The Pepper in the Gumbo (Men of Cane River #1)(94)
She turned, reaching out for Alice’s hand. “Honey, nothing I said there was a lie.” She gave Alice a quick kiss and pointed her toward a display of electronics. “You stand right here until the hullabaloo dies down.”
And then she was gone, leaving Alice and Charlie parked in the corner of the store. Alice felt sweat bead on her forehead and she swiped a sleeve over her face. This had been a really bad idea, and she’d only made it worse with her choice of outfit. Now that Paul’s mother was involved, her fate was sealed.
“Miss Alice, I’m gonna go get a game and stand near the check out. I can’t believe we got to pass all those people.” Charlie was already skipping toward a tower of games.
“Sure,” she said, her voice hardly more than a whisper.
There was a roar from outside and Alice jumped. The ribbon cutting had started. Any moment now, Paul would come inside and see her standing there, a nineteenth-century poet in the land of dragon-riding queens.
The front doors opened and a stream of people flooded in, the noise level rising to deafening levels. Alice didn’t see Paul come in and soon she was surrounded by people, most of whom were wearing some sort of armor. She pressed back against the wall and tried to stay out of the way.
“Here he comes!”
“Wait, I have to get my phone.”
“Can you sign my arm?”
Alice looked up to see Paul moving toward her, a group of people surrounding him like he was some kind of rock star. His expression was pleasant and he stopped for what seemed like an endless stream of selfies. Pretty girls wrapped their arms around his waist and beamed into the camera. Alice watched him, feeling as if she was observing someone she’d never met and certainly never considered a friend.
“Ok, guys. I’ve got to help someone so give me five minutes.” He was moving away from the crowd. “I’ll be right back.”
They let out a collective sigh and dispersed, leaving Paul to finally reach the counter. The smile was gone from his face. His mouth looked tight, although his voice was cheerful enough. “Hey, Tina, my mother said there was a friend of hers here who needed some help?”
The dark-haired girl behind the counter shook her head. “She didn’t tell me anything. I’ve been standing right here.”
Paul frowned and patted his pocket. “I could try to call her but she almost never answers.” He sighed. “Well, if you hear anything, will you―”
Alice stepped out from the shadows. For a moment, Paul’s expression was blank as he took in her costume, from the black boots to the parted hair. One side of his mouth lifted.
She cleared her throat. “I was thinking of buying one of these.” She pointed to an e-reader. “I hear there are some really good books you can only get in digital.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, just looked her up and down. His smile stretched wider until he was grinning. “Miss Browning?”
Alice laughed, nodding. “Charlie tried to give me some kind of weapon but I told her if I got to dress up, I wanted to be someone I really admire.” The smile faded from her face. “Paul, I know this isn’t really the time or the place―”
He stepped closer and took her hands in his. “It’s just the right time.” He glanced around. “And a pretty nice place, if I say so myself.”
She snorted. “Rub it in.”
They smiled at each other for a moment and then Paul reached into his jacket pocket over his heart. “I was going to have Charlie bring this to you, but since you’re here….” He held out a small envelope. “I put them on another chain.”
Alice took it, opening the flap. She withdrew the necklace, feeling the warmth in the gold where they had rested against Paul’s chest. Her parents’ wedding rings sparkled in the light, a permanent reminder of the love they’d shared, the love that had brought her into being. But ever after, the rings would also be a sign of one man’s generosity.
“Let me put it on you,” he said, taking the necklace back. She turned, letting him fasten it around her neck. She put up a hand, her throat tight with the knowledge that something irreplaceable had been returned to her.
She turned back to him. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Skip to the end,” he said, smiling. “We can talk about the middle parts later.”
Alice swallowed hard. Words ran through her mind. Poems, quotes, famous lines. Nothing fit. Finally, she stepped forward and kissed him. It was a short kiss, just the barest touch. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Again.”
“And I accept, again.” He said, leaning his head down to hers. “I’m so far from perfect, Alice. The next time, I’ll be the one apologizing. I can promise you that.”
The next time. Alice closed her eyes against sudden tears. She felt his arm reach around her waist and pull her close. Their first kiss bore the freshness and innocence two people who had barely met. The second kiss bore the passion of two people who refusing to give an inch, not able to find that middle ground. This one carried the weight of the days that had passed. It spoke of misunderstandings and mistakes, of hard choices and bad decisions, of anger and heart ache and forgiveness. And most of all, it spoke of hope for all the days ahead.
Alice leaned against him, unable to believe that it had been that simple. The help of a few good friends, a simple apology, and he was there in her arms. She closed her eyes against the flashing strobe lights and the noise of the crowd. Even here, in this place, she felt at peace. Her heart had finally found a shelter ‘out of the swing of the sea’.