Chapter 12
Blood. So much blood.
I scream, trying to run but my feet won’t move.
Adam stands above me and smiles. “I left you a present.”
I look around the room and cry in agony. Sarah, flat on her back, her red hair splayed around her as her eyes stare into nothingness. Blood all around her.
I drop to my knees and feel his hand come to a rest on my shoulder.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find you, Hads?” he asks tauntingly.
I jerk awake, covered in sweat and heart racing. I spot Sarah next to me, eyes closed, chest rising and falling.
It was just a dream.
I let out a sigh of relief and look at the clock. It’s only six in the morning on a Sunday, but I won’t be able to fall back asleep.
Pumpkin, sensing me awake, crawls up the bed from where she was sleeping by my feet and comes to snuggle under my chin. I kiss her little head and stroke her fur before I decide to just get up.
Sticking my feet into a pair of slippers, I quietly sneak from the room, shutting the door behind me so I don’t wake Sarah. I still can’t shake the unease of last night, along with my dream, so after starting a pot of coffee, I grab my laptop and type Adam’s name into a search bar.
Still no sightings. There are theories he’s dead or fled the country, but I know in my heart those aren’t true. He’s out there somewhere, I just don’t know where. I hope to God he never finds his way to Lavender Falls.
The coffee pot beeps, and I fill my mug before taking it to the living room and pulling out my embroidery kit. Getting lost in the rhythm, I make Wren a matching Lemon and Lavender apron that Sarah and I both have. I’m so lost in my work that I don’t hear Sarah creep up.
“Why are you up so early?” she groans, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
I jump then look at the clock. It’s now seven, and I feel slightly sorry that Sarah is awake. “Sorry,” I tell her. “Did I wake you?”
“Nah. You were quiet. But I could smell coffee,” she says, turning towards the kitchen to get a cup.
I finish the last detail on Wren’s apron and clean away all the supplies, joining Sarah in the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I can make breakfast?” I offer.
Sipping her coffee, she bends down to pet Pumpkin, who’s curving in and out of her legs, meowing for affection. “Actually, you wanna go into town for breakfast?” she suggests, and that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
“Sure. I’ll just go hop in the shower,” I tell her, taking off down the hall.
Once we’ve both showered and gotten ready, we hop in Sarah’s Jeep and head into town to Misty’s Diner.
The diner is located on the street behind Main, and it’s the place to be for a good breakfast. The walls are blue and yellow with pictures of landscapes and customers dotting the wall.
The floor is checkered with pink and white, and the booths are made from a light wood with pink cushions.
It’s what you would expect a classic small town diner to look like back in the day, but just a little more modern.
“Morning, girls,” Misty greets us when we’re seated.
“Morning, Misty,” we say, smiling up at the woman. Misty is in her sixties and one of my favourite people in Lavender Falls. She loves everyone and treats us all like grandkids.
“What can I get you beautiful ladies this morning?” she asks, beaming down at us.
“I’ll have the cheesy omelette, please,” I tell her, my stomach already growling. Misty’s has the best omelettes. I can already taste the delicious flavours and fight back a groan.
“And to drink?” she asks.
“Chocolate milk, please.”
“You got it, sweetheart. And you, Sarah?”
“I’ll go with the two stack, scrambled eggs, and sausage link,” she says. “Oh, and also a chocolate milk.”
“Sure thing, sweet girl. I’ll have it all out shortly.” Misty smiles before heading back to the kitchen.
Sarah and I eat our meal and enjoy the bustle of the diner.
People are in and out in a steady flow, and we greet everyone we know that passes by our table.
We’re both just finishing up when Hayes enters with an older man.
The man is tall with salt and peppered hair.
A moustache sits on top of his lip, and I know by his facial features that this must be Mr. Donovan.
A cowboy hat adorns his head, and he’s got on a long-sleeve button up tucked into his jeans, held up by a big belt.
It’s always funny seeing cowboys and farmers inside Misty’s mostly pink diner.
The men sit close to the door, taking the first empty booth, and I glance at Sarah. She doesn’t know they are in here, but we will have to pass by them on our way out.
“You ready?” Sarah asks after we leave our bills and tip on the table.
“Sure. But just a heads up, Hayes is here.” I prepare her.
She looks behind her and groans. “Why is he always around?”
“Come on,” I say, sliding from the booth.
“Better hide the knives,” she whispers, and I roll my eyes.
We pass by the other booths, waving our goodbyes, when Mr. Donovan looks up.
“Sarah, dear. Is that you?”
“Hi, Mr. Donovan. How are you?”
He smiles, beaming up at Sarah. “I’m good, dear. It’s sure great to see you. My have you grown into a beautiful young woman. How’s your Grandpa?”
“He’s good. Misses the farm, that’s for sure, but Grandma keeps him busy.”
“Good. Good. It’s been a while since I’ve run into him. Well, you ladies have yourselves a good day now.”
“What can I get you handsome fellas this morning?” Misty says, joining the table.
Hayes eyes snake up Sarah, and he gives her a devilish smirk. “I know what I want for breakfast. But I don’t think it’s on your menu,” he says, winking at Sarah and making her scoff.
“Let’s go, Jade, before Misty is stuck cleaning up vomit.”
“Oh, you two. I remember the days thinking we’d all be invited to your wedding.” Misty chuckles, shaking her head. Hayes looks down at the table, and Sarah scoffs.
“That was a long time ago, Misty. Now I’d rather be married to Satan.”
“Oh, stop it you,” Misty scolds.
“Bye, Misty, bye, Mr. Donovan. Bye, Hades.” Sarah smiles sweetly walking out the door.
“Bye, everyone,” I say, following her out.
“You ever going to tell me the story of you and Hayes?” I ask her, getting into her Jeep.
She looks at me. Lips pursed. “You ever going to tell me the story behind your nightmares?”
I shake my head and sigh because she’s got a point. We both have our secrets.
After Sarah drops me off, I do a load of laundry and fall asleep on the couch, my stomach feeling upset.
When I wake, it’s time to make dinner, and not in the mood, I call Sam’s delivery and have a burger and fries delivered from Cedar and Sage. I eat my meal and watch a couple of episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, when my phone vibrates from the coffee table.
Unknown: Hi, It’s West. Got your number from Sarah.
My cheeks curve, and I can’t hold back the smile taking over my face.
Me: Hi :)
Unknown: I wanted to know if I could give you a ride to work in the morning?
Still smiling, I save his contact info to my phone.
Me: I would love that.
West: Great. What time works for you?
Tomorrow’s Monday, so I need to be in by five. I bite my lip, worrying that will be too early, but type it out anyways.
Me: I like to be there by 5 on Monday’s, but if that’s too early then don’t worry about it :)
West: Not too early. I’ll be there.
Me: OK
I wait for him to reply, but nothing comes.
Letting out a little sigh of disappointment, I get up from the couch and put away my empty containers.
My stomach still feels upset but the burger and fries helped a little.
I decide to take a shower and call it an early night, so I fill Pumpkins dishes, lock up the doors and windows, and head to the bathroom.
In and out of a fitful sleep all night, around three in the morning, my tummy finally protests and I make it to the bathroom just in time to expel all its contents into the bowl.
My skin is slick with sweat, and I spend the next few hours heaving into the toilet.
I send Sarah a quick text around four and let her know I won’t be making it in today.
She replies quickly, already getting ready for work, telling me not to worry, that her and Wren got it covered.
Finally feeling a bit better and like I can’t possibly have anything left to vomit, I crawl back into bed under the warmth of my covers and fall back asleep.
Soft knocking on my front door rouses me, and when I glance at my phone, I see I have three missed calls from West. Realizing I forgot to send him a text, I get out of bed, and even though my stomach is sore and I’m sure I look as awful as I feel, I head down the hallway and unlatch the front door.
“West, I am so sorry,” I tell him.
He takes in my appearance and then reaches out brushing his fingers against my forehead.
“Hey, you okay?” he asks, looking concerned. “You’re burning up.”
I try to smile at his concern for me, but I feel my stomach lurch, and with wide eyes, I turn away and run down the hall, making it to the bathroom just in time to heave into the toilet.
I feel West behind me before I hear him, and I am so embarrassed.
I can’t believe he just saw me puke. Holding back the tears from forming in my eyes, I feel West crouch next to me, placing a hand on my back and rubbing soothing strokes.
“What can I do?” he asks. “Do you need water or a cloth or anything?”
Heart melting at how caring he is, I give him a sad smile. “I’m okay, you don’t have to be here.”
“I’m not leaving you, Jade.”
I sigh. “I don’t want you seeing me like this,” I tell him.
He lets out a huff and doesn’t stop rubbing my back. “Jade, you’re pale and very warm. I’m not leaving. Let me take care of you.”
Blinking away the tears in my eyes at his kindness, I look over at him, which is when I realize he’s not wearing his uniform. “Oh God. I didn’t make you late for work, did I?” Guilt eats at me. I know how important his job is.
“Nah,” he says, brushing a piece of hair back from my forehead. “I don’t work today.”