“You’ve got to work on your navigation skills, little man.” I lift him up, and he wiggles in my hands, going nuts and licking all over my face. Walking over to the cabinet, I pull the bag of dog food out and set him down.
“Want a little bit of chicken flavor in your life?” I ask as I open the bag and pour him some into his bowl. He starts chewing immediately, and I remember the cake.
“We’ll go out as soon as we are done eating supper.”
*
I’m stuffed from box cake and canned icing as I pack up the rest of my things. Buster’s passed out in his bed and snores just loud enough for it to be cute and not annoying. I pull the tape over the last box and rip it off. Smoothing it down, I toss the roll onto the couch before I sit on the coffee table. I hear tiny paws hit the floor and look over to see Buster’s legs going ninety to nothing as he dreams. He wakes himself up and blinks his eyes open.
“Good dream?”
He snuggles back down and lies in the most awkward position. I decide a beer is needed, and then I’m going to bed to get ready for the move tomorrow.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tommy
Cardboard boxes cover the floors of the farmhouse, and snow blankets the ground. I hook the new swing up on the porch and cup my fingerless gloved-covered hands over my mouth to blow into. I rub them together and lift my foot to push the swing. It sways as I head back inside. Sliding my boots off, I do the same with my gloves before I lean down to light the fire. I hear steps on the front porch and then a loud bang on the door.
“Who is it?” I call out.
“Your pops!” I walk over and open the door. Ronnie stands with a hoodie on and a tree bigger than him. “Merry Christmas, son!” he shouts.
“What the hell you got here?” I ask, opening the door wider so he can come inside. He lifts the tree, and it sheds all over the floor.
“Figured you didn’t get a tree.”
“So, you got me one?” I look at the tree as it grazes the ceiling.
“Yeah.”
I give him a smile. “Well, Ronnie Kingsley, I think this is the first time you’ve bought me something.”
“Is not,” he says, rubbing his hair back and exhaling after he balances the tree against the wall. “I bought you a bike when you were a kid.”
“You didn’t buy me a bike, Ronnie. Hudson stole it from the Davids two streets over.”
He shrugs. “Well, I didn’t make him take it back, did I?”
I laugh. “Guess not. When did you get back?”
“About two days ago. Blew a head gasket on my rig. It’s in the shop now.”
I shake my head. “Of all things, you became a trucker.” Walking over, I throw another log onto the fire and shut the screen.
“It pays the bills and keeps me sober. So, you got some stuff to put on this?”
“Sorry, haven’t made it Christmas ornament shopping yet.”
“You better get it in some water before it dries up.”
“Did you get a stand, Santa?”
“Yep, outside on the porch.”
*
I’m pushing a cart around with Ronnie at my side telling me all about his travels. “You wouldn’t believe the nasty stories some of these men have.”
“You mean nastier than yours?” I ask, throwing in some red glittery ornaments.
He chuckles. “Son, I mean nastier than mine. One man had another shit right on…”
I hold up my hand. “Stop, Ronnie. I don’t need to hear this. Jesus.” We round the corner with my cart and Ronnie laughing. My eyes land on a pretty brunette.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Ellie Williams.” Ronnie walks over to her as she turns around. He shocks her and me when he wraps her in a hug, lifting her from the floor. She laughs, and then her beautiful eyes land on me.
“Ronnie, put me down.”
“I’m just glad to see you, L. It’s been too long. Son, look, it’s Ellie.”
“I can see that. Hey.”
“Hey,” she replies with slightly pink cheeks. “How are you, Ronnie?”
“I’m doing well, Ellie. Been sober for some years now.”
“That’s great.” She smiles and puts a piece of hair behind her ear. “And how’s Hudson? I haven’t had a chance to go see him and Rose yet.”
“You were planning on visiting before you left?” I ask. Her eyes look to me.
“I’m actually living here again.”
I narrow my eyes and try to contain my smile as she adjusts her basket on her arm. “You are?” I ask, intrigued.
“Yeah, what about you? You and your wife in town for Christmas?”
“Look, kids, hate to interrupt the reunion, but I’ve got to go pick up some things for the house. My milk is spoiled, and the bread has some weird green mold on it. Ellie, good to see you as always. Son, we’ll talk later,” Ronnie says. I nod as he walks away, thinking this was his idea.
“You’re buying ornaments?” Ellie peeks into my cart. I rub the back of my neck.
“Yeah, had to pick some up.”
She smiles. “Must be for Rose with the glitter.”
I look down and shrug. “They all have fucking glitter.” She laughs. “Where are you staying?” I ask her.
“I’ve got a room downtown until I can find something permanent.”
“You’re not staying with your aunts?”
“They offered, but I don’t want to intrude. Too bad my dad’s place is already bought.” She looks at her watch.
“Got somewhere to be?” I ask.
“Well, Buster is waiting on me, so I better hurry and finish up here.”
“Buster?” I ask, wondering who the hell that is. Her phone rings, and she looks at the screen.
“Oh, it’s Anne. She may want me to pick something up for her. It was good seeing you again.” She puts the phone to her ear and says hello as she walks away. Who the fuck is Buster?
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ellie
It’s been a week since I’ve moved back. Christmas is in two days, and Dad is making his way home to visit. I hate that I’m in a one-room hotel, but it’s better than nothing and he can sleep in his camper. I’ve got the ball rolling on the building Aunt Leigh told me about, and I should be opening right after Christmas. I haven’t had time to do much else with work and getting in touch with my patients from Chicago. I’ll be able to do video chat with most of them, and I’ve gotten in touch with the hospital so I can acquire some new patients.
I’m walking along the old road with Buster. It hasn’t snowed in a few days, so what was on the ground has melted. He stops and sniffs everything and pees on everything else. A bird flies up from the field and Buster takes off running, surprising me, and his leash slips through my hand.
“Buster!” I call out, running after him. He keeps running, jumping through tall dead grass until he reaches our old house.
“Buster!” I whisper-yell again because I see someone is home. He climbs the steps and starts sniffing around on the porch.
“Buster, get back here.”
The front door opens, and I tilt my head. Tommy leans down, and Buster walks right over to him. I make my way up too.
“Tommy?” I question, looking back at the truck and realizing it’s the same one that was parked in the drive the last time I was here. He looks up at me and stands.
“Ellie, what are you doing out this way?”
“I’m walking Buster.”
He looks back down and smirks. “This is Buster?”
“Yeah, my dog. Buster, this is Mama’s childhood friend. Tommy, this is my dog who doesn’t listen.” I climb the steps and grab his leash. “He took off after a bird.”
“He’s cute,” Tommy says.
“Yeah, I like him.” I shrug, bending down and petting his head. “So, what are you doing here? You know the new owners?” I ask, standing. Buster goes between my legs and lies down with a sigh.
“Something like that.” Tommy leans back against the
door and bites his lip.
“I don’t follow.” I look back at the driveway, thinking there should be another car here.
“I live here, Ellie.”
I turn my head back. “You what?” I ask. He lives here? In my home with his new wife.
“Moved back the day I saw you in the store.”
“Seriously? When we were here last time, you were the new owner?”
“Yes.” He slides his hands into his pockets and my eyes search the boards of the porch. Pain, anger, betrayal, every unhappy emotion fills my chest as I look over at the new swing. This is my childhood home. This is the home we first made love in, the home he slept beside my bed in. This home holds every special memory I have, and he bought it to share with his wife. To start his own family in. It’s his starter home.
“How could you?” I ask bitterly, trying to swallow the burning tears in my throat.
He flinches at my reaction. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, how the hell could you buy this house?”
“I thought you would be happy I bought it.” He removes his hands from his pockets.
“Happy?” I almost laugh. “You thought I’d be happy?”
“Yes.” He’s so sincere, so for real. This is nuts. This guy is heartless. He could only be doing this to hurt me. He’s still bitter from all those years ago. He knows how I feel. I poured my heart out to him in this very house. I shake my head.
“You’re cold, Tommy. This is an all-new low for you.” I pull on Buster’s leash. “Come on.”
“Ellie, wait,” he calls after me as we make it down the steps. I spin back around.
“For what? So you can see my tears?” I bite my lip and swallow before continuing down the road.
“Ellie!” he yells after me again, but I ignore him. Pain slices my insides, and I can’t help the tears that sting my cheeks.
*
The next few days are a blur. I focus only on work and Buster. We go for small walks around the town, and he plays in the park. I’m sitting in Anne’s sunroom when she brings me some hot cocoa.
“You used to like twenty marshmallows in it. I’m not sure if you still do, so I put them on the plate.”
“Some things never change, Anne,” I say as I pick each one of them up and place them into the cup. She smiles over at me and takes a seat in the wicker chair.
“How’s Cash doing?”
“Dad’s good. He’s coming home for Christmas.”
“Oh, really? Well, I’m excited to see him and hear about his time on the road.”
“Yeah, he’s seen some things.”
She nods and takes a sip of her drink. “You been to see Tommy?”
I look over at her. “It was nice of everyone to tell me he moved into our old house,” I respond.
“I was going to tell you, dear, but you’ve been super busy since you got back. This is the first chance we’ve had to sit and talk.”
“I know, but no one gave me a heads-up. I had to run into him while I was walking Buster. It was heartbreaking.”
“Why are you heartbroken?”
“Because that house means everything to me.”
“Why do you think he bought it, Little Miss?”
“To hurt me. Why else?”
She shakes her head and puts her drink down. “Ellie, it’s no secret that boy has always loved you. I doubt he would do anything to purposely cause you pain.”
“Anne, he bought my childhood home and moved himself and his wife right into it. How could that not hurt me?”
“Maybe you should go talk to him. See what he has to say.” She picks her drink back up. “You won’t know the truth until you hear him out.”
“I don’t think I can hear him out. I don’t think I ever want to see him again, which sucks because we now live in the same town.” I sigh and drink the rest of my cocoa. I just need to keep my distance. God knows I don’t want to run into his wife.
*
In a long black dress coat with a matching pencil skirt underneath and heels I only wear to work, I push the door to Banner’s open and make sure my azure blue blouse is tucked in the back. I’ve been at the hospital today working. My long curls are tied into a messy braid running down the side on my neck and down the front of my shirt. I slip my hands into my coat’s pockets as I walk up to the mahogany bar. Banner gives me a smile and runs his dishtowel over it. A small band plays on the stage, and the lights are dim.
“Ellie, you look pretty this evening,” he tells me.
I almost choke on the compliment. The man of few words surprised me and made me blush. “Thank you.”
“What will you have?”
“Whiskey sour with extra cherries, please.” I slip my coat off and place it on the stool beside me.
“Coming right up.” While he makes my drink, I turn to watch the band. Slipping my heels off and letting them hit the floor, I place my smoky gray toes onto the bar rest and slightly sway to the band’s cover of The Eagles’ “Take it to the Limit”. I’ve never been in here to have a drink. It’s odd, but I was never old enough before. Now, I’m well past the drinking age and not ready to go back to the hotel. Buster is at Aunt Leigh’s, so I’m not worried about him right now.
“Here you are.” I turn to the sound of Banner.
“Thanks.”
“How’s your dad doing?” he asks as I pick up my drink.
“He’s enjoying himself. He’s coming home for Christmas.”
“Good. I’d like to have a beer with him.”
“I’m sure he’d like that too.”
The door swings open and in walks a crowd of college kids.
“You get pretty busy now that they built that new school close to town?” I ask.
“Yeah, apparently, this little bar is a hot spot for the kids. Some nights Maci will even drive a group of them back to their dorms.”
“That’s nice of her.”
“She makes some good pocket change to put into the library. Mark finally fixed that leak in her roof last week.”
“I know she’s glad,” I say.
He nods. “The whole thing needed to be replaced. She’s been complaining to the Board for years. They gave her money, but not enough, so you know Maci. She figured it out herself.”
I smile.
“Well, these boys look thirsty. I better start pouring some pitchers,” he says.
I take a sip of my drink and pick a cherry out to put in my mouth. The band plays happier tunes, and the boys grow louder, but it’s not annoying. It’s a distraction from the crappy mood I’ve been in lately.
I’m three whiskey sours in and at least six cherries down. My shoes have been left by the bar, along with two bottles of water. Girls have joined the boys, and this place is hopping.
“I bet you can’t,” one of the college kids says as he gives me a taunting smile. He reminds me of Tommy with his dark hair and matching eyes. He doesn’t know who he’s talking to, though. I’m the queen of completing dares, but he also doesn’t know that Banner filled the first four shot glasses up with apple juice. I’ve got six in front of me, and only two will make me warm.
“You’re gonna strip down to your boxers and run to the park and back if I do.” All the girls giggle. This young kid is cute, and I’m sure they’d love to see it. I just need a good laugh.
“Okay.” He nods confidently because he thinks I can’t toss these back. I look across the room at Banner who is grinning.
“A dare’s a dare,” I say as I pick up the first glass and bring it to my mouth. It goes down smoothly, and I lick my lips and smile. The guy watches me as I down the next three with ease, and then I get to the real liquor. It’s not hard to throw back two shots, but they burn, and I instantly feel warm all over. I’m light on my feet after three whiskey sours and two shots of tequila. And all the girls cheer.
“Well,” I say, putting the shot glass down.
The boy shakes his head and takes his hat off. “Like you said, a dare’s a dare.” He
starts to the door as everyone eagerly follows. I’m the last one, and I lean against the frame as he removes his clothes and tosses them to some cute, girl-next-door blonde. She smiles at him, and I don’t miss the wink he gives her.
Crossing my arms, I laugh as everyone hollers and the not-so sore loser runs off the sidewalk and across the street.
It’s below freezing, and he’s almost naked and barefoot. His friends cheer him on, and I miss being young and carefree. As everyone gathers into the empty street, I stay put and look back to see Banner cleaning up the finished pitchers of beer and red Solo cups.
I push off the doorframe and go to get out of the cold when someone catches my eye. Tommy stands by his truck, watching. Swallowing, I tell myself to breathe because he is so damn gorgeous. In dark jeans, brown boots, and a matching leather jacket, Tommy isn’t the boy who used to wear dirty Vans anymore. He’s grown into a man—a man who ran away from me and started a new life. He watches with brown eyes and lips I wish were all over my body.
I turn away first, looking out at the boy who lost a dare. He runs back through the crowd and goes to the girl for his clothes. She hands him his jeans and he slides them up, then takes his shirt and pulls it over his head. He walks over to me with chattering teeth. “I’m gonna need six shots now.”
I laugh. “How about I buy you one?”
“Deal,” he says.
I look back at Tommy who has his eyes narrowed in curiosity, but I walk in after dare boy. We’re seated at the bar, and I’ve bought Chris a shot to warm him up. I see the pretty blonde standing a little farther back, and I know she’d rather be closer. I reach down for my shoes and slip them back on.
“You leaving?” Chris asks me.
“It’s time for me to head home. Plus, I think there’s a girl who’d like to be sitting in my seat.”
He looks over and smirks.
“You kids have a ride back?” I ask as I stand up.
“Yeah, our friend is coming to get us.”
Chasing Ellie: A Chasing Fireflies Spin Off Page 25