Chapter 16 Kelcie
Kelcie
With the snow covering the ground, it’s way too cold to sit down beneath the tree, and I remain standing in front of my family’s graves.
My cheeks are flushed, and my breaths turn white as they leave me.
Winter is officially here. It’s freezing, so I can’t visit for long.
A sad smile tugs at my mouth.
I feel guilty for finding happiness with Levi. I know it’s stupid and that you would want me to go on with my life.
Letting out a sigh, I glance over the cemetery.
He loves me.
A breath shudders from me as my eyes begin to sting.
And I love him.
I look at the three headstones again and lift my gloved hand to rest over my heart.
You’ll always be in here, but I think I have to put some distance between us. I’ll always love you. I’ll visit once a week, okay?
I can picture my parents and Sage jumping up to hug me while saying they understand. They would tell me to grab on to Levi and hold on as tight as I can.
That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to start living again and build a future with the man I love.
I lift my hand to my mouth and press a kiss to my fingertips before blowing it at the three graves.
Turning around, I walk as quickly as I can, my throat closing up. A tear escapes, and I wipe it away. When another rolls down my cheek and they start falling faster, I keep brushing them away.
Exiting the cemetery, I suck in a deep breath and head for the main street that runs through the middle of town.
Yesterday, Levi showed me how much he loves me, and it felt like an unbreakable bond was formed between us.
So this morning, when I left his house to visit my family, I made the decision to start letting go of the past. I know it’s going to be difficult, but it’s something I have to do if I want a future with Levi.
When I pass the general store and I see the sign for Dixie’s Coffee, I lift my chin and go inside.
Mrs. Dixon glances at the door, and when she sees me, shock flutters over her face.
“Kelcie! Oh my gosh, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.
” She hurries around the counter, and I brace for impact as she comes to hug me.
“This makes my old heart so happy.” Pulling back, she holds me by my shoulders and looks me up and down. “You look so good. How are you doing?”
Smiling, I answer, “I’m doing very well, Mrs. Dixon. How have you been?”
“You know me, dear. I don’t complain.” She walks back behind the counter while asking, “What can I get you?”
I glance over the menu, then say, “A pumpkin spice latte, please.”
“It’s the perfect thing for such a cold day,” she agrees. She gets busy preparing the beverage. “I hear you’re dating the new guy in town.”
“He’s lived here four months, but yes, I’m dating Levi.”
She gives me a curious look. “Is it safe to assume the rumors about him aren’t true?”
I lean against the counter and rest my forearms on the black slab of marble. “Which rumors would those be?”
“Folks say he’s rude and to steer clear of him.”
“Levi is an introvert and the kindest person I know,” I defend my man. Frowning, I ask, “Are those rumors still making the rounds?”
Mrs. Dixon nods. “You know how it is. It will take months before the gossip mill finds something new to talk about.”
“True,” I sigh.
She places the steaming cup down in front of me. “It’s on the house, dear. I hope you won’t be a stranger and I’ll get to see more of your pretty face.”
“Thank you.” I pick up the cup and take a sip. “Mmmh. I’ll definitely pop in soon again.” Walking to the door, I give her a smile. “Have a good day, Mrs. Dixon.”
“You too, dear.”
Walking up the street, I enjoy my beverage until Mom’s old store comes into view. I notice it’s now a gadget repair shop, and there’s a stabbing sensation in my heart.
When I peek through the window, I’m sad to see everything has changed.
I quickly walk away, and as I near the corner, I hear Waverly shout, “Kelcie!” My head snaps in her direction, and I watch as she crosses the road. “When I saw you walking by the diner, I thought there’s no way you wouldn’t pop in to say hello.”
I give her a sheepish look. “I’m sorry.” I gesture at the repair store. “I got rattled by that.”
“Ugh. It’s such an eyesore. Come sit with me for a little bit.” I hold up my cup, and she rolls her eyes. “I’m the owner, silly. I don’t care what you’re drinking in the diner as long as I get to spend a few minutes with you.”
“Okay,” I agree. We wait for a car to drive past before walking across the road.
Stepping inside the diner, I relish the warm air and take a seat on one of the stools by the counter.
“If it isn’t my favorite neighbor I hardly get to see anymore,” Jill says as she comes up behind me.
I glance over my shoulder and smile. “Oh, hey.”
She sits down beside me, a mischievous expression on her face. “Soooo, how are things with you and Levi?”
Waverly’s eyebrows fly up. “Are we talking about Mr. Hottie that lives next door to you?”
Jill winks at Waverly. “That’s the one. I’ve noticed Kelcie is at his place every night.” My neighbor looks at me again. “Girl, for someone who’s seldom seen out and about, you sure are the talk of town.”
“Is it true you finally told Colby to hit the road?” Waverly asks.
My cheeks flush from all the attention, and I grumble, “Hush. Both of you.”
“No, no, no. You don’t get to live this exciting life and not share the juicy details with us,” Jill says.
I drink the rest of my latte, making them suffer, then I grin. “Yes, I made it clear to Colby that I will never date him. After he left, his mother came over to tell me what an awful person I am for breaking his heart. She even slapped me.”
My friends gasp, then Waverly mutters, “That’s it. Next time she comes in, I’m spitting on her food.”
Laughter tumbles past my lips. “Oh God. Please don’t do that on my account.”
“Okay, enough about the dipshit and his family. I want to know about you and Levi. What goes on in that house all night long?” Jill asks, wagging her eyebrows suggestively.
Just thinking about Levi, my smile widens.
Jill slaps her hand on the counter, surprise flickering over her face. “Holy crap. You’re in love with him.”
Waverly grabs hold of my forearms. “Really?”
When I nod, they both shriek, looking so happy for me that it warms my heart.
“And? Does he feel the same about you?” Waverly asks.
I nod again.
Jill yanks me into a sideways hug while Waverly says, “We need to celebrate with hot chocolate.”
I wait for Waverly to prepare the three drinks, and when we each have a steaming mug in our hands, I tell them, “Levi is the most incredible man ever. He makes me so happy.”
Jill impatiently gestures for me to keep talking.
A shy smile tugs at my mouth. “And he’s a damn good kisser. I go weak in the knees for the man.” When she gestures again for me to say more, I shake my head. “No. The rest is private.”
“Ooooh,” both women tease me, then Jill says, “Private means sex.”
“Hush,” I chastise her. “I don’t want the whole diner to hear.”
We all burst out laughing, and to get the spotlight off me, I ask Jill, “Did you let Holly go on that date we talked about?”
“Yes.” She looks downright disgruntled. “The little bastard kissed her right in front of me. I pulled them apart by their ears, and now my daughter hates me.” My mouth drops open, but before I can say something, Jill continues, “But get this. She didn’t want to kiss him anyway. And I’m the bad guy?”
“Mothers are always the bad guys,” Waverly mutters. “I wouldn’t let Lucas go to a sleepover, and he dumped all his LEGOs in my bedroom as revenge.”
“That’s just diabolical,” Jill says before she starts to laugh. “Did you step on any?”
“What do you mean, did I step on any?” Waverly scowls at her. “I freaking tap-danced all the way to the bathroom.”
Our laughter fills the air, and it feels so good to hang out with them, I don’t even keep an eye on the time.
Jill glances at her phone, then shoots up off the stool. “Oh crap. My lunch hour ended thirty minutes ago. The boys are going to fire my ass.”
Jill’s been working for the Woods brothers as a receptionist at their auto repair shop.
Just as she turns around, she slams into Deputy Stone’s chest.
“God, Jonas. Are you made of steel?” She scowls at him before moving to dart around him, but he leans back and grabs hold of her wrist.
My eyes widen when I hear her call him by his first name, and I’m completely entranced by what’s happening right in front of me.
“Hold up. It’s bad out,” he tells her. “I’ll give you a ride.”
“Oh. Thanks.” Jill practically bats her eyelashes at him.
Waverly gets so excited that she starts patting relentlessly at my shoulder.
“I’m looking,” I whisper at her. “Stop hitting me.”
“Shoot. Sorry.”
When we turn our attention to Jill and Deputy Stone again, they’re staring at us.
“So . . .” Waverly wiggles a finger between them. “Anything the two of you care to share with us?”
“There’s nothing to share,” Jill replies.
Deputy Stone, on the other hand, places his arm around her shoulders. “I beg to differ.”
Not wanting to miss a single second, Waverly and I lean forward.
“You can beg all you want,” Jill snaps at him.
His expression fills with a look of warning. “Is that so?”
“Yep.”
Before the word is even cold on her lips, he tips her backward and plants a searingly hot kiss on her mouth.
“Ooooh!” Waverly starts hitting my shoulder again until I grab hold of her hand, then we cling to each other as we watch the deputy kiss the living daylights out of Jill.
When he ends the kiss and rights her on her feet, Waverly gives him two thumbs up. “Five stars, Deputy Stone. Your next coffee is free.”
“All my coffees are free anyway,” he says, a smirk on his face.
He steers a stunned Jill out of the diner and takes her to his cruiser. Suddenly, she slaps him on the chest, and I can’t hear what she’s saying, but it’s clear she’s laying into him until he silences her with another kiss.
“Jill’s lunchtime is at eleven thirty every day. Be here tomorrow so we can get all the juicy tidbits about what’s going on between her and one of Verona’s most eligible bachelors.”
“The things you must see in this diner,” I say as I turn to face the counter again.
“Every other day, a new drama unfolds right before me. Just last week, Patrick and Ellie were in here. She caught him chatting up some woman who lives two towns over.” She points at the corner.
“Right in that booth, Ellie let him have it, and he ended up shouting, for everyone to hear, that he has been sleeping with the woman and wants a divorce before storming out of here. Poor Ellie was devastated.”
“Oh no,” I gasp. “That’s awful.”
How’s that piece of news not the talk of the town? Instead, people are still harping on Levi.
“Yep. It’s splitsville for those two.”
Pushing my empty mug across the counter, I ask, “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. I asked you to come in.” Her features soften. “This was fun, Kelcie. I hope we’ll get to spend more time together.”
Smiling at her as I slip off the stool, I say, “I’ll be here tomorrow at eleven thirty sharp to get Jill’s juicy news.”
“Oh, right! See ya.”
When I leave the diner, I pull my coat tighter around myself and cross my arms to keep the wind from getting inside.