Page 79 of Lightning in a Mason Jar
For the first time, Bailey Rae not only understood Winnie’s commitment, she embraced it on a soul-deep level. Pride filled her for the life Winnie had led, never needing recognition to do the right thing. How fortunate Bailey Rae had been to have such a role model.
At last, she understood exactly how to honor the woman who’d raised her. The woman who’d given her a sense of home.
The woman who’d given her a family.
The wind whipped harder, and tapping echoed overhead as rain pattered along the leafy branches, some drops trickling through, faster and faster. Bailey Rae tipped her face into the shower, feeling Winnie’s presence in this place, in the memories they’d made together, all urging Bailey Rae to make the most of this washed-clean, fresh start.
Bailey Rae had barely found time to breathe all day, but not for the reasons she’d expected when rolling off the mattress this morning. Yet she couldn’t think of a better end than this, sitting with Martin in the back of his truck, leaning against the pickup’s cab while the fireworks arced overhead. The residue of adrenaline still tingled through her veins, but slowly peace and happiness were taking over.
Even if she hadn’t spent hours giving her statement to the police and taking Skeeter to the emergency vet with Martin, she wouldn’t have made it to the market. The daytime Fourth of July celebrations had been rained out. Luckily, the storm had passed in time for evening fireworks over the river at sundown.
The air hung heavy, thick with humidity and sulfur. Roman candles exploded in the inky sky while children skipped along the shore withsparklers. Girandoles spun upward with a shriek before exploding in an umbrella of sparks. A bonfire had been lit for attendees to roast hot dogs and marshmallows.
Just as the day had been marked every year since Bailey Rae had arrived in Bent Oak.
Except in the past, she’d watched Independence Day displays with Winnie or Russell at her side. Their absence was bittersweet, but today had reminded her to cherish every moment, a lesson Winnie and Russell had stressed often after welcoming her into their family. A great big family bonded by love, if not blood.
Beside her on the quilt spread out in the truck bed, Martin hummed along to a playlist on his phone, the best of the Eagles. Had he taken note of her preferences from her concert T-shirts? The thoughtfulness touched her.
Skeeter had been stitched up and appeared none the worse for wear, but the veterinarian was keeping him overnight for observation, sedated and calm. Fireworks could be stressful for dogs under the best of circumstances. Saying good night to Skeeter had been tough, but she assured him she would be there first thing in the morning with the very best treats.
Bailey Rae rested her head on Martin’s shoulder, allowing the familiar refrain from “Take It Easy” to fill her. Wise words. “Thank you for coming to my rescue this morning.”
“Looked to me like you and Skeeter had the situation well in hand.”
Even though his voice was lighthearted, she heard the undercurrent of concern, felt the tension that hadn’t eased yet from his muscles. This morning’s close call would take time to process, to shake free of the emotions searing through them both.
A shiver rippled through her in spite of the muggy night air. “Skeeter and I sure didn’t mind the backup.”
During the frantic drive to the vet, Martin had explained how the instant he’d seen her text, he’d reached out to the police, but he hadn’t waited around for them to mobilize. He’d sped over, except before hecould turn onto the driveway, he’d caught sight of her through the trees. So he’d picked his way through the woods on foot for the element of surprise.
Martin slid an arm around her shoulders. “How much longer until you head for the beach? I was thinking of taking some of my vacation time. Dip my toes in the sand. No pressure. Whatever pace you’re comfortable with. And if the day comes that we both want more, I’m open to relocating.”
Stunned, she wondered if she’d heard him right, but the light in his brown eyes assured her. She appreciated his strides to compromise, more than she’d thought possible. As if he’d realized she needed to know her choice wasn’t based on following a man like her mama.
Which made Bailey Rae’s answer all the easier. “I think I’ll stick around here for a while.”
A pack of kids ran past the truck holding sparklers, their laughter reminding her of everything that Winnie had fought for.
Lives lived in peace. Happiness.
“Is that so?” His eyebrows raised in surprise. “I guess you do still have a final truckload of things left to sell.”
“Actually, since I have enough money to buy a food truck, why not use it at the markets here?” She gestured to the gathering of Bent Oak residents. Her gaze skated over to Thea and Howard’s tailgating party a few feet away with their adult children, as well as June, Keith, and Libby. She’d called them with the basics, and they’d agreed to meet in the morning to discuss in more detail. “There’ll be other events too and some in surrounding towns, like for sports, fairs, festivals, weddings, and parties. Just to tide me over while I make a decision about my next step.”
She would chase her own dreams. But she would chase a new one too. One that would make Winnie proud.
Martin toyed with a lock of her hair. “What about all the furniture you sold and gave away?”
“Lucky for me, I’ll still have a little extra cash to replace the basics.” Winnie had always been emphatic about saving for a rainy day. Bailey Rae just hadn’t realized how deep the savings went. Most of the furniture had needed upgrading anyway. She realized her aunt had likely seen it as her last tie to her life with Russell. Bailey Rae had a host of memories connecting her to them both. “What do you think of my plan?”
“I think folks will line up to get a sample of that pound cake.” He tipped her chin upward with a gentle knuckle, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before continuing, “And I’ll be first in line every time.”
Industrial fan working overtime, Bailey Rae sat on the porch floor beside Skeeter, who was resting on a quilt. She’d picked him up the moment the vet had opened for business at the crack of dawn. “Sorry about the cone of shame, Skeeter.”
He gave her a woeful hound dog look, clearly not a fan of the plastic cone that kept him from chewing his stitches. The six-inch gash along his side hadn’t damaged any organs but still made her heart ache with the wide patch of shaved fur and painful red sutured line. The horror of yesterday morning threatened to steal today’s peace, but she swept it aside. She wasn’t living in the past anymore.
Ian had already been charged with murder. Between her statement about his confession and evidence connecting him to the crime, the authorities had enough to ensure he wouldn’t be given bail while awaiting trial. Gia had texted Bailey Rae to thank her again. She’d even promised to send Skeeter a special peanut butter treat for his role in apprehending Ian. She sounded sincere when saying she didn’t want to lose touch.
