Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
He held out a handheld computer. “I just need you to sign here, Josie.”
“Oh, okay. Thank you, Tom.”
I hadn’t ordered anything lately, so I wasn’t sure what it could be. Back in the house, I tore open the pull tab. Inside was my passport and a letter-sized envelope. I frowned, seeing Noah’s familiar handwriting on the outside in blue ink.
Josie,
I’m taking a leap of faith. I’ll be on that flight to Aruba. Give me a chance to show you I’ve changed, and meet me on it. I love you.
Noah
I sighed and tossed the package on the kitchen counter. Today was the day that just kept on giving. Maybe I needed that second tub of ice cream after all.
CHAPTER 34
* * *
Heartsick and Homebound
Josie
A week later, I stood at the kitchen window, watching Fox’s truck pull into the driveway. We’d had no contact since he’d walked out of my house. I was embarrassed to admit it, but at first I think I was hanging on to hope that he’d come around, realize he’d made a mistake and apologize. But as the days went by, I felt like an idiot for considering that was even in the realm of possibility. The man was cut and dried. He liked his life neat and orderly. But at least one good thing had come out of me trying to pretend I wasn’t waiting on him—I’d kept myself super busy.
I looked around the house. Fresh paint, the living room had an actual ceiling, new flooring, appliances, lighting fixtures, hardware, and decking. I’d gotten a few windows replaced, the house power-washed, the driveway sealed, and today I’d replaced the last of the tattered screens. It was almost unrecognizable as the house I’d walked into two months ago. Feeling proud, I snapped a few pictures and texted them to Nilda. A few minutes later, my phone rang, and I smiled at the screen.
“That is not the same house,” she said when I answered.
“It is. I have the dent in my bank account and pain in my back from all the lifting to prove it.”
“It looks amazing. I can’t believe you did all that yourself.”
I hated to give the jerk credit, but I couldn’t lie to Nilda. “Actually, I didn’t do it all myself. Fox is a contractor, and he helped a lot.”
“Oh, how wonderful! Mr. Grumpy Hothead who is thoughtful, fiercely loyal, and devastatingly handsome is also handy! Sounds too good to be true.”
Truer words were never spoken. Too bad I’d fallen for his act—hook, line, and sinker. I sighed. “Turns out he was, Nilda.”
“Oh no. Are you okay?”
I didn’t like to lie, but I didn’t want her to worry. She had enough on her mind with her upcoming move. “I’m good. He wasn’t my type after all.” I took a deep breath and soldiered on. “When are you leaving for South Carolina?”
“Four days. The day after tomorrow is my last day with Dr. Preston, and I leave Tuesday morning.”
God forbid Mom give her some time to breathe after twenty-five years of employment. I bet she wasn’t even doing anything special for her last day. Nilda deserved a party.
With that, a light bulb flicked on in my head. She does deserve a party. Everything was done now here. There was no reason I couldn’t drive back and throw one.
As quickly as the thought struck, I turned to look at the house next door. But I forced my eyes away and inwardly scolded myself.
No.
No, no, no.
I’m done here. I’m done wallowing. And Nilda’s departure was important. I’d let a man turn me upside down yet again.
“Will you have dinner with me on your last night?” I asked.
“I didn’t think you’d be back until after I left?”
“Change of plans. I’m coming home.”
“It would mean the world to me to spend my last night here with you, Josie.”
I smiled. This was the right decision. “I’ll see you Monday night.”
“Safe drive home, sweetheart.”
After I hung up, I got to work. I called the only auto-repair shop in Laurel Lake and made an appointment to get my oil changed and tires checked. Then I called a real estate agent I’d met at the party Bernadette Macon had thrown when I first arrived. Lynn Walker had been elementary-school friends with my dad and owned one of the two agencies in town. She said she’d stop over tomorrow to look at the house and discuss renting it again.
With the big things out of the way, after dinner I decided to pour myself a glass of wine and sit down and write out a to-do list of what needed to be done before I left the day after tomorrow.
Three tasks in, my phone rang.
Opal.
I figured it was safe to answer. I might have believed Fox had fallen for me, but I was certain he was not spreading gossip. So I swiped.