Page 43 of Wrapped in Winter
Chapter 18
Drake
I’ve just gotten off shift. I parked the delivery truck back at the station, collected my things, and jumped in my truck. This four wheel drive was the best thing I ever bought myself. Gone are the days of two-door, ridiculous, flashy cars that I never fit in anyway. Now, a big old truck that you need a running board to step on to get into? This is my speed.
Without thinking, I head for Dress Me Up. I have to see her, even if just for a few minutes. It’s been a few days since I stayed at the house with Lily. It was a twenty-four hour bug and she was fine the next day but between her shop and my schedule, we’ve been passing each other. And now I’ve had enough. I park and jump out, heading into the back stockroom. I almost run into Blossom as she races to the door.
“Whoa! Where’s the fire?”
“I’m late to meet Bennett.” She glances at her watch. “What are you doing here in the middle of the day?”
“I started at five this morning, so I’m out by lunch.”
“Oh, this is perfect! Can you watch Lily?”
“Where is January? She won’t like you dumping her on me.”
“No, January is here, but she can’t watch the store and watch Lily. She says she can handle it, but I know it’s difficult. I promised Bennett I’d meet him though.”
I wave my hand. “Go, it’s fine. I can hang out here with her.”
She hugs me quickly and then spins past me. “I owe you!”
I laugh as she skids on the ice in the parking lot and jumps in her car. Taking a deep breath, I prepare for the many sides of January. I never know who I’m going to get, which is fine. We’re still learning who we are, but her moods are wild and I have no idea which face I’ll see.
Stepping onto the main floor, I see January helping a woman while a few more shop around. Right away I notice she’s only half-listening to the customer while still keeping an eye on Lily. And when Lily spots me and runs over, January stiffens. I see her excuse herself from the woman and come where Lily and I are.
“What are you doing?”
“I just ran into Blossom. Let me help. You have customers; I’ll stay right here and entertain Lily. Do what you need to do.”
She opens her mouth, then closes it once more, and when someone calls “Miss!” on the floor, I see the moment she gives in. “Don’t leave the store.”
I make a cross over my heart and she shakes her head, walking away from me.
I place Lily on the counter and look around for paper and crayons. “Where does Aunt Blossom keep your art supplies?”
“Yay! Coloring! In the back.”
I hoist her to my hip, turn the corner to grab some paper and crayons, and come back to the front counter again. I don't want January to feel nervous, so I make sure to keep us front and center for her viewing.
“Okay, Pretty Lily, let’s draw.”
She wiggles on the counter before grabbing a crayon and beginning to make lines on the paper.
I encourage her drawing and tell her it’s beautiful. When she asks me to draw something, I pick up the pink crayon and draw a flower. “See? It’s a lily, like your name.”
She looks at my picture and smiles before dropping her eyes to my forearm. My sleeves are pushed up and a bit of pink tattoo peeks out from my shirt.
“You colored on your arm!” she says in outrage, and I chuckle.
“That’s called a tattoo.” I slide my sleeve up. “And this is a lily, like what I drew here.”
Her eyes get wide, and she claps her hands before taking the crayon and trying to draw on her own arm. “Oh no, baby girl, it doesn’t work like that.”
“I’m hungry. Do you have cookies?”
I shake my head. “I don’t. I didn't have time to stop at the bakery before coming here.”