Four

 

Gauge stayed at Aniyah’s house for as long as he could, until at last, she politely asked him to leave. It was just as well. He hadn’t yet earned her full trust, and she was probably still rattled from her encounter with the Dessar Clan.

He left around one o’clock in the morning, took a taxi back to his motel, and spent two hours repairing his motorcycle. There had been too many things on his mind, and sleep wasn’t one of them. When he finished with his motorcycle, he rode it back up to Cedarstone Heights and parked it in front of the general store. He settled onto the ground and leaned up against his parked bike to catch a quick nap.

“Hey, you.”

Gauge opened his eyes and stared up at the man looming over him. It was no longer dark from when he first arrived, and he’d lost track of time. The early-morning light cast shadows around him, enhancing the stranger’s ominous presence. Gauge’s eyes finally adjusted to the light, and he tensed. His tiger was on edge after being disturbed from his rest.

“No trespassing around my store,” the stranger continued, scowling.

Gauge yawned and straightened. “I was waiting for it to open up.”

The man’s gaze steeled. “You slept out here all night just to wait for the store to open?”

“Yep. I need some rosewater, ASAP.”

A slight crinkle appeared in the man’s brow. “Rosewater?”

“Yeah. Niagua brand. For a friend.”

“This ‘friend’ doesn’t have the name Aniyah, do they?”

Gauge raised his eyebrows. “How did you know?”

“She’s the only customer who specifically buys Niagua-brand rosewater from this store.” The man approached the front door and unlocked it. “A friend of Aniyah is okay by me. I’m Ron, by the way.”

“Gauge.” He hopped to his feet and followed Ron inside.

***

Aniyah awoke to her cell phone’s insistent buzzing. Groaning, she rolled over and grabbed it. She caught a glimpse of Ron’s number, along with the time: 8:25. “Hello?” she answered groggily.

“Mornin,’ Ms. Aniyah. Wanted to let you know I got your rosewater delivered.”

Aniyah sat up in bed. “What?”

“I’m just passing along a message. Can’t wait to taste your banana nut bread!”

She opened her mouth to speak, but the line went dead. What did he mean by that? Her doorbell suddenly rang. She started then hopped out of bed. She grabbed her robe from the closet, slipped it on, and hurried to the front door. The mysterious visitor was gone. A wine bag with a note attached sat on her doorstep.

She widened her eyes. Rosewater? She was ready to call up her client about cancelling the job. How’d this get here? She brought the bag inside and unfolded the note.

 

Rosewater for the most beautiful rose I’ve met.

 

– Gauge

 

She gasped, wondering if he’d gone all the way back to Cedarstone Heights for her. She unpacked the rosewater. Niagua. The exact brand she needed. Gauge had remembered. She grinned. She wouldn’t have to cancel after all. And if she got started on the fondant right away, she would be able to get the cake finished and delivered before the event in two hours. Her heart pounded furiously. It was such a stupid, petty thing, and yet Gauge cared enough about her to go through all the trouble. He was serious, and any doubts she had about him before were gone. She wanted to call Gauge and thank him, but she realized that after all that time she’d spent with him last night, she never got his number. Her mind was rattled by being so caught up with him, and she was still flustered after last night’s events. She called Ron instead. Maybe Gauge would stop at the store again soon.

“Mornin’ again, Ms. Aniyah,” Ron drawled.

“Ron, I got Gauge’s package. I wanted to tell him thanks, but I don’t know how to reach him. If you see him again, will you tell him for me? And give him my number?”

Ron chuckled. “Now, Ms. Aniyah, I think you should be tellin’ him yourself.”

“But I don’t know when I’ll see him again.”

“Oh, he seems like the travelin’ type. I’m sure you’ll see him again soon. Now, if that’s all, I’ll leave you to your love connection. I’ve got work to do.”

She snorted. “Love connection?”

“Why not? He looks like a fine young man for a pretty lady like you.”

She blushed. Yeah, he sure is fine. “Thank you, but we’ve only just met. There’s nothing going on between us.”

There was a brief pause. “Have a nice day, Ms. Aniyah,” he said with an obvious smile in his voice then ended the call.