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My cheeks warmed, but I barreled ahead with my embarrassing question. “Well, since you’re kind of the expert on grand gestures and couples making up... I wanted some tips on how to do that with Tyler.”
Her squeal rang throughout my car. “You’re trying to get him back?”
My smile grew. “I’m in Texas right now.”
“Oh mygosh!” she pealed.
I bit my lip, realizing I should have stopped by to tell my friends goodbye before I dropped everything to start a new life here (hopefully). But thinking of myself was new, and I didn’t want to lose my nerve.
“What changed your mind?” she asked.
“He planted tulips in my flower box.”
“Is that an innuendo?”
I laughed and filled her in on the whirlwind of the last couple of days.
“Does that mean we won’t see you on Wednesday mornings when I’m home?” she asked. She usually videoed in with Birdie and me when she had to be in Georgia to help write for a body positive TV show.
“It means we’ll be doing virtual breakfasts, I hope.”
“Awesome,” she said. “So here’s what you do...”
* * *
I pulledup to the old school building on the outskirts of Cottonwood Falls. It was just as impressive as I remembered it. There was traditional brick, big white columns, and big windows wrapped around the building. It would take some work to make my dream come true, but I was ready for work. I was ready to build a life with Tyler from the ground floor.
Soon after I parked, a white pickup pulled in next to me, and through the tinted windows, I recognized Linda from Thanksgiving. She had a new short haircut that accentuated her pointed chin.
I got out of my car to talk to her, giving her a big smile and a wave. “I love that new haircut on you!”
“Henrietta, you are just so sweet,” she said. The sad look in her eyes told me otherwise.
A sinking feeling filled my gut. Had word of my breakup with Tyler gotten around town? Was there something, or someone else, I didn’t know about?
I shoved aside my fear and said, “Should we go inside and look around? Or can I make the offer now?”
She wrung her thin hands. “I’m so sorry, but the building sold.”
Punch to the face. The chest. The gut. “What? We talked on the phone this morning. Why didn’t you call me?”
“I tried to get ahold of you, but it went straight to voicemail. I left a message.”
I must have missed the notification in all the rush of getting off the plane and car shopping. “What happened?”
“We had a cash offer over asking price that the seller couldn’t turn down. I’m so sorry. I know you were excited about this.”
Despair washed over me. This had been my grand gesture. My way to show Tyler that I was committed to him, to building a life together regardless of where we were. That I wantedhimto be my family.
But then I remembered where I came from. My grandma taught me that a stubborn streak can move mountains. My mom taught me anything can grow with a little care. My brothers taught me to go down swinging. And my dad? He taught me how to get my hands dirty and find my own solution instead of sitting around and waiting for a hero.
I wasnotlosing this sale.
“Who bought it?” I asked.
She frowned. “I’m really not at liberty to say. You’ll be able to search the public records once they’re updated.”
I reached into my purse, pulling out a hundred-dollar bill.