Chapter 16
Scarlett walked with Ice at her side to the cafeteria, where she met Sledge. “What time will your wife arrive?”
“She’ll arrive around dinner. You missed Kassie. She gave me the code to cabin one and said we can move in today,” Sledge said, stuffing eggs in his mouth.
“Why don’t you use the cabin tonight? I’ll ask Kassie if I can move in tomorrow. You deserve some time alone.”
Sledge grinned. “Damn, I miss her. Doc says I might go home in a couple of weeks. I don’t like leaving you here alone.”
“I’m not. Ice has my six. It’s time I figured out what I want to do. I love working at the community center, but I don’t want to do it forever. I miss my old job,” she confessed.
“Did you talk to Leo?” Sledge asked.
Scarlett winced. “I don’t know. He sounds kinda crazy. Plus, what kind of job can he possibly have for me?”
“A couple of months ago, you didn’t have a guide dog and didn’t know your way to the cafeteria. What’s stopping you?”
Scarlett didn’t know. Everything fell into place, but her blindness remained an obstacle in finding a job she enjoyed. Maybe time and patience gave her a clue about what she might find next.
“I’m calling Rayne when I return to my room. She wants to come up in a couple of weeks. Then, Candy, Ice, and I planned a stroll around town. Why don’t you stop babysitting me and get your wife some flowers and take her to Ty’s for dinner?”
“Will you call me if you need me?”
“Absolutely,” she assured him before getting up and reaching for Ice’s harness. Finding her way back to her room, she dialed Rayne’s number.
“Hello, Scarlett,” Rayne answered.
“Hey, you. I’m moving into a cabin this week. When you visit, we can bunk together. You’ll get to meet my new partner, Ice.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m thrilled for you. Congratulations. How do you feel?” Rayne asked.
“I’m glad I came. People are friendly here.
I worked with three women, Edie, Barb and Debbie.
They’re real gems. Debbie’s such a sweetheart and checks on me all the time.
She doesn’t treat me like I’m blind. It’s refreshing,” Scarlett said.
“Plus, I met a guy. He’s sweet and owns the restaurant beside the community center.
He brought me dessert after I faceplanted in front of his building. ”
“I sense a story there,” Rayne teased. “I’ll fly in on Friday and stay until Tuesday. I have plenty of things to keep me occupied while you have PT. Don’t worry about trying to entertain me the entire time.”
“We’ll figure it out when you get here. Kassie invited me to a bonfire.”
“I’m happy for you, Scarlett. It sounds like you found a place to get your bearings. I can’t wait to catch up,” Rayne said proudly.
“I gotta go. Ice needs a potty break and we’re headed to town. I’ll see you soon,” Scarlett exclaimed.
“Goodbye,” Rayne said before hanging up.
Scarlett reached for Ice and directed him to her door. They stepped into the hallway, but he stopped and whined beside her next-door neighbor’s room.
“What’s the matter, boy?” she asked, giving him a pet and wondering if she gave him a wrong command. He whimpered again.
“It’s not our room, buddy. We’ll only be here a couple of nights, and then we’re heading to a cabin. Maybe it won’t confuse you as much,” she said to him. “Forward.” Ice did as she commanded, and she met Candy outside. She waited beside the van while Scarlett gave Ice his potty break and got in.
“How did your first night go?” Candy asked.
“Ice knows what he’s doing. We didn’t have any problems,” she reported.
“Good. Today, we’re going into the land of the unknown. I want you to pretend I’m not with you. Do things you might do when Rayne comes to visit you,” Candy instructed.
“I did have one question. Before we met you, I brought Ice out into the hall and he stopped beside the room to my left. He cried and didn’t move right away. I thought he might be confused,” Scarlett added.
“Oh. He stopped by Hannah’s room. Animals have a sixth sense. They seem to know when someone’s hurting.”
“Can I do anything for her?” Scarlett asked, concerned about her neighbor.
“I doubt it,” she said sadly. “Sometimes it takes time for people to find their way. You found yours quicker than others. Hopefully, Hannah will feel better soon.”
Scarlett rubbed Ice behind the ears, grateful for everything yet feeling bad one of her fellow sisters might be hurting. Candy parked the car.
“I’m following behind you. Ignore me, and let’s see what you can do without me. If you need me, raise your hand,” she instructed.
Scarlett gripped her cane and nervously licked her lips.
She started down the sidewalk, recalling Ty’s restaurant was on the left side of the community center.
She decided to drop by her job and show Debbie, her new friend.
It took a couple of tries before she found the door handle and made her way inside.
“Oh my heavens, Scarlett,” Debbie gushed. “He’s beautiful. You two were meant for one another. I see why they gave him to you. It’s like you’re fire and he’s Ice. How perfect.”
“I came in by myself. I mean, Candy’s following me, but I did it alone,” she said, feeling excited.
“Of course, you did. You have a good head on those shoulders. I’m not a bit surprised,” Debbie said, sounding confident.
“I haven’t seen Allie pair anyone up this quickly. You must be doing awesome,” Barb interjected.
“I heard you’re moving into a cabin,” Edie said, patting her arm. I made you a little something to celebrate. She handed her a bag with a box containing a fresh pecan pie.
“Thank you, Edie,” Scarlett said, hugging her. “Ice and I must be going.” She turned Ice around and fixed the bag on the crook of her arm while she used her cane, thinking she might invest in a backpack. She led Ice to Ty’s, hoping he might be there.
Ice led her right to the entrance, and she went inside.
“Hello, can I help you?” the hostess asked.
“I hoped to catch Ty. Do you know if he’s in the kitchen?”
“He’s in his office. May I direct you to a seat, and I’ll get him?” she asked.
“Sure.”
Maneuvering around the tables with her bag, Ice, and cane proved more difficult than she thought. When they finally made it to a booth, she sighed in relief as Ice went under the table.
“Scarlett,” Ty greeted her and ordered two of his house drinks. “I see you brought your friend.”
“They said I can bring him in here by law, but does it bother you?” she whispered, not wanting Candy to hear.
“Ice will always be welcome here,” he said firmly. “What’s this? You decided you liked Miss Edie’s pecan pie better than my desserts, and you brought your own?”
She grinned. “Miss Edie made it for me. Ice and I will be moving to a cabin after this weekend. I hope I didn’t offend you by bringing it in here. I stopped in to say hello, and she surprised me. Candy wants me to practice going into places.”
“I’m not offended. I enjoy Miss Edie’s pie better than my own.
She refuses to give me the recipe because it’s staying in the family.
Bryanna, her daughter-in-law, owns the bakery, and Edie taught her how to make them.
Edie says I can’t be the only one with good food in town. Someone has to keep me on my toes.”
“If you don’t consider it rude, we can break this baby open and have a slice now,” she suggested.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Ty said, waving a waiter over and asking for two forks, a knife, and two plates. He leaned over and whispered, “Shall we invite Candy over for a slice? She’s figured us out and is sending me a scowl.”
“She told me to consider her invisible,” Scarlett murmured, loud enough for Candy to hear. “She said to raise my hand if I’m in trouble. Does having extra pie constitute a problem?”
“It sure does,” Candy said, standing beside her. “Move over. Sledge warned us you were sassy.”
The trio laughed as Ty cut the pie and served it. His hand brushed against hers, and Scarlett felt the heat rush to her cheeks. Did he like her, too, or did he feel sorry for the poor blind woman?