When I first came, I was like a fish out of water, but I love this little town. It would break my heart to leave it.
Dotty shrugged. “Oh, not much to tell. I started teaching early, got my masters, and applied for principal jobs. I didn’t have much luck, probably partly due to my age, but then Aunt Helen let me know about a position here. The rest is history.”
Rose grimaced.“Oh…she’s your aunt? Um, sorry about what I said.”
Dotty giggled. “Don’t be. I have called her far worse. I’m still not convinced she isn’t the immortal witch I called her when I was seven.”
Rose laughed. “Oh, you’re fun.”
Dotty blushed. “Thanks again for letting me join. I have missed talking to women my age. I like this little town, but it can feel lonely.”
Rose raised her eyebrow. “I have a purely hypothetical question.” She paused, looking at me. “Is there a no dating a coworker slash the parent of a student policy at the school?”
I gasped. “Rose!”
She shrugged. “What, just curious. I said hypothetically.”
“Hypothetically, there isn’t a law against or anything.” Dotty grinned and winked at me. “It can be complicated, so definitely a gray area, but legally it’s fair game.”
“The coach might finally end up being caught.” Rose chuckled. “Oh, so many women are goingto hate you.”
My stomach dropped, and panic rose in my throat at the thought of any confrontation.
“I thought he liked you. The whole Christmas party, the man couldn’t keep his eyes off you.” She picked up the menu. “What’s good here?”
Even though we’d come for brunch, Marissa jumped in with her favorite desserts, starting with hot cocoa with cinnamon.
Chapter Eighteen
FAITH
Christmas break was going fast and slow at the same time. I texted and called Adam some, but I knew his time would be spent with Danny.
I missed my students and the routine of it all, but there was something healing about the quiet peace winter can bring. The fresh falling snow, the soft glow of all the Christmas lights, the music, and not to mention my Christmas tree that was front and center in my living room and my mind. I stared at it and replay the day in the mountains far more than I would admit.
It was Christmas Eve, and Rose was staying the night with family. Marissa was hosting a dinner with the guests at the B&B. Both had invited me to join several times, but it didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to be an outsider anymore. I wanted to belong. That probably meant I needed to be honest and face my past instead of running to baking therapy.
Honest with myself and others.
Where would I even start?
My phone started ringing on the counter. I wiped the flour off my hands and went over to it. It was Adam.
I smiled andanswered. “Hey.”
There was no voice, just a loud beeping in the background. What was that? A smoke alarm, maybe.
“Is everything okay?” I turned off the Christmas music and heard a loud banging through the phone. “Adam?”
“You’ve ruined Santa’s cookies! I’m going to be on the naughty list because of you,” Danny yelled in the background.
Adam sighed. “Hey, Faith.” The smoke alarm stopped beeping.
He sounded so tired. “Hey, Adam. How’s it going?” I heard a door close.
“Oh, you know, just ruining Christmas.” I could tell he was both joking and serious.
“Hey.” I went to my room and lay back on my bed. “It can’t be that bad.”
