Chapter Twenty Seven #2
Two hours later, they shook his hand and left. Caroline felt exhausted. She didn’t realize even with reading her dad’s wishes, she still needed to make choices. The morning drained her.
“What florist did you want to visit?” Jameson asked her.
“It’s by my old house. I don’t know if it’s still there. My dad always bought my mom a bouquet there. A nice couple owned the place, and Dad always said to support the local shops,” she told him.
Jameson drove to her old neighborhood. Caroline stared in disbelief at the run-down neighborhood, which once thrived with new families with young children. The houses appeared old and shabby. Lawns seemed unkept.
“Do you want to drive by your old house?” Jameson asked, glancing over at her.
Shaking her head, Caroline said, “No. My heart can’t take seeing it if it resembles these. My mom always took great care of her flower garden, and Dad did all the work outside on Saturdays. Plus, I don’t want anything reminding me of my last time there.”
Jameson drove a few blocks over, purposely avoiding her old street. She pointed to the shop, and he pulled into the parking lot. Garrett pulled in beside them.
When she got out, he tipped his hat at her as Jameson came around to escort her inside.
A woman came bustling around the corner as the bell above the door jingled. Caroline smiled, immediately recognizing Mrs. Kennedy.
“Oh, my word. Caroline, is it really you?” she exclaimed, immediately wrapping her arms around her. Jameson stepped aside, letting her greet her acquaintance.
“Yes, Mrs. Kennedy,” she replied. “I’m sorry to tell you my father passed away, and I need to order flowers for his funeral, and I want another bouquet for my mom’s grave.”
“I’m sorry to hear Thomas has passed. He came in a couple of years ago and personally selected the flowers for your mom. On your birthday, he always purchased a dozen pink roses. I don’t know what he ever did with them. He never gave up hope of finding you,” she said, squeezing Carline’s hand.
“Thank you for letting me know,” she said, glancing around at the shop.
“Let’s go have a seat in the back. I can make some tea, and you can tell me how he found you,” Mrs. Kennedy said, leading the way to the back of the shop.
Nervously glancing over at Jameson, Caroline bit her lip. She never thought of what to say if someone asked what happened to her.
“I’m afraid we don’t have much time,” he interjected. “Some of Thomas’ friends plan to bring a late lunch for Caroline,” he explained. “We’re running a bit behind.” Turning to Caroline, he asked, “Did you have an idea of what you wanted for your mom?”
Caroline nodded. “Can I have a spray of red roses with some greenery?” she asked Mrs. Kennedy.
“Of course. What day do you want them delivered to the cemetery?” she asked.
“The day after tomorrow. My father’s funeral begins at two. I’d like them placed on her grave by then,” Caroline instructed.
Mrs. Kennedy wrote everything on her notepad before turning her attention back to Caroline.
“What did you have in mind for Thomas?”
“May I do red roses and white lilies? Maybe a blue bow?” she asked, biting her lip.
“It sounds perfect. Let me get this rung up for you. How big a spray do you want for each?” Mrs. Kennedy asked as she pulled out a booklet, showing the various designs and pricing.
Caroline rubbed her forehead as she glanced at the prices. Sure, she’d have her father’s insurance money to cover it, but it’d take some time before she got the check. Her head began to pound as Mrs. Kennedy explained the differences.
“Caroline, how about we go with these two?” Jameson said, prompting her to focus on the task at hand.
“Mrs. Kennedy, may I purchase this on an account until the insurance money comes in?” she asked, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.
Jameson took her hand. “Pick out what you want. I’ll cover it. We can deal with the details later.”
“I don’t want to put you out. You know the rule about borrowing money from friends,” she whispered as Mrs. Kennedy took a phone call.
“Trust me, I have more than enough. My room and board get covered by the ranch. I pocket my paychecks and invest,” he assured her. “Pick out what you want without glancing at the prices.”
She blinked and browsed the selections again.
Mrs. Kennedy returned. “Have you decided?”
“Yes. I’ll take these,” she said, pointing to the arrangements.
“Let me get you the total,” Mrs. Kennedy said, punching numbers on her calculator.
Jameson handed her his credit card. Mrs. Kennedy gave her one last hug before they left.
“Thank you,” she murmured as he held the car door for her.
“You’re welcome. Do you want to grab some lunch before we head back?”
“We still have food in the fridge from yesterday and I have a feeling I’ll have more casseroles than I can eat after the funeral. Oh, crap. I didn’t even think about the reception afterward.”
“Did you like the food from the barbecue at Rebecca’s? It’s a small ma and pa shop. They have a nice selection of food to choose from. I’m sure Riley has a menu,” he suggested. “Anything else we can have catered in if they don’t have it.”
“Dad might like me supporting them. It sounds like a great idea. I’ll call her,” Caroline said. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather go home.”
“We can eat the food Rebecca purchased yesterday while you go over the menu with Riley,” he said, driving to the house.
Caroline leaned back in the seat, letting the tough day roll off her. Her dad’s words from his letters haunted her. He wanted her to find love and happiness. After the last couple of days, she didn’t think it possible to have both.
Jameson pulled the car into the driveway and waited while Garrett cleared the house.
“Why did he go inside the house?” Caroline asked. “You’ve never done it before.”
“Extra precautions,” he said. “Someone always stayed here. Since we’ve spent most of the day away, Garrett’s checking it out.”
“Oh,” she said, watching Garrett signal the all clear.
Entering the house, Jameson set her to calling Riley while he prepared lunch.
She went into the living room and took out her computer from the bag where she left it the night before. After going over the menu, she decided on all the dishes. She pulled out her phone and added everything up on the calculator.
“Did you get everything figured out?” Jameson asked, setting a selection of mini sandwiches, veggies, and a brownie before her.
“I hope so. It’s hard to guess when I don’t know who will be there,” she said, glancing at the numbers.
Jameson took her hand. “Nancy mentioned Thomas’s friends. Plus, all yours will be there to support you. Order what you need, and I’ll cover it.”
“You already took care of the flowers,” she reminded him.
“It’ll take a bit of time for the insurance check. I don’t want you worrying about money right now. Let me help you,” he pleaded.
“All right,” she sighed. “Thank you. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. It’s humiliating to not have a job and having to ask for a handout.”
“I offered, you didn’t ask,” Jameson said firmly. “What else do you need to handle?”
“Nancy plans on coming later this evening. I don’t want to go through anything else before she gets here. I feel like I’m intruding on her privacy. After all, they lived here one day, and then they’re both gone the next.”
“Since you’re done until she arrives, how about another swimming lesson?” he suggested. “It’s warm outside, and fresh air will do you good.”
“Don’t you think it’s disrespectful to go swimming?” she asked.
“Your dad wanted you to go on with your life,” he reminded her. “You can’t sit inside and dwell on this. You’ve finished all your tasks until Nancy arrives.”
“’Kay,” she agreed, taking a bite of her sandwich and turning the computer toward him. “Do you think it’s enough?”
Jameson snorted. “Have you seen how much Garrett eats? We’ll go without if he gets to the food first,” he said, changing the order, putting in his card information, and hitting the confirm button.
After they ate, Caroline met Jameson at the pool. He swam to the side and glanced up at her.
“You make it seem easy,” she grumbled.
“Come on,” he challenged. “You swam across the pool the other day. Did you forget how?”
“No,” she reluctantly admitted. “I don’t think I’ll ever love water as you do.”
“How about I teach you some defensive moves in the water? Then you’ll feel less vulnerable,” he suggested, watching her as she sat along the edge, letting her feet dangle in the pool.
“You’re big. I don’t know if I’ll feel comfortable fighting you,” she confessed, glancing away from him.
“Hey. Part of getting rid of fear requires facing it. You know I’ll never hurt you. I mean, ladies fall all over me. You might like it if I wrestle with you,” he teased, watching her smile and roll her eyes.
“You’re incorrigible,” she said as he tugged her into the water. Her hands clamped around his neck. “Don’t go fast and tell me what you plan to do first.”
“We’ll start out doing it your way, but do you think a shark will tell you when it plans to attack?”
“I don’t know how you have the courage to swim in an ocean,” she said in disbelief.
“One day, I’ll take you to a beautiful beach with the bluest waters you’ve ever seen. We’ll go snorkeling and see all the tropical fish. Then, you’ll never want to get out.”
She scrunched her face in denial. “I doubt it.”
“You’ll see,” he said, charming her. “Let’s warm up first. Take ten laps from one side to the other.
Sighing, Caroline began. Jameson gave her instructions. True to his words, he told her before he did anything. Two hours later, she swam in the deep end with her eyes closed.
Her body braced, waiting for him to attack. He taught her how to hold her breath, made her go under the water, and grabbed her limbs. Slowly, she felt better and more empowered. A hand circled her ankle and jerked her under.
Caroline kicked out and twisted as he instructed, breaking his hold.
“I did it,” she squealed.
Jameson grinned. “You did. Let’s do it again,” he ordered.