Free Pros & Cons by Sydney Logan Page B

sweet. He must really have it bad for you if he brought you here.”
    I don’t know what to say, so I quickly change the subject.
    “How did you meet?”
    “Ethan hired Joe to install a new furnace in the cabin. While they worked, I cooked dinner. Ethan took one bite of my chicken and hired me on the spot. The salary’s so generous that Joe was able to retire. We take care of the house while he’s away, and we spoil him rotten when he’s home. Which isn’t much.”
    “Yeah, I . . . don’t get home much, either.”
    “I’m guessing that’s not the only thing the two of you have in common.” Minnie smiles knowingly and pats my hand. “I’m glad you’re here, Jenna. I like you already. Plus, I can’t deny it was fun shopping for two. I still can’t imagine what we left off the list . . .”
    I hide my grin and finish my breakfast.
     

     
    After helping Minnie with the dishes, I start a load of laundry and then head outside in the sunshine to call my partner. I love the porch. I love Ethan’s rocking chair. What I don’t love is the name of the man who wants to hire us.
    “Abby, don’t you remember? Stavros hired Ethan and Coop to do a job and then nearly got them busted in Mykonos? He’s unreliable.”
    “But this sounds like easy money.”
    “There’s no such thing. Besides, Stavros can’t be trusted. He’s proven it. I prefer not to deal with dishonest people.”
    Silence fills the air, and for a minute, I’m afraid I’ve lost her. Ethan did say cell service was spotty up here.
    “Abby?”
    “I’m here. What’s that noise?”
    “What noise?”
    “Jenna York, are you sitting in a rocking chair?”
    I freeze.
    “Umm . . . maybe?”
    “My God, where did he take you?”
    I grin and continue rocking. It really is relaxing.
    “We’re in Tennessee. It’s so beautiful here. He has a house , Abby. An actual house with flower beds and shrubs and a front porch. A place where he can be a normal person. I’m so jealous.”
    “Sounds like you’re enjoying playing house.”
    “It’s not terrible.”
    Abby sighs happily. “I think it sounds wonderful. A little cabin in the woods.”
    “It’s not exactly little . . .”
    “And with nobody around for miles? It sounds like a fairytale.”
    The dreamlike quality of her voice makes me smile.
    “You’ll get your fairytale, Abby. I know you will.”
    “I think so, too.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “He wants to marry me, Jenna. We stopped at this little park outside Baton Rouge, and Coop dropped down to one knee and asked me to be his wife.”
    I’m not surprised, but I am a little stunned that she’d kept the news to herself throughout this entire conversation.
    “Wow! Congratulations, sweetie.”
    “Thanks! We want to live in Texas, we think. Maybe buy a farm. Or a ranch. We’ll really have a home, Jenna. And babies . Oh, we’re going to make such pretty babies.” Suddenly, she grows serious. “Do you hate me?”
    I smile. “Of course not. I’m so happy for you.”
    She doesn’t say the words, but I know what this means. She’s out. So is Coop. They’re leaving this world behind and starting a brand new, normal life together. As much as I’ll miss her, there’s no way I could begrudge her this kind of happiness.
    Later, I’m still thinking about Abby and Coop when a pickup truck rambles its way up the gravel driveway. I start to panic until I see Ethan and another man climb out of the cab. This must be Minnie’s husband. Both guys grab bags from the back.
    “Oh, she is pretty,” Joe says as they make their way up the sidewalk. “No wonder you were in such a hurry to get back.”
    With a smile, I rise from the rocker and offer to take one of the bags. “You must be Joe.”
    “And you must be Jenna.”
    Ethan winks at me, and the three of us head into the house. In the kitchen, we find Minnie pouring lemonade.
    “There you are! Lunch is nearly ready.”
    Minnie and Joe exchange a sweet kiss while Ethan and I put away