“Will you stay with me, just until I get sleepy?”
“Sure. Whatever you need, pretty girl. I know you aren’t ready to let me in yet but when you are, I’ll be here.”
“I appreciate it, Calder. I do. Thank you for understanding.”
“Come on.” I lead her to the couch, and we sink down into the cushions together. I switch the TV on to a Z Nation marathon. Maggie snuggles into my shoulder and it feels right holding her in my arms. I press my lips to the top of her head when her breathing evens out. Her hair smells of cherries and vanilla as I breathe her in, enjoying this moment. For now, she’s giving me this. It’s a step forward.
My own eyes grow heavy and I lay her down on the couch then cover her with the blanket from her bed. As much as I enjoy being with her my neck will kill me at work if I don’t get a good night’s sleep.
Before I retire to my own bed, I leave her a note inviting her to go to the turtle festival with me this Saturday. It’s a big deal around here. All the businesses close for the weekend, so Maggie can’t give me the excuse that she has to work at the diner.
Chapter 6
When I awaken the next morning, I feel a bit foolish that I was afraid of some critters in the trash. I was scared it was Chris which is dumb considering. But it could have been Flip and that scares me more than anything. I peel my blanket off and a piece of paper falls to the floor. It’s a note from Calder.
Maggie,
Thank you for trusting me last night. It’s a step forward in our friendship. This weekend is the annual Crimson Cove Turtle Festival, I’m hoping you’ll want to attend with me this Saturday. It’d mean a lot to me.
Calder
I don’t want to lead Calder on. I know he wants more than a friendship. I’d be a liar if I said I don’t think about him and what it would be like to be with a man like him. Someone who is caring and sweet. A man who will treat me right. I should tell him no, but I know that I won’t. I don’t know what a turtle festival consists of, but it sounds as though it means something to him.
He kind of melted my heart when he said he’d want to read my words. Chris never offered. He always made fun of me and made me feel ignorant for even attempting to try to write. The door between us is closed again and there is part of me that wishes that it wasn’t. I take out some paper and a pen to leave a note of my own for Calder.
Dear Calder,
Thank you for being here for me last night. it means a lot to me. I appreciate you not thinking I was childish or laughing at me. I’m not ready to go there just yet with you when it comes to my past but you’re right it is a step forward. I do trust you and you make me feel safe. I’d love to go with you this Saturday.
Maggie
I haven’t seen Calder for the past few days. He’s been working nights, and I have been working the breakfast and lunch crowd shifts at the diner. It’s funny in a town so small and seeing the same faces regularly he is the only friend I have made. I guess I don’t really open myself up to anyone and the residents aren’t as welcoming as one might think to outsiders. I try to fly under the radar as much as possible. The less I chance anyone being able to recognize me the better.
It’s the morning of the turtle festival and I have no clue what to expect There was a note under our shared door when I woke up that told me to be ready to leave by nine. I decided to switch things up and curled my hair and did my makeup. I am still getting used to wearing it again. Chris said he hated when I wore makeup. Said only whore’s wanted to wear it. I knew at the time that it wasn’t true, but I got used to the abuse. I blamed myself for a long time for losing my baby but now I know that it wasn’t my fault. I stayed because I thought partly that I deserved it for not protecting my child better, and I believed that I had no way out.
I check my appearance one final time in the bathroom mirror hating that I can’t see my full body. Calder liked my green dress, so I am wearing it with a jean jacket and a pair of brown cowgirl style boots that I picked up from the local thrift store. A knock sounds on my front door and I assume it will be Calder ready to leave for the festival. I open the door to him. He’s wearing his uniform.
“Are you on duty today?”
“Kind of. I have to block off the road for the parade, then there’s pictures. Some of the kids like to sit in my cruiser and get their picture taken. Then I’m officiating the turtle race.”
“Sounds like a busy day.”
He grins. “Yeah. Sorry about that but after the race I’m all yours.”
“All mine…hmmm.”
He takes my hand. “If that’s what you want.”
“We’ll see.” I lock my door and today when I get in the front seat of his cruiser, I’m not nervous. Well not as nervous as the last time. The previous time when he pulled up alongside me, I didn’t know it was him at first. I thought I was being stopped and the guy was going to arrest me. Luckily for me it was Calder wanting to give me a lift. I feel his eyes on me and turn my face toward him. “Do I have something on my face or something?”
He chuckles. “Maybe I just like looking at you.”
“Stop that!”
“What, staring at you? I can’t do it.”
“You’re too good to be true.”