Free Web NovelChapter 196: Chapter 196 Danielle.
I put the car into drive and pull out into the street as the snow falls all around. Winter was always my favorite time of year, but I’m not so sure I’ll feel the same anymore, especially if I spend the next few days sleeping in the car. I hope Cara’s brother leaves soon, but I’m guessing not with the big bag he brought.
My phone chimes and I check it when I stop at a red light.
Patterson: Tell me you’ll be careful, or I’ll get nothing done today.
I wonder what it would be like to have him pace in his office while he’s thinking about my safety. As intoxicating as that thought might be, I couldn’t do it to him. I send him a text and smile the whole time.
Me: I’ll be safe. Now get to work.
I glance up the red light as another text comes through.
Patterson: You should turn on your location and share it with me. It will make me feel better.
I click out of the message to turn it on, but right before my finger hits the button I pause and wonder if I should. As if Patterson can see me another text comes up. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Patterson: Plus you might need help with where to go today.
He says what I need to hear, so I do as he asks.
Patterson: Thank you, sweetheart
The words make my heart skip a beat, but I’m jolted back to reality when a car honks from behind me. I let my foot off the brake and begin to drive. I force my mind somewhere else as best I can. I’ve already planned out the route in my head based on all the places Patterson told me to go.
If I’m good at anything, it’s memorizing. It made school easy for me but also boring. I love driving in the city and finding my way around. It’s been one of the only good things that came from my parents’ situation. I didn’t appreciate it enough before, but now that I’m forced to, I see the beauty in it here. It’s become a puzzle and I want to solve it with the fastest way to get from one place to another.
I ride around picking up and dropping off all the things I’m supposed to. I try not to think about Patterson, but that’s like trying not to think of a pink polar bear as soon as someone tells you not to. But at least I’m busy, and that makes it easier to relax. It’s the first day in a long time that I’m not constantly stressed and I’m actually enjoying what I’m doing. Who would have thought Patterson had the ability to give me that without being with me?
When I pull up to the third stop on my list, I park the car and get out. I stand in front of the old church that’s been converted into a bar and I’m in awe. I see a man open the front door and come towards me.
"She’s beautiful, isn’t she?" he says as we both look up at the stained-glass windows.
"She is," I admit. "How have I not noticed this place before?" I ask, looking over at the older man.
"It was only recently restored. She was set for demolition, but Hill saved her."
"Patterson?" I say, a little surprised. The place is beautiful and makes me wonder why his own home is so empty.
"Yep. He’s got a thing for old buildings, but he didn’t have use for this one." He shakes his head as if remembering something. "He saved it then talked me into buying it. I swear that man can talk anyone into anything." There’s laughter in his voice and I nod in agreement.
Even when I tried to push him away he only kept getting closer. I have a fear that sits in the back of my mind that at any moment what little I have could be taken from me for no reason and it’s all because of my past. But maybe Patterson can look past that?
"He has a talent for seeing the beauty in what’s underneath the surface, that’s for sure. People passed this place for years and didn’t give the old church a thought. Patterson saw what it could become." His words hit closer to home than he knows. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Is that how Patterson sees me? It’s sweet he might think he can save me, but I should be saving myself. The idea that he wants to come charging into my life gives me hope for the future.
I look back at the church and wonder if I would be the same. Once he’s done saving me, will he be on to the next? From what I know about him, he’s an admitted workaholic. I’m not sure I’d fare as well as the church did when he moved on to another project.
"Let me get you those cases," he says as he walks back into the church and leaves me to stew in my own thoughts. He returns a few moments later and puts the boxes into my car for me. Then he gives me a large tip like all the other places I’ve been today.
"This is too much." I raise my voice so he can hear, but he’s already heading back inside. I want to make sure he didn’t accidentally give too much.
"Don’t worry about it." He throws over his shoulder, saying the same thing as everyone else.
I look down at the money and wonder if Patterson put them up to it. Is this how he’s going to try and save me? My shoulders drop because the last thing I want is pity. Maybe I’m mistaking kindness for what I thought had been a little flirting.
I put the money into my pocket and get back into my car. I see I have a message from Cara and I send her a quick text back letting her know I’ll try and come by later. I’ve still got several more places to stop before I’m supposed to meet Patterson, and I don’t want to mess anything up.
