Page 72 of Never Fall Again
We’re fine. Thanks for asking. Landry, ignore everyone else.
From Naomi:
Abby slept fine. I did not. Landry—I sincerely hope we haven’t messed up your sleep with our special brand of crazy. I’m going back to bed. Abby’s still asleep.
Landry reread the thread. Nope. Not her imagination. She was in a group text with Cal’s entire family.
She pulled up the texts from Cal.
Oh my word. My mother. I love her. But she should have asked before subjecting you to this.
I hope you slept well. And that Eliza wakes up full of confidence and joy.
Don’t feel like you have to respond to the group.
Landry could imagine what was happening in a text loop she wasn’t a part of—one where Cal, Chad, and Connor were giving Carol grief for the group text.
She grabbed her phone and responded to Cal first.
It’s fine. A bit of a surprise, but that’s okay. I appreciate the concern. Eliza’s still asleep. I just got up. I slept okay. When did you get home?
Then she replied to the group text.
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for checking on us. We’re fine. Eliza is still asleep. I slept okay. Just not long enough.
Cal responded almost immediately.
Glad you’re okay. What’s on your agenda for the day?
She hadn’t had much time to process everything that had happened last night. Especially the part where Cal had acted like far more than a good friend.
No, it wasn’t his actions. A good friend—male or female—might have followed her home and made sure she and Eliza were okay. It was the way he looked at her, the way he held her gaze, the way he worried. It wasn’t any one specific thing she could put her finger on, but something was different.
And then the way he’d held her face. And that weirdness before he left.
A smart woman would put some distance between them.
I planned to spend most of the day in my studio. I’m still rebuilding my stock. But right now, I’m not sure I can stand to be inside. We may drive out to the property and dream about our house.
Let me know if you want some company. I’ll be around.
Three hours later, Landry packed some books, blankets, pillows, and a picnic basket filled with enough food to feed a few extra people, and she and Eliza drove to the three acres of North Carolina that belonged to them.
She parked in the spot she envisioned would one day hold her studio and opened Eliza’s door. Eliza clambered out and headed for the river. “Stay where I can see you.” Landry grabbed the books, blankets, and pillows and followed Eliza. She found the tree that had become her absolute favorite spot and spread out the blankets. She left the pillows and books and went back for the basket. By the time she returned to the tree, Eliza was headed back.
And she wasn’t alone.
Maisy was on one side. And Cal was on the other. When hereached her, he dropped his head. Almost like he was...shy? “I’m sorry about this, Landry.” His voice was low, and his body was turned so Eliza couldn’t see his face. “Maisy and I were playing fetch. When we saw Eliza, Maisy ran for her. Then Eliza insisted I come with her.”
“You’re more than welcome, Cal. I’m glad you’re here.” Cal’s dubious expression bugged her. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t believe me?”
“I feel like I’m intruding on your day with Eliza.”
“Not at all.”
Cal pulled his ball cap off his head and looked over her shoulder. “I, um...I thought that maybe you’d rather not see me.”
“What would make you think that?”