11. Knox
W hile going over my schedule for the next couple of weeks, I catch myself smiling over getting Indiana’s note on my front door this morning.
Had she gone three days without hot water just to avoid me?
I had planned on seeing her, but when Hazel and I stopped by, she didn’t answer.
Her car was still parked out front. We checked the dock but found it empty.
Maybe she was out for a walk. I saw no one come to pick her up.
I hope she had pepper spray with her. We don’t have a large bear population, but there have been some mountain lion sightings in the area.
I had let myself and Hazel into the house with my key, walking to the closet that houses the hot water heater.
It looked like I had forgotten to turn the thermostat back up after having it at a lower temperature for the winter when it sat unused.
A quick turn of the dial was all that was needed, and we were able to be on our way.
Hazel was disappointed she wasn’t able to see Indiana.
After talking with her a few nights ago, she has been the main topic of conversation in our home.
All while I’ve been doing my best to avoid the beauty living next door.
From her hair to her camera to the little gold hoop in her nose, Indie has been discussed at length.
I can’t blame all the curiosity on my daughter though. I was also left wanting to know more about the woman next door. Wondering about the shirt she might have on today and what it might say. If she’s at work or not. Maybe my last few hours here at the office require coffee.
Locking the front door on my way out and taking the sidewalk to Thistle and Sage, I’m at war with myself, not wanting to admit that I’m hopeful I may catch a glimpse of her.
I shouldn’t care if she’s there, but I find myself searching through the glass windows as I get closer, looking for her.
It felt weird leaving this morning without having seen her come back to the guesthouse.
I don’t see her in the bakery—which is probably best. I don’t need to concern myself with what she’s doing with her days.
The bell chimes with the door when I walk in.
There’s a small line, but it’s late enough that the morning rush has cleared out.
Winnie pops out from the back carrying a small tray of cookies.
She narrowly misses the edge of the counter, avoiding taking a spill.
I swear, sometimes she trips over nothing but air.
She glances up at me while placing the baked goods into the glass case. “Hey, Knox. A little late in the day for you,” she greets me, smiling at me from her place in front of the door to the kitchen.
“Hey, Win. How’s it going?”
“Good. How are things with you? Everything going okay with Indiana? ”
“Fine” is all I say, hearing the door chime behind me.
“Yeah? Well, I’m glad to hear it. I’m happy things are working out.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I’ll be glad when she’s off my property and out of my hair,” I tell her, instantly regretting my words.
It’s not really the truth, but at this moment, I’m not sure how I feel about the situation, or if I want anyone to know I’m feeling anything.
A throat clearing has me turning to see none other than Indie, head bent down toward her feet, a look I’m starting to recognize as embarrassment on her face. Shit.
“Excuse me,” she says quietly, gesturing to the door behind Winnie. I move to the side to let her move past, she smells like clean clothes drying in the breeze. Warm and sunny. I want to bury my nose in her neck.
“Hey, Indie!” Winnie greets her before sending me a glare.
“Hey. Let me just put my things in the back, and I’ll be right back out.” I can hear the strain in her voice. I hadn’t meant for her to hear that. I hadn’t even meant the words at all. She disappears through the door, and I feel like a grade-A jackass.
“Jeezes, Knox. You could attempt to be nice. She’s done nothing to warrant that kind of behavior from you,” Winnie scolds me. She’s right.
“You could have warned me that she had just walked in,” I accuse, knowing full well it’s not Winnie’s fault that I acted like an asshole.
“How was I supposed to know you would say something so rude? I know you can be crabby, and when someone gets on your bad side, you don’t mind setting them straight, but this isn’t that.
I’m not sure what's gotten into you, but you need to apologize. She already felt bad having to stay at your guesthouse when it’s my fault she has to be there.
Are you going to be mean to me too?” Winnie is a good friend.
Loyal. I hadn’t realized she and Indie had become friends already, but it’s apparent from the berating I’m getting that she already counts her as one.
“I’ll apologize,” I say before leaning in to kiss the top of her head.
She lifts her chin. “You better. I just hope she accepts it.”
I nod, reaching up to scratch the back of my neck. “I do too. What I said didn’t have anything to do with her, and I’ll tell her as much. I have a feeling she’s waiting to come back out after I leave, though, so I’m gonna go.”
Winnie blows out a breath. “Hold on.” She walks behind the counter, grabbing a to-go cup before filling it with coffee. She puts a lid on it and offers it to me.
I grin at her. “You’re too good to me,” I say, hoping to lessen some of the tension between us.
Winnie has been like a sister to me long before she was engaged to my brother.
I may be ten years older than her, but between her, my mother, and Florence, I’m effectively kept in line by the women in my life.
She sighs but smiles back at me. “Maybe, but I’m pretty lucky to have you in my corner—most of the time. I don’t want you running her off.”
I put my hand over my heart as I walk backward to the door. “That doesn’t sound like me.”
She gives me an exaggerated eye roll. “Doesn’t it though? Bye, Knox.”
“Bye, Win.” I step out into the bright light.
The day is warming up with the sun sitting high in the sky, blazing down.
I look to the mountains in the distance.
Since Winnie and Rhett are keeping Hazel overnight and tomorrow, I think I’ll try to get a hike in tomorrow.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do anything too challenging.
I bring Hazel with me on the milder ones, carrying her on my back most of the time.
She used to fall asleep in her carrier while I kept hiking.
Now, she gets a little restless if we’re out there too long.
I love exploring nature with her though.
Seeing views I’ve seen before—through her eyes—is one of my favorite things I’ve experienced as a father.
Thinking about her turning three soon has me remembering those first days of just us.