CHAPTER 30
KIKI EMMERSON
Tobias has been so busy the last three days, I’ve barely seen him. We didn’t get to talk Monday evening. He could only text me to say he had to stay the night in Atlanta. We haven’t actually talked all week, except a few texts, and it’s now Thursday evening. I stand by the front door and wait for Tobias to come home so we can go to Ellie’s house. He promised he’d be home early tonight so he wouldn’t miss quilt night.
A flash of headlights cross the window, and I look out. The car continues down the street. It’s not him. Disappointment runs deep. I know I shouldn’t get so emotionally involved with Tobias. I can’t stay. I shouldn’t be having a relationship with him. Yet, I can’t bring myself to leave, either.
Levi runs into the living room with Skyler on his shoulders. “Look at me, Kiki!” Skylar cries.
I hold in a smile. “How did you get so tall?”
Her laughter fills the room. “I’m on Uncle Levi.”
“Oh, of course.” I tickle her under her chin.
“Should we go racing?” Levi asks.
“Yes!” Skyler grabs Levi’s forehead and he runs out of the room, giggles following after him.
The front door opens, and Tobias comes in. He looks tired. He steps to me and pulls me to him. “I’m sorry I’m running late. Did you eat?”
I snuggle into him. I missed him this week. “Yes, we ate. What about you?”
“Not yet.”
I grab his hand and tug him into the kitchen. I get him a dish of chicken and rice leftovers, warming them in the microwave. “How’s everything at your company?”
He shakes his head and rubs a hand over his neck. “The problems with this company are deeper than anyone knew. They’ve had to fire employees and do an overhaul. It’s been a nightmare.”
“I’m so sorry.” I pull the bowl out of the microwave. “Do you have to go back tomorrow?”
“Yes, but I’ll be here on Saturday for the festival. I won’t miss that.”
He quickly eats his dinner, then we get into his car and head over to Ellie’s house. She smiles when she sees us and ushers us inside. There are quilts around the room. “Thank you both for coming. Please, sit down and I’ll bring you some sweet tea. Grab a quilt and some thread.”
Josephine is sitting in an antique looking chair by the fireplace, a patriotic quilt spread across her lap. “How are you, Miss Kiki?”
“I’m doing well.”
Ellie brings us two glasses of tea, and I pick up two nearby quilts. I take a few minutes to show Tobias how to stitch his together so the stitches don’t show.
Ellie sits across from us and clears her throat. “Thank you for coming with Miss Kiki tonight, Tobias. We are happy for the help.”
Tobias is concentrating so hard on his needle and thread that he barely acknowledges Ellie. “Sure.”
I hide a smile. “I can’t wait for the Willow Shade Festival. They’re already putting up decorations around town.”
“We’ve held this festival every year for over seventy years. We all take pride in it,” Josephine says.
“Skyler’s excited about the carnival games they’re setting up downtown. That, and the boat race, is all she’s talking about.” I make another stitch.
The doorbell rings and Ellie jumps up. “Excuse me.”
A minute later Ellie comes back in with Savannah. “Sit down, darlin’. I’ll get you some sweet tea.”
Savannah crosses the room and sits down.
“Savannah, you know Tobias, right?” I ask.
