Chapter 41
Sid walked out of the bank, a smile on his face and Grace at his side. Their hands were clasped tightly together and he”d never felt higher. He glanced down at her and saw her smiling face looking up at him.
”You own a business, Sid.”
He chuckled as he had much of the morning. It all seemed so surreal. ”I know. It doesn”t seem real. All these years I felt like I was searching but not knowing what I was searching for. All these years, I felt like I didn”t belong or I was doing something wrong but I didn”t know why. It took coming here and finding you and Coop and the Garage to find where I was supposed to be. I know that sounds weird, but I don”t have the words to describe it.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. ”I understand this, believe it or not. I understand it. It feels like you aren”t a complete person and you”re slogging along doing what you feel like you”re supposed to do, but even that doesn”t feel right.”
”Yes.” He shook his head. ”Grace, you get me.”
She laughed and the sound of it sent a thrill through him. ”I do. I think you get me too. It”s wonderful.”
”It is.” He helped her into his truck, then sauntered around to the driver”s side. When he slid in, he glanced at her beautiful face and grinned. ”I”d like to have a grand opening. Maybe a party or something.”
”Oh, that”s a great idea. I”ll help you with that. Should we do it this weekend?”
”Absolutely. I”d like to get it over with so I can begin business in earnest.”
Grace laughed. ”Okay. Let me work on some things and plan for a party on Saturday. You just need to get the Garage organized so you can showcase it positively and let folks know you”re in business.”
He chuckled. ”I”ll get things organized. I wanted to do that anyway, so I have some bearing on what”s here and what, if anything I”ll need moving forward.”
She smiled. Her hair blew slightly in the breeze, her lips had a shine on them, and her smile was breathtaking. His heart thumped firmly in his chest and he thought how many times in the last few weeks she”d made his heart pound and sing. At this time in his life, he hated to let a minute pass him by and yet, he didn”t want to be rash either. His head had been spinning since he met Grace, and to be honest, he loved the way she made him feel.
He secured her into the truck then jumped in himself. They drove to her second bungalow. ”If you feel scared in any way Grace, call me.”
”I will. We all know now the police can arrest them. I feel better just knowing that.”
”But, don”t let that be a false security Grace. They can get to you faster than you can call if you let your guard down.”
She smiled at him. Her smile was like the sun rose high. ”I know. I won”t let my guard down. I still have to protect Chiefy, even though she thinks she”s protecting me.”
”Right.” He chuckled. He helped her out of the truck, then helped Chiefy down while Grace unlocked the door to the second bungalow. They”d swept up the dead bugs when they brought all the tools and paint over.
Chiefy ran into the bungalow and straight to the kitchen where her dishes were. She seemed to be doing a check. Sid did the same, checking to make sure no one hid inside and it was safe to leave them here. He locked the back door. He hugged Grace to him, kissed the top of her head and held her close for a while before pulling back.
”Okay. I”ve gotta go. I have a business to run.”
She chuckled and slapped his butt. ”Get going old man.”
”Ouch.”
”I didn”t slap you that hard.”
He grinned. ”I meant the old man part. Ouch.”
She laughed. He winked at her, turned the lock on the door on his way out, and felt like he was on cloud nine as he sauntered to his truck.
A few moments later he was pulling into his parking area. He sat in his truck a moment, staring at the Garage, trying to make his brain believe this had actually happened. Quinn”s truck pulled in behind his and he laughed.
They met in the middle and he hugged his friend tightly. He both received and gave big thumps on the back.
He turned, as did Quinn, and both men stared at the Garage.
Quinn asked, ”When are you getting a new sign?”
”As soon as I can. Do you know a good place to get one?”
”Yeah. I”ll text you the information.”
”Grace is planning a party on Saturday for a grand opening. I hope you and Jared will join us.”
”I wouldn”t miss it for the world. I”ve been on cloud nine since I heard you were buying this place. Both of my best friends here in the same town with me is like a dream. Other than the military, we”ve never lived in the same town together.”
Sid thought for a moment. ”You”re right.”
Quinn slapped him on the back once more. ”I just wanted to come and wish you a happy first day at your place. If you need anything, holler. If those fuckers give you grief, get in touch with me. I”ve always got your six.”
”Thanks, Quinn. I”ve got yours.”
He”d always be there for his friends. They”d been through the shit together. They”d seen things most people never see. They had a bond that couldn”t be broken.
Quinn gently punched him in the arm. ”Gotta run buddy, but I”m never far away.”
”Boy, don”t I know that,” Sid teased. Quinn laughed as he strode to his truck and Sid”s heart felt light.
Coop pulled into the parking lot and got out of his truck. He shuffled toward Sid and chuckled. ”You aren”t going to get any work done staring at the place.”
Sid laughed and shook his head. ”As usual, you”re right.”
He unlocked the door for the first time as the owner. His fingers shook slightly as he realized it was all his now. And he and Coop started turning lights on and opening garage doors and getting ready for business.