Page 6 of Nick

I kissed her again then my mouth trailed down her neck. I made love to her again and again. When I woke up, she was gone.

4

Opal

“Damn it. I looked down at the paint on my arm, thinking I would have to soak in the tub to get this paint off of me. I looked around. The shop was almost done. I only had the bathroom to paint, and that was next on my list. It was going to be opening in one week. I was so excited. I had people stopping by to see what kind of shop I had since I bought the place, so it was exciting now that I was close to opening the doors. If they looked up, in big letters, it said Opal’s Bread Shop. I was so proud of the sign and this spot. You couldn’t find a better location for a bread shop. I am glad I mentioned what I planned to do to Charlie, and she had this shop for me to rent.

Grandpa was in the back putting the flour and other things on the shelf. I talked him into helping me because I knew he got lonesome with all of us gone. Amber lived within walking distance, but that wasn’t like living in the house with him. When he came out of the back with flour all over him, we both started laughing at the same time.

“Grandpa, were you playing in the flour?”

“Not even close. There was a hole in one of the bags. When I picked it up, it flew in my face,” he answered, flour dust flying everywhere.

I laughed as I started wiping the flour from grandpa’s face. “I’m so happy you will be here with me. I’ve no idea what I’m supposed to do. How many loaves of bread do I make each day? What kind of bread do I make the most of? Do you think I made a mistake opening this place?” I asked, letting out a deep sigh. I didn’t question this decision often, but when I did, anxiety overcame me.

“No, I don’t think that at all. I know you make the best bread I’ve ever tasted. If you have any fresh bread at home, bring it with you tonight. We’ll figure all the other stuff out as we go. It shouldn’t take long. We’ll know within the first few days after we open. I will always be here for you. We will need to make sure we are stocked,” Grandpa said, rubbing his hands together. “By the way, I have some forms I got so we can keep track of what we have and what we need to order. If you don’t need me anymore today, I’m going to head home. My roast is cooking in the slow cooker, and I have to prepare the vegetables. Don’t forget, you and Axel are supposed to come for dinner tonight.”

“We remember,” Axel said, walking inside where we were. He had more paint on him than I had on me. I was so proud of him. He might be over six feet but he was still my baby. He was kind and thoughtful to everyone. I loved him so much. I thanked God every day for giving Axel to me.

“Mom, I’m going to paint the back side of the shed white because that will give it a better look. The paint is peeling, so I have to scrape it off first. I’m going to run home and get the scraper.”

“Okay, sweetie.”

“Mooooooooom, are you always going to call me that?” he complained.

“Yes, sweetie, I will always call you that because you are my baby, and that makes you my sweetie.”

“Now, Opal, Axel is a man. He doesn’t like for you to call him those girlie names.”

“Is that true, Axel? You don’t want me to call you sweetie?”

He shrugged. “Well… The thing is…” He sighed, “You have to admit a lot of people laughed when you called me sweetie at the football game last week.”

“Is that why they were laughing?” I asked disbelievingly. “Okay, I won’t say it anymore. We’ll think of another endearment I can call you.”

“Okay, but Axel works just fine. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be painting the bathroom while you’re gone.”

The music was loud, and I was singing along when Jax came in. “Opal, I’m here to put your lights in,” he said, startling me. I turned around on the ladder and saw Nick standing next to Jax. My heart beat fast, and I missed a step. Nick caught me before I hit the floor. The paintbrush connected with Nick’s face, and his black shirt now had a white stripe down the front. He set me down. I looked at Jax. He had a giant grin on his face. That was all I needed. I burst into laughter, laughing so hard that I had to hold my side after a few seconds. I was still laughing hard when Axel came in.

“Mom, he’s not laughing,” he pointed out, looking at Nick.

I looked over at Nick. Axel was right. He wasn’t laughing. Instead, he was watching me, and I knew what he wanted. He wanted me. I pulled Axel next to me. Nick, this is my son, Axel. Axel, this is Nick Lombardi. He’s an Army Ranger.”

“Hey, Axel, I hear you’ll attend college next year.”

“Yeah, I’m going to the local college. Then I want to join the service.”

“You want to be a Ranger?”

“Umm, no. I’m going to be a Navy Seal. Do you know Ash Beckham? He’s gotten me a lot of stuff on the Seals, and it’s what I want to be?”

“Yes, I know Ash. You’re in good hands and will make a great Seal.”

I ran and got a wet cloth. I stood before Nick and started cleaning the paint off his face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more careful. I was surprised to see you standing there next to Jax. You didn’t call out a warning that you were with him, so when I saw you, I missed my step.”

“I can do this,” he said, reaching for the wet cloth. He turned around. I knew why he did. He was hard for me, I could tell. He wanted me. I walked over to Jax.

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