Page 52 of The Veteran

She looked up at me, frowning. “Like what?”

I kissed her pouting lips. “You’ll see.”

I’d had the idea in the early hours of the morning, after she’d returned to sleep but I hadn’t been able to. Hopefully it would take her mind off everything that being here had stirred up.

21

SAGE

I was curious what Kade had in mind as we exited the house, locked up, and got back into the car, but I was also exhausted, so I rested my forehead against the window and closed my eyes. The movement of the vehicle lulled me as Kade drove back the way we’d come, but when he made a turn I wasn’t expecting, I blinked rapidly and sat up. We were nearing a familiar block of shops. My stomach lurched as he pulled over beside one of the buildings.

“What’s going on?” I asked, bemused.

He smiled, affection shining in his eyes. “I thought after the morning we’ve had, you might want to visit somewhere that holds good memories for you, and we’re already in the area.”

“I can’t believe you brought me here.” I gazed out the window, into the shop where I used to while away hours among the crystals, listening to soft music. “This is where I first learned yoga.”

“I remember.”

My heart felt so full it might burst. “Thank you. This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”

Tears once again prickled in my eyes, but this time, they were good tears. I patted them away, met Kade’s eyes, and smiled tremulously. He was such a wonderful man, and I was falling deeper in love with him each day. I couldn’t think of anyone else who would have made such a thoughtful gesture. It showed that he listened and cared.

“Do you want to go in?” he asked.

“Yes.” I got out and my feet carried me inside on autopilot. I was barely aware of Kade striding alongside me, vigilant as ever.

A chime tinkled as we entered and the familiar scent of floral incense greeted us. I breathed it in and closed my eyes as a sense of homecoming washed over me. A pan flute was playing over the speakers and there was a hush that was cozy but not oppressive. I opened my eyes and looked around. The crystals were displayed in the same part of the shop they always had been, but a new water feature had been installed in one corner. I sat on the bench beside the small pond, closed my eyes, and focused on clearing my mind. I sensed movement, but not nearby. Kade was giving me space.

I don’t know how long I stayed that way, but when I brought myself back to the present, I had to blink as my eyes readjusted to the light. Kade stood near the counter, speaking softly to a woman with long gray hair held back by a bandanna. I’d recognize her anywhere.

“Joy!” I exclaimed.

A smile lit Joy’s pixie-like features. “I was just telling your friend how glad I am you’ve come to visit.”

I hurried over and threw my arms around her. “It’s so good to see you.”

“The same to you, blossom. It’s been too long, but I’ve been keeping an eye on you online. I like to be able to tell people that Sage Nichols first studied yoga with me.”

Pleasure suffused me and I released her. I turned to Kade. “Joy taught me everything I know.”

Joy gave a tinkling laugh. “No, blossom. I simply guided you along a short part of your journey.”

I kissed her cheek. “It was so much more than that. You gave me peace when I needed it.”

“And now you do the same for thousands of others.” She smiled contentedly. “The circle of life continues.”

Kade glanced from Joy to me and smiled in bemusement.

“Let me get you a herbal infusion and we can talk,” Joy said. “If you have time?”

I met Kade’s eyes and he nodded. “That sounds perfect,” I said.

Joy prepared our drinks and cleared chairs in the corner for us to sit in. She offered a small bowl of nuts and seeds as a snack and we chatted easily about the shop, my yoga classes and social media pages, and the people we both knew. By the time we left, I’d promised to return soon to teach one of her yoga classes, and I was feeling more grounded than I had in a long time.

KADE

As we were exiting Joy’s shop, a guy with blue-tinted hair was about to enter. He took one look at Sage and stopped in his tracks.