I woke up refreshed the next morning, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted into my room from the kitchen. Thank God for coffee makers with automatic timers. I made myself a cup and ran a bath, making sure to put way more bubble bath than what was directed on the back of the bottle. I had this morning and afternoon off and I'll be damned if it's not relaxing.
A few hours later, I found myself outside on my hands and knees digging in fresh soil. I'd had a few bags stored in my outbuilding for the flowerbeds around the house and it was warm enough to start putting it all out. Planting flowers had brought me peace when I left home, though I'd stuck with potted plants before moving here. There was just something in the act of taking care of them, watching them flourish with care. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that I had a green thumb. Renee always killed plants, over-watering or too much sun. I found that I knew instinctively just the right balance, and it helped to pick plants that could withstand the Texan summer sun.
I was spreading dirt around, pulling weeds whenever my fingers grazed them, and then the hair on the back of my neck stood straight. Goosebumps raised on my arms, despite the seventy-five degree weather and I froze. I rose and leaned back on my heels, glaring into the forest surrounding my house. The sun barely broke through the dense tree tops, and I could only see a clear range about ten feet into the tree line. I could swear something was watching me.
You're just being paranoid, Bella. Yes. Paranoid. I went through phases of paranoia after I left Forks. Anxiety is what the doctors told me I had in California since I couldn't really explained who or what I was paranoid about. They prescribed medicines and after being on my own for a few months with no problems, I stopped taking the pills.
Maybe it's time to take a trip into town. I needed to pick up flowers anyway.
Standing up, I brushed my hands off on my jean shorts and went inside to grab my purse and keys. I hopped into my truck and immediately locked the doors. I took a deep breath and tried to slow my heart rate, running my fingers over the shiny Dodge Ram symbol on my steering wheel. My truck from forks died in Arizona and I was heartbroken. But, I moved on to bigger, better, and newer with my pretty, silver Ram 1500 pick up.
When I could breathe normally I started it up and pulled out of the driveway onto the two lane. I made myself take one last glance into the woods. I didn't see anything.
"Bella! It's good to see you Hun!"
I grinned widely as Kimberly grabbed me in for a hug when I walked into the flower shop. She was a little ball of energy that was as country as they came. With bright blonde hair, welcoming green eyes, and the air of friendliness around her, it was impossible not to catch her attitude.
"You too, Kim! How are you?" I shared her enthusiasm. She had been a good friend to me since I came here, not really close, but I see her or call her every now and then. She knows a little about my story, where I'm from, where I've been and that I left because of a bad break-up. I couldn't tell her that it was a break-up from a whole family that I loved. She was easy to talk to and she listened without judgement.
"Oh my God, amazing! I have wonderful news!" she laid her hand on her stomach and beamed at me, waiting for me to put the gesture and the words together.
It hit me suddenly.
"You're pregnant!" I exclaimed loudly and she nodded before rushing in for another hug. "Kim that's great! I'm so happy for you and Luke, you guys are going to be awesome parents." I pulled away and looked at her, she was still smiling widely, some tears escaping out of the corners of her eyes. "Bell, we've been trying so long, I'm so happy." she sniffled a little before letting out a laugh. "Luke is still in shock and i'm just trying not to run us dry by buying too much baby stuff. I'm only about ten weeks along, I thought I was missing periods from the stress of worrying about it!" She began laughing again and I did with her as she hashed into the details of morning sickness and doctors appointments.
"I'm so sorry Bella! You're probably here to pick up plants and I'm blabbing on and on." she looked embarrassed, most likely thinking she was holding me up, but I stopped her before she could get any farther.
"No! Not at all! Your news is wonderful, Kim! I'm so happy you wanted to tell me. I'm just redoing my flower beds, the previous owner must've not been a gardener because they were horrendous!" I laughed and sighed inwardly at all the mulch clearing and weed pulling I had done last week.
Kim looked at me with pity, "Yeah, Mr. Perkins didn't care much for anything outdoors. I only met him a few times in all the years he had lived here. I offered to come over and do them for him, but he wasn't interested. He even paid my little brother, John, to mow his grass for him. Poor thing. He underpaid him for as big as a yard you have over there. We didn't notice much when he left." She frowned like she felt bad for it, but suddenly she brightened again. "Well, let's not just stand here, come on, i'll take ya into the greenhouse out back so you can pick out some ready for transfer."
An hour later I was on my way back home with a bed full of flowers ready for planting. Kim promised to call and keep me updated on her progress with the baby and I was extremely happy for her. I'd given thought to having kids in the future after I left home, maybe finding a nice man and settling down. But, the right man has yet to come and my latest obgyn appointment informed me that kids could never be a part of my future biologically. I was let down at the option not being available for me, but it was never really something I felt I needed to do in life. Adoption was always possible if I ever decided to become a mother.
I planted some of the bunches of flowers beside my porch and quietly cursed when I glanced at the time on my watch. It was five thirty and my shift started at seven. I was completely covered in dirt.
I put the rest of the plants on my back porch and watered them with the hose quickly. They would have to wait another day or two. Running inside, I jumped into the shower, washing quickly and making sure my fingernails were clean. I always hated gardening gloves. I dried my hair quickly, not bothering to straighten the curls that hung just below my shoulders. I pulled on a pair of dark, tight-legged pants, a green button up blouse and my cowboy boots before rushing out the door.
I pulled in the parking lot with three minutes to spare and made it inside just in time.
Lou smiled at me, "Right on time, Bells. You're on bar duty tonight. I gotta get some paperwork done in my office. We're getting a new shipment of liquor in tomorrow, so use the bottles that are 'bout empty so we don't have to inventory them tomorrow." He disappeared on his way to the back.
"No problem, Lou!" I yelled after him. I enjoyed bar duty much more than waiting tables.
A few hours passed by quickly. It was pushing ten o'clock and we weren't very busy. A few regulars sat around the bar and a few teenagers were browsing the menus at a table by the door. I was facing away from everyone, making sure I had all the bottles that were closer to being finished at the front of the shelf so I didn't accidentally grab a full one.
I heard one of the bar stools behind me scrape against the floor and the squish of air escaping the cushion as someone sat down on it.
I spoke without turning around, "What can I get for ya tonight?" I paused waiting on an answer to know what to grab.
"Well Darlin', I think I'll have a glass of whiskey." The man's voice sent shivers down my spine, the wonderful kind that blaze down your whole body. Rich and smooth, southern and warm. His voice was familiar, but in an offhand way, I couldn't place it, but I'd definitely heard it before. With my reaction, I couldn't believe I would ever forget a voice like that.
I know my own shook slightly when I replied, "Coming right up." I went to work on grabbing a glass and filling it halfway. When I turned around to face the bar, I gasped loudly. The small room when quiet, only two sounds filling the silence: a glass half full of alcohol smashing on the floor and the smooth sound of Chris Stapleton's rendition of Tennessee Whiskey playing from the bar's radio.
I know its been awhile! Honestly, its easy to forget about updating stuff when life is crazy. Forgive me! And as always, review and favorite if you want to. It makes me happy :)
-Samantha