers on the table, takes the mug from me.
“What do you mean, new owner?” I’m unsure which is racing faster—my mind or my heartbeat—as I watch George process the question. “She has a tentative agreement to sell the farm to Chase, but nothing has been finalized.”
He shakes his head. “They signed the contract last week. It’s all e-signatures these days. The closing is set for a few days after she returns.” He offers a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry. I figured they would have told you. I guess it doesn’t matter.”
Which sounds a whole lot like I don’t matter, if you ask me.
He glances down at the floor, then back up at me. “You’re missing the boot. Congrats on being done gimping around.”
“You can’t say gimping around,” Piper tells the man with a sharp glare.
George looks as if he wishes he’d skipped the tripto the coffee shop. “It’s just an expression. You’re Sadie Hart’s little sister, right? Your sister is real sweet.”
Piper bares her teeth. “I’m not sweet, and don’t use that word. It’s derogatory and offensive. You know the McAllister property should stay in the family.”
“Okay, well…I won’t say it again. But as far as the sale, I had nothing to do with that.” He holds up his meaty hands. “I’m the insurance guy, Molly. I’m sorry this is upsetting you, but it’s business. That’s all.”
The business of me losing the future I’ve been working so hard to earn. My vision goes hazy at the edges, and even though I’m standing on two good feet, I feel like I’m about to lose my balance.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to shoot the messenger, George.” I try to sound normal, as if my insides aren’t shattering into a million pieces. “I knew they were in talks, but I didn’t realize things had gotten that far.”
“I’m sorry about the damage to your greenhouse. I’m sure Chase and Linda will take care of things.”
The smile I give him feels like it could crack my face. “I’m sure.” And here I am once again, relegated to the children’s table while the adults work things out.
Piper takes my hand and leads me to the table. “You doing okay?”
