Chapter 83

She laughed, letting him drag her along. "So, you suddenly turned into a hillbilly?"
He shrugged. "Sure! Why not?"
Kiki raised her eyebrows. "Okay. Just checking."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh no you don't!" Kiki laughed. "Let's go shopping."
By the time they were finished, they had collected a chemistry set, a Teddy Bear, an old-fashioned set of Jacks, pick-up sticks, a sled, a Trouble game, and a few other things.
"Would you like anything else?" Mr. Cummings asked, smiling like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Speaking of which-.
"Yes. Do you have the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?" Taren asked.
"Sure do." Mr. Cummings moved from behind the counter and approached a shelf filled with books. "It's in here somewhere-." He browsed through the books and then he jumped in surprise. "Ah ha! Here it is!" He pulled a book off the shelf and then headed back behind the counter. "Your daughter will really like this when you read it to her."
Taren laughed as he pulled a few bills out of his wallet and slid them across the counter. "Knowing her, she'll be able to read it to me."
Mr. Cummings raised an eyebrow. "A smart cookie, huh?"
Taren nodded, collecting his change. "Too smart for her own good. Keeps me on my toes."
"I'd bet she does!" Mr. Cummings chuckled as a wistful look came into his eyes. "Reminds me of my children when they were young. Now, they're all married and have children of their own." He handed Taren his packages. Kiki took one for him, too. "My grandchildren are so smart that I'm afraid of what they could teach me."
Taren smirked. "You and me both, mister." Taren picked up the last of the packages. "Thank you very much, Mr. Cummings. I'd say that I'd see you soon, but-."
"No worries." He chuckled. "You just made my day. I'll see you when it's time for your daughter's birthday."
Taren laughed as he and Kiki made their way to the door. "Of that, I have no doubt." He gave him one last wave and then opened the door for Kiki as a blast of cold winter wind blew over them.
"Here. I'll help you put these in your car," Kiki said, already walking toward his Jeep Cherokee.
"Thank you." He popped the hatch and they placed everything inside. Within minutes, everything was safe and secure. "Would you like to help me shop for my mother?"
Kiki smiled. "I really should be going. I have a party to go to tonight."
Taren laughed as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Oh? And who's this party with? Anyone I know?"
She shook her head. "No. He's a handsome firefighter who saved my life. No one you would know."
Taren nodded as his face grew serious. "I know you're teasing, but I hope that's not the only reason why you're coming over tonight."
"Because you saved my life? Or because you're a handsome firefighter?"
He laughed, enjoying the way her lips curled upward at the corners, always appearing to smile, even when she wasn't. "Because I saved your life. Although the handsome firefighter works." He was trying to make light of it, but he really wanted to know.
"I can tell you that if I didn't want to come over tonight, I wouldn't-." Kiki raised an eyebrow. "-whether you saved my life or not."
He reached down and gave her a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. "That's all I wanted to hear."
"On second thought, I think I will come with you. It won't take me long to get ready." She slid her hand into the crook of his arm. "Where do you want to go?"
He patted her hand and then started leading her down the sidewalk. "To the jewelry store. I'd like to get something special for my mom. She's been taking care of Abby for me since Scarlett left, and I'd like to get her something to show my appreciation."
Kiki nodded, her face suddenly turning serious. "Evelyn was a big help to you, huh?"
Even though Kiki's expression turned serious at the mention of Scarlett, he wasn't going to avoid talking about her. After all, she was Abby's mother. And although he hadn't seen her since the divorce, he wasn't going to cut her out of Abby's life entirely- for his daughter's sake.
He nodded. "Yes she was. I couldn't have done it without her. She's really helped me and Abby a lot. She takes care of her while I'm working. After Scarlett left, I couldn't have worked and cared for Abby alone." Taren sighed. "Abby having my mother kind of makes up for her not having a mother in her life. I worry about Abby sometimes, that she's missing out on something--"
"Because she doesn't have a mother," Kiki finished. "Well, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Abby seems to be a well-rounded little girl. Both you and your mother have done a fine job of raising her."
Taren's heart fluttered at her words. "Thank you. That's very kind of you to say."
"It's true." A broad smile spread across her lips. "Now. Come with me. I want to introduce you to everyone I work with."
He pulled her to a stop. "Are you sure you don't mind going in- on your day off?" It wasn't her day off, but he couldn't think of any other way to put it. She'd just gotten out of the hospital, after all, and no one would expect her to come back to work just yet.
She shook her head. "No, not at all. I have to talk to Roxanne and Jocelyn about coming back to work anyway. And I want you to meet them- officially." A moment later, the bell rang on the door as they walked inside.
Jocelyn was standing behind the counter along with a woman with bright red hair that seemed to make her skin appear even whiter than it was. Jocelyn had been frowning, but she brightened when she saw Kiki walk in and hurried around the counter, ignoring the red-haired woman.