4. Chapter Four
Chapter four
Hummingbird
The next morning, the alarm on my phone pulled me from a fitful sleep.
I wanted to make sure I was awake and ready for Edith.
When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t help the tears that sprung to them when there was no breakfast and coffee waiting for me.
No one singing happy birthday. No hugs and kisses.
I forced myself off the couch and into the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face, both to wash off the tears and to shock my body enough to stem the emotional leakage.
After getting dressed, I made myself make some tea and toast, and then actually consume it.
Did I sit in the security room the entire time?
Yeah. Was I actually successful at eating the food? Also, yes.
I jumped and almost went into a panic when the first proximity alarm went off, but when I saw Edith’s small SUV roll through the clearing and then into the mine opening, relief washed over me, and a smile appeared on my face.
On another screen, I watched her pull up to the supply cache and put the vehicle in park.
Even though I knew who had arrived, I still strapped on my holster, loaded up my favorite gun, and waited until I confirmed it was, in fact, Edith stepping out of it. Once I did, I took a deep breath and headed out the back door.
Everything is going to be fine.
After shutting the blast door, I turned toward where the golf cart was usually parked. Panic shot through me when I didn’t see it there until I remembered why.
Derek had driven it to the other end of the tunnel before he…
I shook my head and started walking. It gave me something else to think about instead of letting grief consume me, yet again. Taking extra steps was good for me. I’d been sedentary for too many days.
My heart rate picked up as I closed in on the door at the end of the tunnel, leading to the outside, but not because of the exercise.
The golf cart was sitting there, waiting.
Blinking back tears, I looked at the screen showing the feed from the four cameras in and around the mine opening area.
Edith stood next to the SUV, patiently waiting for me.
Taking another deep breath, I unlocked the blast door and pushed it open.
The grey-haired woman turned and grinned at me as I walked out of it. “Hello, dear.”
I ran into her open arms and let her pull me into a tight hug. The comforting gesture sent me over the edge, and I burst into tears. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” She rubbed my back as she hugged me tighter. “I’m so sorry he’s gone.”
We stood there for longer than we should have, but I didn't care. She wouldn’t have come out if there was any hint of extra danger, and at this point, I wasn't sure if being attacked was the worst thing in the world.
No. I cannot go there. Derek would be pissed. His loss would be in vain.
I need to pull my shit together.
I hugged Edith tighter, grateful the woman couldn’t read my thoughts. “Thank you for coming.”
“Nothing was going to stop me. Not today. Speaking of, happy birthday, my dear.”
Sniffling and wiping the tears from my face, I stood straight again. “Thank you.”
“So, how are we getting all this back to the house?” She looked around. “If my aged memory serves me right, we aren’t exactly near the front door.”
I glanced over my shoulder toward the door I'd walked out of. “There’s a secret entrance near here.”
Excitement sparkled in Edith’s eyes. “Really?”
I nodded. “How do you think we got the supplies from the cache to the house?”
She chuckled. “Honestly? I wasn’t sure. Part of me hoped there was some hidden path or tunnel so you wouldn’t have to walk outside. Shall we head in? I feel we’ve pushed the limit of how long I've kept you from your safe place.”
It didn't take long to transfer the supplies from the back of her SUV to the back of the golf cart. I tried not to think that these could have been the last items he touched before he gave up his life to save mine. Or how he was the last one to drive the cart.
Don’t go there right now. It won’t change anything.
Edith was excited as I drove her down the long tunnel. “This is absolutely amazing. Where does this connect to the house, though? I never saw a basement access point when I was checking over the house before you moved in.”
I’d almost forgotten she had provided the basic furnishings before Derek and I practically crash-landed on the property.
It was also interesting Lynette had never filled her in about the blast-proof bunker.
“As far as anyone knows, there isn’t a basement.
You’re the fifth person to find out.” After parking near the door, I had to swallow down the sorrow before it overwhelmed me.
It should have been Derek bringing these into our home.
I blinked extra to keep the tears at bay, and after taking a few deep breaths, I looked at Edith again. “Let’s get this unloaded.”
It didn’t take long to get everything inside, and once I shut and locked the exterior door, Edith gently cleared her throat. “So, how do we get upstairs?”
“Until I know more about what happened and who caused it, I feel better staying down here.”
She nodded and gave me a tight smile. “Okay.”
Once again, we made quick work of unpacking. My mouth dropped open as I watched her unload an insulated cooler. “What is all that?” The containers looked nothing like any of the food on the supply list.
Edith glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “I was leaving nothing to chance. I brought cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, chicken noodle soup, and beef stew. I even brought the makings for my special hot chocolate.”
Tears welled in my eyes at all the love she was pouring on me. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, my dear.” She reached over, pulled me in for a hug, and held me for a moment. “Now, before we dive into comfort food and I give you your birthday presents, where would you like to settle in? On the couch or at the table?”
“Table for food, couch for presents.”
“Deal.”
Edith moved around my kitchenette with the ease of someone who had been there for years. There was a grace and almost dance-like quality to her movements, and I was mesmerized as I watched her.
After enjoying some of the beef stew and rolls, she shooed me off to the couch and made hot chocolate, promising cinnamon rolls after presents. It was then she brought three very different shaped packages to the coffee table and sat down. “Lynette requested I hand her present to you first.”
I grinned as I took the box Edith gestured to, surprised by the weight.
What in the world did she send? I ripped the paper and then the top flaps to reveal something grey and purple crocheted.
It looked like a blanket. Centered on the top was a folded piece of paper, and when I opened it, tears filled my eyes upon seeing a very familiar and comforting handwriting.
H-I made this while I was at the hospital with Papa A, and then while I mourned him. Let this be a hug from me to you until you’re back under my roof. -Momma A
I wrapped my arms around the bundle and took a deep breath. It even smelled like her. The vanilla and light floral scent brought tears to my eyes as it reminded me of a place I wanted to call home.
Damn, I've missed her hugs.
After I had my moment to revel in the comfort the blanket provided, Edith picked up an envelope. “Now my present.”
The excitement radiating off the woman in front of me was contagious. “Yeah?”
“Now I know you love baking, and I’ve shared a few of my recipes in the past.”
I grinned, nodding in agreement. “You have. Derek couldn’t ever get enough of those dinner rolls. He never stopped apologizing for accidentally incinerating the recipe card for that one. I’m glad I committed it to memory.”
Pride filled Edith’s face. “I’m glad to hear that. Speaking of committing things to memory, I have something you’re going to want to add to your baking repertoire.” She handed me an envelope. “This is something I’ve never given anyone before. Not in the written sense, at least.”
Curiously, I accepted and opened it. Inside was a recipe card, and when I read the name of the dish, I gasped and nearly dropped it. “You’re giving me your cinnamon roll recipe?”
She nodded, tears sparkling in her eyes. “I am. I shared it with someone important to me and Lynette when I was in Chicago for George’s funeral, and seeing the joy it brought him and the family, I knew I had to share it with you as well.”
I was stunned. Speechless. Overwhelmed. This recipe had been handed down in Edith’s family for generations. And now here she was, giving it to me. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll bake them and remember the good times.”
I swallowed hard and brushed the tears from my face. “I promise.”
Edith nodded and then glanced at her purse nervously. “I have one more present for you… but it’s not from me or Lynette.”
“Who else would know to give me a present? Is it from Tech?” I’d only known of the man for maybe a month. Would he do something like that for me?
She shook her head. “No. It’s not from Tech. It…” She took a deep breath and reached out to grab my hands. “It’s from Derek.”
My heart dropped from my chest, and my lungs refused to cooperate. After a moment, I forced myself to breathe. “F-From… Derek?”
Edith nodded again. “I’m not sure how my contact got his hands on it after the accident, but he did and made sure it got to me.
Now, it didn’t feel right not to tell you about it, but I won’t make you open it in front of me…
or at all. I wanted to make sure you had it.
Derek was very much looking forward to giving it to you. ”
Looking down at the small rectangular box in my hand, I swallowed before letting out a shaky breath as I held the tears back. “Thank you.”