Starlight Hill: Complete collection 1-8

by Heatherly Bell

  Sophia didn’t so much walk as slump toward the patio. Outside, she took a seat on a wicker chair and pulled out her phone.

  “What’s up?” Scott asked.

  She flipped through her phone, ignoring him. “Nothing. Just because I didn’t hear you doesn’t mean there’s something wrong.”

  “You stared at your fork for ten minutes.”

  “What, you timed me?”

  “C’mon. You know I won’t tell anyone. Whatever you tell me goes no farther.”

  She stared out into the dark night. “I don’t want to sound like an ungrateful brat.”

  “Too late.” He grinned.

  She didn’t return the smile. “But I didn’t think it would be this hard.”

  The new marriage between her father and Mom couldn’t be easy on Sophia. “The newlyweds?”

  She snorted. “Which ones?”

  “Ah, good point.” They’d had three weddings in the past year. Wallace and Gen were technically the newlyweds now. “I meant the newlyweds you have to live with.”

  She sighed and folded her legs to her chest. “I didn’t think it would be this hard. I want to be happy for my dad. I am, but it’s just that it’s plain—”

  “Weird?”

  “Yeah. And Eileen, I mean, she’s great. But—”

  “Smothering you.”

  “How can I get mad at her for being nice? Folding my laundry, putting it away. Cleaning my bathroom, making my bed.”

  “If you want your privacy, just ask for it. She’ll back off.”

  “This is her house. My Dad sold the house we grew up in, so this is where we live now.”

  “And this is your home too.”

  “No. My home is on 225 Cherryview Lane. That’s where I grew up with my mom and dad, and my sisters. Now strangers live there.”

  “I get it. It’s a tough transition.”

  “No, it’s not! Listen to me. I’m a spoiled brat. This is a beautiful house. It’s a freaking mansion. Our little house was three bedrooms and one bath. Here I have my own bedroom, my own private attached bathroom. I’m such an idiot.” She put her face in her hands.

  “Hey. Billy got my mom this house with his first big baseball contract. But we grew up in a little house, too. I had to share a bedroom with Billy and he used to talk in his sleep. How’d you like to sleep with someone who shouts ‘put me in coach’ when he’s dreaming? Ah, those were good times.”

  “Yeah. Never thought I’d say it but I miss my sisters. Three of us shared one bathroom. One by one they left home and then it was just me and my dad.”

  “You miss that.”

  She shook her head and bit a fingernail. “No. I’m glad he’s happy. He’s got someone. He was alone for a lot of years. Shit. Please, please don’t tell Eileen about any of this. I should have kept my mouth shut.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have. Don’t worry, I can keep a secret.”

  She nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be okay.”

  “You know you can call or text me anytime.”

  “Are you trying to be brother of the year?” She gave him a half-smile. “Because there’s really no contest.”

  “I guess you’re stuck with me.” But there was something else, too, something she wasn’t telling him. It hung between them like an untied rope. “So that’s it? There’s no other problem?”

  “Nope,” Sophia said and wouldn’t meet his eyes.

  Gen stuck her head out the patio door. “Guys, we’re starting.”

  Scott followed Sophia back inside, certain there was a lot more she wasn’t telling him.

  The comment section on the “Someday My Prince Will Come” video had turned nasty.

  Many commenters were mean spirited about whether or not someone of Diana’s size should have been wearing skimpy lingerie at all.

  She’s a big girl. Leave that kind of thing to women who have the right figure for it.

  You’re all a bunch of haters! Let the girl eat whatever she wants. She’s big and beautiful.

  What’s wrong with all of you? When we’ve come to the point in our society where we call this girl fat, then something is really wrong. She’s a normal sized woman, with an ass on her. We’re supposed to have an ass!

  Just because it’s in doesn’t mean she should be in it!

  I have a diet plan that could work. My sister lost fifty pounds on the …

  Diana had probably gained another five pounds since arriving in town, and all these comments only made her want to eat more cinnamon rolls.

  Gran sat next to Diana on the couch while they watched The Bachelorette. Well, Gran was watching. Diana was glued to her phone. “This girl doesn’t have a lick of sense. Why not pick the guy in the tuxedo? Look how classy he is!”

  “Who cares?” Diana sighed, looking up from the comment section. “Gran, I think I’m fat.”

  Gran waggled her finger. “You’re not fat, you’re big boned. Tall. Like me. It’s the German in you.”

  “I’ve gained weight since I broke up with Bradley.”

  “But you’re not fat.”

  She had to do something and do it soon. “I’m going to start running every day, twice a day. And you need to stop feeding me. Don’t let me have any food, no matter how much I beg!”

  Gran’s hand went to her neck. At this point she was probably wondering which one of them needed to be put in a home. “Stop talking crazy.”

  Diana had to re-arrange a few items on her to-do list. No problem. So she’d lose ten pounds, get Mom to forget about the nursing home, find a job and an apartment, interview a few firefighters for her article, write it, and get the video down. Her list was getting long, but no matter. She could handle it. It was her new life and she had met a few challenges along the way. All normal and to be expected.

  “I’m going jogging right now.” No time like the present. If she put it off until tomorrow, then it would be a week before she started. By now she knew all the tricks up her subconscious sleeve. I’ll jog after I finish reading this paragraph. This page. This book. Hehehe. No more tricks. She’d outsmarted herself.

  “I need some sweats or jogging clothes. Can I borrow something of yours?”

  A few minutes later, Diana was slipping on a pink velour track suit with white piping that was about two sizes too big.

  “Jogging is for the feeble-minded,” Gran said. “But if you insist on running I’ll make you a nice dinner to replenish your strength.”

  “No need,” Diana said on her way out the door. “I think I’ll have a tomato for dinner.”

  Ignoring Gran’s horrified look, Diana was out the door and jogging down the street. It had been a long time since she’d been jogging. Junior high possibly, if she recalled. She only started wheezing by the second block. No matter, she thought, as she gasped for breath. This would get easier by tomorrow. But right now she needed to take a break. She stopped in front of a house with a black pickup truck in the carport and a man under it, big work boots sticking out the side.

  “Excuse me, sir?” She managed to gasp. Starlight Hill being the small and sometimes friendly town that it was, she was fairly certain the man would get her a drink of water. Or maybe call nine-one-one.

  She heard the squeaky sound of the wheels on the rolling cart as the man came out from under the truck and stood. Oh crap. Scott. Nine-one-one had arrived. He ambled over, long legs covered with well-worn faded jeans hanging low on his hips. A white t-shirt streaked with grease stains clung to his skin. Fantastic. So this would make twice now that he’d saved her life?

  “Are you okay?”

  She bent over, holding the stitch in her side. “Fine, thanks. How are you? I just need a drink of water. Please?”

  She staggered to the curb and sat her big ass down.

  Of course Scott was back in two seconds with a cold bottle of water, which he handed to her. “Drink.”

  She did, taking a few long gulps before she dared to look at him again, sitting next to her on the curb. “What are you doing her
e?”

  “I live here.” He gestured to the home behind them.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you lived so close to my grandmother?”

  “It didn’t come up. And in Starlight Hill, everything is close anyway.” His sharp quick eyes appraised her jogging suit. “That’s a new look for you.”

  Maybe she’d have to start jogging in the dark. “It’s my grandmother’s.”

  A hint of a smile stayed on his lips. “Looks a little big on you.”

  “I’ll fit into it in no time the way I’m going.” She couldn’t help the thought that immediately formed, unreasonable though it sounded. She pointed at Scott. “Your sister-in-law is a menace.”

  He leaned back. “Don’t let my brother hear you say that. He’s the over-protective kind and that’s his wife you’re talking about.”

  “Let’s see how he feels when he’s gained thirty pounds and can’t see his own feet.”

  “Nah, the weight will all go to his head.”

  Diana laughed despite her current lack of oxygen. “Are you calling your brother a fathead?”

  “Well, I did that when I was eight and he wouldn’t let me have gummy worms for breakfast.”

  “Bastard.” She took off her glasses and wiped the lenses, then slipped them back on.

  Scott studied her like she hadn’t just collapsed in front of his sidewalk, sweaty hair plastered to her forehead, wearing her grandmother’s pink track suit. There was a gaze of male appreciation in his eyes. Something must really be wrong with this guy. He did have two older brothers. Maybe he’d been dropped on his head as a child.

  She cleared her throat. “Any luck taking that video down?” She pretty much realized it was hopeless, but giving up couldn’t be part of the repertoire.

  “Not yet,” he said, still watching her. “Is anyone bothering you about it?”

  She didn’t really want to tell him. Knowing Scott, he’d try to fix it for her. “Not really. I just hear the occasional snicker when I walk by.”

  “Don’t let them get to you. If you want me to talk to someone, let me know.”

  “Um, okay. What are you going to do? Knock ‘em out?”

  He sighed. “Diana, violence never solved anything.”

  “I know that! I wasn’t suggesting that you—”

  The grin became a full-on smile. The man was teasing her. “But there would be some knocking, if it’s needed.”

  “Okay, then.” She rose from the curb, holding tight to her water bottle. “I better go. I have a tomato waiting for me. Thanks for the water. I guess that’s twice now you’ve saved my life.”

  His eyebrow quirked up. “Hey. Why not run with me sometime?”

  “No thanks. I don’t think I could keep up with you. And you’d make fun of me. Plus, from now on I’m running in the dark.”

  He flashed her a lazy bedroom smile that made her womb contract. “I’d go easy on you.”

  Why did it sound like he’d just said something sexual? They were still talking about running, right? “Well—”

  “Tomorrow night, eight o’clock. It’ll be dark enough.” Then he slid under the truck before she could say anything else.

  Diana headed towards Gran’s house and limped the rest of the way back.

  Keeping busy at this time of the year always helped.

  That’s what tonight’s oil change on his truck was all about, even if Scott could have pushed it for another thousand miles. He needed more things to do right now, while he waited to be called up to the wildfires, while he waited for … something. Absolution? Forgiveness? It hadn’t come yet but for the life of him he still hoped. Anyway, he hadn’t run or trained with someone in a long while. Just one more thing to keep him busy. Jake had been gone almost four years now, and whenever August approached Scott got restless. Angry. Frustrated. He figured the emails would start again soon, and ruin what was left of his summer. For now, he tried damn hard not to think about it.

  Diana was a more than welcome diversion. She made him smile, a tough thing to do these days.

  Even if he’d recently put his mind to more important stuff than when he’d get laid again, something happened every time he noticed Diana, whether walking towards the bakery or collapsing on his front lawn. A thick coil of energy pulsed between them strong and thick enough to feel like a living breathing thing. He’d catch himself staring and then force himself to snap out of it. But the spark between them wasn’t entirely unwelcome since it reminded him he was alive, which was particularly important to an adrenaline junkie. He might have left the high value long-range targets behind, but he still couldn’t help feeling antsy in this small town.

  He cleaned up and went inside, grabbed a shower and a beer and flipped on the television to CNN. Considering they were in the middle of the biggest drought in recent history, it was no wonder that the forest fires were raging out of control. The forests were dried up tinder and one small spark could take it all to hell. He grabbed his phone and pulled up the CalFire app. The Straylor fire in Lassen County was the latest, one thousand acres so far and 30% contained. It bothered him when everything was so out of control. When it felt like there weren’t enough resources, enough bodies to win the battle.

  Speaking of battles, he checked his email for the fourth time. No emails yet, a good thing. When they did come, they usually came fast and furious, one right after the other. Angry and wild accusations: where were you? He needed you.

  Scott didn’t have an answer that would satisfy her when there wasn’t one good enough for him either. Sleep came fitfully later that night, and in his dreams he struggled to get to Jake. This time a wall of fire (what else?) stopped Scott from getting to him in time. He jerked awake, once again covered in sweat and guilt.

  No use trying to go back to sleep, so he was up at zero dark thirty. Since Wallace and the crew were between jobs Scott went to work on his own place. He sanded the wall in the family room until it was as smooth as a piece of paper. It took hours but was good, hard, body-numbing work. He stopped long enough to eat lunch, check his emails and the CalFires and then taped, lay plastic down and painted the wall for the fifth time. No matter how many coats, always seemed this wall needed another one. It pissed him off that one coat couldn’t be enough. Or two. Or three. This wall was needy. Porous. It was the texturing, maybe. Maybe if he had a less pansy-ass wall.

  His phone rang, and caller ID told him it was Billy. Scott quickly wiped his hands clean with the paint rag and answered. “What’s up?”

  “Not much. Could use your help here. You busy?”

  Scott cleared his throat. He knew all too well what this was about. “I’m fine.”

  “Is that what I asked?”

  “Look, you’re just calling because Wallace is worried. Tell him to stop acting like a little girl.”

  “Hell, no. You tell him.” Billy laughed.

  “Just because he gives me the day off and I’m not working at the station doesn’t mean he’s got to worry.”

  “It’s that time of the year. And it’s not just him. We all worry. Hell, Brooke is worried. And you know how I hate it when she worries.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, I know. Means she’s too distracted to love on you.”

  “Any emails?”

  “Not yet.” They never came this early anyway.

  “Ignore them when they start up again. Why haven’t you changed your email address, dude? This is unfair. You’re not to blame.”

  They could argue that point all day long, and Scott didn’t want to argue with Billy. His family was worried. He got that. “Hey, don’t worry okay? I’ve got plans this evening.”

  “Oh yeah? Tell me it’s with a girl.”

  “Well, yeah.” Billy didn’t need to know that it was with the one girl who would barely give him the time of day, even if he still couldn’t remember why.

  They hung up. One more time checking his CalFire app and email and Scott noticed the shadows lengthening. End to another bitching day. Finally it was time for the
one thing he’d looked forward to all day. He cleaned up quickly, threw paint brushes in a sink filled with water, and hit the shower for a quick soak. He grabbed his ruck pack, two water bottles, and was out the door.

  Diana waited for him outside Mrs. Paulsen’s, wearing an oversized gray sweatshirt and matching sweat pants.

  “Hey. You ready?” he asked.

  Diana gave him a long look. “Look at that. You showed up.”

  That’s when it hit him. Crap, he really was an idiot. Twelve years ago. The lake. Diana. He’d worked up the nerve to ask her out that summer and she’d shocked the hell out of him by agreeing. They were supposed to meet at the lake, but he’d never made it there. That particular night had managed to change the trajectory of his life, and so it was no wonder considering the event that he’d forgotten it was the same night he was supposed to meet Diana. He had a damned good reason for standing her up, not that he wanted to share it with her.

  No wonder she’d been pissed.

  “Yoo hoo, Scott! Thank you for running with my granddaughter. I wouldn’t want her to get kidnapped by one of these horrible ax murderers I see on Dateline.” Mrs. Paulsen waved to him from behind her screened door.

  “No problem, Mrs. P.” He waved back.

  “Sure, because there are so many bad guys hiding out in Starlight Hill, home of the grape.” Diana rolled her eyes.

  “Hey, you never know. Let’s go.” He took off at an easy jog and waited for Diana to catch up.

  Should he cop to remembering now? Apologize? Would it even matter? He headed towards the high school where they could run around the track a few times. He liked to run the hills, but Diana wasn’t ready for that. About four blocks into their run, she proved him right by lagging behind. He slowed to a near walk just to stay with her. Then he used an old boot camp trick and stood behind her, egging her on.

  When she tried stopping, he’d give her a hand and push her forward. “Keep going.”

  “You’re annoying, in case no one ever told you that,” she said, panting.

  “You can still talk. A good sign.” He nudged her again. “I’ll keep this up until you can’t talk anymore.”