When she’d felt the swing move and realized he’d left, the shaft of pain through her heart had taken her breath away. She hadn’t even known it was possible, but the pain she felt right then was even worse than her teenage heartache. Back then, her pain had been from unrequited love. This time around, it was from the knowledge that if she could have just overcome his past, she could have realized her dreams. If only she had been stronger.
It wasn’t long before Cami came to her once again. They sat in silence for a while. Amy had no more words to share the maelstrom of emotions within her heart. Finally, Camislipped her arm around her shoulders. “If only this swing could talk. The stories it could tell. I think all of us have had a crisis of relationship here on the edge of the lake.” She fell silent again for a few minutes then said, “Let’s go back to the manor. It’s getting late.”
Though she didn’t want to, Amy nodded. Dusk was beginning to settle around the lake. Slowly she stood. “Have the others left?”
“Yes. They were getting their things together to leave when I came here.”
Grateful for that much, Amy followed behind Cami along the path among the trees. As they walked side by side across the back yard, Cami slipped her arm around her waist, and Amy returned the gesture. She was so thankful for Cami’s presence in her life. Amy was sure it was difficult to see her and Will upset since she loved them both.
No one questioned her when she got to the manor. Cami ushered her up the stairs to her room. “Isabella’s here, and I’m sure she’s going to want to say goodnight in a little while.”
“That’s fine. I’ll just take a shower and get ready for bed. Bring her in when it’s time for her to go to sleep.”
Feeling marginally better after her shower, she was able to say goodnight to Isabella without her asking any questions. And though she’d worried she wouldn’t be able to sleep, by the time Amy crawled into bed, exhaustion brought on by her emotional turmoil pulled at her, and she slipped into the blissful oblivion of sleep.
She woke the next morning hoping it had all been a nightmare, but that thought was quickly pushed aside by reality. As she sat on the edge of the bed trying to find the strength to face the day, her phone rang. Her heart pounded as she reached for it. Looking at the display, she saw it was Sammi. Though she wanted to share everything that had happened with her best friend, Amy didn’t think she had theability to do it right then. She contemplated not answering, but she figured Sammi would just keep calling back.
“Hello?”
“Amy! Can you make it here by Wednesday?” Sammi asked without any preamble.
“What? Why?”
“They’ve decided to do interviews for substitute teachers at my school. Apparently they lost a couple over the summer to other schools. We just found out today. They’re doing interviews over the next couple of days. I put your name down for an interview on Wednesday. I vouched for you, so they were willing to include you without your resume. Just bring it with you when you come.”
Amy let out a long breath.Home. Suddenly she knew it was where she wanted—needed—to be right then. She didn’t care what it took, she would make it to that interview. “I will make sure I’m there.”
“Excellent! I can’t wait to see you!”
“Me either. We need to have a serious talk, but right now I need to get off the phone and make arrangements to fly tomorrow. It’s probably going to cost me a fortune, but I need that job.”
“I can’t guarantee you’ll get hired, but I know for sure you won’t be if you’re not here. So get your butt home.”
Amy knew that it would be okay for her to leave now that Cami and Josh were there to help Jessa and Lance. And maybe focusing on her future was what she needed right now. That and the sanctuary of her home.
She quickly got dressed, once again forgoing the makeup, and then headed downstairs. Cami, Josh and Lance were in the kitchen when they got there and looked at her expectantly as she rushed into the room.
“What’s up?” Josh asked.
“Sammi just called. She said she’s arranged an interviewfor me at her school for a substitute teaching position. The interviews are on Wednesday. Is there any way I could get a flight there tomorrow, do you think?” She glanced at Cami and then Lance. “I figured that with Cami and Josh here, you could spare me to do this interview.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I have to drive to Fargo tomorrow to meet with a supplier and can take you to the airport there if you’re okay with not flying out of Minneapolis.” When Amy nodded, Lance said, “Let me go talk to Jessa to see about flights and if they’ll work with when I have to be there.” He stood up and walked toward the door then turned back around. “Roundtrip?”
Amy paused. “I guess.” She looked at Cami and Josh. She really did want to spend more time with them. “Yes. Roundtrip.”
Lance nodded and disappeared.
As she sank down in the chair next to Josh, Cami asked, “How are you doing this morning?”
“Trying to move forward. This interview is an answer to prayer. I need a job.”
“It’s just an interview though, right?” Josh asked. “Not a job offer.”
“No, not a job offer, but I’m trying to think positive. I need something. I can’t just stay here indefinitely.” She swallowed. “Especially now.”
Cami nodded. “I understand.”
Any further conversation was stopped by the arrival of Julia, Isabella, and Cami and Josh’s two kids. Cami and Amy stood up and began to prepare breakfast. They were just getting ready to serve it when Charlotte and Henry walked in the back door.
