Chapter 8
Colby
The moment she makes that comment, I know the time factor is her being cautious. However, she wants me as much as I want her.
“So, your man, huh?” I say as I pull her to me and she looks up at me.
“Come on. Let’s get cleaned up,” she says and I follow her out of the room. I stop at aisle three for paint thinner. “What are you doing?”
Waving it at her, she shakes her head, and I follow her out the door and down to Aunt Tootie’s. Unlocking the door, she walks to her station and grabs a few things.
“You think she’ll kill us being in here this late?”
“Nah, she’ll be in soon anyways. I need to tell her. Go have a seat in the shampoo bowl.”
“I’ve got a better idea. Take your shit and let’s do this at the store. There’s a full bathroom in there. Shower included.” She lets out a laugh and it’s contagious. I can’t help it; I take a step toward her and capture her lips. I swear if life with this woman is like the past twenty-four hours, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
As the door opens, I hear someone come in and quickly pull away from Colby. His hand finds mine and we’re met by Aunt Tootie.
“Bless it! What in tarnation have y’all been doing? It’s six am.”
“I know. I was helping Colby with something and we got carried away. He wanted me to put this stuff in my hair! Can you believe that?” she says, holding the paint thinner.
“Oh, that will work, but it will fry your hair. I’m going to get the coffee brewing and read the paper. What time are your clients today?” Aunt Tootie asks.
“I’m clear today,” Dixie replies and I can see the uneasiness in her demeanor.
“Great! So can you do the walk-ins?” she questions and now is the perfect time for her to let her down easy.
I give her a hand a little squeeze. “Actually, I needed to talk to you about something. Today’s my last day.”
Her eyes go wide, “What?”
“I’m opening up my own little salon,” she shakes her head.
“Drake, this has your name all over it. That’s why you came by yesterday, huh, boy?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She looks at both of us and shakes her head, but then genuinely smiles. “I’m happy for y’all.” I look to Dixie who looks like she’s in shock. “Y’all remind me of myself and Frank. Did y’all know he built this shop for me? He saw that I needed it and took it upon himself to make sure I was taken care of. Colby, never thought I'd say this, but I’m proud of you. Your mama would be proud, too.”
Something about the mention of my mama makes my heart hurt. Damn, I miss her and Dad, too. “Thanks, Aunt Tootie.”
“Promise me one thing, when I finally decide to give this business up, you’ll take over. You can remodel or do whatever you like. Right now, this is all I’ve got left of Frank.”
Dixie let’s go of my hand and takes a step toward Aunt Tootie. “I’d be honored to.” Aunt Tootie opens her arms and Dixie falls into them, and something in my heart heals in this moment.
Dixie
The moment that Aunt Tootie opened her arms and let me into the real reason she can’t let go of this place, I knew that I was doing the right thing. However, hearing her talk about Colby’s mom broke my heart. Stella has told me the story of how they lost both parents in a horrible accident after being adopted at a young age. They might have been rowdy and liked to fight, but Carol and Paul Drake were a godsend to them.
Turing to look at Colby, I see a half smile and I know that I’m right. He’s thinking about them. “Hey, wanna help me pack up?” I ask him and he smiles.
“Don’t you want to clean up first?” he asks.
“Nah, we’ve got more work to do, no need to have to do this twice,” I say with a wink.
Within a few minutes, we’ve got everything and are walking out of Aunt Tootie’s. Glancing back in the window, I pause.
“It’s okay to be a little sad about a chapter closing, but think about the one that’s about to open,” he says, holding a large box. Turning to him, I quickly press up on my tip toes and kiss his lips in front of God and everyone on Main Street.
“Damn, guess we're official, huh?” he says with a laugh as old Mrs. Smith sees us while walking into the diner.
“Well, if not, the entire town’s going to be talking.”
“I’m okay with that,” he says as we walk back to the store.