Page 8 of Winter's Surprise
“I’m on my way now.” Michelle’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel and when her wrist reminded her it was still a little tender, she released the firm grip. “What’s the matter, honey?”
“Assholes… all of them are assholes,” she muttered.
Michelle swallowed her laugh. “Who?”
“All of them!”
“Honey, put Eric on the phone.”
From the sounds of it, Janey had directed her words at whoever was in the room with her. Muffled voices in the background blended with other noises.
“Chelle?” Eric’s voice came through.
“What’s going on, Eric?” Michelle asked.
“Can I bring her to you?” he asked, sounding exhausted. “I don’t want her driving.”
Michelle looked around and found a parking spot. “Of course. I’ll be at Le Boutique. She knows where it’s at.”
“Okay. We’ll be there soon,” Eric said. “Hey, Chelle?”
She was a second from hitting the end call button on her steering wheel and almost missed his last words. “Yeah?”
“Thank you!” he whispered and ended the call.
Michelle wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but she knew she needed to hurry. Her first stop was to buy Janey’s gift, and now she only had a little time to do it.
She grabbed her purse and hurried across the sidewalk to the store. The bell on the door announced her, and she waved at the owner’s teen daughter. Michelle found the bangles and sifted through them until she found the one she was looking for.
“Hey, Colleen,” she told the teen.
“Hi, Ms. Harper!”
Michelle chuckled. “Call me Michelle. You’re making me feel old.”
The girl laughed and grabbed the bangle. “Oh! This one is one of my favorites!”
“It’s a gift for Janey. Can you wrap it quickly? Janey is on her way, and I don’t want her to see it.” Michelle glanced out the front windows.
“Of course!”
Michelle paid for the gift and put the small box in her purse, away from prying eyes. She moved to one of the displays when her purse vibrated. Thinking of Eric and Janey, she searched for it in her large bag.
Jake Smith: Good morning, beautiful! How’s your wrist feeling today?
A smile split her face, and her stomach flipped and flopped at the simple and yet exciting text. She chewed on her lower lip as she tapped out a reply.
Michelle Harper: Morning! It’s fine, just a little sore.
Jake Smith: I’m sorry I missed your messages last night. Would you like to grab dinner tonight, say around 6?
Michelle Harper: It depends…
Jake Smith: On what?
Michelle Harper: Will it involve a trip to the ER?
Jake Smith: I don’t know. Maybe it’s your turn to tackle me?
