Page 19 of By Your Side

Raelynn won’t let me help clean up when we’re done eating, helping me to the couch where I pout until she’s done and seated.

Dessert arrives, delectable cinnamon buns from Perk Up. Elise delivers them herself, wanting to check in on me, but she doesn’t stay.

The rest of the evening I learn about Raelynn and her family. Her mom moved here from Jamaica. Raelynn’s dad says they had love at first sight, getting married in less than a year together. They’re going thirty-five years strong.

She also has a brother, James, who works on the police force in town.

“My parents like to tease my brother because he’s a perpetual bachelor. They don’t understand it because they found such a deep love and he’s never mentioned a woman he’s seeing to them.” She chuckles, shaking her head.

Smiling, I ask, “And what about you?”

Her expression sobers, hurt flashing across her face. “I had my chance and I blew it. I don’t know that I will get the same chance again.”

Frowning, I shake my head. “No way. We never only have one chance.”

She gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. “Maybe, but I’m not over it.” She sits up, leaning forward. “What about you then? Do you think you will get another chance?”

Owen flashes across my mind and I feel my face heat. Clearing my throat, I shake my head. “Not right now. Maybe someday, but the timing isn’t right.”

“Love doesn’t care about timing, Adeline. It comes when you’re not expecting it.” Her expression lightens. “Tell you what, I will open my mind to the chance if you do as well.”

Rubbing my chest, I war with myself before nodding. “Okay, I will be open to it.”

By the time we call it a night, I know the friendship I’m building with her will last a lifetime.

eleven

Owen

The best thing about removing a decrepit porch is the fact it’s a fantastic way to work out stress and frustration. Adeline’s porch sits in piles of rotten lumber, ready to be hauled away. It’s a wonder that Fred never fell through the thing.

Seeing Adeline trapped by her porch yesterday morning hit me in the gut. The tears in her eyes and pain on her face slayed me. But when she started crying, it was all I could do to refrain from holding her closer. An urge that is unwelcome. She’s lasted longer than many people expected, and I know she’s here to stay now, but she is not right for me.

To be lusting after not only the woman who hired me but also the woman who is grieving for her dead husband . . . despicable.

After bringing her back from the hospital, I dove right into tearing the deck apart, finishing the dismantling this morning before Hank delivered lumber this afternoon, waiving the delivery fee when he heard what happened to Adeline. I start laying it out when Raelynn opens the door.

“You better come in for dinner before Adeline comes and drags you in here.” She turns, leaving the door open.

Glancing at the time, I’m shocked to see it’s already seven.

Dusting myself off, I leave my boots outside on the makeshift steps I built. The house smells amazing and my stomach grumbles. A quick bite to eat is a good idea, then I can work until dark.

“You’re overdoing it,” Adeline scolds, her face back in the frown I got used to seeing from her after our first meeting.

Grunting, I pour myself a glass of water from the jug on the table and down it. “I promise, I’m working at my normal pace.”

It’s not entirely true, but I’m only pushing myself a little, I refuse to risk getting hurt and not being able to complete the job. She doesn’t look convinced but doesn’t argue.

Raelynn made a pasta salad, roast potatoes, and salmon with a seasoning I don’t recognize but explodes in flavor with every bite.

I don’t realize how hungry I am until my plate is empty and I look up to meet Adeline and Raelynn’s bemused gazes.

“Did you breathe?” Adeline quips.

Lips twitching, I say, “Barely. Only enough to enjoy that amazing meal. Thank you.”

“It was a joint effort.” Raelynn gets up to clear the table, one look in Adeline’s direction preventing her from moving. “Adeline prepped the salmon, I just cooked it.”

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