“E’s sister Amanda canceled because her daughter Hope is sick. Bryan is filling in with the flower truck.”
“He’s coming?” She squawks.
“Surprise. There’s no better time to get used to sharing your true feelings than the present.”
Her mouth drops open.
“The flowers are here.” Bryan’s voice drifts through the church, and I cackle. I’m not the only one forced to face uncomfortable truths.
***
E
I open the front door of my condo, and a chilly blast enters with Bryan, who stomps his feet on the carpet. I’m shocked by the amount of white that’s coated the town in under an hour.
“Hope you two are prepared to put us up overnight because it’s getting bad out there.” He unwinds the scarf from around his neck.
“Oh, no.” Dec hops up and hurries over to the window. “Was there anyone coming in behind you?”
The light flurries have turned to heavy snowflakes falling swiftly.
“No. Nora isn’t here yet?” Bryan asks.
“No, and she should’ve left the bakery thirty minutes ago.”
“You know how it is at the bakery. Nora might’ve gotten caught doing something last minute.” I massage Dec’s shoulder.
“No. She knows better than to linger when a storm is due to hit.”
“Yes, she does.” Bryan re-wraps the scarf around his neck.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“I’m going to drive the route to make sure she didn’t get stuck somewhere.”
“Then you’ll both be out there.”
“She has that tiny gas efficient non sturdy menace she drives. I’m not trusting it with her safety in this. The temperature dropped, and there were some pockets of ice. I’ll be fine.”
“Bryan—”
Dec grabs my arm. I look down at her, and she shakes her head. “Let him go.” She mouths.
“Keep us updated, okay?”
“I’ll be careful.” Turning, he walks out of the house and down the steps in a determined march. He makes it to the end of the drive when a small two-door sedan pulls up and into the four-car driveway.
The car cuts off, and the small blonde opens the door, climbing out with a duffle bag and gray hat with a pink pom on the top.
“Why are you so late? We were worried.” His voice carries over the wind.
“I had to deal with something at the shop—.”
“You know better.”
“Calm down, Bryan. I grew up in Colorado too. I know how to drive in snow and keep everything I need for an emergency in the car.”
“If you’d upgrade to something sturdier, we could all relax.” He takes the bag from her and waits as she locks up.