Page 49 of This Kind of Forever

“I’ll do it,” I tell her. “But I don’t want to be paid.”

Carole takes one of my hands between both of hers. “You are a gem on this earth, Buttercup. Don’t forget that.”

If only she knew the truth.

As the day drags on, the temperature begins to dip and the sky turns grey. After locking up the gallery and starting my walk to Gabe’s house, the rain begins. Thankfully, it’s just a sprinkle, so it doesn’t soak into my clothes too much. Still, I find myself shivering as I draw my sweater tighter around my body. Summer is firmly in the rear view now, and it won’t be back for at least the next seven months.

I don’t mind, though. I’ve always loved the fall. There’s something about the changing leaves and the cooler temperatures that comfort me. The guesthouse has become my favourite place lately, in part because I’ve been working on it, but also because it’s nestled amongst the colourful trees at the back of Gabe’s property.

When an Audi slows and comes to a stop beside me, I look over. The window rolls down, and Delilah leans over the centre console. “Want a ride?” she asks.

It takes me a second, but I nod. I don’t know Delilah all that well yet, but I already know I like her. Her personality feels like a balance between mine and Clara’s, and it’s easy to see how much Luke loves her.

Quickly, I open the passenger door and slide inside her car, trying not to let the rain in. The heat is on, and I relish the warmth as I buckle my seatbelt.

“Thanks for this,” I say.

She smiles as she puts the car in gear. “It’s no problem. I’m passing by anyway. Did you just get off work?”

“Yeah, Carole asked me to work a little extra this week because she got a big order for some art prints.” Along with selling art, the gallery also has the means to print out customers’ pictures and wrap canvasses. It’s the island’s one-stop shop for art and photography of any kind, essentially.

“Oops, that’s my fault. I’m trying to make our house feel more likeours, so I’ve decided to start a gallery wall in the living room.” She grimaces. “The only problem is, I can’t decide what prints to use until I see them all in the space. Luke tried to help, but he just doesn’t have the vision, you know?”

I laugh. “Hey, I don’t mind. More hours is a good thing for me.”

As we continue to drive, the rain picks up, and Delilah’s grip on the steering wheel tightens.

For a moment, I debate saying anything, but my concern wins out. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” She takes a deep breath. “Rain freaks me out these days. I don’t know how much Clara told you, but my parents died in a car accident last year. They hydroplaned.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” I say automatically. “You didn’t have to go out of your way to drop me off! You probably want to get home.”

Delilah shakes her head. “It’s okay. Really. I’m trying to work through it. Can’t avoid the rain for the rest of my life.”

“Well, if you need to take a break, I don’t mind. I’ll wait. Storms are…tricky for me, too, sometimes.”

She throws me an appreciative smile.

A couple minutes later, Delilah pulls into Gabe’s driveway and puts the car in park. In the cup holder, her phone lights up with a text. I catch Luke’s name on the screen.

She reaches for it as I brace myself to head into the onslaught. The relieved smile that stretches her lips makes me pause.

“Everything good?”

“Oh,” she says, looking up. “Sorry. Luke was just checking in because of the weather. It helps me, knowing my people are safe.”

My own phone chimes then. Looking at the screen, I see a text from Gabe.

Gabriel

Need me to come get you? The rain is coming down pretty hard.

It’s okay, I’m outside. Delilah gave me a ride.

The front door swings open a moment later, and Gabe fills the doorway. He waves to Delilah. She waves back.

“Looks like he’s checking on his person, too,” she says. Gone is the worry in her expression. Instead, I find something akin to mischief.