Chapter Thirty-Two

Blake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I pulled into Aiden’s driveway, confused that his truck wasn’t there. Holly jumped out of the car and ran straight to the front porch, plopping down on the porch swing. That was new.

“Is this the clue?” Holly gasped, handing me a large envelope she found on the seat beside her.

“It must be,” I mumbled, taking a seat beside her.

I knew the swing wasn’t there before I left, so he had to have recently installed it. I gripped the chains in my hand and pushed off slightly with my feet against the concrete porch. I’d missed swinging, something I’d loved as a young girl. But, why was this the clue?

“Open the envelope,” Holly insisted.

I peeled the top off, carefully peeking inside to ensure I didn’t rip the contents. I tugged at a fragile piece of paper, one that looked to be at least a decade old. As it emerged from the envelope, the paint colors instantly brought back memories. I gasped as I finally freed it, opening it, and taking in the artwork I’d created when I was younger. I sighed, allowing a soft noise to escape through my lips, and then leaned back in the rocker.

“What is it?” Holly asked, leaning towards me with her head on my shoulder.

“It’s one of my drawings,” I admitted.

It wasn’t very good. But, I always loved to draw, to paint, and sketch. It kept me calm during times of stress when I was younger, and even now to this day. I still have a sketchbook in my suitcase with chalk paints and colored pencils.

“Is that you?” Holly asked, pointing to a long-haired, knobby-kneed girl in my drawing.

“Yes,” I giggled. “That was our tree house, well the boys’ tree house. You see that sign?” I pointed to the tree.

Holly squinted her eyes and read the sign aloud. “No girls allowed!”

I laughed so hard my chest ached. The drawing had Aiden in the top of the tree with a rubber band loaded like a cannon between his thumb and pointer finger, aimed right at me, and Liam standing guard at the rope ladder to keep me away.

“Did they ever let you in?” Holly asked.

“Oh yeah, they had no choice,” I chuckled.

Her eyes looked up into mine, confused, but intrigued.

“You see, Aiden’s abuela threatened to chop it down if I wasn’t allowed inside,” I laughed.

“Why did you want to be in there anyway?” she rolled her eyes.

“Oh, it was probably because I had a huge crush on your Uncle Aiden back then,” I admitted with a smile.

“Do you still?” she asked, her eyes so innocent and pure.

My cheeks blushed. I knew the answer to that question, but I wasn’t ready to admit it, not to anyone other than Aiden. Not until I made it through this scavenger hunt and realized his intentions.

“There is something else in there,” Holly pointed to a paper stuck in the envelope.

I was in shock that Aiden had kept this painting, that he’d hung this swing, and that he’d gone to such great lengths to impress me.

Maybe he was serious.

I pulled out the card, on just like the other clues. Some of them had been pretty corny, but always sweet, so I smiled as I started to read.

The swing where you sketched was your own private world, and as I sat beside you, watching you create such amazing works, listening to the sweet sounds that rolled through your lips when you were happy, the deeper ones from your throat when not pleased, I fell in love too…and since that day, on your porch swing, I’ve always loved you.

This was only part one of this clue, but you’re almost done. Head towards the picture, find a surprise that holds the last clue.

Holly was excited to continue the trail, but I knew from the sound of her grumbling tummy, she was starting to get hungry. I was too. And, I had some work to finish, a deadline that wouldn’t wait.

“Okay, we’ll do one more clue, and then that’s it,” I wrapped my arm around Holly, and walked her towards my car.

I sent Aiden a text before pulling out of his drive.

Me: I am going to the next clue now. Holly is hungry, and I have a deadline to finish. The last clue will have to wait until I can complete my book.

It took a moment or two to get a response, but when I did, I was surprised at how simple it was.

Aiden: Okay

I looked in my rear-view mirror, watching as Aiden’s truck crept up from behind the house. I knew there was a road there long ago, but now it was just a dirt lane, one that no one ever used. Was he spying on me, or was this next clue supposed to lead me back here, to him?

I felt horrible for cutting it short. I knew how hard he worked on all this, and I had to admit I was enjoying it. But my editor would blow her top if I didn’t finish my work on time, and Holly’s parents would be upset if I didn’t get her home before them.

It was strange driving up Anna-Marie’s lane. After everything that happened, and me still very unsure what was going to happen, facing the old woman wasn’t something I was ready for, now or possibly ever.

Holly pointed towards the old tree house, surprisingly still standing. We got out of the car and walked towards the backyard to hunt for the next clue, the last clue I’d be able to search for this evening.

As we approached the tree house, a large dog appeared from around the back. His ears were pointy, his tail bushy, and his eyes bright blue. I stopped, pushing Holly behind me, just in case he wasn’t friendly.

“He’s wearing a clue,” Holly pointed out.

My eyes moved towards the large German shepherd’s collar, where a blue card dangled from the loop in the chain.

I knelt down, extending my hand to ensure he was friendly, and when he walked forward, sniffing my hand, I assumed he was a big teddy bear.

“Aiden got you a puppy,” Holly exclaimed.

I chuckled.

“This isn’t what I’d call a puppy,” I smiled in the large dog’s direction.

One thing I assumed: he was mine. Why, I wasn’t sure.

I pulled the card from the collar and shoved it in my purse.

“Aren’t you gonna read it?” Holly asked.

“Not now. I have to get you home, and I need to get my work started,” I sighed, hating that the scavenger hunt was over.

“What are you going to do with him?” Holly asked, wrapping her small arms around the large dog’s neck.

I wasn’t sure. He had a large blue bow attached to his collar which read ‘Gunner’, so I assumed he was a gift for me. Holly’s dog yapped from the car, anxious to meet the new canine, but I wasn’t so sure putting them in a small car together would be safe before they were properly introduced.

“Maybe I can help,” I turned to find Luke walking towards us.

I stood, staring at him, trying to read his mind. What did he know? What was Aiden’s plan?

“I can deliver him and all his stuff,” Luke smiled.

“That would be great,” I thanked him, expecting that he’d take him to Aiden’s, at least until I figured out what I was going to do.

“Sam’s gonna love having a playmate,” Holly squealed, petting Gunner on the top of the head.

“So, I’m taking him to Liam’s?” Luke questioned.

I shrugged. Had Aiden expected I’d go back to his house?

Whatever was on that blue card I shoved into my purse, I was certain would explain it. But I wasn’t ready for that, at least not yet.

Luke loaded up Gunner, who didn’t hesitate to jump into the passenger seat.

“I’ll meet ya there,” he said quickly, offering a slight smile as he climbed into his truck.

Holly buckled into the passenger seat of my car, her puppy snuggled comfortably in her lap, and we followed Luke to Liam’s.

Alyssa looked shocked when she saw the size of Gunner, and even more so when she found out he was staying.

“What about Sam?” she questioned.

By that time, Sam and Gunner were already chasing each other through the backyard playfully. Holly’s eyes lit up when she saw them playing together.

“They’re gonna be best friends,” she smiled.

“How long do you plan on keeping him here?” Alyssa asked, her tone strained.

“I just didn’t want to go back to Aiden’s, at least not yet,” I admitted.

“Okay, but he’s your responsibility,” Alyssa said sternly in her motherly voice.

I giggled. I hoped one day to have that voice.