“Go for your run, babe, clear your head. When you come back, Jen should be back with Starbucks.”
After stretching and running for about a mile, I end up at the beach. The morning sun is bright and the waves are lightly crashing against the shore. Running on the beach is so peaceful; the sand is nice and firm and it gives you such a great workout. I ease into a steady pace and run for what feels like two miles. After turning around to start my run back, I see a familiar looking man running toward me. The closer we get, the surer I am that it is him. It’s the damn guy from the bank, Ben. As we are approaching each other, he slows down and comes to a complete stop.
“Well, good morning, Shayne. I thought that was you. You’re up bright and early this morning. Glad to see you out getting some exercise.”
Really? Who is this guy? He’s staring at me, a very strange look encompassing his features. Deciding to be nice, I simply say, “Good morning to you, too. It was great seeing you again.” Going around him and not giving him the chance to say anything more, I continue my run, all the while feeling his eyes on me.
Getting back to Bubba and Jen’s house, my mind is feeling more at ease but the run-in with Ben makes me uneasy. I’m not sure what it is about him, but he puts me off-kilter, and not in a good way. Maybe it’s the dark look in his eyes; they seem warm but a little edgy. Like something is just off. Strolling into the house, I make a mental note to tell Adam about it.
I notice everyone is sitting around the table. As soon as Jen notices me, she gets up to hand me my coffee. “It needs warming up. Let me warm it up for you?” she asks.
“I can do it. Sit back down and enjoy your breakfast.” Warming up my coffee and sitting down at the table, the three of us make small talk about the bar and how well business is doing. They tell me about the vacation they are planning on taking in the winter when things slow down for them. After about thirty minutes, I decide that I need to go home. I can’t let what happened take me out of my routine, especially when it comes to Lucy.
“I really appreciate what you two have done for me, but I really need to get back home today and get things ready for when Lucy gets here tomorrow,” I voice appreciatively.
“I can take you back. I’m getting ready to head to the bar to do inventory,” Bubba says. “You better call if you need anything, do you hear me?”
“Yes, Dad, I hear you.” Standing up, the three of us clean up our respective messes and then I go to the bedroom to grab my bag and purse. After saying my goodbyes to Jen and Zoe, Bubba and I exit his house through the kitchen where we climb into his truck and drive towards my aunt’s house.
Fifteen minutes later, Bubba hops out of his still-running truck onto my driveway, pulling me into a big hug.
“Call me if you need me, yeah?”
“Yeah, I will. Thanks for everything. I love you, my friend.”
“I love you too, girl.”
After I enter the house and lock the door, I drop my bags on the floor in the kitchen. As soon as my eyes land on the couch in the living room, I practically run and throw myself face down on it. Reaching for the remote, I turn on the television for a little down time before starting my errands. With Lucy arriving tomorrow, I want to make her stay as easy and comfortable as possible. Starting a mental checklist in my head, l doze off to the sounds of an old rerun of a sitcom I loved when I was younger.
Chapter Twelve
I wake up from my nap, startled from the sound of my phone ringing. I jump up to go answer it.
“Hi, Mommy,” squeals Lucy.
“Hi, baby.”
“Mommy, guess what?”
“What?”
“Uncle Adam said only one more sleep and I get to fly on a big airplane to see you!”
“Yes, you do, and I can’t wait to see you. I miss my Lucy hugs. You give the best hugs in the whole world,” I smile wistfully, missing her so much.
“No, I don’t, Mommy. You do.”
“Nope, my Lucy does,” I tease, returning to the sofa and tucking my feet under me. “What are you doing today?”
“Going shopping with Uncle Adam and Erin for a present for you, Mommy.”
It’s just like my daughter to be that thoughtful. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her.
“Aww! I can’t wait to see it,” I tell her. “I bought you some stuff, too.”
“I love you, Mommy! Uncle Adam wants to talk to you.”
“Love you too, princess,” I say, hearing the phone tumble from her hand into Adam’s.
“Hey, Shayne, how you doing today?”
“Oh, Adam, I want to call him so bad. Has he called you?” I ask anxiously.