Page 30 of Sugar Coated Lies
“I’ll see you tomorrow?”
He nods as if it’s settled, then touches my arm as I open the door. “How will you get to work?”
“Oh.” I sink back onto the leather seat. “I hadn’t thought about that.” My mind blanks. “I…um…I’ll figure something out.”
“I’ll be here,” he blurts, seeming as surprised by his response as I am.
“Oh no. I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not. I’m offering. It was my idea to take you home without considering you’d be left without a car.”
“Daire…” I shake my head.
His gaze catches on my lips as I say his name, then lifts to my eyes. “I’ll be here at seven thirty. Now, go on.” He nods at the door of my home. “Go take care of your grandpa.”
I’m so late, I don’t have time to argue, and I need a ride to work. I can’t afford an Uber, evenifI could even get one at that hour around here.
“Thank you.” I smile and get out of the car.
Daire waits until I’m inside before pulling away.
Grandpa naps in his favorite recliner in front of the TV, and Carol stands by the front window. “Fancy car. Who’s the owner?”
I wave away the innuendo in her voice. “It’s my boss. I misplaced my license today. He didn’t want me to drive without it. It’s nothing.”
“That’s not nothing.” She smiles, hopeful.
I change the subject. “Thank you so much for staying. Would you like a pastry before you go? I made them fresh this afternoon.” I open the box on the counter in the small kitchen.
“Sure.” She walks over and picks out a peach fritter and a pecan and cinnamon croissant. “He had a good afternoon. No problems. He ate all his dinner and dozed off. I can stay to help you get him to bed.”
“You are a blessing, Carol. Thank you, but I’ve got it. I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll move him. The bathroom is near his bedroom and sometimes the plumbing wakes him up.
“Alrighty. You have a good night.” She takes her treats and purse to the door.
“You, too.” I lock the door behind her and check on Grandpa. He always looks so peaceful when he sleeps. Maybe he’s dreaming of Grandma.
I text Sadie that I’m home safe. She replies with multiple media links about Daire and the farm.
Sadie: You didn’t tell me your boss was hot AF! Holy shit. I think I’ll come visit you instead. I wouldn’t even mind if he held me hostage.
I laugh.
Me: I would love it if you visited! I’m going to shower and get Grandpa ready for bed. Have a good night.
Sadie: Glad you made it home alive.
I turn on the shower, praying for hot water that lasts the duration. When I get some extra money, I need to have the plumbing looked at, too. It’s been glitchy for months. For the first time, I have hope for making that happen. What a day. What a great day! I smile at the thought of getting to do it again tomorrow.
Chapter9
Everleigh
Grandpa didn’t wantto sleep tonight. He thought I was Mom when she was a teenager. His fits are easier to handle when he thinks I’m his daughter versus his deceased wife, but the way he looks at me breaks my heart. It sends my mind reeling, wondering what Mom was like when she was my age and what her life was like before Dad and me.
It also sends me into a sad spiral of what ifs:
What if they didn’t die?
