Page 98 of Truck Me
I rub my hand over her head and down her back. “Is she okay with it?”
“She is. In fact, she warned me not to hurt you. My family likes you very much. More than I think you realize.”
I furrow my brows. “Why would you hurt me?”
“Well.” She takes a deep breath. “I don’t know how much of the gossip you’ve heard. I told you—”
“I’ve heard enough. That man is an idiot.”
“He is.” She chuckles. Then she lifts her eyes to mine. “I’m over him. Just so you know. I can’t say my heart isn’t still wounded though.”
“We’re all a little wounded, Princess.” I kiss the top of her head and hug her closer.
The voice in my head is yelling at me that this is the time. That I should tell her the secret I’ve held close to my heart for over ten years.
But the damaged little boy inside me is too scared of the consequences, so I keep quiet.
Instead, I hold her until her breathing evens out, and she’s asleep in my arms. This feels so right, like she belongs with me, and it’s a feeling I don’t want to lose.
If I had any doubt about the depths of my feelings for Charlotte before, they’re gone now.
I am completely head over heels in love with her.
Chapter 21
Because feuds and bake sales always go hand in hand.
Charlotte
All my worries and concerns about baking too many cookies fly out the window when I see how much everyone else baked for this event. I made a lot more than some and didn’t even come close to baking as much as others.
My former elementary school has been converted to a community center, and the old gymnasium is packed with booths. My senses are overwhelmed with sugary sweet goodness.
I see a few parents of kids I went to school with, a few of my former teachers, and some younger faces I don’t recognize. Of course, Grams and Mrs. Engle are both here. They never missed a bake sale when I was growing up, and it looks like they still don’t.
“These are the last of them,” Amelia says as she drops the last of the containers on the table behind me.
I’d mentioned to Amelia that I sponsored a table at this fundraiser when we’d gone out a few weeks ago. I couldn’t pass up her offer to help when I told her I’d be working it alone.
Accepting help from a Koch was a risk, and one I decided to take. Thankfully, Garret didn’t have a problem with it.
“Thanks, Lia.” I wipe my brow with the back of my hand. All this running around, setting up, is making me hot. “Are you sure your mom doesn’t need your help?”
“Nah.” She waves off my question. “She’s got Dad with her. They always work the booth together.”
I glance around the gymnasium and don’t see her parents. I haven’t seen them since I moved home, and I’d like to say hello. I spent a lot of time at their house when I was in high school.
“Where are your parents? I don’t see them.”
Lia points toward the opposite side of the gym. “They’re by the back entrance. The fundraiser committee learned a long time ago to put as much distance between my parents and Grams as possible. Otherwise, they’d argue all night.”
“Does your mom still insist Grams stills all her recipes?”
“Every single event.” Lia rolls her eyes. “It’s so dumb. I think she complains just to keep the feud alive. If the Kochs aren’t fighting with the Mutters, then they ain’t living.”
“That is so true.” I chuckle. “And it always felt so one sided when we were in school. Like your brothers and parents made a bigger deal out of it than the Mutters. Is that still the case?”
“Oh my gosh, yes!” She drags out the S on yes and groans. “I am so over it. It’s mostly Tanner and Linden keeping it alive. I don’t think those two will ever let it go. They’d rather die than be friendly with a Mutter.”