Canvas & Keys

12. Well, Hey There, Handsome

Chapter 12

Well, Hey There, Handsome

"Do you have to go?" Gertie begged as she leaned against the truck door. I was still standing outside with her and Shannon, but it seemed like she was trying to block my way inside. "You can stay for a little while longer, right? You've only been here for two weeks! And a few of those days you were out of it and...I mean, your back's still healin' and Mum said..."

"I've got someone who can take care of my back, Gertie," I smiled. "A few people, actually."

She sighed, leaning her chin against her arms. Shannon rolled her eyes from beside her, but looked like she wanted to try and persuade me to stay a little while longer, too.

"I'll keep in touch, though. How about that?" I offered. "I've got your number and you'll have mine just as soon as I get a new phone."

"And I'll call you whenever I can!" Gertie giggled. "How's that?"

"Perfect," I smiled, stepping forward to wrap her in a hug.

I pulled Shannon into the hug then and she clung to me without putting too much pressure on my still healing back. "You sure you're okay to travel? Mum said..."

"Give it a few more days and I'll be right as rain."

Both girls had tears in their eyes when I let go. Angus and Lorna had just come out of the house, Lorna carrying a backpack she'd packed for me.

Setting it on the ground beside the truck, she reached forward and pulled me into a hug as she started crying, too. "Keep in touch, all right? And certainly don't be a stranger. Make sure you watch that back of yours when you get home and have someone take the stitches out in about a week or so. If you hadn't kept openin' them, they'd be out by now. No sudden movements or else they'll open up again."

"Got it," I murmured. "Thank you so much for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you guys."

"You're so very welcome, sweetheart."

With one last smile to Lorna and the girls, I grabbed the backpack and got into the truck beside Angus. I was crying myself as it rumbled to life and Angus started down the dirt road leading from the house.

It was a long, quiet drive to Perth. Angus didn't say a word until he pulled into the parking lot by the train station. As we got out of the truck, he walked around the front to my side. Looking down, he smiled slightly as he reached into his jacket packet to pull out some money and hand it to me.

"It's enough for the train ticket to Edinburgh and a one-way ticket to Florence. Not gonna get you a first class ticket or anythin', but it'll get you there. I'm sure you won't mind, though, seein' as you're gonna see your family again."

I shook my head, staring down at the bank notes. "No, it's...thank you so much. Just like I told Lorna, I don't know what I would have done without your kindness."

He grimaced when I started crying again. "Don't be gettin' all teary-eyed now..."

"Sorry," I laughed, reaching up to swipe under my eyes. "I just...I've gotten used to the normal family dynamic and I'm going to miss it."

Sure, I definitely had the family dynamic at home...

But we definitely weren't normal.

Angus shifted his stance, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck. "Like Lorna said, keep in touch. The girls have gotten used to havin' you around, so they'll be missin' you. You're welcome to come by anytime."