Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

N ate accepted the watch from Bailey and turned it over in his hand. They were sitting at the kitchen table where the lighting was good. He was no jewelry expert, but it was a Seiko and looked to be about mid-range. Someone probably spent at least a thousand dollars on it. He told Bailey as much.

"It's not in the best condition, is it?" It wasn't working, and there was mud caked in the creases of the band as well as the edging of the watch face. The band had come away from the watch face at one side, which was likely how it was lost in the first place. There was one light scratch across the glass there as well. "It's hard to know if it looks like this because it's old or because the elements did a number on it."

She nodded. "The lady who turned it in said she found it out by the sunflower field. I honestly don't know where out there, though. That covers a lot of area."

"Do you remember which day that was?"

"It was Saturday. I'm sure of it because that's the day I got the threatening letter."

Nate thought over the last week. "So there was no significant weather right before that. Nothing that would've caused the dirt around the field to erode enough to reveal the watch. Although one could argue it might have taken years of that to finally unearth it." He rubbed a thumb over the watch face. "I'll bet the person who lost this was upset at the time."

"I imagine so. I was going to put up a vague post and insist that anyone who came in to claim it has to be able to describe it first. I was afraid posting a picture would bring in a lot of people hoping to snag it and resell it."

"Good thinking. No doubt you're right." He turned the watch over again. There was something on the back that looked like it might be more than just scratches. He pointed it out to Bailey. "Doesn't it look like it could be an inscription?"

She leaned in for a closer look. "It does. I can't make it out, though."

"Neither can I." He was interested in walking around the sunflower field like Seth suggested, although he doubted they'd find anything else.

He set the watch down on the table. "It might be worth taking it in to a jeweler and having it properly cleaned. If there is an inscription, it would help to be able to read it. I'm assuming if someone legitimately lost the watch, then that's the first thing they'll tell you to verify that it's theirs."

"That sounds like a good plan." She rested against the back of her kitchen chair. "Maybe I can take it in tomorrow at lunch. I figure we'll need a break from working on the store again."

Nate studied her for a moment and worked to keep his features neutral. "I took a gamble and set something up for tomorrow. Maybe I should've asked you first, but then it would've given you the opportunity to tell me no."

Her brows lifted, and she studied him as though she were trying to decide whether he was joking or not. "What did you do?"

He barked out a laugh. "Well, I might have brought it up originally, but it was a group effort." He paused for dramatic effect. "People from the police station, along with some family and friends, will be dropping by off and on all day tomorrow to help you power through cleaning up the store." He held up a hand. "And before you object, food is covered."

Bailey's mouth opened and closed again. She sat up straighter. "What?"

"People at the station know what's been happening around here, and they wanted to do something for you. So they're coming to help you. Dean from The Corner Café is donating sandwiches and chips for lunch. Tia is bringing pizza in for dinner. Your job is to tell people what you need them to do. Trust me, Bailey, everyone who's coming tomorrow is truly glad to have a way to help you through this."

She shook her head in disbelief as moisture filled her eyes. "I don't know what to say." She swallowed hard and swiped at a stray tear. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He hoped they'd be able to get a lot taken care of tomorrow. If they could clear out the rest of the trash and repair any displays that had been broken, then Bailey could start putting things back together again.

Hopefully, it'd take some pressure off her.

While Bailey went upstairs to get the boys ready for bed, Nate took Minnie out the back door for a walk. He stayed close by but paused near the back of the yard to play fetch with her for a few minutes.

By the vet's estimation, Minnie was around four years old, but he didn't think she'd ever outgrow the puppy stage. She was energy in motion, and he loved that about her. That extra energy was exactly what he needed to keep moving. Having a dog in your life meant having a friend who truly loved unconditionally. People sure could benefit from following that example.

Once Minnie was panting and she'd stopped sprinting after the ball, they headed back to the house. Nate was surprised to find Bailey sitting on the porch swing, a book in her hands. She looked up and smiled.

"Looks like you wore Minnie out."

"Until tomorrow." Nate chuckled. He let Minnie into the house so she could get a drink of water and rest. "Do you mind if I join you?"

"Not at all." She scooted down a little to give him plenty of room. The swing shifted with his weight then settled into a gentle back-and-forth motion.

She set the book on a small wooden table beside the swing. That's when Nate could see what it was.

"That's a beautiful Bible."

Bailey wrapped a hand around one of the chains that held up the swing. "Thank you. I've had several, but this is my favorite. My youth pastor gave it to me after I was baptized. I used to spend time reading after the boys went to bed, but I've fallen out of the habit. I figured it was time to start doing that again."

"It's a good habit to have. I usually do the same after I feed Minnie and while I'm eating breakfast." They sat in comfortable silence for several moments before he asked, "Did the boys go to bed okay?"

"They were both tired. They didn't protest. Much." She chuckled. "I'd think they were sick if they didn't try to extend bedtime at least a little every night."

More silence. Nate wanted to ask her what she and Jenny talked about earlier but didn't want to pry or make Bailey feel uncomfortable. He was about to bring up the plan for tomorrow when she pulled one knee up and clasped her hands around it.

She took in a deep breath. "I can't lose you, Nate."

"What?" He shifted so he could see her better. "Why would you lose me?"

She seemed to focus on a spot on her knee as she considered her words. "Our friendship. It means a lot to me. I'm afraid of losing that if things don't…" She swallowed hard and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm making a mess of this."

Nate needed her to finish that sentence. "If things don't what?"

"If things changed between us and… didn't work out." Her lashes lifted as she swung her gaze to him.

He could relate to the uncertainty he saw there, but it was the hope that had his heart pounding against his ribs. "That's impossible." He spoke the words with such conviction that her eyes widened in surprise.

"How can you possibly know that for sure?"

There were a lot of things in this world that had him second-guessing what was right or not. But his feelings for Bailey? They were never in question. His only worry was whether or not she could ever feel the same way.