Page 18 of Memories of the Past

“It never occurred to me to ask, but did you want me to start elsewhere?” I questioned, waiting before moving onto the next letter. “I could fix up the trim around the windows, or you did mention that the gardens needed to be cut back. Of course, there was the shelves. Did you need those done first?”

Trinity stood there not saying anything. Instead, she let out a frustrated sigh and went back into the store shaking her head. I couldn’t help but laugh at her irritation, and I went back to painting. By two o’clock, I had finished the main sign over the front of the store and the small sign that stood at the beginning of the path to the back of the house. I gathered up my paint, brushes, and my ladder and threw them into the back of the truck. Then I made my way to the door of the store.

I looked in the front window to see Trinity talking with the lady from the flower shop. I pulled the door open and yelled inside, both of them turning and looking in my direction. I could see the irritation in her eyes as she looked at me. “See you tomorrow.” I called, and without giving her a chance to respond I shut the door and made my way over to the truck, climbing into the driver’s seat, and pulled away.

* * *

I was surprised to see the turnout at the funeral home. I stood at the front of the room speaking with Lyle while I looked around at the people who had gathered. I recognized most of the people here; some I hadn’t seen since before I left. I nodded to a couple my parents had known and nodded, then my eyes landed on Trinity. The navy dress she wore hugged her in all the right spots. It was almost hard for me to take my eyes off her.

I’d only seen her when she’d arrived. I’d been so surprised to see her I’d barely noticed what she was wearing. She’d come right over to me and paid her respects, and as quickly as she’d approached me, she’d turned away and made her way over to the far corner of the room to speak with a woman I hadn’t seen before. Of course, I’d been busy with everyone arriving, but now that most people had paid their respects and they had formed into small groups talking amongst one another I had more time to notice her.

I couldn’t help but keep watching her as she made her way through the crowd of people, stopping and speaking with just about everyone. She’d always been popular, and with owning the bookstore, there more than likely wasn’t a person who lived in Willow Valley that she didn’t know.

“So, what are you going to do with the ranch?” Lyle questioned, pulling my attention away from Trinity.

I shrugged. I still hadn’t any idea as to what I was going to do with it. I just knew my options were very limited. I could sell it or I could keep it. “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I’m not even sure I am going to stay in Willow Valley, to be honest.”

“What’s that? Did I hear you say that you’re not going to stay in Willow Valley? What the hell is wrong with Willow Valley?” I heard behind me.

I turned around in time to meet a pair of eyes I hadn’t seen in years.

Jed Hawkins stood before me, crumpled over his cane with a young man who was practically the spitting image of a young Jed beside him.

I blinked hard. “Jed? Is it really you?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” he said, putting his cane forward and taking a couple steps, the man who I was sure had to be his son making sure he was steady. “For God’s sakes, I’m fine. Let go of me.” A much older Jed waved his hand at young man.

“Dad, stop being so grumpy. I’m just making sure you are okay.”

“Who do you think looked after me all these years before you were born. I’m fine. Now go get me a coffee or something,” he snapped.

I looked to his son and couldn’t help but smile. Jed had always been a strong individual, and it didn’t seem that age had slowed him down any.

“Sorry to hear about your father.,” Jed said, coming closer to me. “Heard it was a heart attack.”

“Thanks. Yes, so I’ve been told.”

“Did you get to spend much time with him?” Jed questioned.

I shook my head. “No, I moved and followed your advice, never looked back. Over the years we had many fallouts. The last time I saw him was when my mother passed. He wasn’t the easiest man to get along with, in case you forgot,” I said in a low voice, remembering how cold he had been when I’d returned to say my good-byes to my mother.

I watched as Jed took a step forward, his shaky hand gripping the cane. “You shouldn’t have listed to me. That was bad advice I gave you.”

I softly smiled. I’d never imagined hearing Jed say those words, yet here I stood. “Well, that advice gave me a life full of adventure. One I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

“It was still bad advice,” he bit out.

“Is that your son?” I questioned.

“Yep. He’s a police office here in Willow Valley. Didn’t follow in the old man’s footsteps.” He chuckled. “He was more of a mama’s boy. I met her during my last years on the road, shortly before I got injured. We moved back here to raise Jack.”

I watched as Jed rocked back and forth, looking uneasy. “Did you want to sit down?” I asked.

“I’m fine,” Jed bit out. “You sound just like Jack. He thinks because I’m older I can’t do anything for myself. Need I remind you both that I could still handle a full-grown bull.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t think that’s how he sees it at all,” I said, patting Jed on the back.

“Do me a favor and help me get over to that guestbook. I’d like to sign it,” Jed said, pointing over to the book that lay on the table.

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