“I don’t see the harm, Henry,” Mr. Roberts chimed in, like he was entitled to an opinion. “She’s not going to school this fall. She can get a job and make a little money for a while.”
I thought he was out of line, butting into our business. However, since he was siding with me, I didn’t dwell on it.
My dad looked across the table at my mom with a scowl. Still, as he stabbed his mashed potatoes with a fork, he grumbled, “How are you going to get there?”
Chapter Seven
Jessica
I texted Lainey as soon as dinner was over to tell her I could start work tomorrow morning.
Lainey: That’s fantastic news! What time can you get here?
I made some quick time calculations in my head. Ruthie usually woke up around six in the morning. After feeding, burping, and changing her, then showering and getting ready myself, I determined I could get there by eight.
Me: Is 8 a.m. okay?
Lainey: That works perfectly! Oh, Jessica! I’m so excited to have you on board!
Me: My mom agreed to drop me off. Are there any other employees who might be able to give me a ride home? I’m happy to pay.
Lainey: I’m sure we can figure something out.
That was a relief. Mr. Roberts had offered to pick me up if I was unable to get a ride.
He’d always been just another dad at church. After Mrs. Roberts died, I’d seen him at school events with his girls, and nothing about him really stood out, other than maybe he was a little over-protective. But considering the circumstances—Mindy and Melanie venturing into a traditional school, even a small Christian one, for the first time in ninth grade after losing their mom, it’d been understandable.
But tonight, our interaction had just felt plain weird.
Especially after he told me to call him Kevin, then ran his hand up and down my back as he hugged me goodnight before he left.
Ick.
Still, I didn’t dwell on that—I was starting my first real job tomorrow!
Me: I’m really excited! Thank you again for giving me a chance.
Lainey: We’ll see you tomorrow! And please don’t panic if you’re running late. We’re pretty flexible.
Me: Thank you! I’ll see you tomorrow!
There was no way I was going to be late on my first day. I had a great feeling that this could be the beginning of something terrific for me.
Finally, maybe things would start going my way.
~~~~
Spoiler alert: Not even close.
Chapter Eight
Alan
Two days on the road and I was ready to trade my right arm for a good cup of coffee. Fortunately, I knew exactly the place.
As I drove down Main toward Lainey’s bakery, I noticed Haven Springs looked exactly how I’d left it; something I found comforting.
I wasn’t planning on staying in town long. I’d come to return Brian’s truck and spend some time with my little brother, Adam, and his new family before I headed back to Lancastle. My parents were flying in tomorrow to meet Lainey and Conor. At Lainey’s insistence, they were staying with Adam and her. Meanwhile, Brian said I could crash at his place next door since he’d been staying at Jade’s.
