She sat down across from him. “I hope so.”
“Still a doubter, huh?” He shook his head. “What am I going to do with you?”
Violet shrugged. “Give me a guarantee.”
“There are no guarantees in life. You know that. Put your trust in the Lord. Do your best.” He smiled. “And pray a lot. I guess that’s my best advice.” His blue eyes were the same color as his sweater.
“Pretty good advice I guess.” She pushed a strand of hair from her face. “Did anyone ever tell you that your eyes are nearly the same color as denim? Kind of a gray blue?”
He laughed. “Can’t say that they have.” He raised his eyebrows up and down. “But thanks for noticing.”
She blushed. Great. Now he thought she was checking him out. “Just an observation.” She stood up. “What are you in the mood for tonight?” As soon as she asked the question, she wished she could take it back. The gleeful expression on his face told her he was about to make an off-color joke.
“Well…” He trailed off and chuckled at her dirty look. “What?” He held up his hands in surrender. “I was just going to say pizza. I’m in the mood for pizza.”
“Right.” Their stupid contract with that ridiculous first kiss flashed through her mind. She knew he might spring it on her any time. Every time she thought about it, she grew uneasy. She liked surprises, but not that one. Not from him.
“Or something else if you don’t want pizza.” He shrugged. “I’m flexible.”
“Actually, pizza is good with me. Would it be weird to just go back to my house and have it delivered? Arnie isn’t doing all that great, and I’ve been gone a long time today.” Her voice caught at the mention of Arnie, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed. His stance on inside dogs still angered her.
“That sounds like fun. I’ll follow you there.”
She grabbed her bag and turned off the lights. Just a few more weeks and the shop would be bustling.
Hopefully.
Jackson stood on Violet’s front porch and waited for her to get out of the car. It sure was dark out here. She’d been excited to find a place outside of town, but he wasn’t sure if it was such a good idea. Her nearest neighbors were pretty far down the road, and there wasn’t much of a light out front.
“You look lost in thought,” she said as she walked toward him.
He frowned. “I was just thinking about how dark it is out here.”
“Funny how that happens at nighttime,” she said with a smirk.
Jackson groaned. “I’m serious. Why don’t you let me put one of those motion sensor lights out here? You’re awfully far from the road, and you don’t even have neighbors nearby.”
“Are you worrying about me?”
He shrugged. “I guess.”
“I’m flattered. But I’m fine.” She grinned and stuck her key in the lock. “Really. I haven’t been scared once since I moved in.”
He followed her into the living room, and she flipped on the light.
“Arnie boy, do you want to go outside?” she asked, bending down and shaking the dog lightly.
Arnie slowly opened his eyes then jumped up, startled at the sight of Jackson. He barked a few times in Jackson’s direction.
Violet put her hand on the dog’s head. “It’s okay,” she said. “Come on.” She steered him toward the back door.
“Everything okay?” Jackson asked once she came back into the room.
She shrugged. “He’s not doing that well. I need to take him to the vet to get his kidney function checked again, but I’m afraid of what I’ll find out.” She frowned. “I’m giving him a special kind of food and also cooking for him some.”
“You cook for him? Like on the stove?”
Violet glared. “Yes, I do. I know you can’t possibly understand the attachment I have to him, but rest assured that it’s a big one. He’s been with me for a lot of years. When people have let me down, Arnie has been by my side. Happy to see me when I come home—whether after a day at work or a trip that lasted a week. It’s hard to find unconditional love anymore.”
That was true, he’d give her that much. But still…the dog hair and dirt and messy yard seemed like a real pain. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. My sister is the same way about their Lab. Her husband jokes sometimes that Max is the real love of her life.”
Violet’s mouth quirked into a smile.
Finally. “Speaking of my sister…” He trailed off. He’d been putting this off because he wasn’t sure what her reaction would be. “She’s invited us to come to her house in Memphis next weekend. I know you’re busy with the shop, but if we don’t go before you open, it will be almost impossible for you to find a free weekend.”
“Memphis for the weekend?” She sat down on the couch. “I don’t know.”
Was she torn about going somewhere with him, or was it just because she was so close to the opening? Jackson wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. “I can tell her no if you can’t make it.”
“Yes. I’ll go.” She gave him a tiny grin. “It was part of the contract after all. I know we’re going to have to be around our friends and families soon, and this thing between us needs to look believable.”
Jackson let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “So you’ll go?”
She nodded. “Count me in. I’m sure it will be a blast. I love Memphis. Grandpa can come over and let Arnie out.”
“We’ll leave next Saturday morning and be back Sunday afternoon.” Jackson couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a woman on a road trip. And he’d never taken anyone to his sister’s house.
“I’d better order the pizza.” Violet stood up and grabbed her phone. “Pepperoni okay with you?”
He nodded and watched her dial the number. He knew without a doubt that Kathleen and Violet would get along wonderfully. They could probably be pretty good friends.
A sinking feeling washed over him. He couldn’t risk Kathleen letting the truth about his past slip to Violet.
And that meant one thing.
He’d have to tell her himself.
Chapter 22
Violet Matthews: THE SIGN FOR THE FRONT OF THE STORE ARRIVED TODAY! I HAVE THE MOST AWESOME DESIGNER EVER! ACTUALLY, I’VE ALREADY HAD SOMEONE ASK FOR YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. ARE YOU UP FOR ANY FREELANCE WORK? (Text message sent October 9, 1:23 p.m.)
Reagan McClure: ARE YOU SERIOUS? I’VE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT, BUT I LOVED CREATING YOUR STUFF SO MUCH. HADN’T REALIZED HOW MUCH I’D MISSED IT. SO SURE! FEEL FREE TO PASS MY INFO ALONG! (Text message sent October 9, 1:35 p.m.)
Violet hung the last of the framed quilt squares in the bakery’s dining area. Perfect.
“What do you think?” she asked Grandma. The older woman had stopped by the shop on her way to the grocery store.
Grandma looked at her with watery eyes. “My mother would be so proud that she’s part of your store.” She smiled and wiped her eyes. “I’m just glad I saved them.” She held up a bag. “And even happier about this.” She handed the bag to Violet.
“What’s this? Grandma, you didn’t have to get me anything.”
Grandma shrugged. “It isn’t anything I paid for.”
“Grandma, are you stealing again?” Violet teased.
The older woman burst out laughing. “I guess that did sound pretty bad, huh? It’s just something that I think you can use.”
Violet reached into the bag and pulled out a purple and yellow apron. It was a little faded, but that added to its character. “I love it.”
“It was mine. A gift from your grandpa in the early fifties.” She smiled. “I always thought I’d pass it on to whichever of my granddaughters married first, but I believe you will cherish it a lot more than Amber.” She smiled. “I’ll buy her a brand-new apron, and she’ll be thrilled.”
Violet slipped it over her head and quickly tied the ribbon in the back. “What do you think?” She twirled around the shop.
“Perfection.” Grandma
smiled.
Violet walked over to the counter and checked her list. Things were surprisingly on target. “I’m set to open the week of Halloween,” she said. “What did you think of the sign?”
“I think you’re going to be very busy. It looks wonderful.”
Violet handed her the mock-up of the flyer and business cards. “Here are the other things Reagan worked on. They’re at the printer now.”
“She’s very talented. These look great.” Grandma tapped the paper. “And these cupcakes look delicious even in the photo.” She handed them back to Violet. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Violet shrugged. “Just spread the word. I’ll give you the grand opening flyer and some business cards, and you can help me distribute them.” She sighed. “And there’s the possibility I might need a little help behind the counter. I’m not at all sure what to expect.” She grinned. “But I’ll be looking to hire someone before it gets out of hand, so don’t think I’ll be calling on you all the time.”
Grandma chuckled. “I’ll be glad to help out however I can, even if it’s just going to the grocery store for you or running other errands. But I think working behind the counter sounds fun.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Violet grinned. “And I think Shadow will be a great help.”
Grandma nodded. “Betty’s just thrilled that she seems to be blossoming a little bit. She’s made a couple of good girlfriends at school who are in the youth group with her at church.”
“She’s becoming a little more talkative here, too. I think she likes the creative side of working here. Her painting is beautiful, and she told me yesterday she’d like for me to teach her how to ice the cupcakes.” Violet had been thrilled that Shadow might want to learn some of the baking. When she’d hired her, she’d expected that the teenager would only be interested in packaging preorders and working the cash register.
“That’s wonderful.” Grandma bit her lip. “Can I ask you something?”
Violet stopped checking things off her list and nodded. “Of course.”
“Now I don’t mean to pry, but Betty says she met your young man the other night. And your grandpa tells me you’ve asked him to care for your dog this weekend.” She patted Violet’s arm. “Are you going somewhere with him?”
Violet felt the heat rise up her face. “We’re going to Memphis to visit his sister.”
“Meeting the family…that sounds serious.”
She didn’t want to mislead her grandmother. “It’s complicated. Jackson and I—we haven’t always gotten along. Sometimes we still don’t.” She shrugged. “We knew each other in college.”
“Betty was quite taken with him. Said he was very polite and charming.” Grandma raised an eyebrow, an ability Violet had never quite mastered. “And I just wondered if you thought it was going anywhere.”
The last guy she’d dated who was polite and charming had lied to her, cheated on her, and turned out to be a world-class jerk. She could see why Grandma might worry. “I think that for now we’re just learning to be friends.” It was way too complicated to try to explain. And even if she admitted the agreement she and Jackson had made, she knew her grandma would probably think it was a terrible idea.
“Being friends is nice.” Grandma smiled. “You know, your grandpa and I weren’t exactly friends from the beginning. He thought I was way too headstrong, and I thought he was too uptight.” She chuckled. “But we worked that out and figured out our differences only made our relationship more interesting.” She gave Violet a hug. “I pray that you’ll find the same thing someday.”
“Thanks.” Violet watched her grandmother go. It was hard to wrap her mind around people thinking she and Jackson might actually be a real couple. But she’d better get used to it because in two days they’d be in full-on couple mode.
Reagan collapsed on the gym floor. “Is it my imagination, or is today’s workout harder than last week’s?” she asked Maggie.
“This instructor is used to teaching the advanced class.”
“Now you tell me.” Reagan grinned. “I was beginning to think I’d gone backward on my fitness goals.”
Maggie shook her head. “I’d say you’re just right.” She nodded her head toward Reagan. “You look great. How do you feel?”
Reagan sighed. “I feel better about everything except for Chad. He let me sleep through our date night last week.”
“Maybe you needed the rest.”
“I’m sure I did, but it still stings that he’d do that. I mean, we haven’t had time alone in eons.” She’d refused to discuss it anymore with Chad, but he’d claimed he was only trying to do what was best for her. “And I can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something.”
Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Have you told him about the gym yet?”
“No. But only because I want him to notice that there’s something different about me. He lives with me. He sleeps in the same bed as me. You’d think he’d catch on that I’ve lost nearly ten pounds.”
“Oh, he probably notices. He might not know what’s different, but I’m sure he knows something is.” Maggie chuckled. “But why don’t you just schedule another date night? Now that you know you can let someone else watch the kids for a while, maybe you should take advantage of that.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
Maggie nodded. “I am. Trust me.” She grinned. “I was right about Zumba, wasn’t I?”
“I guess. Although if I shimmy much more today, I might have to be carted out of here on a stretcher.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. Here or at home.” Maggie took a sip of water. “By the way, the family I work for is moving at the end of December. You know anyone who might need a nanny?”
Reagan laughed. “I wish. But I’m pretty sure Chad would never go for that. His mother has told me a million times how the best decision she ever made was leaving her job so she could stay home. He’s always wanted me to stay home with our kids.”
“But don’t you think that’s something the two of you should agree on? I’m not even saying you shouldn’t stay home. I’m saying that maybe you need some help. Even another mom you can trade some time with.”
“Well, I do have some exciting news that might mean I need a little bit of time without the kids.” She filled Maggie in on the design work she’d done for Violet. “And I got an e-mail this morning from a business just down the road from Violet’s shop that sells soaps and lotions. They’re interested in having me design a new logo for them and possibly renovate their website.”
“And is that something you’re passionate about?”
She nodded. “I’d really like to accept the job, but I’m not sure how I’d swing it. I did Violet’s project because she’s my best friend, but I had to let a lot of stuff slide at home. I’m still catching up on laundry.”
Maggie laughed. “It’s a black hole, isn’t it?”
The instructor called everyone back from the break.
“Just think about it, okay? I think it’s time you and your husband had an honest conversation about things.”
Reagan pondered the advice. Maybe Maggie was right. But what if it drove an even bigger wedge between her and Chad? She wasn’t sure the distance between them could get any farther. Because if it did, they’d be dangerously close to being two strangers who happened to share a house and a last name.
Dear Mama,
I am so excited about this weekend! Rachel and I are going to watch Dale in some kind of bull-riding competition. I think it will be so cool to see him ride.
I’m working on my schedule for next semester, and I’m considering taking an art class for one of my electives. Violet and I had a talk the other day about my classes, and she told me all about how she became a lawyer for all the wrong reasons and how excited she was to finally be going after her dreams. She thinks I should try different things to see what kind of stuff I’m good at and enjoy. It makes sense, I guess, but I don’t know how I’ll feel about getting a g
rade for my artwork.
You know that’s always been something I just did for fun. What if I’m not really talented?
I guess there’s only one way to find out, but it’s kind of scary.
ILY,
Shadow
Chapter 23
Jackson Stratford: WE’LL BE THERE AROUND NOON TOMORROW. WHAT’S THE PLAN? (Text message sent October 12, 8:22 a.m.)
Kathleen Morgan: YAY! WE’RE SO EXCITED. THE KIDS HAVE MADE WELCOME DRAWINGS FOR VIOLET. LUNCH WILL BE READY WHEN YOU GET HERE. LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING TO KNOW VIOLET! (Text message sent October 12, 8:34 a.m.)
Jackson stood outside Violet’s house, wondering if this was a huge mistake. Showing up unannounced wasn’t usually his style, but he really needed to see her. He knocked on the door.
She opened the door, the surprise evident on her face. “Jackson! What’s wrong?”
“I know we aren’t leaving until tomorrow, but, uh, I kind of needed to talk to you.” He shifted uncomfortably.
“Of course.” She opened the door wider. “Come on in.” She smiled. “And excuse the mess. I’m trying to go through my giant collection of paper.”
“Paper?”
Violet laughed. “I can’t seem to throw it away. I’m seriously drowning in stacks of paper.” She gave him a sheepish look. “Something I’m sure you can’t understand.”
“I don’t hold your paper hoarding against you in any way,” he said with a laugh. “At least you know you have a problem.” He flipped through a stack of magazines.
“So what’s up?” she asked.
He sighed. He’d known when she accepted his invitation to Memphis that he’d have to come clean about his entire past, but it might be harder than he’d expected. “Let’s sit.” He motioned toward the couch.
Once they were settled, he took a deep breath. “Violet, I’m really sorry for the way I treated you when we were in college. I’d sort of forgotten most of it until I ran into Reagan the other day. She was more than happy to refresh my memory.”
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