The wind is howling something fierce, and I don’t have to check out the window to know the rain is coming down in diagonal sheets. Butterscotch won’t be too impressed if he has to go outside.
But I also have no intention of standing up my girlfriend because of a little rain.
“I’ll be fine.” I have Jess’s warm body to look forward to. And her kisses will definitely heat me up.
I kiss Nova on the top of her head. “Bye, little princess. I had fun at the beach. Be good for your mommy, and I’ll see you soon.” I wave at her.
She waves back, flashing me her toothy grin. “Bye-bye, Troy.”
I crouch and hoist Butterscotch into my arms. “Don’t worry,” I tell him. “You’ll be okay. I’ll dry you once we get to Jess’s.” He peers at me with remorseful round eyes, no doubt telling me he wouldn’t be getting wet if I’d left him at her house when we dropped her and Bailey off.
Usually, rain doesn’t bother him. It’s the combination of rain with thunder and lightning and high winds he has a problem with.
“Let me get him a towel so he doesn’t have to get too wet.” Olivia rushes off to the laundry room before I have a chance to tell her not to worry about it, her daughter in her arms.
Butterscotch flashes me a look that implores,At least she gets it.
Olivia and Nova return with Nova’s Eeyore hooded towel. I put it on Butterscotch, the hood covering his head. He barks as if to say, “Thank you,” and the action makes it appear as if Eeyore nods.
Nova bursts out giggling.
“You look adorable, Butterscotch,” Olivia says. “Eeyore always was my favorite Winnie-the-Pooh character.” She puts her hand on my arm. “Call me or text me once you get to her place, so I know you got there safely.” She seems so uncertain, worried, her eyes wide, which doesn’t make sense. I’ve driven in storms plenty of times. Colton had too, and he never got into an accident.
I kiss her on the cheek. “Don’t worry, Aramis. I’ll be fine. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll text you.”
“It would.”
As predicted, the rain is coming down diagonally and the mountain air has chilled several degrees since we arrived. Lightning streaks across the dark sky, beautiful and potentially deadly. I head for my truck. Thunder booms overhead, and Butterscotch lets out a frightened bark.
“It’s okay, little buddy,” I tell him. “We’re almost there.” I keep my arms tight around him to make sure the towel doesn’t whip off him in the wind and to reassure him he’s safe.
The rain is hitting so hard, I’m not sure the towel will be much use. I jog to the truck.
I’m drenched by the time I get there. I open the front passenger door and put Butterscotch on the seat, the towel still covering him. I close the door and jog to the driver’s side, the force of the wind fighting against me.
I get into the truck. Butterscotch is free of the towel and appearing mighty smug. He’s dry and I’m not.
But the joke’s on him, because I’m going home to the best woman in the world—even if maybe there’s a possibility we’ll never have what I just shared with Nova.
15
JESSICA
August, Present Day
Maple Ridge
I hitSend on the email to Theresa with the link to her wedding photos. I finished editing the last of them a few minutes ago, the entire time itching to put the photos aside and resume reading Angelique’s journals.
From my book bag on the kitchen table, I pull out the journal I’m currently transcribing. Excitement vibrates through my body. Excitement to return to her story. Excitement to find out the answers to so many questions.
My doorbell rings, the noise barely heard over the intense wind and my house creaking in protest at the storm. Rain hammers my windows, and for the tenth time since the storm started, I’m thankful I’m cozy in my secure little house and not outside.
Thunder booms overhead. Bailey barks, pressing her warm body against me, either because she’s scared or thinks I am.
“So much for finding out what happened to Angelique next,” I say to no one in particular, the excitement waning to a slight disappointment. But given the storm outside, the doorbell can only mean one thing. It’s probably not Delores. It’s Troy.
A different kind of excitement sparks to life, and my heart does a fluttering little happy dance.
