6. Bodhi
6
BODHI
“B odhi, hey, I’m so glad I caught you,” Rhea Mackay says as she thrusts her one-year-old son, Gage, into my arms. “Thanks, he’s getting heavy.” Gage giggles when I tickle his belly, his back bowing as he squirms in my arms, the kid more than a handful, but I’m happy to help.
Happy to give her a break.
His happiness is a balm for my tattered heart.
“Do you need me to take him for a bit? I don’t mind,” I tell her honestly, his joy and light giving me a reprieve from the darkness trying to smother me.
“No, but thank you.” She shakes out her arm. “He’s climbing everything, and I just need a breather from trying to wrangle him.” She waves her hand in front of her face. “Anyway, I need a favor.”
“Of course.”
“Remember that you already said yes,” she says with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling and lacking the exhaustion of only a second ago.
Fuck my life.
“What do you need?”
“I ordered the new countertops for the bakery from that place south of Sweetwater, Norman I know it’s a lot.”
I open my mouth and close it because she’s right.
I know it.
And she knows that I know it.
And that’s why I’m in this predicament in the first place.
I’d been unable to avoid Sorren Mackay and his don’t be an idiot pep talk.
Hell, we were basically bonding.
“It will be fine.”
Smiling, she nods. “Yes, you will.”
* * *
ELLA
“Ella—” My boss’s husband calls my name as I move behind the counter. The Poppy Seed is bustling like it always is, the bright and airy but comfortable space leaving everyone feeling better than when they arrived.
“One sec!” I call back and he nods, disappearing down the hall toward Rhea’s office. I’ve been working here since I was a teenager, and over the last few years, I’ve seen Rhea and her brothers all find their happily ever afters, and thankfully I’ve grown out of being wowed by their good looks and charm.
Mostly.
I mean I still have eyes .
I found myself here, no longer the timid girl without a path in life. This place has been more than a job, Rhea giving me more responsibility with each task I master. It’s rewarding, and as long as I’m willing to learn, she’ll be here to teach me.
“Hey, what’s up?” I say, out of breath as I burst into the office, his lips twitching like they always do when I buzz around the bakery.
“Rhea asked Bodhi to go with you to get the countertops and?—”
Slamming my hands on my hips, I shake my head. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I know,” he says slowly, “but Rhea and I have some concerns about the trip, and we don’t want you to be out there by yourself. Not because you’re not capable but because there are too many variables—things that could change.”
“But you know he barely talks to me, right? There’s no one else you can send? Heck, what about Tanner? He likes me.”
“I need Tanner at Vetted Paws. We have another interview thing and you know I hate that.” He grimaces and I sigh.
“Fine,” I tell him, knowing that it’ll be easier if I just give in now even though I’m pissed they think I can’t do it.
“You’re a delight. I’m sure he’ll warm up to you in no time.”
“Ha, ha,” I deadpan even though he won’t have a choice if we’re trapped in the car together.
“Also…”
“Seriously? Something else?” I tease but his face has returned to its factory setting of stoic and serious.
“I need to ask you to keep an eye on Bodhi while you’re away.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he needs a little sunshine in his life and he needs a friend—someone who will let him exist in the present and not the past.”
“You want me to be friends with Bodhi Maxwell?”
“Sure, let’s go with that.”
“Did you not hear the part where I said he doesn’t talk?”
I say the words with a huff even as a little thrill shoots through me. He’s always polite when he comes into the bakery, but despite my best efforts, I’ve never been able to get past that tough exterior.
“Which is why this will work out perfectly.”
“Do I still get to drive your truck?” I ask, popping my hip and giving him a playful smile.
“Don’t crash it.”
“Yes!” I fist pump and he shakes his head.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I trust you to keep him safe.”
I sober at that, the word safe seeming to imply so much more than just my driving record.
“I promise I will.”
“Good, now get out of here and don’t tell him we had this talk.”
“You know you’re not my boss, right?”
He smirks and nods. “Well aware, but bonding time is over and I have work to do.”
“I can totally get what Rhea sees in you,” I quip and he glares at me. “It’s definitely your personality.”
“Out,” he barks, a smile playing on his lips as I turn with a laugh and head back for the register, my mind now whirling about what’s about to happen on this road trip.
What have I gotten myself into?