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She falls asleep in my arms. And she stays there all night, never suffering from another bad dream.
Chapter Thirty-three
Allie
Yesterday was moving day. Other than my personal belongings, I didn’t bring a whole lot from Montana Manor. Everything there pretty much belongs to my parents.
Most of our new house is being furnished by Asher’s things. Although we’ll still have to go shopping to fill a few spaces, not to mention all the baby stuff we’ll have to get. One thing I couldn’t part with, however, is my favorite chair. It’s one of those big comfy ones you can just sink into and get lost in a book. I have a feeling it’s going to get a lot of use in the coming months.
Today is all about unpacking boxes. It’s also about me being here all alone with Bug. And not just today, for three whole days.
She’s barely said two words to me. Every once in a while she’ll go out to the garage, where most of the boxes are stacked, and she’ll carry another one up to her room.
It’s almost noon when she comes for another.
“I’ve got stuff for sandwiches in the kitchen. Want one?”
She puts down the box. “I could eat.”
I get a little nervous, wondering what we’re going to talk about for the length of time it takes to make, then eat, a sandwich. But as it turns out, I didn’t need to be. Darla slaps turkey and cheese on bread, wraps it in a paper towel, and walks out of the kitchen.
She turns back, saying only one word. “Gertrude.”
I know what she’s doing. For days now, she’s been spouting out names to get under my skin. Does she sit around and think of the most hideous names just to annoy me? I’m not going to let her win this game.
“Gerty.” I nod. “That’s actually not bad. Did you ever see the movieE.T.? That little girl was adorable.”
She huffs loudly through her nose, spins around, and hoofs it up the stairs.
I get a text.
Asher: Just landed in Atlanta. Is the new house still standing?
Me: Barely. But it’s fine. I don’t want you worrying about us. We’ll work through it. She’s actually being quite entertaining, and might I say innovative, with the baby names.
Asher: I still can’t believe you’re going all in on that.
Me: Have a little faith, will you?
Asher: My ride is here. Gotta go. I’ll call you tonight. I love you.
Me: I love you too. Don’t work too hard.
I finish my sandwich, clean up the counter, and head out to the garage. I promised Asher I wouldn’t lift anything too heavy, so I sift through the boxes until I find one marked ‘towels.’ I take it into the laundry room and dump everything into the washing machine.
Later, when I go out for another box, I stop short of the garage door. It’s sitting ajar and I hear voices. I lean against the wall and listen.
“I’m Christian. I live next door.”
My eyebrows shoot up. I totally forgot about Carter and his son. I’m not sure how, considering Christian is Mia’s nephew, whom she loves more than life itself.
“Darla. But everyone calls me Bug. I guess I live here now.”
“You guess?”
“I’m being forced to. I used to live in Florida. Why do you use those things? Is your leg broken?”
I take a chance and peek out into the garage. Christian and Bug are standing about ten feet apart on the far side. She’s leaning against my car. He’s balancing himself on his forearm crutches.