Out Of Focus: An Adams Grove Novel Part 33

"Here you go," he said, handing her the mug. "What are you going to do tomorrow? Any plans?"

Kasey placed the hot mug on the table beside her. "I was just thinking about that. Busy is the best thing I can do; besides pray, so I think I'm going to drive to Virginia Beach and visit my grandmother. I'm way overdue."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"I'll have my cell. You'll call me if you hear anything, right?"

"You can count on it," he said. "I'm heading home. I've got a busy day tomorrow."

"Thanks for everything." She walked him to the door and gave him a hug, then watched as he left. Am I wis.h.i.+ng you would stay?

The phone rang, shattering the moment. She ran to answer it before the call went to voice mail.

"Did you get the box? The book is awesome," Cody said.

"I did. I know. I was just looking at it."

"It's going to be a hit, but enough about that. I wanted to see how you're doing."

"Some days are better than others. We're still looking-and waiting."

"The wait won't be as long as it has been."

"Thanks to you."

"That's what friends do: help each other," Cody said. "Speaking of which. I have a favor to ask."

"Sure. Anything. What's up?"

"I told you about Lou, remember?"

"Yep. You saw her?"

"It was like old times. The chemistry, everything."

"Cody, that's great."

"I know. We're going to give things a try. Thanks so much for the lecture. I never would have tried to contact her if it hadn't been for you."

"I'm so excited for you."

"Lou and I've already wasted too much time. So here's the favor part."

"Ask already, would ya?"

"I'm flying in to see her. Would you mind if she meets me at your place?"

"Here?"

"Yeah. I can land at the Greensville-Emporia strip. It's secluded out there. No paparazzi or people waiting for flights. No one to start rumors. I promise we won't impose long. I'd like you to meet her."

"I'd love that. When?"

"It's short notice." Cody cleared his throat. "If it's not a good time, just say no. Tomorrow, if you can swing it. If not, don't sweat it. I can have her wait for me there at the airport. I just thought it would be nicer this way."

"I'm glad you thought of me. No problem at all. It's the least I could do for you. Do you need me to pick you up at the airport?" Kasey's mood lifted. It would be good to see him again.

"I'll call you and let you know when we have an ETA."

"Y'all are welcome to stay here overnight if you need to, depending on how the schedule works out."

"That would be great. You won't tell anyone about us coming into town, will you?"

"No way. I've seen first-hand what the press does with news about you. I won't tell a soul."

Chapter Thirty-Three.

The next morning Kasey got up early to get ready for the drive to Virginia Beach. Flat gray clouds sprawled across the sky. The forty-percent chance of scattered showers looked more like the chance of a dark, stormy day. But she didn't let that stop her from moving forward.

She put on a pair of khaki's and a black top. Then, she took off the black s.h.i.+rt and tossed it on the bed. She went back into the closet, picked out a hot pink sweater and slipped it on. Pleased with the switch, she turned and looked at herself in the mirror. The brighter the better. Anything to help keep my mood in check.

She leaned closer to the mirror and put on some plum crazy lip color, smacked her lips, and then hit the road.

Positive thoughts. Only positive thoughts.

Instead of calling ahead to set up time with her grandmother, she decided she'd just take things at her own pace.

Heading east on Route 58, she had an idea as she neared Main Street. She flipped her blinker on and turned right. Parallel parking had never been her forte, but that's all they did in this part of town. She cruised to the end of the block until she found an opening with two spots in front of the bakery-she could negotiate her tiny car to the curb there, for sure. Floral & Hardy was a short walk up the block.

This was her first time in the flower shop, though the name had stuck with her since the day she met Chaz Huckaby. His shop was right across the street.

"Can I help you?" asked the young man behind the counter.

"Yes. By the way, I love the name of your shop."

"Thanks. I'm Ted Hardy. You must be new around here."

"I am. I need an arrangement. Do you have any pre-made?" she asked.

The young man hurried around the counter and led her to the gla.s.s front refrigerators on the other side of the store. "Heavens, yes. What's the occasion?"

"Not an occasion. I wanted to put something graveside." She shook her bangs away from her eyes. "My husband."

He slumped and put his hand on her arm. "I'm sorry. Has it been long?"

"Not even a year."

"Oh, my golly. I have just the thing." He slapped the refrigerator door shut. "You don't want something fresh. The deer will just gobble it up or it will wilt and look like c.r.a.p in a few days. Follow me."

He whisked behind the counter. "Come on, you can come back here. I was just finis.h.i.+ng this."

She stepped behind the counter and into the back room. It looked like a ribbon-and- flower truck had blown up in there. Snippets of leaves and flowers, ribbon, and lace littered the table.

Ted turned around and held up a gorgeous arrangement. "Tah-dah! What do you think?"

"It's perfect." Almost burgundy-colored roses, gold mums and white carnations fanned out among tons of greenery. "Very masculine. I love it."

"It needs a ribbon. What color? No, wait. What was your husband like?" His mouth pursed, as he seemed to size her up, then he gave her a knowing look. "Outdoorsy fellow. Handsome, too, I bet."

"Yes. That's Nick. Very outdoorsy. Farmer, hunter, the whole thing."

Ted lifted his shoulders and grinned. "I have something perfect."

He turned his back to her. All she could see were his arms flying and scissors snipping. When he spun around, he'd woven a camouflage ribbon through the arrangement and tied a beautiful bow at the bottom.

Kasey's jaw dropped. "It is perfect. Better than I ever could have imagined."

"Right here," he said, tapping a finger to his cheek.

She ran to his side and kissed him on the cheek.

"That's what Teddy here lives for. People squealing over flowers."

"Thanks," Kasey said.

She paid Teddy, then carried the arrangement to the car. She nestled it in the floorboard so it wouldn't get smooshed during the ride. The smell from the bakery made her stomach growl. No wonder. She hadn't eaten since...well, she wasn't sure.

She got back out of the car. The smell almost made her mouth water as she opened the door and went inside.

"Good morning, young lady," a portly man in a white t-s.h.i.+rt and work pants covered by a brightly colored ap.r.o.n waved her to the counter.

Kasey surveyed the baked goods in the case. "What do you recommend?"

He gave her a toothy grin. "I'm known for my cinnamon rolls and bear claws. Just took the bear claws out of the oven. They're still warm."

"That must be what smells so good. Give me two."

"You must be hungry."

"One for me, one for a friend."

"You're my kind of friend," he winked.

Kasey drove around the block and parked in front of the police station. She walked back to Scott's office. "How are you?"

"What a nice surprise." Scott pushed a stack of paperwork to the side.

"Are you busy?"

"Not too busy for you. I was just filling out paperwork to a.s.sign some security to the Indian Pow-Wow Festival next month."

"Sounds interesting."

"It is."

"Do you have an Indian name?"

He laughed. "No. Maybe I could be Fish-While-She-Talks? What do you think?"

"I think you're real funny. How about Bear Claw?"

"I like it. Sounds manly." He pretended to swipe the air with a claw.

"Hold up, tough guy. I meant this kind." She held up the waxy white bakery bag. "I brought you a bear claw. It's not a doughnut, but I figured it was close enough."

"You sure are in a good mood this morning." Scott leaned back in his chair.

"Feeling feisty. Ready to face the world today," Kasey said.

"Good," he smiled. "Where are you off to so early?"

"Heading to see Grem, so I better get going."

"Thanks for stopping by-and for the bad joke and good treat."

"Anytime." Suddenly feeling a little nervous, she grasped the leather strap of her purse as if it was a lifeline. "I appreciate everything you're doing-have done-for me."

"You'd be there for me, too." He got up and came around the desk. "I'll walk you to the door."

They walked outside, and he stood at the curb. "Drive safe," he called after her.

There wasn't much traffic on Route 58 this morning. Fields of just-harvested cotton lined the sides of the road. The white fibers that remained on the plants glistened like fresh snow. Nick used to tease that he could t-s.h.i.+rt the world with the waste cotton left over after harvest. He'd probably been right.

Kasey slowed down as she pa.s.sed the accident site, but didn't stop.

A first.

There was nothing there for her anymore.

An hour later, she neared the little church in Pungo-her first stop. It had been too long since she'd been there. And until now, just too painful to return. Nick had gone to the church when he was a boy. She, Nick and Jake had attended there as a family-a Sunday ritual that ended with a late breakfast at the Farmer's Diner of pancakes and fresh eggs from the chickens the owner raised on his farm.

The last time Kasey had been here was the day Nick had been laid to rest.