“I’m not going anywhere. I’m not letting go so easy with her.” I pointed at the hallway. “See you later. I need to get this hospital smell off me.” The truth was, I smelled like Brooke, and I needed to get home and take care of business before Donna saw just how much I liked her.
“You wanna leave a note?” Donna mused.
“Just tell her to dress warm, and I’ll be back around lunchtime.” I waved as I opened the front door to make my way over to my snow-covered car. We were getting a tree, and decorating it tonight. It was time I gave Brooke some memories to replace the ones that were currently filling her head.
Chapter 19
Blake
After cleaning up at home and putting on some warmer clothes, I called my brother. I wanted to borrow his truck, and see where things were going with Warren’s arrest. I didn’t get very far. He got all professional on me and told me he couldn’t discuss the case. I wasn’t part of it, so I didn’t have any right to know what was going on. He did leave his keys for me at the front desk in the station.
I was currently walking to the station. The snow was picking up again, and I didn’t want to risk ending up in the ditch or worse, plowing into another car. After grabbing the keys, I found the truck parked on the street a few spaces away. I climbed in, and turned the heat all the way up. It was cold today, and the sun was hiding.
I drove to pick up Brooke, and was surprised to find her waiting on the porch when I got there. I pulled up to the curb, and left the truck running while I hopped out. “It’s freezing! Why didn’t you wait inside?” I jogged toward the steps and almost wiped out on a patch of ice.
“It’s slippery out.” Brooke’s eyes went wide. “Be careful.”
“I can see that.” I cringed as I reached the steps. When I got to the top, I really looked at her. She looked beautiful sitting there on the porch swing. She was wearing a pair of dark jeans that tucked into her boots. Her purple coat was zipped up with a big pink scarf wrapped around her neck. It was partially covering her mouth. Her brown hair was pulled back loosely and a matching pink hat was tugged down over her ears. Her cheeks and nose were pink from the cold, and her arms were wrapped around herself. “I would’ve come in. You don’t have to wait outside for me.” I softened my voice.
“I know, but I wanted some fresh air. This seemed safe.” She shrugged.
“Where’s Ava?” I glanced around. Brooke has always been a very attentive mother. It surprised me that Ava wasn’t close by.
“Donna’s watching her. She said she missed spending time with her, and for me to enjoy myself today.” A small smile curved at the corner of her lips peeking out from the scarf.
“Well, if you’re ready, let’s get in the truck. It’s cold.” I shivered against the wind as I led her down to the passenger side.
“You have a truck too?” Her brow crinkled in confusion.
“It’s Cal’s. He owes me.” I chuckled.
“Where are we going?” She buckled her seat belt as I closed the door. I held up a finger as I jogged around to the driver’s side, almost falling on the ice once again.
“I thought we could grab some breakfast, and then we’re tree shopping.” I grinned.
“Tree shopping?” Her head jerked back.
“For a Christmas tree. There’s a lot just outside of town that always has nice trees. I thought we could pick one out for the house and decorate it tonight.” I pulled away from the curb and started heading to the diner I frequented sometimes.
“We never had a live tree, only artificial ones. Live ones drop a lot of needles.” Her face twisted as she said the words.
“Do you like the artificial ones better?” She was revealing more of her past, and I wanted to keep her talking, but I knew it must have been a painful memory.
“I don’t know.” She seemed confused. “I’ve never had a live one to compare it to. Maybe this is a good idea.” She bounced a little in her seat like she was having a revelation.
“Live tree it is then.” I laughed as I pulled into the parking lot of Fran’s Diner.
“Wait!” Brooke’s eyes darted around. “I’ve been here, I think.” She blinked a few times as she rubbed her temples.
“This place has been here forever. It wouldn’t surprise me if you had.” I attempted to soothe her.
“But I walked here; from my house; with Ava.” She shook her head and rubbed her temples again. “Maybe I haven’t been here; that didn’t make sense.” She released a frustrated sigh as she leaned back against the seat.
“It’s ok if you haven’t. We can try something new.” I smiled as I cut the engine and climbed out. After helping her out of the truck, we walked inside. “Wanna sit at the counter?” I motioned to some stools.
“Sure.” She had a tormented look on her face as we made our way to the stools and sat down.
It didn’t take long for a server to stop in front of us. “What can I get you?” She stood poised to take our order, but Brooke just stared off in the distance.
“We’ll take two specials and coffee.” I smiled and then reached over and rubbed my palm up and down Brooke’s back. She seemed so lost at the moment. oooooooo
Brooke
Everything looked the same. The counter was the same; the stools; all the décor; it was all the same. The menu and the staff looked the
