Broken Souls ... by Annay Dawson
Chapter 19
“Where’s Uncle Den?” Mia was waiting by the car with her arms folded and her toe tapping.
“He just called and said he would be here in a couple of minutes,” Addy had to smile as she kneeled down and pulled the zipper up on her daughter’s jacket. The wind was getting that familiar chill in it just before winter really started to set in. Addy stood up. It was the first time Mia had had to share Holden with anyone. She had done well last weekend on first meeting Kari. Mia hadn’t even been bothered that all through the week Holden had been gone each morning to meet up with Kari as well, but tonight was pizza and a movie night and he was late. This might be the straw that broke this little camel’s back. Addy heard it a split second before Mia screamed in delight.
“There’s the truck!” Pointing at it as it came down the street.
Holden turned onto the street and saw the house, saw Addy, and saw the bouncing figure of his niece. Smiling he thought about Kari. He had invited her along for pizza and a movie but she had just smiled and shook her head at him. For a moment he had thought he had done something wrong as they had snuggled on her couch.
“I don’t think so,” she pulled out of his arms and stood up. They had started the weekend with an early morning walk that had turned into a late lunch and movie back at her apartment. It had also included some serious kissing and snuggling. He could still feel some resistance from her, especially here, and the last thing he wanted to do was spook her. He looked quizzically at her.
“Did I...” he didn’t finish, almost afraid to.
“Don’t worry," she kissed the top of his head, "I just think that Mia wants some Uncle Den time,” she paused and noticed he was still looking quizzically at her, “without me around. She has given up a lot of her time with you this week. That’s a lot to ask of one eight year old. The least I could do would be give her her pizza and movie night,” Kari picked up the bowl off the table that had been full of popcorn.
“I guess you’re right,” and he picked up his glass and took a sip as he watched her walk towards the kitchen. Getting up slowly he followed her. It had been a great day, a great week, and he had smiled more than he thought he ever would again.
“I know I’m right,” she put the bowl in the sink. “I have really enjoyed getting to know both of them but truthfully I feel like I’m stealing you away from her.”
“Stealing?” he savored the word as he let it slid off his tongue. He liked that idea.
“Yes, stealing. She’s never shared you before,” and Kari walked the few steps back into the living room plopping back down on the couch pulling him down beside her, “Anyway, I have made plans to go out with Jordan tonight. She has been wanting to get together and do some shopping. Girl time,” shrugging her shoulders. He was looking into her eyes and the feelings he saw there were mirrored in his. Happiness.
“I guess,” and pulling her toward him to give her a kiss, “but I hope Mia will have to get used to you being around.”
“Really?” She questioned as she smiled into his kiss.
“Really,” he nearly growled against her lips as he deepened the kiss. After that all talking was done.
Holden tried to wipe the goofy smile off of his face, but not too hard. As he pulled the truck to a stop he also stopped trying. Getting out of the truck he was just in time to catch his niece as she jumped into his arms squealing. Addy looked relaxed, smiling, not like she was walking on eggshells anymore. Maybe Kari was the one. He missed a step. He had never thought of spending forever with anyone. Addison looked at him. He smiled, even larger this time and waved her off. He had a feeling that he wasn't going to be paying attention to the movie tonight at all.
Kari briefly caught her reflection in the mirror at the store and stopped. She turned back and looked closer. She was still smiling long after they had been shopping for hours. Not remembering a time in recent history that she was smiling this much surprised her. They had been to at least seven stores and neither one of them had spent too much money, a scarf here and a pair of gloves there. What they had done was talk and talk, or Jordan had. There was about eight years difference in their ages but it seemed like they had been friends forever. Jordan was easy to get to know and was a person with an open heart, room for all. She would have made a great counselor and Kari wondered why she hadn’t gone for the training she needed. It really wouldn’t have taken her away from the town she loved for very long, not in todays world. She could have done many of the classes online. When she could get a word in edgewise she would mention it.
They had just gotten out of the shoe store when Jordan turned and looked at her one bag hanging from her arm making some silly comment that they weren’t being any help to the local economy. They both laughed. In fact, Kari couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. It was turning into a great day. It was true Jordan had done most of the talking, but Kari hadn’t minded.
“Shall we grab something to eat?” she pointed toward the small bistro. “I hear that it serves some really good soup and excellent sandwiches.”
“Sounds good,” Kari couldn’t help it, she was smiling from ear to ear.
“Then we can really talk about what’s going on with you and Mr. Tall, Dark and Cute,” Jordan smiled and winked at her.
“Really Jordan,” and she did her best to give Jordan her 'you must be kidding' look but it didn’t have the effect she wanted since she couldn’t wipe the goofy smile off her face.
“Hey, you have to give me something. You have been spending so much time with him,” Jordan pushed through the door of the bistro first and as she turned she finished her thought, “And I haven’t seen that goofy smile leave your face for days,” Jordan laughed, “Yah, that one.”
“I have to admit, he does make me happy,” Kari busied herself looking up at the menu. Without thinking she continued, “It’s been so long since I have been happy.”
“Why?” It was a simple question, but Kari had noticed that Jordan’s whole attitude had changed. Kari had become a friend, but most of it had been superficial until now. Jordan had sensed that Kari had been keeping a part of her hidden from the world. Jordan’s calm tone and relaxed manor let Kari know that it was okay to share, her secrets would be safe with her. Another reason she should go for that degree.
“I had a fiancée,” Kari still focused on the menu but she continued in a somewhat muted voice. It was easier to talk about it if she didn't make eye contact, “He died in an accident.”
“I’m sorry. That had to really be hard,” Jordan wasn’t sure what to say.
“Thanks,” Kari gave her order to the clerk. Jordan did the same and they went to sit down.
“That’s why you came here,” Jordan fiddled with the salt shaker.
“I tried to stay. It’s was about a year before I knew I had to leave Richmond. I just couldn’t seem to get my life back together there. Everywhere I looked, everywhere I went I was reminded of him,” Kari shrugged her shoulders, her smile definitely gone now. “When I saw the job here it looked like a good way to start again.”
“I think we are the ones who got lucky,” the soup and sandwich platters were placed in front of them.
“Let’s talk about something else,” her smile had slipped away.
“Dr. M. has posted pictures of James on his Facebook page. Have you seen them?” It was a safe topic.
“Yes,” and Kari’s smile started to return, “He’s so cute.”
“I know. I can hardly wait til he brings him in the office for us to spoil,” Kari chuckled at Jordan's comment.
“I can’t think of anyone better to do that,” and she took a bite of her sandwich. After a few minutes Jordan continued on with her favorite topic.
“Now, about the handsome Holden,” and Jordan watched as Kari nearly choked on the bite, “Don’t leave out any details please.”
“Don’t you think I should keep some of the details secret?” and her smile was back.
“Excuse me, but hell no. You two have been spending a lot of time together and I want the scoop,” Jordan was back to her bubbly self, “Anything you want to add or should I fill in my own blanks?”
“He’s a very good hiker. Really knows the trails,” she knew that wasn’t what Jordan wanted. Picking up her sandwich she took a bite avoiding her eyes intentionally. The fresh dill mixed with homemade mayo made the sandwich. This was definitely a place to put on her list to try again.
“That’s not what I meant,” Jordan had almost completely forgotten her sandwich as she folded her arms in front of her.
“I know,” and Kari smiled. “Anyone in your future?”
“Nice change of topic, but I’ll go with it. Just remember I’m not finished with the other one,” she took a small bite before she continued, “Had a couple relationships that might have been promising but have you ever tried to date when your Dad’s the lawman in the village,” she added a small southern accent to the last few words.
“Ooo, that could be hard,” Kari hadn’t thought about that.
“Hard may be putting it mildly,” Jordan took another bite before continuing, “I’m sure when Mr. Right comes along he’ll scare him away too,” Jordan could see that Kari was about to say something and she waved her off, “I’m only kidding, well sort of. The last guy lasted almost six months before he got run off. That’s pretty good don't you think.”
“He’s really...”
“...got my best interest at heart,” and she smiled, “Heard it all, at least I know he loves me.”
“That’s a good way of looking at it,” Kari finished.
“Now, back to what's happening with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Yummy.” Jordan put her sandwich down and looked at Kari, “Any future?” Kari had to wonder why the change from cute to yummy, but she was afraid to ask.
“Don’t really know yet. He’s lots of fun to be with and he makes me smile,” and that is where she stopped. Jordan wiggled her eyebrows but didn’t ask anymore. They finished their sandwiches and the soup and went back to shopping. Kari picked up a few more items that she needed for winter, it was coming fast. When she got home at about eight thirty that night and dropped the items on the sofa. As she walked around her apartment she couldn’t help but think about the afternoon. The bowl was still in the sink and his warmth still hung in the air.
Kari cleaned up quickly. Tomorrow was a new day and for a long time she hadn’t really looked forward to them or even thought about it.
Kari hesitated only slightly when she went into the bedroom. Quickly she grabbed her pajamas off the end of the bed and went into the bathroom. As she routinely picked up her tooth brush and spread the toothpaste on it she caught a another glimpse of herself in the mirror. And just like that she stopped and really looked at herself more deeply than she had in the store. She did look different. Some of the frown lines that she had gotten used to on her forehead were gone. The corners of her mouth were tilted up in a slight smile instead of their normal depressed downward slant that had become way to common. Was she really beginning to move on, to accept what had happened? Did Holden have this effect on her? She suspected that he did, but she also knew it wasn’t only him. Kari went to bed knowing that she was rebuilding her life, her friends, and herself one small step at a time.
Laying in the dark and staring up at the ceiling, as she did each night, she waited to fall asleep. In the haze between wake and sleep she still saw Trevor’s face, but this time it was different. Kari didn’t see all the cuts, bruises and stitches. She focused on his smile in the dark room, something she missed. Relaxing she began to drift off to sleep, and as she did saw Holden’s face slowly come into focus as Trevor’s face faded away.
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