Page 46 of Organized Chaos

She smirked at him. “My day just opened up. What do you have in mind?”

He pulled her to her feet and tucked the chairs under one arm. “Lock up and grab your keys. Wouldn’t want you having to sneak in your kitchen window again.”

“How did you know about that?”

His chuckle eased out. “Your neighbor called the police when she saw you. Then she realized you were sneaking into your own house and called them back. Tim works for the Sheriff. He heard the call come in.”

Sarah put a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. “Guess I should be glad no one showed up to arrest me.”

“Nah.” Phillip waved that thought away like he would a pesky gnat. “Grab what you need and meet me at the truck.”

Sarah raced into the house while Phillip closed the garage. She fed Lola and snagged her keys from the counter, then bolted out the front door and down the sidewalk.

Phillip waited for her at the truck, the passenger door open and waiting. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Nope.” He waited for her to climb in and closed the door. “It’s part of the surprise for today.”

“Phillip Williams, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you planned a spontaneous date.” She snapped her seatbelt into place and wiggled in her seat. She couldn’t wait to see what he’d come up with. This whole thing between them was so strange and new. Their differences should be a hindrance, but God had known what he was doing when he brought them together.

“I’m not sure how that’s possible.” He backed into the road and headed toward town.

Sarah sat forward as anticipation settled in. Her stomach grumbled a reminder she’d missed breakfast. She shoved a hand into her messenger bag and came up with a granola bar and a red gummy bear in a clear plastic package. She remembered buying it, taking it out of the box, and getting distracted before eating it. No time like the present. “I hope this adventure includes food. I’m starving.”

She cracked open the plastic. “You want half?”

“Nah.” Phillip held both hands on the wheel but glanced her way. His eyes widened as she popped the candy in her mouth. “Are you sure you want to eat that?”

“It’s just a gummy bear. Promise it won’t ruin my appetite.” She coughed. Fire lit the back of her throat and it felt like she’dtried to swallow a burning brand. Tears streamed from her eyes. “Whoa.” She opened her mouth and fanned it with her hands.

“I don’t think that was just a gummy bear.” Phillip’s voice barely penetrated the ringing in her ears. “Is there a grocery store nearby?”

She tried to look through the tears streaming down her face. “On the corner. There.” She pointed at the red and white striped awning and spat the candy into a napkin that Phillip held out to her.

“Pray she has milk.” Phillip’s truck bounced into the gravel parking lot. He jumped out.

Sarah followed, her steps shaky.

He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “You want to wait for me here?”

She stumbled past him. “Milk. Closer.” Her nose ran in a steady stream that refused to stop no matter how many times she swiped it with the napkin.

The bell over the door jingled a merry tune. Sarah held up a hand to the woman behind the counter. “Hi. Hot gummy. Need milk.” She made a beeline for the back wall, where she’d seen milk the last time she stopped in.

Phillip stopped long enough to explain Sarah’s cryptic remarks.

She yanked open the door and grabbed the first jug of milk within reach. A twist of the cap and the cold dairy washed away a smidgen of the pain.

“Careful.” Phillip held her shoulder, keeping her steady when she raised the milk jug higher and continued to gulp. “Is it helping?”

She moaned around the cap but didn’t bother trying to shake her head. More milk. Maybe that would fix her mistake. She guzzled several more drinks before the heat receded enough thatshe could breathe without feeling like a dragon about to burst into flames.

Phillip handed her another napkin. “Don’t touch your eyes.” He batted her hand away.

His warning almost came too late. She sniffled and used the clean napkin to wipe her nose and mouth. “Still burns.”

“It’ll go away soon.” He checked his watch. “Few more minutes.” He nudged the milk. “It might help to keep drinking.”

“Why would someone make a gummy bear like that?” Her tastebuds would never forgive her.

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