Keeping Lucy: Esperance Valley: Book Two by Mary Waterford

Author:Mary Waterford [Waterford, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-22T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Lucy

I woke up the day after Christmas to a quiet house. Stepping out into the empty hallway, I had a flash of disappointment. Well, that’s just stupid. What did I think was going to happen? I’d find Dante in the kitchen, bare-chested and whipping up pancakes? If only… Nope, don’t go there. My situation was what it was, and I couldn’t change it. I had to make the best of it.

My stomach rumbled and I knew if I didn’t eat in the next five minutes, the hunger would turn to nausea, so I hurried into the kitchen. Since I couldn’t have a gorgeous air force pilot make me breakfast, I’d have to fend for myself.

Moving to the fridge, my heart skipped a few beats and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Attached to the fridge door with a magnet was a note.

Lucy— There’s an omelet mixed up in the fridge, ready to go. You were out of juice so I ran to the store and got some. Drink up, you need the vitamins. Talk soon, D

It was so blunt and matter-of-fact, but I felt ridiculously touched by it. He saw that I was out of juice, so he bought me some. He took care of my breakfast, even though he wouldn’t be here to eat it with me. I felt the sting of tears and had to close my eyes to hold them back. Get your shit together, Cooper, I said to myself, straightening my spine determinedly and starting to fix my breakfast.

Plate of eggs and glass of juice in hand, I turned to the table and gasped. There was a wrapped present in the middle of the table! I’d thought Dante was just kidding when he’d told my family we’d run out of time to exchange presents. Sitting down, I ate a mouthful of omelet before hefting the small, flat box in my hand. Jewelry. I took a photo of it and sent it to Dante.

Me: What is this?

Dante: Hmm, looks like a Christmas present to me.

Me: Funny, I didn’t think we were going to exchange presents.

Dante: Why would you think that?

Why would I think that? I guess because our situation was so fraught and confusing, I wasn’t sure if a gift exchange would make it better or worse. But I didn’t really feel like saying all that, so I just said,

Me: No reason. Can I open it?

Dante: Of course.

Smiling, I took another bite of omelet. It really was delicious. Then I slowly pulled off the wrapping, drawing the process out since no one was here to hassle me about it.

Dante: What’s taking you so long?

That made me giggle.

Me: I’m savoring the moment.

Dante: *Eye roll emoji*

Giggling some more, I folded the paper and placed it neatly on the table. One more bite of eggy goodness, then I lifted the lid. Grabbing my phone, I hastily typed.

Me: This is too much.

Dante: No, it isn’t. Put it on.

I lifted the delicate gold chain out of the box and held it up.

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