Page 10 of The Shift Between Us (Covewood #2)

Chapter Four

Olivia

“ Q uit Playing Games with My Heart” by Backstreet Boys is playing softly in the background as Edna, Raine, and I work on our embroidery projects.

Raine is snuggled next to me, and I glance over at her wildflower design.

Edna has been teaching us embroidery every Monday evening for the past few months all because I had complimented her work so much that she finally broke and said it was time for me to learn how to do it myself.

Raine also wanted to learn, and that’s how this whole thing got started.

Since we started, I have added embroidery to my jeans, Converse shoes, aprons, and a few hats.

I like adding a piece of myself to everything that I wear—usually flower designs or fruit.

Recently, I’ve been working on a bakery-themed apron design that I’m about finished with, and I can’t wait to wear it.

“It looks amazing.” I smile at Raine, watching her press the needle in to finish the edge of a honeysuckle.

“Thank you. I’m going to put this in Annabelle’s room. She wants it to be wildflower themed.”

“That girl is something special,” Edna adds as she concentrates on her design, which I’m curious to see. She’s been snickering to herself, and I can’t get a peek from where she’s sitting across from us in my cozy recliner.

“What happened to the Bluey theme?” I ask, setting my project down in my lap as I turn toward Raine. “I’ve already bought her a few things.”

“She still loves anything Bluey . Her bedroom will end up being Bluey -wildflower themed, I'm sure.”

Ten years ago, Raine had moved away to attend college and never looked back.

Ryland had broken her heart, and at the time, her mom was dating Luke’s dad, Davis.

I loathe that man for all the pain he caused.

But now, there’s this sense of peace that Raine carries with her since she moved back to Covewood eight months ago.

Forgiving Davis has been hard, because the truth is, he's the reason Luke got mixed up in the wrong crowd and struggled with an alcohol addiction in high school.

It broke my heart in more ways than one.

And for that, forgiveness has not been easy for me.

Davis is also part of the reason Luke chose to become a cop.

Luke has worked tirelessly to clean up the police department, making sure corrupt officers were fired, and as a result, the streets of Covewood are much safer now.

I guess even in a bad situation, some good can emerge. God really does have a way of turning things around. Raine and Luke are two of the people I love most in this world. And I see the marks Davis left behind, even if they never say a word about it. I think, deep down, they know I see it.

“Are you excited to have Ryland and Annabelle move in after the wedding?” I ask, my smile growing as she beams at the question.

“Yes! I wish they’d move in right now, but Ryland doesn’t want to live together until we’re married, which I respect. Plus, we’ve been working on getting Annabelle’s room ready to surprise her. ”

Edna peeks up from her embroidery hoop. “She’s going to enjoy living on the farm, as much as that girl loves animals.”

“She’s already convinced Ryland to get her a pony for Christmas.” The three of us share a laugh.

My sweet little niece has brought so much joy with her since she was born eight years ago.

Raine might not be her mother by birth, but ever since she and Ryland have been back together, she has taken on the role of stepmother beautifully.

And even though I’m not blood related to Ryland, I’m still Annabelle’s favorite aunt.

“Speaking of Christmas, I bought some small hoops that we can turn into cute, embroidered ornaments.” I bend over and grab them from the basket near my feet.

Edna’s eyes widen. “There’s only, what, twenty-one days until Christmas? We better get to work!”

I hold up one of the small hoops. “Do you think we can get them done before then?”

Edna’s mouth opens to reply, but the sound of my front door opening steals our attention.

The three of us twist to see Luke, still in his police uniform that stretches across his chest in a way that makes my mouth feel dry.

I push those feelings aside, forcing my eyes to look down at the grocery bags he’s holding in one hand and the orange-and-white cat in his other.

I arch a brow as I study the feline. “Luke, why do you?—”

“Merry Christmas.” Luke closes the door behind him before handing the cat to me.

It growls, and the hairs on its back stand up as it twists its head to face me, its bright golden eyes piercing into mine.

I’ve never been scared of cats before, but there is always a first time for everything.

Edna is cackling behind me, and I want to give her a scolding look, but I’m currently frozen, fully focused on the cat.

She or he—I’m not sure what it is—blinks, and then its ears move back as it lets out a low growl.

“Luke, I'm not sure this cat likes me.”

“He doesn’t seem to like anybody but me at the moment. ”

“Then why don’t you keep him?” I go to move the cat, but he lets out another growl, and I stay completely still.

“Maybe this is payback for this morning.” A smug look takes over his face. I want to smack it away but can’t move at the moment.

“What did she do?” Raine asks, but Luke ignores her.

He turns and grabs one of the bags he laid on the floor. “I bought you everything you’ll need for him. A litter box, food, toys, and?—”

“Luke, I don’t need a pet.”

“I mean, you did swear off all men earlier. Maybe becoming a crazy cat lady is exactly what you need,” Edna adds, and I shift, very slowly, to look at her and give her the stink eye.

I hate that she’s right. I did swear off men, because they all suck.

Okay, maybe not all of them, but lately anytime I give someone a small piece of my heart, all they do is take it, throw it on the ground, and stomp all over it.

Then they hand the battered piece back to me and leave forever.

I know I’m being a little dramatic, but that’s how dating has felt for me.

“You’re the old lady. Maybe you should start your own cat collection.” I stick my tongue out at her like I’m a child and not a twenty-nine-year-old who’s apparently terrified of cats.

She laughs, clapping her hands together. “Honey, I might be a widow, but that doesn’t mean I swore off men. Quit making that face at me!”

“I’m not responsible for what my face does when you speak,” I snarl, causing the cat to growl again.

“I don’t have time for this.” Luke takes the cat from me and sets him on the floor. The cat takes off running, hiding behind my Christmas tree. “I need to go.”

“If that cat ruins my tree, I’m going to?—”

“Liv.” Luke grabs my hands, pulling me toward the kitchen, as if the space will help Raine and Edna not be able to hear our conversation, but they’re staring at us, clearly eavesdropping like the nosey women they are .

“Please, just do something with the cat for me. Keep him or find him a home. I don’t care what you do.”

His dark eyes meet mine for a quick second before focusing on something behind me. I can tell by the tightness in his jaw that something is bothering him.

“Is everything okay?”

His eyes snap to mine, silent truths hidden behind them. “Yeah. I just need to go.”

I grab his hand before he can take a step toward the front door. He’s not acting like himself. His face is solemn, and a muscle in his jaw is twitching. There’s an invisible weight pressing down on his shoulders, and because I feel responsible for my friends, I want to lift it away.

“Luke—”

I can see the moment he starts to shut down. It causes a painful pinch low in my stomach. I want to help carry some of the weight for him, to let him know he doesn’t have to always do things all on his own. Haven’t I proven to him already that I will be here for him no matter what?

“I’ll be okay. I’m going to go hit the gym for a bit to help clear my head.”

I step to the side, allowing him to pass me as he walks over to Raine and gives her a small hug. She looks up at him, worry shining behind her gaze. He gives Edna a wave, and without looking my way, he turns and exits from my home.

“Is he okay?” Raine asks once I sit down beside her.

“I’m not sure. He wouldn’t say.”

He’s staring at me, right into my soul, with such an intensity that it makes me shudder.

I can’t move from my spot. I’m scared that if I do, the cat will finally attack me.

He lifts his nose up and begins sniffing the air.

I pinch off a piece of a cranberry-orange muffin and toss it toward him as a peace offering.

He gives it a sniff and licks it a few times before devouring it.

He sits and looks up at me, meowing for more, and I’m not sure if cats should eat this stuff, but I toss him another crumb anyway, praying I can win him over with my baking skills.

I slowly reach back and grab my phone from my back pocket to snap a photo of him.

I open up my family’s group chat and send the photo with a text.

Can cats eat muffins, because if so, I might have found the key to winning him over

My sister and brother begin to respond simultaneously.

Wren

I’m pretty sure cats cannot eat sugary treats .

Jaxson

It could help him gain weight, and then you could name him Garfield.

Wren

That name doesn’t fit him. He looks more like a Jack.

Jaxson

Yeah, Jack the Ripper .

Jaxson

He looks like he has seen some things, like a ghost or someone committing murder. Or maybe…he’s done the murdering ?

Dad

I wouldn’t let that cat sleep in the same room as you.

Mom

Oh hush, he’s adorable. Do what you have to do to win him over, Livie.

I put my phone down and looked over at the cat, licking his paws. “You do need a name.”