She hadn’t known that she was worthy of such an attack, but looking at her pictures now, objectively, she realized she had been. They were good… better than good. Now, however, she would never have a chance to work for an organization like Wildlife again, because it was a small community, and word spread. Hope now had a large black mark against her name. Casey Rae Linear and Jay Herald would have seen to that. Her ex-boss and ex-lover.
Helping her mother garden and doing simple things around the house had given her focus. Helped center her. She wasn’t sure what was next for Hope Lawrence, but what surprised her the most was that she was happy to be back here. Even more surprising was that she and her mother were cohabitating without strenuous argument.
This morning, however, her mother had had enough.
“I need you to get some things for me today, Hope. It’s time you left the house.”
And that, as far as her mother was concerned, was that. So here she was, walking down the main street and back into town, praying she didn’t run into anyone who wanted to talk about her work, or even talk to her. Which of course was a faint hope at best. This town was full of people who knew her, after all. Even knowing she was introverted didn’t stop people from wanting to talk to her. Friendly courtesy, Newman would call it.
“Hope Lawrence. Well it’s about time you returned home.”
Her shoulders shot back as she looked at the one woman she could term a friend, loosely, of her mother. Henrietta Roberts Haigh—HRH, everyone called her, when she wasn’t listening. Big, rawboned, and intimidating. She had terrorized the students and young people of Lake Howling for many years. Hope, however, was raised by an equally intimidating person, so she coped better.
“Good morning, Ms. Roberts Haigh.”
“I imagine your mother was pleased to see you after so long. I hope you have returned for good, or at least an extended period?”
“As yet the length is undetermined.”
“Why anyone would leave here is beyond me.” The woman’s eyes narrowed as she glared down at Hope.
“There’s an entire world out there, Mrs. Roberts Haigh. Some of us like to experience it.”
She harrumphed, nodded, then walked away without another word.
Passing the church where she had spent many Sundays, Hope enjoyed the beauty of Howling. She’d brought her camera as she always did, and snapped photos as she reacquainted herself with the rustic buildings and shops that carried names like the Hoot and the Roar. The streets were immaculate as always, and heading into summer the locals were gearing up for a busy season. Not that it wasn’t always busy; this place collected people all year.
“Hey there, Hope.”
Short with honey-colored curls, the immaculately dressed woman before her was nothing like she had once been, brittle and cold. This one was warm and radiated happiness. Macy Reynolds.
“Macy, how are you?” Hope looked at the sign on the window of the shop Macy stood in. “This your store?”
“It is, and if you want anything you let me know, and I’ll give you the discount I do for friends.”
“Ah, sure.” Hope looked down at her clothes. They’d been from a thrift store. Friends? Not likely.
“You staying with your mom?”
“I am, yes.”
“Well, if you want another place, I have the cottage free at the moment. It’s yours if you want. In fact, come in for a sec.”
Macy disappeared, leaving Hope no choice but to follow. She found a big man lounging against the counter.
“Hope, this is Brad, also known as TJ, depending on who you’re talking to.”
Muscled, tanned, and good-looking, the man straightened and gave her an easy smile. His dark hair cut short, he wore a faded T-shirt and denim cutoffs that came to his knees.
“Pleasure to meet you, Hope.”
His drawl told her he was Texan. She kept her distance from him. Hope had always been highly suspicious of men who were too handsome, especially now, after Jay.
She nodded and looked for Macy, who’d disappeared out the back of the shop. Looking around, she saw racks of clothes, and shelves of shoes and accessories. The place made her itch. Hope didn’t frequent these types of stores.
“So, Hope. You’re a local, right?”
“Yes.”
