It had to be about Bella.Miles lit up when she was nearby, or when he talked about her.Even when Bella made snippy comments at him, he didn’t flinch.He was her biggest fan.He was proud of her new babysitting endeavor, as he should be.She was an incredibly fast learner, and she kept a great attitude.
Annie wasn’t going to let herself think it had anything to do withher.To Bella’s dismay, Miles wasn’t interested in dating, and he surely wasn’t interested in Annie.
It was time to embrace her new reality.Annie was at her absolute lowest point.She thought making the decision to end things with Roy would be bottom, or the long divorce process, but no.Those were just the steps to where she was now – a dark, cold, rock bottom.
Living with her mother, barely able to pay her bills, scouring for hand-me-down clothes for the kids, all while Roy lived his life essentially unchanged.
The thought of him flared her temper, heat flickering in her chest – but she wasn’t going to focus on that.Bitterness didn’t get her anywhere.It only grew more bitterness, and she didn’t need any more negativity.
It was silly for her to entertain the idea that Miles might be interested in her.Not only because he was a muscular, square-jawed Greek god of a hero firefighter, but because she was not in the place to entertain a romance.She probably never would be, just like her jeans would never fit again.She’d perpetually have yogurt in her hair, and she’d always live in this little house with her mom.
Still.That night, she could think only of him, and as she sat at work the next day, the absurdity of their fire department being out a firetruck was stuck in her mind.
She got an idea, and there was only one person to call with an idea.
“Good morning!”Margie’s voice chirped over the phone, “How are you, Annie?”
“I’m good.How are you?”
“Very good.”
Annie cleared her throat.“Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something.I heard about the fire department needing to raise money to fix the fire engine.”
“Yes, Hank talks about it all the time.It’s a real problem for the community.”
Annie took a deep breath.“What if we held a fundraiser?A gala at Saltwater Cove?We could do it before your busy season starts up again, and…”
Margie squealed, “That’s a wonderful idea.I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it.I’ve been so busy with weddings, but yes, absolutely!”
“I want to help plan it,” Annie said firmly.
Margie was quiet for a moment.“Sure, but honey, you have a lot on your plate.”
“I do, but…” Annie had to take the blob of thoughts she’d been chewing over and force them into words.It was no easy task for an overtired mind, one she was sure would never sleep through the night again.“I don’t want to be excluded from life.I feel isolated enough as it is.I need to give back somehow.”
That was the most she could croak out.She didn’t know if it made sense, or if it justified the depth of her feelings, but there it was.Out in the open.
“Of course, I won’t exclude you!”Margie said.“I understand.Believe me, I understand.”
Warmth flooded her chest.“You do?”
“Better than you know.”Margie cleared her throat.“Okay, I have some contacts and I can start getting some things together.Maybe we can meet up this week to discuss it?Bella can watch the kids, maybe with your mom?”
Bella can watch the kids.It was that easy.She lived just down the street, so she could pop in to help.
Annie felt the skies above her clearing.She would be able to leave the house without worrying about the kids and her mom becoming grievously injured.She could have time to something – anything.Maybe even a haircut!
A weight lifted off Annie’s chest.“I would love that.”
“Lovely!I’ll be in touch!”
Annie ended the call, her chest buoyant and light.
Eleven
After he left Annie’s house that night, his words echoed for days.
We both love being around.
