About Tomorrow - Abbi Glines Page 0,19

had rocked me to sleep when I was little sat to the left of her bed, beside the nightstand with a crotched throw hanging over the back. It was as if she had never left. Her things still the way she would have kept them.

My suitcase and at least ten boxes worth of my clothing, shoes, beauty supplies and more lined the right wall. I would have to go through Gran’s closet and pack her things up. The small attic she rarely used was about to be full. Tears were starting to clog my throat again when a knock on the front door startled me.

I turned and hurried back to the stairs, not sure who would be coming to see me. No one knew me really, not anymore. I reached the front door and opened it just after they knocked again. The face that greeted me brought a smile to my face. I hadn’t been expecting this.

“Well, it’s true. Sailor Copeland has returned to Portsmouth,” Jack Tate said smiling at me. He had most definitely changed. His beard almost threw me off, but when he spoke, I was sure it was Jack.

“Jack!” I blurted out. “You grew up!”

He laughed at my stupid comment. “Didn’t we all?”

I nodded. “Yes, we did. How are you?”

“Great. Married with a two-year-old. Can you believe that shit?” He chuckled then added, “Got a call saying you might need firewood. It’s late in the season to get seasoned wood that don’t cost a fucking fortune, but I can hook you up with three cords for $800. It’s the family special price. I’ll even stack it for you.”

“That would be amazing. Thank you so much but let me pay you the going rate please. I was just about to figure out where and how to get firewood so you are saving me time and keeping me from freezing to death,” I told him.

He shook his head. “Not a chance. You pay me $800 and that’s firm. Just don’t tell anyone. I don’t give the family rate out often.”

“Come inside, let me get my purse,” I said, so relieved and grateful I might cry again.

“It’s fucking cold in this house,” he said as he stepped in the front door. “You got some wood out there. Why no fire?”

I picked up my purse and took my wallet out, before looking back at him sheepishly. “Uh, I was going to get to that.”

He looked me over then and noticed my coat, gloves and scarf. “Sailor, do you know how to start a fire?”

I took out eight one hundred dollar bills then pressed my lips together in a tight smile. “Not exactly,” I admitted. “I was going to Google it.”

“Google? Fucking hell. Come on, girl. Let’s go get some wood and warm this place up.”

He took the bills from me and stuck them in his back pocket without counting them. I followed behind him as he headed for the woodshed. He began to tell me how to get kindling and wood then we went back inside so he could teach me how to start a fire. He did the one in the living room then he had me do the one in the bedroom while he watched. I was so happy with my success; I clapped my hands like a kid in a candy store. The wood burning stove in the kitchen was easier than I thought.

After he had told me all the steps I needed to do to keep the fire going, he headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a truck before four. Me and my guys will stack the shed and the backdoor cord. Here’s my number if you have any issues. Creed would never forgive me if I let you freeze.”

That name caused me to pause as I reached for the card he was holding out to me with his number on it. “Creed?” I asked.

He gave a nod. “Yeah. Creed. Who’d you think called me to get me over here and set you up with wood?”

I said nothing, and he just smiled. “Glad you’re back, Sailor. Hated seeing Bee’s house sit empty. She’d love knowing you’re here.”

I nodded and I think muttered another thanks before he walked out the door and closed it. I stood there staring down at the business card in my hand. Creed had called him. My chest tightened and I hated the emotion I didn’t want to acknowledge. Why did Creed care if I froze to death? I wanted him to