Page 14 of The Secrets We Keep

“Hey,” Landon says, touching my arm. “Where did you go, I lost you for a second.”

“Sorry…” I decide to break down my wall a little… for Landon. “Chet was just some guy I used to know, where I used to live. He’s nobody important.”

“I see. Landon pauses, he’s not buying it. You know come to think of it, I don’t know where you are from.”

“Oh, I’m from a small town a few hours away, probably not on any maps.” I shrug, then stand and pull Landon up with me. “Let’s go do something. Maybe walk the downtown market.”

“Okay, but Evie... you can tell me anything. I don’t like you being closed off.”

I give a weak smile and nod my head. I’m slowly drowning in this mess I’ve created.

We walk the market, enjoying the fresh air. It’s hot but at least there is a breeze. We walk up to a little jewelry tent, cute handmade stone bracelets and necklaces.

“Hi there, I’m Jessy the owner of Jessy’s stones. I hand make all the jewelry.”

The girl comes up to the table and smiles. A genuine smile. She’s pretty. Long blonde hair and blue eyes.

“Hi, I’m Evie and this is Landon.” I reply by gesturing to Landon. “Your jewelry is very pretty and one of a kind.” I say as I continue looking at the pieces. I just might treat myself.

“Hey you know you look really familiar.” Jessy says.

I look up to see who she is talking to. She’s looking directly at me. I start to feel nervous, does she know the old me? Panic starts to rise.

I try my best to smile before speaking, “I’m kind of new here.”

Gosh that was pathetic. Jessy smiles back and shrugs her shoulders.

“Just let me know if you find something you like.”

She walks back to her lawn chair and plops down. She picks up her cell phone and starts playing on it, so I study her for a minute to see if I can place her. I don’t think I know her so I look back to Landon as he picks up a necklace.

“This one reminds me of you.”

I look over at it. It’s beautiful. It has 3 little purple round stones with a silver dove on each end, placed on a thin black leather necklace.

“It is perfect. I’ll take it, let me find a bracelet to go with it.”

I browse over the bracelets and find one that is made of a stretchy band that is covered with pretty purple bead like stones.

“I’ll take these two.” I tell Jessy.

“These are perfect aren’t they? Doves are a symbol of peace and love. It soothes the soul. I like that you are tying it with purple jasper stones. It’s a soothing and calming stone. Helps calm when anxious or stressed.” She says so matter of factly.

“Really?”

“Yup.”

I’m not sure if I believe all that jazz, but hey whatever. She bags the jewelry in small velvet drawstring bags. I hand her my debit card and she walks back over to her chair to process.

Landon kisses me on the head and whispers, “I hope what she said is true. Maybe the stones will help with your dreams.”

I look up at him and smile. This gorgeous man truly cares about me.

“Well, here you go. You’re all set. Hey! I know where I know you from!”

Jessy practically jumps up and down at the realization. I’m frozen in place waiting for her to go on.

“You work at my accountant’s office don’t you? S1 Accounting?”

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