Say You’ll Stay by Susan Mallery
CHAPTER SEVEN
THURSDAYATTHEend of her shift, Shaye got a text from Paisley.
Just confirming Saturday. It’s our day of service. Rumor has it we’ll be doing gardening around town. Dena and I would love you on our team. We meet in The Wreath at 8. See you then?
Shaye wasn’t sure what all was involved with a day of service, but she was happy to hang out with her friends and help. There was just one problem.
I have to be at work at eleven, but I could join you until ten thirty.
Paisley sent back a smile emoji. Perfect. Can’t wait.
Me, too. Looking forward to it. See you then.
She wheeled the cart back to the store and got it ready for the next day, then clocked out. As she started for home, she thought longingly about swinging by to see Lawson. Maybe they could hang out while he took his afternoon break or something.
He hadn’t been over in the past couple of nights. Adien and her husband had decided they needed some new baby furniture, and it had been delivered earlier in the week. The task of putting it all together was daunting, so Lawson was helping his brother-in-law.
While Shaye was still enjoying working on the car, she was willing to admit it wasn’t as much fun without Lawson at her side. But he’d already asked her out for Saturday night, so she knew she would see him then.
But rather than bother him at work, she walked back to the beautiful Victorian house she’d grown to love. Her room was incredible—quiet and beautiful, with so many wonderful architectural touches. Now that she wasn’t seeing Lawson every evening, she’d taken to having a bath when she finished with the car. The tub was a luxury she was definitely going to miss.
Kathy met her at the front door.
“It’s gone,” she said, a catch in her voice. “I’m being so silly, but there was something about watching them tow it away.”
“The car?” Shaye asked, not sure what her landlord was talking about.
“Yes.” Kathy sighed as she led the way to the kitchen. “Billy called this morning and said he had a cancellation and did I want them to bring it in early. You’d already told me it was ready to go, so I said yes. Now she’s gone.”
Shaye hid a smile. “She’s getting painted. When she comes back, she’s going to be so beautiful, you won’t be able to speak. Trust me, it’s worth it to have her all pretty again. Your car deserves a new paint job.”
“You’re right, of course. I want her all glowy for the parade. But it was so hard to see them take her away. She’s been with me for so long, and in some ways, having her close makes me feel Douglas isn’t that far away.”
Shaye’s humor faded as she felt a stab of envy. She wanted that, she thought. A love that lasted years and warmed the heart even when the two parties were separated by space and time.
“You’re very lucky,” she said softly. “To have had Douglas in your life.”
Kathy sniffed. “I am. All right. This is silly. It’s just a car, and she’ll back soon enough. I don’t know why it hit me so much.” She brought a tray of brownies to the island. “I made these this morning. I add chocolate chips because you can never have too much chocolate.”
“You’re spoiling me,” Shaye said, reaching for one of the brownies. “Everything you make is so delicious.”
Kathy smiled at her. “It’s nice to have someone to bake for. I’m taking advantage of having you around.”
“Feel free.”
Kathy poured them each a glass of milk, then sat with Shaye at the big island.
“Saturday is our summer day of service. Do you know about this?”
Shaye had just taken a bite of the brownie and tried to not moan at the moist deliciousness. “Paisley told me about it a week or so ago, then texted me about it today. I’m meeting her and Dena Saturday morning.”
“I’m glad you’ll be going out with your friends,” Kathy told her. “I would invite you to hang out with mine, but we’re all too old for you.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“You’re sweet. Thank you.” Kathy nibbled on her brownie. “Last year we painted several house porches and repaired front steps. This year we’re sprucing up front yards. It’s nice to help our neighbors who don’t have the means to do that sort of thing.” She smiled. “Someone always donates the needed supplies for our days of service. Our very own Secret Santa.”
“The town seems to take care of its own.”
“We’re a close-knit group, and we want to take care of our neighbors. Was it like that where you grew up?”
“In spirit, yes, but the assistance wasn’t as well organized. My parents never had a lot of money, so every now and then we were on the receiving end of some of the good works. When I was in elementary school, I desperately wanted to be in the orchestra. There was no way my parents could afford the instrument rental or the private lessons I would need. Someone paid for both.”
Kathy smiled. “That’s so nice.”
Shaye laughed. “I was excited beyond words and couldn’t wait to get started to learn to play the flute. Sadly, I had absolutely no talent, but I enjoyed playing for couple of years.”
“It’s nice when a community pulls together. It helps us have the strength to weather the bad times.” Kathy finished her brownie. “All right, I’ve monopolized you long enough. You have things to do and people to see, and I’m playing bridge tonight. I’d best go get ready.”
“Thanks again for the brownie.”
“You’re welcome.”
Kathy left the kitchen. Shaye took the last bite of her treat, then rinsed her dishes and put them in the dishwasher. She was going to spend a quiet evening by herself. She’d finished as much of the engine rebuild as she could while it was out of the car. Once the Mustang was back in the garage, she would start the reassembly process and finish the engine work.
The parade wasn’t that far away, she thought, climbing the stairs to her bedroom. The month was going by so quickly. Before she knew it, she would need to make a decision about herself and her future. There seemed to be fewer and fewer reasons to leave Wishing Tree. She had friends here, the promise of a job and a nearby college to complete her degree. Perhaps it was time to consider the fact that she may have already found what she was looking for.
SATURDAYMORNINGDAWNEDcool and overcast. Normally Shaye would be disappointed by such weather, but given that she was going to be outside gardening, she wasn’t about to complain that it wouldn’t be eighty by ten in the morning. After breakfast, she applied sunscreen, knowing she could still get burned with the clouds, and picked up the old straw hat Kathy had offered. Shaye had a brand-new pair of gardening gloves she’d sprung for, along with a couple of bottles of water. A few minutes before she was due to meet Dena and Paisley, she headed out for The Wreath.
She wasn’t sure what to expect, but there were easily a hundred people waiting for the assignments. She found her friends and, more quickly than she would have thought, the three of them were walking along Noble Street, heading to the house they were going to work on.
The owner, a charming, elderly woman who had to be in her eighties, met them out front. Mrs. Marques was tiny and a little bent, but she had a smile that could light up a city block.
“You girls are sweet to help me,” she said as she greeted them. “I don’t get around as well as I used to, and this house is just too much for me. I’m buying one of those new condos in the retirement community they’re building, but they won’t be ready for a few more months. I pay a neighbor boy to mow the lawn, but he’s never been one to enjoy gardening.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Paisley said, hugging the older woman. “We’re going to spruce up your plant beds. We’ll weed first, then put in some fresh color.”
“You girls are so kind to help me out. Let me know when you get thirsty. I made some strawberry lemonade this morning, and it’s delicious if I do say so myself.”
Mrs. Marques went back into the house. Paisley and Dena had each brought plenty of gardening tools, along with mats to kneel on. The three of them got right to work, pulling weeds from the large flower bed in front of the porch.
“So, you’re dating Lawson,” Paisley said, about twenty minutes in. “You never said a word.”
“Really? Lawson?” Dena sat back on her heels. “Why didn’t I know this?”
“That’s my question.” Paisley’s eyebrows rose inquisitively.
Shaye smiled at her. “I thought you knew. He came by when you were there at lunch a few days ago.”
“I thought he was just buying hand pies. I didn’t know there was an ulterior motive to his appearance. All right. Tell us everything.”
“Yes, details please,” Dena said with a laugh. “My dating life is a sad, barren desert, and I must live vicariously through you.” She glanced at Paisley. “Maybe you could start seeing someone so I could have two friends who are falling for someone.”
“I wish.” Paisley dug into the earth and pulled out a weed by the root. “But there is no one I’m interested in. I’ve either already dated them, watched them break the heart of a friend or figured out they’re terribly flawed.”
“You dated Lawson?” Shaye asked, wondering why he hadn’t mentioned that. He’d made it sound like he hadn’t gotten involved with anyone since he’d been back.
“What?” Paisley shook her head. “No, we’ve never gone out. I was speaking generally. Let’s see. In high school, he had a serious girlfriend.”
“Cori,” Dena and Paisley said together.
“They were a thing,” Dena added. “I was a couple of grades ahead, and even I remember them being serious. Everyone thought they were going to get married. She went off to college, and he joined the army, and then I guess at some point they broke up.”
“That’s what I remember, too.” Paisley yanked out another weed. “And since he’s been back, Lawson’s been kind of—I don’t know—not interested in anyone. You’re the first woman I’ve heard he’s gone out with.”
Shaye felt good having his story confirmed. “We met my first day in town,” she told them. “I arrived just when the reindeer 5K was starting. The antlers were confusing.”
“Yes, we are a weird little town,” Dena said, adding weeds to the growing pile. “But I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Me, either,” Paisley added. “So that was it? You talked, then what? He bought you lunch, and you were smitten?”
Shaye smiled. “Something like that.”
“Wow. I’m happy for you and wildly jealous at the same time. I want to meet a great guy. Lawson always seemed so... What’s the word?”
“Solid,” Shaye said.
“That’s it.” Dena laughed. “He’s the kind of man you instinctively trust.”
“And he just seems the type to be good in bed.” Paisley grinned. “He just seems the type.”
Shaye focused on the weeds in front of her. “I wouldn’t know.”
“Oh, but you will, and then we’ll want to hear all about it.” She paused. “Okay, maybe not details but, you know, a few broad strokes describing the event. I’m with Dena. This time we’re going to have to live vicariously.”
Shaye very much enjoyed being with Lawson, but she was in no way ready to take things to that level. It was too soon.
“Sorry to disappoint,” she said, careful to keep her tone light. “But that’s not going to be happening anytime soon. I like Lawson a lot, but it’s only been a few weeks.”
“You’re smart,” Dena told her. “Of course you want to take things slow and get to know him. Plus the falling-in-love stage is always so magical. Good for you, Shaye.”
Falling in love? No. That wasn’t happening. She didn’t want to fall in love. If she did, she would be putting too much on the line. While her last boyfriend had battered her pride and left her feeling like an idiot, he hadn’t broken her heart. She’d been more interested in leaving town with him because she needed to start over than because she couldn’t imagine living without him. She’d liked him and had hoped they had a future, but it hadn’t been love.
She wasn’t ready to fall in love. Her heart was still healing from the death of her parents. Giving it over to a guy was just too big a risk. Sure, someday she wanted that. Someone she could be with for the rest of her life, but not now.
Right then the sun broke through the clouds, but instead of feeling the warmth of the moment, Shaye suddenly felt cold and afraid. All this time she’d thought she’d known what she was doing with Lawson. She’d been happy and had always felt safe with him. But now she was less sure of everything.
What were they doing? Dating, obviously, but to what end? A good time or something more? She knew she liked him, but was she ready to take on more than that? Did she have it in her? And if he wanted more than she was willing to give, where did that leave them? And where did it leave her as far as her decision to stay or to go?
SHAYEDIDHERbest to shake off her feeling of unease and just enjoy the morning. The new flowers were delivered around ten, and she and her friends made quick work of putting them in the ground. By the time Shaye had to leave for her shift with the food cart, Mrs. Marques’s front yard looked significantly more cheerful than it had when they’d arrived.
Their grateful hostess gave her a package of cookies she’d made herself and thanked her several times.
“I know we’re helping other people,” Dena said as she and Paisley walked Shaye to the sidewalk, “but I have to admit part of the payoff is how good I feel after doing work like that.”
“Me, too.” Paisley laughed. “It’s a true win-win. When we’re done here, I’m going to go home and get ready for the massage I booked for this afternoon.”
“Smart,” Shaye said. “I’ll think of you as I’m working.”
“But after work, you’ll be getting ready for your date. That makes me jealous, so another win-win,” Paisley said, her voice teasing.
“I will be,” Shaye said, trying to sound more enthused than she felt. All her concerns had left her feeling uneasy about Lawson, and she didn’t know how to set things right.
Shaye said goodbye and started home. On her way, she saw a couple of teams working on different front yards. Across the street, a few houses before her destination, she saw Lawson with a group of boys who looked to be maybe twelve or thirteen.
Their project had been more extensive. She could see a full yard-waste bin filled with dug up plants and bushes. The boys were busy replacing them with healthy-looking plants. Lawson worked alongside of them, obviously in control, but still laughing and joking with the kids.
He hadn’t seen her, so she walked past them before turning to watch a little more. Lawson directed the boys with an ease that spoke of someone used to being in charge. When two boys started a heated conversation, he got between them and quickly de-escalated the situation.
She’d never seen him with teens but wasn’t surprised at how well he did. She would have guessed he would have the patience and personality to step in and take control without being overbearing or diluting the fun.
She turned away and resumed her walk home. As she reached Kathy’s house, she realized she’d let herself get carried away before. Lawson was someone special. Yes, she wasn’t ready for love, but it was too soon to worry about that. They were having a good time as they got to know each other. That was what dating was for. It was perfectly fine to have moments of panic, but she wasn’t going to let the emotion define her decisions.
As for staying or going, she needed to make that decision on her own, without thoughts of Lawson influencing her. Because they weren’t a sure thing. So maybe the question was, if she and Lawson broke up, would she still want to stay in Wishing Tree? And if she didn’t, then maybe that told her everything she needed to know.