Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Eva
The following week was extremely busy at work.
My hectic schedule had me working on days I normally had off.
Happy Flowers was growing, and that made me ecstatic for Morgan.
Though she was thrilled, her joy was tainted by the stressful divorce.
Today was Sunday, and the shop closed early, so I surprised Grandpa Collins with dinner from Tokyo City on the way home.
He loved unagi sushi and their shrimp and vegetable tempura.
With dinner in tow, I got onto the Green Line train, crowded as always.
A man rose from his seat, getting ready for his upcoming stop.
I sat down, stared out the window, and saw a couple walking on the sidewalk.
The woman’s face brightened as she glanced at the large bouquet in her hand.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envy all those lucky women on the receiving end of a bouquet from their significant others.
Loneliness had set in, but I didn’t let it linger.
Or rather, the loneliness disappeared when Kain popped into my head.
Had he heard anything from Detective McNally about the man at the Boston Harbor Hotel?
I should stop thinking about the criminal, but I couldn’t help it.
He had been on my street and our eyes connected, even if it was only for a moment.
As far as I knew, no crimes had occurred in my neighborhood after that encounter. Still, something about him clung to me.
When the train slowed to a stop, my heart clenched with concern at the familiar figure walking down the sidewalk. I stepped off the train, crossed the street, and rushed toward my grandfather, who was carrying a grocery bag.
“Grandpa!” I shouted.
He turned, saw me, waved, and waited for me.
“What are you doing out?” I asked, examining him in his puffy coat, knit hat, and flushed cheeks from the cold air. “Are you okay?”
He looked confused. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s cold out. You should be inside. If you need to go out, I can walk with you. Or drive you.”
“I’m not a little kid, Eva,” he huffed. “I can take a walk by myself. Besides, I wanted to make creamy chicken and wild rice soup with fresh sourdough for you.”
My heart warmed, but I said, “What if something—”
“I’m fine. Stop worrying so much.” He patted my arm. “You’re going to get wrinkles.”
I laughed at him parroting my grandmother’s words.
“I’m okay, sweet girl. The fresh air and light exercise are good for me. I just needed to be out and about, you know?”
He had been cooped up in the apartment since he arrived, so I understood his needs.
“Okay. Next time, please call and let me know you’ll be going out. At least then I’ll know where you are.”
“Deal.” He gave me a thumbs-up. “The corner store is nice. It has a lot of fresh produce.” He lifted his bag.
“It does. Save your ingredients for later. You’ve got sushi.” I lifted my takeout to show him.
“I haven’t had sushi in a long time.” His eyes brightened as we walked home. “By the way, I forgot to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t be mad, okay?”
“How can I be mad at you?” I smiled, wondering what it could be.
“Last week, you left your phone on the table while you went to shower.” He slowed his steps. “I picked it up and noticed a text from someone asking if you were okay. So I replied for you.”
“What? Who was it?” Oh my gosh. A plethora of horrific text messages popped into my head. “What did you text?”
“Oh, nothing important. He told me his name was Kain. I’ve never heard you mention him, so I thought he was a spammer.” He narrowed his eyes. “I pretended to be you. Gotta protect my pretty granddaughter from the creeps.”
“Grandpa!” I slapped a hand to my forehead. “That’s an invasion of my privacy. Please don’t do that again.”
“I know! I know! Sorry! I was worried about you, especially after he asked if you were okay. Did something happen at the Boston Harbor Hotel?”
How did Kain get my number? What had he revealed to my grandfather? Based on Grandpa’s admission, it appeared Kain said nothing worrisome. I had to bet on that.
“Nothing. I delivered some flowers and had an accident. He was there to help.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Please apologize to him for me.” He frowned.
“What am I going to do with you?” I sighed.
“Accept that you have a caring grandfather who’ll do anything to protect his only granddaughter.”
“Sounds like you need to stop watching MacGyver.” We headed into the building.
“No! It keeps my mind fresh.”
I let Grandpa set the table while I ambled to my room. Once inside, I scrolled on my phone, searching for the unknown number from last week. Once I had found the number and saved it to my contacts, I struggled with what to text him.
It had been a week. Did he think I was avoiding him?
After a moment, I sent him a text.
Eva: Hi. I’m okay. Hope you are too.
I didn’t expect his quick reply.
Kain: Glad to hear that.
Eva: Any updates from the detective?
Kain: Not yet. Wanna meet up to talk?
Eva: About the case?
Kain: Yeah.
Eva: Okay.
Kain: I’m out of town on business. Will reach out when I get back.
Eva: Sounds good.
Eva: Sorry about last time.
Kain: Huh?
Eva: My grandpa was being overprotective.
Kain: Ah, no worries.
Relief settled in me.
Eva: See you soon.
Kain:
Butterflies tickled in my chest, brightening my mood.
When I walked back out to the kitchen, Grandpa asked, “What’s that smile on your face about, hmm?”
I didn’t even realize I was smiling.
“Just happy to enjoy dinner with you,” I said, anticipating when I’d get to see Kain.