CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX HARLEY
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
HARLEY
It’s been a little over three weeks since the attack, and Ember’s bruises are fading daily.
I don’t think she has noticed, but as the marks fade, her light gets brighter.
We put in an offer on the house, and it was accepted within a couple of days.
The older couple that owned the house even came out to meet Ember and me, to be sure we were a good fit.
“We just want the house to be filled with another life of love,” Mrs. Maitland had told us, patting Ember’s hand. I don’t think Ember stopped smiling the entire time we walked through the house with them.
The husband gave me random pointers for the house.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t fix up the chimney. It needs some brickwork, and I just don’t have it in me to work like I used to,” Mr. Maitland apologizes again.
“Hey, it’s no problem, we’ll get it fixed up and running in no time.” I give him a smile. “She’s already got a small honey-do list going for me.” Ember whips her head around, giving me a teasing mean mug.
“Hey, happy wife, happy life.” Mr. Maitland laughs to himself.
Ember blushes, because she’s still technically just my girlfriend. If I’m being honest though, girlfriend just doesn’t feel like the right word for what she is to me.
We head back to Ember’s house. We’ve been slowly packing up both her house and mine to get ready to move into our new home. My place was a rental, so it was easy to let go of, but we still have to make some minor repairs to Ember’s house to list it.
“I have to meet with Mrs. Phelps this afternoon to talk about the bookstore,” Ember reminds me again. I don’t know why men get so frustrated when their wives constantly remind them of things, because I forget everything and appreciate the reminder.
“Shit, that’s right, what time?” I ask her.
“In about half an hour,” she tells me from the passenger seat, where she sits, doom scrolling.
“Do you want me to take you, or do you want to go by yourself?” I ask her. She’s been out a couple of times by herself, but the first time she went out herself after the attack, she had a panic attack and I drove to her and brought her home.
“It’s okay, I can go by myself,” she tells me sweetly, resting her left hand on the back of my head, stroking my hair.
We arrive at home, finding Maggie sitting in the window, waiting for us to come in and grace her with pets.
I was never an animal person before, but that dang thing sure is winning my heart.
At night, I look for her before bed, and she sleeps at my feet.
Ember hates that her baby is switching teams on her, and I can’t help but laugh every time I catch Ember mean mugging her own cat because she wants to cuddle me more.
Ember races through the door, down the hall, and into the bathroom. I plop onto the couch, giving the illusion that I’ll be home while she’s out taking care of business this afternoon. Ember emerges from the bathroom, zipping her pants.
“You think we’ve got time for a quickie?” I ask, teasing her.
“You think you can come in five minutes?” she asks, seductively running a finger down my chest and straddling me.
“With you? Make it two.” I pull her face down and kiss her lips, taking her bottom lip between my teeth. I feel her pull back, and she’s got a malicious grin spread across her face.
She “dismounts” me, and I wipe my hand down my face, trying to be cool. Ember keeps me on my toes, and I love every bit of it. She has mastered the perfect amount of teasing, and stops right before she knows there is no turning back.
“I’ve got to go, babe,” she says, walking into the kitchen, and I hear the sink turn on. She yells out, “But maybe afterwards, we can go grab dinner, or run to the store and grab something to cook at home?”
“Sounds good, princess. Just let me know when you’re headed home.” I stand as she walks into the living room, and I bend to plant my lips on hers, holding her head in place. She lets out a soft sigh, and something in my chest twitches. Utter joy stays in my chest when I’m with her.
“I love you,” she says before one more quick kiss, and then she heads for the door.
“I love you too, Ember,” I tell her, and she smiles and heads out the door, pulling it closed behind her.
Once I’ve watched her pull out of the driveway and head off down the road, I pull out my phone, dialing the number that called earlier while we were touring the house with the Maitlands.
“Hello, this is Amanda at Mud & Moss, how can I help you?” a cheery voice greets me on the other end of the line.
“Yes, my name is Harley Blackwood, and I got a call that my order was ready,” I relay the message left on my voicemail.
“Oh! Yes! Mr. Blackwood, we have your order completed, and you are more than welcome to come in and pick it up any time,” she responds quickly, happiness bursting from her voice alone.
“Am I able to come look it over, get some photos, and then take it home another day? I don’t want anyone snooping and finding it.
” I laugh. I don’t foresee Ember snooping, and she has no clue about this anyway, but since we’re both packing up each other’s houses, sometimes together and sometimes by ourselves, I don’t want to leave any chance of her finding it.
“Absolutely, Mr. Blackwood! Come on in any time,” Amanda tells me.
“I’m going to head over now, since I have time,” I tell her before we hang up, and I head out the door.
Twenty-five minutes later, I pull into the parking space in front of Mud & Moss. It’s just like any other small-town Main Street storefront. It doesn’t look too busy, and that makes me happy. Less evidence.
I pull the door open and am greeted with low-hanging bulb lights that you’d see in someone’s backyard.
The walls are red brick, much like the brick on the house we’re moving into.
Mud & Moss is painted in white letters across the back wall, where the customer service counter is stationed.
I walk to the back of the store and see a woman with straight blonde hair helping another customer.
While I wait my turn, I see all of the beautiful pieces on display.
The artist is insanely talented, which is exactly why I came here.
Once it’s my turn, I step up to the counter, resting my hands on the wooden top. “Hi, I’m Harley Blackwood,” I tell her, and her eyes light up.
“Mr. Blackwood! Let me grab Mr. Moss and your order,” she tells me before turning away to the back room. I turn and rest my hips against the counter, expecting a few minutes to pass.
“Harley! Good to see you, boy.” He comes around the counter and gives me a big hug. “You seen my boy lately?” he asks with an old, wrinkly smile.
“Chase is going to be by later this week to help us move to our new house, actually,” I tell Chase’s father.
“Ah yes, he did mention beer and pizza was wagered.” He laughs and heads back behind the counter. Amanda places the item on the counter and heads around the counter to the showroom to help another customer.
“I also wager ibuprofen for all the bitchin’ in moanin’ later about his back hurting.” I laugh, and Mr. Moss lets out a loud chuckle.
“Well, here’s the piece. Exactly as you described it.” He passes it to me, careful not to drop it.
I pick it up, examining every inch of it. “It’s fucking perfect,” I tell him, letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “It’s exactly like I imagined it.” She’s going to love it. There isn’t a single doubt in my mind.
“Is it okay if I take some pictures to show her family?” I ask him.
“It’s all yours, boy. And we can keep it here until you’re ready,” he tells me with a smile, patting my shoulder. “I’ll lock it up in the safe.”
I take a few pictures before deciding to FaceTime Atlas.
“Hey, Harley, what’s going on?” she answers, Aria’s little head in the side of the screen.
“Hey, I’m here now at the shop, and I wanted to show you,” I tell her, and I find myself suddenly nervous. She knows her sister better than I do, so if she doesn’t like it, I’m doomed.
“EEEEEEP!” She yells into the phone, “SHOW ME!”
My grin spreads from ear to ear. I show her the piece, and her eyes shine with unshed tears. I did it.
“Oh, Harley,” she says, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “She’s going to love it.”
My hands stop shaking, and I give her another big smile. “Oh, thank god,” I tell her. “I was going to melt down if you hated it.”
“No, no. It’s literally perfect. You could do no wrong in her eyes anyway,” she reassures me.
Mr. Moss comes around the counter and peeks into the phone over his glasses. “And who are these pretty girls?” he asks with a grin and a light blush on his cheeks. The old man is a flirt.
“This is Atlas, Ember’s sister, and Aria, her niece,” I tell him, panning the phone to put Mr. Moss in the frame.
“Oh, hi!” Atlas quickly greets him. “Wave “hi” baby,” she coos to Aria, who opens and closes her hand, waving at him.
“This is Chase’s dad,” I tell her, and her eyes go big and she blushes. Weird.
“Ahh, Atlas, good to finally meet you dear,” he says with a tight smile. “Well, I’ve got a piece processing in the back. Harley, when you’re done, just let Amanda know and we’ll lock it up.” He gives me a strong pat on the back and heads to the back room.
I get a few photos that I intend to send off to her parents, who will be coming in the week after the next, once we’ve gotten everything moved into the new house.
I push the door open to the street, and my body is vibrating with happiness. I can’t wait.
I jump in my car, reverse out, and pull down the street, heading back towards home.
I roll my windows down, letting some of the fresh air in, and crank up the music. I get lost in the music, and I’m only a few minutes from the house when Ember’s name flashes on my dash.
I immediately hit answer. “Hi princess, how did the meeting go?”
“I just lost my job,” she says, and I hear her sniffling into the phone. Oh no.
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” I do my best to console her over the phone. “Where are you?” I ask her.
“I’m in the driveway at the house,” she tells me. I can still hear her soft sobs through the phone.
I accelerate just a little faster. “I’m a block away, baby. I’ll be there soon.” We get off the phone and a minute later, I pull into the driveway behind her car. She gets out of the car, and I push my door open, not even turning the car off.
She rushes into my arms and cries into my chest. I hold her, telling her it’ll be okay and that I love her and I’m here for her.
“I loved that place so much, Harley,” she says, her head turned into my chest.
“I know you did, sweetheart. We’ll figure something out,” I assure her, rubbing circles into her back.
“That’s not all,” she says as she looks up at me.
I pull back and look at her face. “What do you mean?” I ask, preparing for more bad news.
“Let’s talk inside,” she says, and I go into panic overdrive. I quickly turn off my car and we head inside. We sit on the couch side by side, and Ember grabs my hand.
“Mrs. Phelps is closing down the bookstore. She doesn’t want to run it anymore, and people want more than just old books,” she says, squeezing my hand, and then continues.
“She knows how much I love it, and she offered to sell me the inventory at cost, so that she can break even.” I see the light hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“The only thing is that the building itself is going to be going through some remodeling and sold off so that she can try and make some money back.”
“So where does that leave you and the books?” I ask her, head cocked to the side and my eyebrows pulled into a crinkle.
“Well, I was thinking, and it’s only a thought…” she says, a hint no longer there, but a full spread smile stretched across her face. “The two commercial spaces next to the roastery are on the market.”
“So you want to work next to me?” I ask her, not quite understanding where she’s going with this.
“No, I want to work with you,” she tells me, her excitement barely contained.