Absorbed in my game, I nearly went through the windshield when Hank tapped on my window.
I tossed my phone aside and jumped out. “Hi.”
Without a word, he pulled me into a hug and buried his face in my hair. I slipped my arms around his waist and rubbed his back. I didn’t have to ask what was wrong. It was easy to guess. Not every call ended well for a paramedic. And even when they left the scene, the emotion followed them back to the station.
He pressed a kiss to my cheek, then stepped back and rolled his shoulders. “You brought goodies?”
“Cookies, and I brought you a gift. But you might not want to open it in front of the other guys.” I handed him the box.
“Is that why you used thin paper and the console box?” He cracked a smile. “I won’t make it two feet inside that door before they’ll be pestering for me to open it.”
“You can distract them with cookies.” I pointed at the box buckled into the backseat. I wasn’t taking any chances with those. They were a lot of work.
“You grab those and follow me in.” He took a step, then stopped. “You didn’t mention counseling to your mom?”
“I haven’t told anyone. Not even about our phone calls. I guess I was just trying to protect us from everyone else’s expectations. Who have you told?”
“No one. When I talked to your mom earlier today, she said she was worried about you because you turned down a cooking lesson on Tuesday but didn’t say why. I think she was hinting for me to check on you.”
“She keeps suggesting foods I should learn to cook to win you back.”
“I’m not dragging this out because of that, but it is a nice perk.” He started walking again. “Aunt Joji called and asked if you’d mentioned the tickets.”
“Do they all think we talk often or are they trying to get us to talk?”
“I think it’s the latter.” He pushed open the door. “Guys, I’m not sure I can eat this many cookies. Anybody want one?”
He set the present down and lifted the lid on the cookie box. He picked one up. “Save me a few.” To me, he said, “I’ll walk you out.”
Mitchell waved. “Thanks for the goodies, Hank’s girl.”
Hank looked back over his shoulder. “My wife’s name is Nacha.”
The room fell silent, and I fought the urge to laugh. “You’re welcome. Save him a few, please.” My heart did jumping jacks. When we stepped outside, I rubbed his arm. “Call if you want to talk.”
“Thanks for coming by and for waiting.”
“I wanted to see you. And I changed the reservations to August. I really don’t want to go to Madrid without you.”
He glanced back toward the door. “I should get back in there before they unwrap that gift without me there.”
“It’s just something to let you know I’m thinking about you.” I hugged him. “All the time.”
“Now I’m curious. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“I will, but I’m going to get some work done first.”
“Do you like the new space?”
“Love it. There is even a tiny apartment in the back.”
Hank chuckled. “Cami can always move in there.”
“Just say when.” I’d pack her stuff all by myself if need be.
“Bye.” Hank strode away.
I drove down the street and around the corner to my new office. It was better suited to our needs, and I liked being close to Hank.
As I was walking toward the door, a deputy’s car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, and Eli smiled. “Evening, Nacha. It’s kind of late to be working on a Friday, isn’t it?”
One of the benefits of having our office in a small town was feeling like people looked out for each other. And Eli took his promise to protect and serve very seriously. It was kind of a shame he didn’t seem interested in Cami.
I glanced at my keys to find the right one. “I spent the afternoon making cookies for Hank, so I’m here to play catch up.”
He wrinkled his brow. “For Hank?”
“My husband. He’s at work tonight at the fire station.”
“I know who Hank is. I just thought . . . Never mind.” He scratched his head and nodded toward the lingerie shop that had lights on in the back of the store. “Looks like you aren’t the only one working late.”
“You going in there to check on things?”
He shook his head a bit too emphatically. “Oh, no. No alarms. No complaints. Maybe there was a late shipment of . . . stuff.”
Teasing Eli would be too easy and probably a lot of fun. But I resisted. “Night, Eli. I’ll be here about an hour or so.”
“Lock yourself in.”
“I will.”
I settled at my desk and opened the photos from my latest shoot. Going through the shots, I separated the keepers from the others. Then I worked on each photo. Focused on editing, I yelped when my phone beeped.
Hank’s text made me laugh. You warned me, but I didn’t listen.
Like the gift? I crossed my fingers as I waited for an answer.
Hank replied: The guys thought the satin sheets and silk boxers were hilarious. Thanks for that. And silk boxers are one thing, but did you have to choose a pair with hearts on them?
I laughed as I typed. It was hearts or lips.
I guess I should be thanking you. Was he standing outside while he texted?
I closed the laptop, ready to head home. I bought a matching nightie.
I saw that. And so did all the guys. Thanks for putting that in the box too. He followed his text with a winking emoji.
It seemed a shame to break up the set. And I know how you like visuals. I couldn’t wait until I’d be able to model it for him.
You’ve already given me a great one. You headed home soon? His not so subtle change of subject was enough of a hint.
Packing up now. I’ll text once I’m home.
He sent a single heart.
I tapped out another text: One more thing: I can’t wait to see those boxers.
Hank replied: You didn’t see them when you bought them?
I can’t wait to see you wearing them. I hit send and waited for an answer.
The ever-so-meaningful thumb popped up.
While I completely regretted so many decisions, I’d learned a lot about myself and about my relationship with Hank. I loved him more now than the day he left.
It wasn’t that I needed him or that he completed me. I wanted him. And I wanted to be there for him.
Chapter 22
For two months Hank and I attended weekly counseling sessions. He called more often in the evenings, and my hope grew.
But this week everything was different. Our next session was tomorrow night, and he hadn’t talked to me since our last session a week ago.
Not panicking became more difficult. I added a little extra sugar to my coffee and grabbed a doughnut. Having a bakery right next door meant spending more time on my elliptical machine.
Haley walked in and closed the door as soon as I’d taken my first bite.
I wiped crumbs off my mouth. “What’s up?”
She crossed her arms. “Any news?”
“No.” This conversation wasn’t helping me not worry.
“It’s been months. I’ve met turtles that move faster than my brother.” She dropped into a chair. “But Zach said that Hank definitely plans to be at the family getaway.”
“I’m glad.” I washed down the bitter taste rising in my throat with very sweet coffee, but it didn’t help.
“Have you talked to him at all? The last couple of months, he’s been distant even from Zach, but the two of them did go camping this past weekend.”
“I’ve talked to him some. But he doesn’t tell me much. I didn’t even know they were going camping.” I was glad Hank hadn’t cut himself off from Zach. That friendship was important.
Haley bounced her leg. “And he’s on some sort of spring-cleaning kick. I went by there, and the trashcans were full. That
isn’t like him. Anyway, I wondered if he’d said anything to you.”
“He hasn’t.” I played connect the dots in my head.
Combined with Hank’s sudden silence, the cleaning felt like bad news.
“I mentioned it to Zach, but he flashed me one of those tight-lipped smiles. The kind that doesn’t really tell you anything.” She pinched her lips. “I’m not really happy that my husband is keeping things from me. I even threatened to make him sleep on the couch.” She coiled a strand of hair around her finger. “Not that I would actually do that—make him sleep on the couch. Since he knows that, he didn’t spill the beans.”
The panic she warned me not to have flooded my thoughts. Cleaning stuff out? The only time Hank had done a massive cleanout was when he’d moved out of his apartment when we got married. Was Hank planning to move? Had he gotten another chance at his dream job? Was that opportunity far away?
I tried to force a smile, but I couldn’t make it happen. “A little bit of panic is in order, I think. But he would talk to you about moving out of the house, right? Y’all own it together.”
“He hasn’t said a word, and he put in that pool. I found out about it when a giant hole appeared in the backyard. When I think about that, I can’t imagine that he’s moving.” She paled. Shaking her head, she leaned forward. “Forget I said anything about moving. I’m sure he’s not.”
She didn’t sound very sure.
I yanked out my phone and texted Hank: Haven’t heard from you all week. Miss you. I stared at the phone, holding my breath.
His reply popped up a second later, and he used words instead of emojis. I’ll see you tomorrow night.
Want to grab dinner after? I was putting myself out there even more than I already had.
Maybe. He wasn’t giving me much information.
“Have you talked to anyone else about this?” I had dinner plans with Mama and Aunt Joji. If they knew about this, it would come up.
Haley shook her head. “I haven’t. Zach keeps telling me not to worry. Maybe we should listen to him.”
“Maybe.” My head bobbed a yes, but my heart didn’t agree. Something was going on, and it made me uneasy.
I thought of the look on Hank’s face when I’d told him it was over. So much hurt. But the look when I admitted I’d never turned in the divorce papers was something else entirely.
Could Hank ever forgive me? Would he ever be able to trust me again?
Haley waved a hand in front of my face. “Did you hear me?”
“What?”
She pulled her hair into a scrunchie. “It’ll be okay.”
Would Hank talk to me before accepting the job? Wouldn’t he have mentioned something in one of our sessions?
In the midst of the chaos in my brain, one thought grew bigger.
If he was moving, I wanted to go with him. It didn’t matter where.
“Haley, if he is moving, I’m going to offer to go with him. He may shoot me down, but I need him to know that. And you need to know also.”
She nodded, then started shaking her head. “No. That’s not okay. I cannot run this business without you.”
“I won’t risk losing him. If being with Hank means living in some middle-of-nowhere town or even right on the beach, I’ll go.”
“In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never even gone to the beach. I assumed you hated it.”
“That’s not what’s important. Maybe I should text him and let him know.”
She shrugged. “He hasn’t answered any of my texts with words, he just sends a frustrating thumbs up.”
I laughed. “Glad I’m not the only one that gets them.”
“You got words. I’d consider that good news.” She laid her hands flat on the desk. “You okay? I almost didn’t tell you, but keeping it a secret didn’t feel right.”
“I’m glad you said something.” Trying not to worry, I shot off another text. Hank, I want to be with you even if it means leaving Texas.
The maddening thumbs up appeared a second later. I turned the phone around so Haley could see. “And we’re back to the thumb.”
“I love my brother, but he can be frustrating.” She checked her phone. “Want to come over tonight?”
“I have plans with Mama and Aunt Joji. You’re welcome to join us. After that, I’m going to curl up and read.”
“With Cami around? Good luck.” Haley jumped up and walked to the door. “Have fun tonight. Zach and I are planning to—never mind. You don’t want to know.” She blushed.
I gave her a thumbs up.
“Not you too.” Laughing, she groaned. “Y’all are totally meant for each other.”
Two minutes late, I walked into the restaurant. Mama waved from a table in the corner.
“Have you had a good week? How many times have you gone out with Mateo?” I hadn’t talked to her in several days but knew she’d probably seen Mateo. “I thought Aunt Joji was coming.”
“She’s here. And Mateo and I see each other often.” She flashed a smile. “I like him. But we are taking it slow.”
“I would never have guessed that you were sweet on him, Mama. Never.” I hugged her before sitting down.
She swatted my arm. “He’s very handsome.”
“He is. I won’t argue with you on that point. Did Aunt Joji say if she’d talked to Hank?”
Mama straightened her silverware, then crossed her arms. “She mentioned that he was going out of town.”
Zach wasn’t the only one with insider information.
Before I could grill Mama, Aunt Joji walked up. “Hello! Tomorrow—if you have time—I thought we’d go shopping. Oh, and you should pack that yellow dress you wore to Haley’s wedding. It was quite flattering.”
“I don’t have the dress anymore. I left it on the patio at the resort when I rushed off. Since Hank didn’t give it to me, I figured he didn’t grab it.”
“That’s a shame. Where did you get it?”
“Hank bought it for me in a little shop in Colorado when we were on our honeymoon.” I’d been so mad at him when I left Haley’s wedding, losing the dress didn’t seem like a big deal until much later. Wearing it that night was a huge mistake for multiple reasons.
“Do you remember the name brand? Maybe I could find it online and order one.”
“There was no brand name. He bought it from a woman who’d made it by hand. That was the last one she had.” I waited until the waiter was almost to the table, then said, “Besides, with Hank going out of town, who knows if he’ll even make it to the getaway.”
Aunt Joji and Mama exchanged a look. Was that panic? Yes, it was. And I felt justified in my worry.
Our waiter walked up to the table, waited until we looked at him, then smiled. “My name is Diego, and I’ll be your server today. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’d like a cup of coffee and a glass of water.”
“Lemon?” He wrote on his little notepad.
“Yes, please.”
He took the other drink orders, then hurried away, leaving us to study the menus.
Aunt Joji opened hers but looked over the top at me. “He’ll be there. I made him promise.”
My hope that it would all be tied up in a pretty package was slipping. “Even if he doesn’t show, we’ll have a good time. Who will be there?”
“Your Mama is joining us. Mateo too. Of course, Haley and Zach, and Eli. He’s a nice kid and he’s practically family.”
“He’s not really a kid.” I glanced at Mama who was staring at her menu like she couldn’t understand the words.
Aunt Joji waved her hand. “You know what I mean. I like him. But it will only be a small group of us.”
I tried to temper my excitement. “It sounds perfect. Maybe we should invite Cami. Would you mind?”
Aunt Joji beamed. “Yes, ask her. And let me know if I need to reserve another room. I’ll reserve the whole place if I have to.”
“Thank you so much for doing all of this.” I watched M
ama continue to stare at the menu. “I’m glad Mateo is coming.”
She didn’t look up. “He’s staying in his own room.” Is that why she was being so quiet?
I bit back a laugh. “I didn’t ask about that, but good to know.”
Aunt Joji tapped the menu. “So many good choices.” She laid the menu aside and rubbed her hands together. “I have some news.”
“Did you meet some nice cowboy?” I met her gaze.
“Oh my, no. I’m not sure anyone could put up with me.”
Mama laughed. “I think you mean keep up with you.”
“That too.” Aunt Joji danced her eyebrows. “I decided to settle here. I’m looking at buying a goat farm not far from Stadtburg.”
“You what?” I stifled a laugh because it almost sounded like she wasn’t joking.
“I’m going to buy a goat farm. Don’t say anything. I’m going to announce it at our getaway.”
As hard as I tried, I couldn’t contain my laughter. “I cannot imagine you with goats.”
“I signed up for a cheese-making class. And I might host tours or do petting zoo stuff. And maybe offer some of those goat yoga classes.” She leaned in close and grinned. “I’ll have to hire a few ranch hands. I wonder if I can talk them into doing yoga. People would pay to watch that I think.”
I didn’t even touch the idea of cowboys doing yoga. “Hank will want to interview all of them.” I couldn’t even imagine his reaction to this news.
Aunt Joji crossed her arms. “Hank will have to learn that he can’t always have what he wants.”
I didn’t see that going well.
“I’m glad you aren’t leaving town. It’s been so fun having you here.”
Her face lit up. “I’ve seen so much of the world, but here is the happiest I’ve been in a long time. “Now let’s order food. I’m starved.”
If Hank planned to leave town and asked me to go with him, at least Mama wouldn’t be all alone. She had Aunt Joji and Mateo.
It would hurt to say goodbye, but the thought of being without Hank hurt much worse.
That evening, I pushed open the front door, and a strong odor flooded my olfactory senses. “Cami, what are you doing?”
She walked out of the kitchen, wearing an apron with Kiss the Cook plastered on the front. “Hey! You were gone a long time. I didn’t have anything to do, so I ran to the store.”
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