A little later, thunder rumbled in the distance, causing Clay to remember a vital fact. Lily was terrified of lightning and always had been since they were little. The latest lesson was finished and the day’s orders were packed and ready to ship when Clay said, “Why don’t you take these to the post office and then you can head on home. Can you manage okay?” His heart told him to go with her and help her though her fears, but he knew she was trying to be independent and face challenges head-on.
Lily nodded, but he could see that her lips were pale and her knuckles stood out white from wringing her hands together. “I’ll be okay. It’s just rain. The thunderstorms don’t come until later tonight. It’s just a little noise and some rain. I know I can do this.” She said it as though she were giving herself a pep talk.
Sympathetically, Clay said, “I’ll help you load the car.” One little hint that you need me, Lily, and I’ll come with you.
Lily grabbed her purse, and Clay carried the large cardboard carton full of smaller shipping boxes. It was a far cry from how Tabitha had handled the orders previously. Lily used packing peanuts, white tissue paper, new flat-rate shipping boxes, computer printed labels, postage and packing lists, so the operation was clean, efficient, and professional looking. The best part of it, though, was that Lily was proud of herself for the accomplishment. He was especially pleased that she’d taken the initiative with the website.
Lily unlocked her car, which was now fully repaired and running in tiptop shape. He put the carton on her front seat and looked at the sky, which had darkened a bit more. The cool wind was whipping all around them. Clay’s heart went out to her when she licked her lips nervously.
He resisted the urge to tell her to hold on while he let Tabitha know he was going with her. That would delay her getting home so it wasn’t a better option. The best thing for her was to get the job done and get home where he hoped she would feel safer. “You don’t have that far to go. I’d be willing to bet that it still hasn’t rained a drop by the time you walk in the front door at home.”
Lily nodded affirmatively and climbed in on the driver’s side. “See you this evening. I’ll have supper ready.”
“The best deal I ever made was having you move in, Lily,” Clay said appreciatively. Every word was sincere, but he also hoped to shore her rapidly dwindling bravery. Lily wasn’t just scared, she was terrified. It rankled some part of him that she didn’t ask for his help but she’d sworn she could do this. Now in the face of a storm, her mettle was being put to the test. “Text me as soon as you walk in the door.”
“Okay.” Her face was still pale as she white-knuckled the steering wheel and backed from her parking spot.
* * * *
Lily had no choice but to wait in line at the post office, adding to her anxiety and delaying her arrival home. Dried leaves blew all around her and the first fat droplets of rain splattered on her windshield as she pulled up in front of the house. Thunder rumbled distantly as she looked out the window and then forced herself to not think about it anymore, to just make a run for the front door. If she overthought it, she’d still be sitting out there when Clay got home.
She knew it was an unreasonable fear because the thunder and lightning were still many miles distant, but she was scared nonetheless. Grateful that the rain had at least waited until after she’d dropped off the packages, she grabbed her purse, climbed from her car, and ran to the porch.
Inside, once her hands had stopped shaking, she chopped vegetables for a salad and mixed all the ingredients for a chicken and rice casserole. When it was in the oven, she changed into her workout clothes and jumped on the trainer. The casserole needed an hour so she had enough time for an audio lecture and a chapter in her sociology textbook. She set her timer and let it rip.
At the rate she was going with her classes and her sessions on the trainer, she’d reach her educational and weight loss goals in no time. Her life was going in a completely new direction, and she was so excited about the possibilities that there were now actually nights where she had trouble sleeping. Thoughts about being so actively involved in Clay’s business kept the wheels of her mind churning. Very often, a burgeoning awareness of Clay himself as an attractive man and not just her close friend also caused her sleeplessness. She always put the time to good use and studied or worked out and was grateful that the elliptical machine was nearly silent in its operation.
A while later, she heard the front door close. “Lily! I’m home! Something smells good.” A few seconds later the voice was closer. “Here you are.”