Chapter 17
Kandace
I don’t look back at Ruth’s house as I walk toward my car, still parked behind the store.
With each step, Dax’s and my conversation plays on repeat in my thoughts while the sandwich I ate churns in my stomach.
The couple of blocks pass by in a whirlwind as my temples ache and my eyes burn from unshed tears.
Before I get to the store, my phone rings.
Pulling it from my pocket, I look at the name, wishing it is Dax and at the same time, hoping it’s not.
Chloe is on the screen.
I grin as I answer. “Hi.”
“Don’t hi me. Did you go? You didn’t change your mind, did you? What happened?” She doesn’t slow for me to answer. “What did you say? What did he say? Are you getting married and living behind a picket fence?”
“No marriage.” I shrug as I unlock the store and get my purse. For a second, I stand looking around the back room with the new reassurance that Quintessential Treasures will soon be mine. The relief is overwhelming. “He said he’ll sign. The store is mine.”
I pull the phone away from my ear as Chloe screams. “I told you. I told you.” Her phrase is on repeat.
Once she quiets, I say, “I was afraid to be hopeful. According to Dax, Ruth set up another stipulation.”
I lock the store behind me and hitting the button to unlock the car door, I get into my SUV. The phone connects to the speakers.
“Come on,” Chloe says.
“Sorry, I missed some of that while I got in the car.”
“What stipulation did Miss Ruth have?”
“Dax and I have to work together at the store for two days.”
Her laugh echoes in my car. “Oh my God. She did it.”
I shake my head as I drive toward the farm. “She didn’t do anything.”
“How did Dax find out about Molly? I swear, Kandi, no one in Riverbend would spill. You know we love you. Was it the pictures?”
I scoff. “I’m glad he finally knows. And you were right, maybe she did do something.”
“Who?”
“Ruth. He’s staying at Ruth’s house, like I told you. He found a box of pictures in her closet. He put two and two together.”
“That little matchmaker had this planned,” Chloe says with a laugh.
“I have no time for a man in my life. Right now, all I can think about is Quintessential Treasures and all the things I have planned for the future.”
“What about Molly?”
“You know better. I’m always thinking about her. This is her future too.”
“No,” Chloe says, “I mean what about her and Dax?”
The sky is filling with purples and reds as I drive out of town. “He wants to meet her. He says he wants more than that.”
“I told you.”
“He offered child support.”
“That’s great,” Chloe says. “It will help with the renovations above the store.”
“No,” I say adamantly. “I told him I don’t want his money.”
“Yeah, superwoman is back, but seriously, he’s her father, and he’s a big lawyer in Chicago. I bet he has plenty of money.”
“Nope. I’m not taking it. I agreed to introduce him and Molly. He said he met her yesterday morning at the diner.”
“And Joyce didn’t tell you?” Chloe asks.
“I was thinking about it. When she brought Molly back to the store, I was freaking out about Mr. Murphy’s email about inventory. Maybe she tried.”
“Is Dax coming out to the farm?”
“With Justin?” I ask with a scoff. “I told Dax that Molly and I will meet him at Tastee Freeze tomorrow night.”
“Mick and I were just talking about ice cream. I’ll call Judy, Linda, and Crystal.”
“No, you won’t. This will be hard enough. Molly doesn’t need an audience.”
“We can all sit in our cars. She won’t know we’re there. What time?” Chloe asks.
“I’m not telling.”
“Don’t make me spend all evening at the Tastee Freeze. You know I love their hot fudge sundaes. If I gain ten pounds, I’m blaming you.”
“Bye, Chloe.”
“Tell me one thing,” she says.
“Not the time.”
“No, tell me if you’re smiling.”
I let out a sigh. “I am. I’m not going to expect anything, but yeah, I’m smiling.”
“Love you,” she says.
“I love you too.”
Soon, I turn off the main road and up the lane toward the house. Once I park the car, I lift my phone from the cupholder and notice a text message. I click on the icon.
The first message is from me to Dax, the one he sent.
“Hi Dax. If you’re thinking about kissing me, I’m thinking about the same thing.”
I shake my head.
I was thinking about it. The next message is from him to me.
“I never meant to stop. Do you think we could try to go again?”
Laying my head against the seat, I sigh. Don’t do this, Dax. Don’t give me hope. I’m not sure I can take you breaking me, not again. And I won’t let you break Molly. I text back.
“See you tomorrow night.”
My phone pings immediately.
“I can’t wait.”
My heart beats too fast as I stare at his reply. Instead of answering, I look over toward the house. In the dimming sunlight of the dusk sky, Mom, Dad, and Molly are in the yard playing wiffle ball. Ever since Molly watched Uncle Justin play softball, she’s been obsessed.
I laugh as my dad slows and Molly runs after him with the ball. Opening the car door, I yell, “You’re out!”
“Mommy,” Molly says as she drops the ball and runs toward me. “Did you see me get Granddad out?”
Reaching down, I pick her up. She’s taller every day, yet I want to hold her.
Wrapping her legs around my waist, she looks at me with her daddy’s eyes. “Did you see?”
“I did.”
Mom looks at her watch. “I was worried. Was there a problem at the store?”
“Very busy,” I say, letting Molly’s feet reach the ground. “The festival traffic has started. I got some good news.”
Dad looks my way and asks, “The store?”
My smile grows. “He’s going to sign it over.” I do a little jump. “It’s really mine.”
Mom comes my way and wraps me in a hug. “Praise the Lord.” Her eyes narrow. “Who gave you the news?”
“Dax.”
“You spoke to him?” Dad asks.
I nod. “I’ll tell you more after someone goes to bed.”
Dad grins at me. “It’s good to see you smile.”
Running to the wiffle ball, I pick it up and ask, “May I play?”
Molly giggles as she runs to the bat.
The four of us play what could best be described as Molly wins until the sky darkens and the mosquitoes come out to feast. Once inside the house, I take my daughter upstairs for a bath before bed.
By the time I’m lying in her bed beside her, I ask her the question I’ve wanted to ask since Dax told me that he spoke with Molly.
As I finish the story about a hungry caterpillar, Molly yawns. I turn her way, look into her golden eyes, and kiss her nose. “I love you.”
She reaches for my cheeks with her little hands and kisses my nose. “Love you more.”
When her hands lower, I ask, “Did you meet a man at the diner yesterday?”
She nods. “He was nice. His name is Dex.”
“Dax,” I say with a grin.
“Yeah, Dax.”
Her eyelids are heavy.
“Dax is an old friend of mine,” I say. “He wants to have ice cream with us tomorrow.”
“Okay. I like ice cream.” She rolls to her side. “Good night, Momma.” Her eyes flutter until they stay closed.
Life is so simple when you’re five.
Quietly, I get out of Molly’s bed, turn off the light, and close her door to a crack.
It’s my turn to shower. When I’m finished, my wet hair combed out and my pajamas on, I go downstairs.
The windows are open and there’s a nice autumn breeze.
Dad is in the living room watching a Cardinals baseball game, and Mom is sitting at the kitchen table with a book.
Hearing my footsteps, Mom sticks a receipt in the book and puts it down. She smiles at me.
“Is your book good?” I ask.
“Yes, but this author mostly writes series, and her cliffhangers will be the death of me.”
I grin. “Then don’t read her.”
“Are you kidding? I love everything she writes.”
Shaking my head, I take a seat at the table and blurt out what I’ve been thinking. “I don’t want to get hurt again, and I don’t want Molly hurt.”
Mom reaches over and lays her hand over mine. “From the moment you were born, all your dad and I have ever wanted is for you to be healthy and happy. If I could have wrapped you in Bubble Wrap or kept you here in this house forever, I would have.”
I nod, knowing I feel the same way about Molly.
“I don’t want to see you hurt, Kandace. Your tears hurt more than my own. I also want you to be happy. Sometimes we have to take a risk to achieve happiness.”
“What if Molly learns the truth and he leaves?” I sigh. “I know he’ll leave. His life is in Chicago.”
“What did he say?”
I lift one foot to the seat of the chair and hug my knee. “He said he wants to know her, to be part of her life. He said he’s missed five years, and he doesn’t want to miss more.”
Mom gets up and places a pod of herbal tea in the coffee maker. When she turns to me, she grins. “Would you like tea, or is tonight another wine night?”
“No more wine—ever. Besides, I think you’re out.”
She winks. “I have a secret stash.”
“Keep it a secret. This morning was rough.”
“Then tea it is.” When she hands me the first cup, Mom says, “I’m glad you told Dax about Molly.”
“I didn’t. I did, but he already knew.”
Mom’s eyes open wide. “Who told him?”
“Ruth.” I smirk. “Not before she died. She kept her promise.” I remember what Dax said. “Apparently, she had a box in a closet at the house filled with pictures. Dax found them and put two and two together.”
“He did but so did you. You put one and one together and made three.”
Warmth fills my cheeks. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
Mom’s smile grows. “So…sweet Ruth Richards had a plan.”
I wrap my fingers around the warm mug. “Dax said he’ll sign over the store. He also said that Ruth had an additional stipulation that must be done before he can sign.”
“What?”
“He has to work two days at Quintessential Treasures with me.”
Mom shakes her head. “How do you feel about that?”
“Scared. I’m worried.”
“Do you think he’ll change his mind about the store?”
“No,” I answer honestly. “I’m afraid my resolve isn’t strong enough.” I peer down into the tea and back up at Mom. “He asked if I hate him. I told him the truth—it’s the opposite. And seeing him, being near him, I don’t want to still love him.”
“Funny thing about love…we don’t choose it. It chooses us.”