35. Ford
35
Ford
G oing back to work on a Monday is never fun, but leaving my place this morning was especially painful. Luckily, I love my job and it’s nice to get out of my tiny apartment from time to time. But damn, it’s rough knowing that the girl of my dreams is alone, naked in my bed.
As tempted as I was to fake sick, call in, and request a sub, that dream was squashed pretty quickly when I realized I had no sub plans prepared. Sucking it up, I put on my big-boy pants and went in. Moreover, she made it clear that she’s here for good and that we aren’t on some timeline where we need to get in as much quality time as we can before she leaves again.
I suppose there’s always the chance that she’ll decide Evergreen Grove is too overwhelming, and she’ll want to book the next flight out of here, but I meant every word I said. If she goes, I go. We’re a team now, and I have no intention of letting her go anywhere without me.
I may have also used my lunch break this afternoon to sway her decision, ensuring that she not only stays for my sake and the rest of the town, but also because this is something she truly wants for herself as well.
“Are you seriously not going to tell me where we’re going?” she whines as we walk, one arm linked through mine, with her brother’s dog, Bubba, on a leash in the other.
We’d apparently underestimated just how serious Ronnie had been when she said she needed to escape, never imagining that she would somehow persuade Miles, of all people, to embark on a much-needed road trip. Although no return date has been set, based on their updates, it sounds like Ronnie is finally getting the well-earned break and vacation she deserves, especially since I can’t even imagine the drama that’s going to unfold when they get back. Until the two of them return, we have Bubba in our care.
“Just be patient. We’re almost there,” I assure her, leaning over to press a kiss to the side of her forehead. Maybe it’s a bit overkill, but I can’t seem to keep my hands or lips off of her. Luckily, she doesn’t seem to mind.
“Well, I imagine so. There aren’t too many places to go here, but I don’t know why you have to be so annoying and secretive about it. It’s not like there’s anywhere that I haven’t been in this town.”
Despite her attempts to sound annoyed and frustrated, the smile on her face betrays her true feelings of genuine curiosity and excitement, and this is one secret I can’t wait to show her.
“Yeah, you’ve been here, but it’s a little different from what you probably remember,” I carefully explain, as we approach a historic brick building, its architecture blending seamlessly with the town’s aesthetic.
As we stop, Blair’s eyebrows furrow as she looks between me and the abandoned storefront. “The old model train store? This is what you wanted to show me? That it went out of business? I could have told you years ago that this place was never going to make it, especially with how mean and grumpy Mr. Henderson was.”
I try not to laugh as I keep a straight face. She’s not wrong. That place was never going to last, especially when he yelled at pretty much anyone who got too close to one of the displays. Plus, how many people in a small town are truly into model trains? Okay, so maybe enough since there is still a club that meets weekly in Mr. Henderson’s basement, but obviously not enough to keep an entire storefront in business.
“That’s not what I want to show you,” I say, walking over to where a For Sale sign sits in the window and tap at it. Since most of Evergreen Grove has stayed the same over the years, this building has sat vacant for quite some time, but I’m hoping to change that.
“What?” she asks, looking even more confused. “You want to move from above the pizza shop to inside the old train store?”
I laugh and shake my head. “No, Blair. I think you should buy it and start your own photography business here in Evergreen.”
Her mouth forms a perfect “O” as she comprehends what I’m suggesting, her head nodding in a slow, deliberate manner as she and Bubba cautiously move forward.
“It would take some work to fix it up, but we have time, and you know that Ronnie, Miles, and I would all be willing to help with that. And I’m sure Miles could help with the business side of things,” I excitedly rattle on, hoping she loves this idea just as much as I do. “But we could make sets, and backgrounds, and even build you your own darkroom since I remember you always talking about hoping to own one of your own.”
Blair cups her hands around her eyes and presses her face against the glass, eager to get a better view of the inside. I just have to hope that she’s seeing the same vision I am. While she did say she was open to trying out living here, I can’t help the lingering concern that she might want to leave sooner rather than later. Yet maybe, with this opportunity, she’ll discover just how seamlessly she can fit back in.
Pulling away from the window, she faces me; her face and expression blank before a giant smile dances across her face. “I love it,” she shrieks before running toward me. Bubba isn’t exactly the biggest fan of this sudden change as he gets yanked along with her, but he seems to give in and follows as she jumps into my arms. I do my best to catch her, one hand supporting her ass as she wraps her legs around me. “Seriously, Ford. I love it so much, you have no idea,” she squeals. Before I can reply, her lips press against mine, conveying her gratitude in a whole new way.
I manage to pull my lips away from her. “I have one more surprise,” I admit as her eyes widen in even more excitement. “You know Mary-Beth Wilson?” I ask, because even though she’s older now, she’s still the town’s only realtor—everyone’s go-to person for buying and selling property.
“Yeah…” she trails off, obviously hesitant as she waits to see where I’m going with this.
“I talked to her this afternoon, and she said that since it’s been sitting vacant for so long, she’s prepared to get us a really good deal,” I explain, before slowly dropping my hands as Blair carefully slides back down to the ground. “She also gave me this,” I add, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a key.
“We can go inside?” she squeals once again as she excitedly jumps up and down, while Bubba somehow manages to look even more confused and annoyed with all the extra tugging.
“We get to go inside,” I nod, handing over the key, since if anyone deserves the honor of going in first, it’s her.
Not wasting any time, she hands me Bubba’s leash and rushes to unlock the door and hurries inside.
Bubba’s gratitude is evident as he happily accompanies me, no longer having to endure being dragged around like before as we follow Blair inside.
It’s apparent that there is a lot of work to be done in this space. The walls, with their chipping white paint, and the presence of random old shelves signal a picture of neglect. Even so, I’m optimistic that she’ll still manage to see the potential here.
I lean back against a nearby wall, crossing one leg over the other, completely enamored by the way her smile remains bright as she walks around, fully taking everything in. “Back here is where we could put the darkroom,” she gushes, pointing toward the far back wall. “And then I could make a few different studio sets over there,” she says, pointing to the other side of the room. “And then obviously I could have Ronnie help me pick out all the decor,” she further gushes, her fingers intertwining before she spins around to face me.
“So you want to do it?”
“Oh, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is what I want to do,” she assures as she hurries toward me, leaning in and resting her hands flat on my chest.
“Really?” I ask, my smile faltering just for a tiny second as I drop Bubba’s leash, letting him free to wander. “And be completely honest,” I beg as I let one of my hands rest on her hip. “Is this truly what you want? Because I know how much you loved touring with those bands and traveling around the world,” I say, knowing that unfortunately that has never been something I’ve personally been able to offer. “As much as I want you here, I want you to stay because it’s what you want and not because I selfishly just want to have you closer.”
“Ford,” she starts again as she reaches up and cups her hands on my stubbled cheeks, making sure that I’m not only looking directly at her, but truly listening. “Yes, I loved doing all that, and I’ll carry those memories with me forever, but that was what I needed back then. What I need now is you. More importantly, I’m ready to give this town a fresh start, and this feels so damn right. Crazily enough, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life. I belong here, and most importantly, I belong here with you.”
Smiling, I press my lips into hers, getting all the confirmation I need. There could always be a chance in the future that she’ll decide this no longer feels right, but I’m not worried. We’ve got this: no matter what life throws our way, we’ll figure it out together. It’s me and her for life.