by Tessa Gray
He cocked his head, listening to Stephanie’s response.
“Well, I do need help desperately, and to be honest, you’re the only one who’s shown up for their scheduled interview. You seem like a nice lady.”
“Then you’ll hire me?” Meredith unclenched her fists and stood at full attention now.
“Stop by on Monday. I’ll start training you. And don’t worry about those other references. Sheila generally lets me hire whoever I can work with. And I think, based on what you’ve said, I’d like to give you a shot at the job.”
Adam exhaled sharply, knowing full well that despite his misgivings about whether or not Meredith seemed the type to enjoy waiting on people, she probably deserved a chance. But how she’d manage a job, going to college, and raising two kids was anyone’s guess.
~ ~ ~
On Saturday afternoon, Meredith and her mother stood inside Ivey’s Emporium sampling several of the coffees the owner had set out for their customers. Katrina seemed pleased with the small, quaint shops in the downtown section of Alpine. Meredith held her breath, hoping her mother wouldn’t have anything negative to say about the town she was slowly beginning to consider home.
Carly and Travis were directly across the street sitting on the bench in front of the Alpine Train Depot. As they pointed at the railroad tracks, Meredith was grateful the children obeyed her orders not to walk near the tracks. She made a mental note to take them on a train ride before too much time had passed.
Things were beginning to fall into place. She’d begin her job at the diner on Monday and had received an “A+” on her first exam. Things suddenly looked fairly promising. Of course, she regretted running into Adam Lightfoot the day she’d interviewed for the position at the diner. Although she had little interest in what his opinion was of her, she couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of the way she finagled her way into getting that waitress job. She’d all but gotten on her knees and begged Stephanie to hire her. In the end, it had paid off, and she’d landed the job.
She wondered what Adam Lightfoot thought of her, this standoffish intellectual who rarely smiled. His sullen demeanor and serious ways piqued her curiosity. He probably considered her a complete airhead.
Why are you even wasting your time thinking about this guy?
“Want to bring our coffees outside, Mom? We can sit and watch the kids. They do love that train station.” Meredith assumed her mother would be on board with the idea, but to her surprise, Katrina seemed less than enthralled with the idea.
“I can’t believe you let those babies run wild like this. Just because they’re nine and thirteen doesn’t mean they don’t need to worry about strangers. Whatever happened to stranger danger?”
Meredith considered reminding her mother that most children were harmed by people they knew, not strangers, but that would prove futile. Katrina had her own opinions about everything. And really, the last thing Meredith needed at this point was to butt heads with her. Her only goal now was to get her mother out of town, so she could get back to focusing on her studies.
“Let’s go across the street and get the kids. The train station is really cool, Mom. Maybe the next time you come we can all take a train ride.”
“I suppose.”
The two women crossed the street and made their way inside the train station, following Meredith’s children.
A gray-haired woman smiled at them from the ticket window as they entered. “Hello, ladies. It’s a glorious day out there, isn’t it?”
“It surely is. I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Meredith Chapman and this is my mother, Katrina Gustafson.”
“I’m Ellie. There’s a train about to pull in from Marfa. These kids have been waiting for twenty minutes to see who’s on it. Kids. They’re so curious, aren’t they?” After she spoke, she smiled, her eyes twinkling.
“Mommy, can we go back outside and watch the people get off the train? Let’s go watch,” Travis asked as he reached over, grabbing his mother’s hand. Meredith smiled at her son, realizing there would come a day when watching trains would no longer hold his attention.
Enjoy the moment.
She felt herself relax for the first time in weeks. Maybe this was a new beginning. Things appeared to be falling into place. If she could just get her mother out of town, then everything would be perfect.
“I guess Travis won’t let this go. We may as drag ourselves back outside and watch the people get off the train. Can’t believe that’s the highlight of my grandson’s weekend.” Katrina shook her head as she spoke and began making her way back outside.
The women stood ten feet from the tracks, listening to the train’s high-pitched whistle as it rounded the bend. Judging by the silhouettes at the train’s window, it was packed. But, of course, the Marfa Art Show was this weekend.
Meredith gazed up at the hills and decided that as towns went, Alpine had been a good choice.
The woman named Ellie sauntered over and joined them on the train’s platform. “Guess I’m a kid at heart, I can’t resist coming out here to watch. You have to admit, not every town has a train station. We’re mighty fortunate.”
“That we are.” Meredith barely got the words out when the train’s brakes squealed. Several seconds passed before a flurry of passengers began emerging from the train cars.
She recognized a group of college students, and directly behind them stood Adam Lightfoot. Initially Meredith thought he hadn’t seen her, but when he dipped his head, she realized he had. Still reeling from the fact she’d humiliated herself at Penny’s Diner, begging Stephanie to hire her as he looked on, Meredith made the decision to ignore him. Besides, her mother wouldn’t like him.
But the man was hard to miss since he towered over the other passengers, his broad shoulders perfectly squared as he stood, waiting for several of the ladies to exit. When an elderly woman struggled with the step, he jumped off the train and assisted her. He placed an arm about her, protectively, as though she might break if he let go.
“Hello, Meredith.” He hesitated for a few seconds, his dark eyes glistening as though he expected her to respond. When she didn’t return the greeting, the light in his eyes dimmed. His jaw was clenched now, his expression pinched as he shook his head slowly.
Initially, Meredith felt as though she’d gotten even with Adam Lightfoot for the time he’d turned down her invitation to join him for lunch at the college, but when she studied the way his eyes narrowed, and the flush of red sweeping across his face, she regretted snubbing him.
Turning away from her, Adam strode over to where his car was parked and left Meredith standing there, ashamed of herself.
After he’d gone, Katrina grabbed her by the arm. “There’s a lot of those types out here. I noticed that the minute I arrived. Watch yourself or you’ll end up with one of them.”
Her mother’s comment sickened her. Unable to let the remark pass, Meredith scolded her mom. “Exactly what types are you talking about?”
“He’s Indian . . . at least, he looks like he is. Don’t get hooked up with someone like that. It’s pretty common knowledge his type have their fair share of drinking problems.”
“The politically correct term, Mother, is Native American. And for your information, Adam works at the college as a professor. From what I hear, he’s a very good one.”
“Just don’t get mixed up with his kind.” Katrina stared into the distance, her eyes clouding.
Meredith clenched her fists, furious her mother was judging a man she knew absolutely nothing about. But as angry as she was with Katrina, she was even angrier with herself. She had the perfect opportunity to introduce her mother to Adam Lightfoot, but she hadn’t. Instead, she acted as though she’d never seen him before.
She looked over at Carly and Travis, wondering if she’d pass on the same prejudices a
s those she’d been raised with. Her heart sank as she realized the window of opportunity to do the right thing had passed. Vowing to do better next time the opportunity to stand up for someone presented itself, she hung her head.
Glancing back up at the hillside as several tumbleweeds slowly blew across the landscape, she exhaled. A feeling of impending doom washed over her as she contemplated how different life would be in Alpine. Could she adjust to the simple lifestyle out here? And more importantly, would she have what it took to be a successful student at the college? And was she really cut out to be a teacher — to be the kind of role model students deserved.
Within seconds, her mind drifted back to Adam Lightfoot. She reflected back on the conversation she’d had at the Student Union with Courtney Welsh. The girl had sung the praises of Adam, expressing her admiration for a man who never charged the students he tutored a dime, but instead, asked them to give back to the community by “passing it on.”
Why did he feel compelled to give back in the first place? That was the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. There was more to Adam Lightfoot than met the eye.
She was just about to say something about her mother’s reaction to Adam when both children galloped up to her. “I’m hungry, Mom. Can we get something to eat?” Carly’s voice had an edge to it, and Meredith lamented that her daughter rarely called her “Mama” anymore.
“I made reservations for us at the Reata. It’s really the only decent restaurant in town.” Katrina shrugged after she made the declaration, as though waiting for Meredith to agree with her.
There was no truth to the remark. Alpine had several other good restaurants. But Meredith decided to pick her battles wisely. She wouldn’t argue with her mother about something this trivial.
Katrina placed her arm on Meredith’s shoulder and guided her over to where the car was parked. When she spoke, there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “I give you three months. You’ll never be able to last longer out here in the middle of nowhere.” The comment stung, reminding of how little faith her mother had in her.
“That’s ridiculous. Of course I’ll last longer than three months. I need a full year to finish up my studies.”
Katrina tossed back her head, that perfectly coiffed hairstyle not moving an inch. “If you had a lick of sense you’d move back home where you belong. Forget this nonsense about trying to support yourself and just focus on landing a rich husband who can take care of you.”
As she listened to her mother ramble on and on, doling out unsolicited advice, Meredith realized that her mother hadn’t a clue what she was going through. She’d never had to put up with a philandering husband.
Meredith continued walking, inhaling the fresh air. But when she remembered that she’d denied Adam Lightfoot’s existence, ignoring him when he got off the train, she felt another enormous pang of guilt.
You’re a work in progress, Meredith Chapman. You’ve still got a long was to go.
Chapter 5
The following Tuesday, Adam finished washing the last of the beer mugs and carefully arranged them so they all fit beneath the bar’s storage unit. The haphazard way Jake arranged them was frustrating. But then again, it was Jake Crenshaw’s bar. He could arrange them any way he wanted.
Stepping back to examine them, he contemplated whether Jake would end up rearranging them the same old way once he returned. He quickly poked fun at himself for making such a big deal out of arranging glasses. Maybe living alone was taking a toll on him.
Glancing at his watch, he realized it was already noon and he hadn’t cleaned out the back room. He reached over to the coffeepot and poured himself a fourth cup. Time to cut back, he was so jacked up on caffeine he could barely function. Of course, he’d been that way ever since Meredith Chapman had blown him off at the train station. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what her deal was.
Maybe he was blowing this whole thing way out of proportion, trying to imagine what he’d done to piss her off. In all likelihood, he’d done nothing, and she was just a conceited jerk.
Picking up his coffee, he grabbed a jacket and headed outside toward the picnic tables.
Just as he settled onto the bench, he took a gulp of his brew and heard someone laughing in the distance. The low-pitched voice sounded like a guy, the other, he couldn’t quite decide.
A higher-pitched voice caught his attention. “Come on, Josh. Let’s head over to the Alpine Station and hop a train. I saw someone do it on TV one time. It looks like fun.”
Scrambling over to where two figures crouched behind a bush, as though trying to hide, Adam quickly identified both kids. One was Carly Chapman, Meredith’s daughter; the other, Josh Hogan, the local barber’s son.
He stood quietly, waiting for both kids to exit the bushes. When they didn’t, he moved things along.
“Okay, I know you’re in there. Get out here. Now.”
Carly emerged first, her head bowed. Next came Josh who looked Adam squarely in the eye. “You’re not going to tell my dad about this, are you, Mr. Lightfoot?”
“That you’re skipping school? As a matter of fact, I am going to tell your dad, Josh. For that matter, your mother needs to know, as well.”
The girl took an entirely different approach. Crossing her arms, she continued staring at the ground, refusing to make eye contact. “My mom won’t care. She used to do things like this all the time.”
As Adam studied Carly’s body language, he wondered if the girl was right in saying Meredith wouldn’t care if she skipped school. While he didn’t know Meredith well enough to ascertain whether or not she’d skipped school in her youth, it really wasn’t relevant. Carly needed to own up to what she’d done.
He motioned them over to a nearby picnic table. All three flopped down, and he spoke to Josh first. “Do you have a cell phone?”
“Yes, sir, I do.” Josh kept his head bowed.
“Then get it out and call one of your parents. Tell them to get down here and pick you up.” Adam’s voice was stern.
“I can just walk over to my dad’s shop; it’s not that far,” Josh said, motioning down toward the direction of the shop.
“Nice try, Josh. No, either your dad or mom needs to come here and pick you up. I need to actually see them come get you.”
“I’ll get in trouble, Mr. Lightfoot.”
Adam had to bite his lip from doling out the usual, ‘You should have thought of that before you screwed up.’ He tried a more non-conventional approach. “You’re probably familiar with Isaac Newton’s third law, right?”
Carly looked at Adam, scrunching up her face, but Josh grinned and nodded. "Yes, sir. I’m familiar with it.”
“You might want to tell your friend who skipped school with you what I’m talking about.”
After Adam said it, Josh filled Carly in. “Newton said that ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ I guess that means that there are consequences for our actions.”
“Okay, you two. We’ve spent enough time discussing Newton. It’s time to call your parents.”
Josh went first, and Adam could tell by all the times he used the word, “Ma’am,” he was talking to his mother. When the boy dipped his head several times and kept saying, “I’m so sorry,” it was clear Mrs. Hogan was furious with her son. Once she arrived, Adam realized he’d need to talk her down a bit. Josh wouldn’t be the first kid to skip school.
“Now you, Carly. Phone your mother.”
Carly pulled her phone out and stared at it. Raking a hand through her hair, she glared at him. “This is stupid. My mom doesn’t care what I do.”
He refused to take the bait. “Call her, Carly. Now.”
“Fine.” As Carly made the call to her mother, Adam watched her hands trembling. She blinked back tears, but quickly brushed them away.
“Carly, would you like me to talk to her?”
The girl sniffed loudly and handed him the phone.
“Meredith, it’s Adam Lightfoot. Your daughter skipped school today. She’s down here at Jake’s bar.” When there was total silence on the other end of the phone, he wondered if he’d lost the connection. “Meredith? Carly’s here with me, she’s-”
“Yes, yes, Adam. I heard you. Can you give me a couple of minutes? I need to find Stephanie and tell her I need to leave.” Meredith’s voice trailed, and he felt almost sorry for a woman with so much on her plate, and a daughter that seemed to be giving her a run for her money.
~ ~ ~
As Meredith drove over to the bar Adam worked at, she realized that Carly was totally out of control, she had been for some time, but this sealed the deal. This was the third time she’d skipped school, and the fact that she’d pulled Adam Lightfoot into the family saga was humiliating.
What she really wanted to do was walk out to the distant hills and scream as loudly as humanly possible, and promptly knock some sense into her daughter. Thank God Carly had at least waited for Katrina to leave before pulling her latest stunt.
She pulled up to the street in front of Jake’s bar, climbed from the car, and slammed the car door shut.
Adam strode over to meet her, dressed in blue jeans and a red Henley shirt. He glanced down at her, his eyes narrowing and invited her inside.
Embarrassed at Carly’s behavior, she barreled over to the table where her daughter sat.
Wasting no time, she reprimanded the girl. “Carly, I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. This is the third time you’ve skipped school, and I’m at my wit’s end.”
