Page 40 of The Secrets We Keep

I don’t mind the decorating part, it was once a part of my job. It’s just Sarah has been very indecisive about it. I think she’s being this way mostly because her world has been flipped upside down too. She literally sold everything. Furniture, dishes, and so on. Landon and Jessy went back and forth with her while she packed up stuff. I didn’t want her to do it alone, and she refused to let me come. Whatever she didn’t sell she donated to a local charity that helps women get back on their feet after fleeing from unsafe situations. She even sold her gala gowns and donated all the funds to charity as well. Yup, Sarah is pretty amazing.

Maybe I should take her to Hobby Lobby and let her see what she likes. I wouldn’t mind grabbing a thing or two myself, plus I need to get out.

“Hey Sarah?”

When I don’t get a response from her I walk down the hallway to my old room, which is now her’s. Sarah’s probably still talking to Jessy and didn’t hear me. I go to call out her name again but stop short when I hear her say Landon’s name. Leaning closer to the door I wait and listen.

“Oh my Jessy!” Sarah exclaims then goes silent for a moment.

“But do you think it’s a good idea with all she’s been through?”

A pause before Sarah goes on, “That’s true… well okay. Call me later.”

Sarah ends the call and I’m completely lost. What did any of that mean? Why was Landon’s name mentioned and who is she referring to?

Sarah opens the door and looks at me like a deer caught in headlights.

“Um hey Eleanor… what’s up?”

“I… uhh… wanted to see if you want to go to Hobby Lobby with me. See if anything catches your eye,” I say with a raised eyebrow. She still has this strange look on her face and I can’t quite place it. It’s almost as if she looks guilty about something.

“Ya, sure, that sounds like a great idea actually. Let me just grab my purse.” Sarah turns quickly and goes back in her room. I decide to do the same and then wait for her by the entryway.

I try to push this uneasy feeling down and think about how much has changed in a short period of time. Sarah’s really here with me, she’s working from home currently doing interior design planning. She’s better than I am at it. I just picked up on some of her skills. I’d rather list and sell, and then pass her card on to clients. I’m glad her job is flexible too, regardless she would have probably given it up to come here.

Sarah emerges a minute later, her expression is unreadable and that puts my nerves on high alert. Walking out the door I mumble more to myself than to her, “This should be fun.”

“Of course it will be,” Sarah replies happily. She reaches for my hand and squeezes it and just like that my nerves settle down and we head off to shop.

Our shopping trip was a success. We both found items for our homes. Sarah has decided to go with a beach theme. It seemed fitting since she moved a little closer to the beach. I decide on a few modern pieces to accent Landon’s place perfectly, I mean our place. I also found a cute frame that says LOVE on the front of it. I plan to put a picture of Landon and I in it and surprise him with it.

I drop Sarah off at her place and head home. Landon is already there and he is cooking us dinner tonight. I have no idea what we are having, he told me it was a secret. I’m excited to see what he comes up with. I’m craving all the foods. I’ve just recently been able to try to start eating real food again. I’ve been living off of soups, ice cream, mashed potatoes… that sort of stuff since the incident. Let me tell you, it gets old. Not the ice cream though, that never gets old.

I walk into the house and instantly smell garlic. I make my way to the kitchen to see Landon standing at the stove stirring dinner. He looks so hot standing there in a black tank that shows off his strong arms and faded blue jeans. The way his muscles flex as he stirs whatever is in the pan is sexy. Who knew cooking could be sexy?

“Hey there,” I call out smiling while walking up to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“Babe, you’re just in time. Dinner is ready, garlic chicken and sautéed vegetables.”

“It smells delicious. Can I help with anything?”

“No,” Landon tells me and places a quick kiss on my lips. “Have a seat out back, I’ll bring our plates out in a few.”

I grab the sweet tea, two glasses and make my way out to the deck. It’s not too hot out. It’s a little humid, but tolerable for Florida. The sun hasn’t quite started to set yet. I close my eyes and tilt my head toward the sky. Allowing the sun to wash over my face, I think back. I’ve been through so much and still have more to go through. I sigh, I have Chet’s trial coming up and if I’m being honest, I’m scared. If he gets off, I’m not safe.

“Evie?”

Landon breaks my thoughts. I didn’t even realize he came out and set my plate in front of me.

“Sorry I was lost in thought.”

“I noticed. Want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. I don’t want to plague him with my worries. I pick up my fork and take a tiny bite. The chicken is amazing. It is full of flavor.

“This is delicious Landon.”

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