Southern Sunshine by Natasha Madison

Chapter 22

Hazel

I listen to him say his story, and the whole time, my heart is in my throat. The whole time, I thank whoever is listening for saving him. "I’m so sorry," I say, and my hand comes up to cup his cheek. “For not pushing to get in touch with you sooner. I should have contacted your parents." The lump in my throat is as big as a baseball, and I want to say so many words, but I don’t trust myself right now.

"How were you supposed to know?” he says.

"What if something would have happened to you and you died not knowing?” I try to control the sob that wants to rip through me. "I’m so sorry." His head turns to kiss the palm of my hand on his cheek.

"I think it’s safe to say we both fucked up and made mistakes,” he says softly, putting his hand over mine. “The good news is that we now know." He looks in my eyes, and I want to lean in and kiss his lips. He’s the last person I’ve ever kissed. He’s the only kiss that I remember, and he’s the only kiss that I dream of.

I smile through my tears at him. “I’m really glad you didn’t die." He laughs, his hand falling off mine and my hand falling to his leg. The moment’s suddenly gone, and I wonder if he did it on purpose. If kissing me is not what he wants to do. I know he said that he hasn’t dated, but he could still have someone in his life.

"I’m really glad I didn’t die either,” he says, getting up now. “I’m really fucking glad I didn’t die." He walks down the step. “And I’m really fucking glad I came home." He looks at me. “See you in the morning,” he says. “Lock up."

"I will." I get up and turn to walk back into the house. When I hear the sound of the rocks crunching as he pulls out of the driveway, I lock the door. Walking to the kitchen, I clean up before heading up to bed. I watch Sofia sleep for a while before sleep comes and takes me.

"Momma." I hear a soft voice. “Uncle Reed is here.” My eyes spring open, and I sit up in bed, the cover falling off me.

"What?" I look at Sofia in confusion, then turn to grab the phone on the side table. I see it’s past seven, but there are five texts, all from Reed.

Reed: It’s me. I got up early.

Reed: I’ll be there by seven.

Reed: Is it okay if I come over?

Reed: Heading that way now.

Reed: I’m outside.

"It’s fine." I look over and see him standing in the doorway. He leans against the doorjamb, wearing jeans and a T-shirt. His hair looks like he just got out of the shower. “I knocked and thought you were up." He smirks as he looks at me and then down at the floor.

Looking down, I see my nipples are peeking out. My hand flies to grab the cover, and I bring it to my chest. “I didn’t hear you wake up.” I look over at Sofia, who is getting off the bed. “I didn’t even hear you knock.”

“I heard it, Momma," Sofia says, walking to Reed and slipping her hand in his.

"You opened the door?" I shriek out. “Sofia Bernadette,” I say her name.

"She did," Reed says, and I don’t know if he’s protecting her or not. “She asked who it was. Then she said you were sleeping." He looks down at her, smiling. “Then she opened the door when I said it was me."

"Are you going to make pancakes, Momma?" Sofia asks and doesn’t even give me a chance to answer. “Uncle Reed, can you make pancakes? I’m hungry."

"I can make pancakes,” he says to her, bending and picking her up. “But I don’t think they are as good as your momma’s." He looks at me now. “Why don’t we go down and I can cut some fruit, and Momma can get dressed?” She nods her head. “Not that I mind what you’re wearing." He winks. “But there might be other things happening we would need to explain."

I just look over at him, and my eyebrows pull together. He looks down at his jeans, seeing that his cock is awake, and my eyes go big. “I’ll be right down in clothes." He laughs, kissing Sofia’s head, and turns to walk out of the room. I get up and grab some shorts. I usually sleep in panties and a tank top. I can hear him and Sofia talking downstairs while I wash my face in the bathroom. I grab a sweater and put it over my tank top, and walk downstairs, the smell of coffee filling the room.

Sofia sits on the counter next to him as he cuts an apple for her. "You cut it the other way." She gives him instructions. “Sometimes Momma puts apple in my oatmeal," she tells him. “But you need to cut it small so I don’t choke."

"I’ll remember that,” he says. “Now, do you want strawberries and banana?"

"Yes, please,” she says, smiling at him.

"Coffee?" I ask, and he just nods. “How do you take it?" I grab two cups of coffee, filling them.

"It doesn’t matter,” he says, and I just look over at him and tilt my head. “Fine, milk, please."

I walk to the fridge, grabbing the milk and splashing a bit in both of them. “Do you take sugar?"

"Nope,” he says. Putting the knife down, he grabs Sofia and carries her to the chair. “I’m sweet enough." He kisses her nose, and I roll my eyes. He walks back to the counter, grabbing the fruit plate he made for her and bringing it to her.

"Here you go." I hand him the cup of coffee. His hand grazes mine while he grabs his cup, making my heart speed up with just his touch.

"I’ll start the pancakes,” I say, expecting him to get out of the kitchen. Instead, he stands at the far end of the kitchen, leaning back on the counter.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asks, and I look over at him while I whisk the dry ingredients.

"You can get me two eggs,” I say. He pulls open the fridge and comes back to give me the two eggs.

"Thank you,” I say, grabbing the eggs and cracking them into a bowl but only using the egg whites.

"What do you have planned today?" Reed asks.

"I have to run into town for a couple of things." I look at him as I get the egg whites just perfect. “There are some papers at the bank that I need to file for Pops." I make sure the griddle is the right temperature before scooping some batter on there. I add the oil and a little bit of butter for the richness.

"Actually." I look over at him once I put six scoops of batter. “Would you be able to watch Sofia?" He smiles. "I just figure she’d have a better time with you doing anything else but getting in the car and going for meetings."

"Well." He looks over at Sofia. “I did buy something she might like." Her eyes light up, and I look over at him.

She claps her hands together. “Is it a tractor?" she asks, and I shake my head and laugh quietly.

"It is not a tractor," he tells her. "But I’m sure you’ll love it."

"What did you buy her?" I ask, and he ignores the question when he brings the coffee cup to his lips to hide his smile, but I can tell from the crinkles around his eyes that it’s a full-face smile.

"I’ll get you plates,” he says, turning and grabbing three plates. He walks to me, one hand going to my hip while he puts the plates down beside me. “You smell good,” he says, burying his face in my hair.

"It’s the pancakes,” I say, trying to make it so he doesn’t know that my pulse has sped up with his touch. I try to make sure my chest rises and falls naturally and not pant.

"It’s not the pancakes,” he says, walking away from me now and going to sit in the chair next to Sofia.

I put one pancake on Sofia's plate and another one on mine and stack three on his, leaving one on the counter in case he or Sofia want more.

“I got to give it to you, Hazel," Reed says after he finishes the three on his plate, the one on the counter, and the rest of Sofia’s. “You can cook."

I shrug my shoulders, and I’m getting up to clean the dishes when he stops me. “I’ve got the kitchen. Go get ready."

"Well, then, you won’t hear me argue." I grab another cup of coffee and head upstairs. I slip on my tight jeans and a white button-down shirt, rolling up the sleeves and tucking it in the front. After slipping on my tan ballerina shoes, I comb my hair and put on some mascara. I take more time than I care to admit on my appearance. When I walk downstairs, I see that the kitchen is almost done.

"Her clothes are on the bed,” I say. He looks over his shoulder, and his hand stops in the water. He takes his hand out and grabs the hand towel, drying it off and placing it over his shoulder. “I shouldn’t be long." I get nervous now as he just watches me. “Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," he says, his voice low. “I’m just … you’re stunning." I try not to let his words get to me. "I’m going to have a hard time when Sofia gets older if she looks anything like her momma."

I turn away from his look, not ready for him to see that I’m blushing. “Give Momma a kiss," I tell Sofia who just colors. She looks up at me, and I kiss her on her lips. “Be good for—" I almost slip and say dad. "Be good."

"Do I get a goodbye kiss?" Reed asks, and I roll my eyes, grabbing my purse and almost running out of the house. I put my hand on my head once I’m sitting in my car, trying to get all the butterflies out of my stomach.

"Motherfucker,” I say to myself. “Falling for Reed Barnes is a stupid idea, Hazel." I drive out of the driveway and toward town. I get out of the truck, and I’m walking when I see four women walking toward me. One of them is heavily pregnant.

"There she is," Amelia says as she waddles toward me. Chelsea is beside her with Savannah on one side and Kallie on the other side. "You have some explaining to do."

I put my hand to my chest, and I wonder if Reed told his family, my hands starting to shake and my mouth goes dry. “Sorry."

"Don’t sorry me," Amelia says. “I heard you made the best blueberry scones alive, and Auntie Savannah just gave me the last one."

The relief goes out of me, and I laugh. "We aren’t even going to discuss the sandwiches that my husband now wants me to make," Chelsea says. “Chicken and cranberry." She shakes her head.

"Leave her alone," Savannah says, coming to my side.

"I’m going to get her to the diner," Kallie says, putting her hand around Amelia's shoulders. “Before she gets really hangry and shows up at your door."

"I can get you some scones,” I say, and her eyes light up. “I’ll make them tonight."

"See you tomorrow,” she says, walking around me. “Or today if you finish them and want to drive them over to me."

"I’ll see,” I say and then turn back to see Savannah.

"I was hoping I would see you out," she says. “Do you have a couple of minutes?" she asks.

"I do,” I say, and she smiles.

"Follow me,” she says, and I walk with her across the small parking lot to the vacant new stores I saw when I was driving into town. She takes the keys out of her pocket and opens the door.

I walk in and see an empty space, the big windows in the front allowing the sun to come in. "Now, before you say anything,” she tells me, “I want you to picture a long wooden counter on this side." She points at the side of the room. “With a huge display case in the back." I turn, watching her walk across the room. “Wooden beams everywhere, and I want it to be like your grandmother's kitchen," she tells me. “I’d love to put a couch in the back of that corner for when people come in and there are more than six." She smiles now, her eyes lighting up. “A homey feel. There are going to be little round tables everywhere. I was thinking we can have coffee cups for sale in a wooden hutch."

"I think it would be amazing,” I say honestly. “You are going to get the older crowd, and also you might even touch the younger kids in high school who want to come and just get some chill time." I shake my head. “I think you have an amazing idea."

"Good,” she says. “I need a partner." I’m about to tell her something, and she puts her hand up. “I don’t know how to bake, but I know how to run a business."

"I don’t know how to bake,” I say. “All these things are just—"

"It’s a talent you can’t teach." She laughs. “Do you know how many times Charlotte tried to teach me how to make apple pie because it was Ethan’s favorite?" She puts her hands on her hips. “And Olivia, she’s started more kitchen fires than she cares to admit."

"It’s just … I don’t," I start to say. “I don’t live here." Also, I think of the money I have in my savings that I don’t want to dip into.

"You can change that," she tells me. “I’ll put up all the capital, but we would still be fifty-fifty partners."

"Um," I start to say.

"I’ll take back five percent yearly until it’s all paid back,” she says.

"What if it doesn’t make it back?" I ask her. “What if you invest all this money and it’s a flop?"

"Oh …" She shakes her head. “Ye have little faith." She looks around now. “Ye have little faith."