Chapter13
Katelyn
Even though he changed the sheets, Garrison’s room smells just like him.A heady combination of tea tree and pine that seeps straight down into my bones.Before I’ve even opened my eyes for the day, I snuggle down closer beneath his blankets.
Here, in the privacy of his room, I can let my walls down.
I can let myself dream, pretending—even if for a moment—that this is my current reality.That Garrison Holt is the one I’m coming home to every night.That I spent a night wrapped in his strong arms, rather than sleeping alone in his room because my apartment was destroyed.
Oh no.What am I going to do?
The realization that my to-do list is a mile longer than even my busiest day has me opening my eyes and groaning.
First, get Thomas to school.
Then call Maddie and Anastasia.I’ll need the day off so I can coordinate everything.Thankfully, I’ve already paid the bills for this month, and with the new job at the coffee shop, I was able to pay for Thomas’ baseball camp and still put a little aside for a rainy-day fund.Which I will unfortunately have to use a lot sooner than I’d planned.
After taking a deep breath, I throw the blankets aside and swing my legs over the edge.As I do every morning, I bow my head and fold my hands.
Lord, thank You for this day.Thank You for being with us through the storm last night and for keeping both Thomas and me safe.And God, thank You for Garrison.Please walk with me today and guide me through the steps I will need to take to get everything taken care of.I’m struggling, God, and I know I can’t do this without You.In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Tears fill my eyes, but I don’t have time to cry.So, I quickly wipe them away as I stand.
The room is still dark, so there should still be time to take care of everything I need to before getting Thomas to school.Without the ability to make breakfast, we’ll need to swing by the diner, which will work out because then I can talk to Maddie directly rather than on the phone.
Maybe I can swing by the coffee shop on my way home.
I grip the handle of the door and pull it open, only to be assaulted by bright sunlight.As my eyes adjust, I note the open door across from me.The bed has been made, and Thomas is nowhere to be seen.
Pulse kicking up a notch, I rush down the hall.
Garrison is seated at his table, a Bible open in front of him, a steaming mug of coffee beside him.
But I don’t see Thomas.My palms begin to sweat, and I continue forward.Surely he’s here somewhere.He has to be.
Garrison turns toward me and smiles.“Hey.Want some coffee?”
“Where’s Thomas?What time is it?”I demand, my tone sharp.
“He’s at school,” Garrison replies.A line forms between his brows as his smile falls slightly.“It’s almost nine.”
“Nine?”I screech.I missed getting him off to schoolandthe start of my shift at Anastasia’s!
“Relax, I walked Thomas to school this morning and let Anastasia know what happened.She said to take the day.”
“You walked my son to school?”I stare at him as he stands, trying to understandwhythis is happening.Why would he walk my son to school?Why did I take him up on his offer last night?I should have stayed in my apartment.Should have insisted on it.
“I did.He said that sometimes he walks himself, but since you were asleep, I didn’t want to wake you up and ask to confirm.”Garrison moves into the kitchen and points to a sticky note on the counter.“We even left you a note just in case.”
“That’s not your job.”
Garrison turns toward me, and something passes over his features.It’s quick enough that, had I not been so in tune with the body language of others, I likely would have missed it.“I never said it was.He needed to get to school, and you needed sleep.I figured it would be fine, but I am sorry if I overstepped; that wasn’t my intention.”
Of course it wasn’t.Because Garrison Holt is not the type of man to overstep.Which is why heinsistedon helping me last night and pushed me into staying here when I could have been perfectly comfortable sleeping in my tub.
I’ve done it before.I could have done it again.
Sudden anger surges through me.It doesn’t matter that I recognize it as irrational; it’s there.Burning hot and fast before I can stop it.