“Ugh. I don’t want them to sell the lake house!”
“Neither do I! So, here’s what we’re going to do . . .” Alyssa told Lauren what their plans were. “Does that work?”
“Yes. I’ll be there.” Lauren sounded as determined as the rest of them to change their parents’ plans. Selling the lake house was not an option. Not for any of them.
Alyssa jotted a few more things on her list and got to her feet, heading straight back to the grocery store. They would have a lake house saving party instead of wallowing. Now that she had a course of action, she was ready to once again be part of Team Romriell Sisters and save the lake house.
Six
Nick spent all day Saturday boxing up Kami’s things. He was so glad to be rid of her that he didn’t even feel sad. Relief was the only word that came to his mind.
His friend Ryan came over just before suppertime, and he stared at him for a moment. “Why are you building a bonfire on your front lawn? Don’t you know you can’t have bonfires until after the snow melts?”
“You heard, didn’t you?” Nick asked. His friend wasn’t fooling him one bit.
Ryan shrugged, his dark hair flopping over his forehead, and he pushed it back with an annoyed gesture. His hair was always flopping into his eyes. “I did. Kami came into the store today, pleading with me to get you to take her back. She said she made one little mistake, and you couldn’t stay mad at her about it.”
Nick laughed. “I’d already decided to kick her to the curb when I walked in on her with some dude in my bed. That’s not one little mistake. That’s a monumental mistake, and the woman needs to be tarred and feathered.”
“I figured it was something like that. You’re not the type to just kick her out. Even though I thought you should have done it years ago.”
“So, I’m throwing all the pictures of the two of us together into a fire, and I figured I’d burn some old logs and enjoy myself. I might even make s’mores.” Nick shrugged. “I’m thinking about throwing all the bedding the two of them used on there too.”
“You know there’s three feet of snow out there, don’t you?”
“I guess I could do it in my burn barrel, but the dramatic flair of making a bonfire in the middle of winter really appeals to me.”
Ryan laughed. “Well, as long as it appeals to you . . .”
“You wanna help?”
“What I want is to go out with my buddy tonight. We can shoot darts over at Max’s Tavern. It’s been a million years since we’ve done something like that. Kami never wanted me around, and she sure didn’t want to spend an evening without you. Clingy little . . .”
“I can fill in the gaps,” Nick said. “Yeah, let’s do it. I haven’t shot darts in a while. And maybe a game of pool! Does the tavern still make the best chicken fingers in all of Idaho?” He realized that he hadn’t been there since he’d started dating Kami two years prior. It was time for him to go to a place he enjoyed with his friend.
“Sure does.” Ryan grabbed Nick’s coat from the closet and threw it at him, shrugging into his own. “I’m glad you dumped her. It’ll be nice to have my buddy back.”
“Sure will.” Nick locked up with a new key. He’d changed the locks first thing that morning. Thankfully, he’d had an extra lock on his truck, because he hadn’t wanted to face Ryan, who had always been quietly disapproving of Kami. And Ryan owned the only hardware store for thirty minutes in every direction. Besides, he wasn’t about to give his business to the hardware store in Montpelier when he could give it to his friend. “So, how’s business these days?”
As Nick drove toward the tavern, the two men caught up on each other’s lives.
“I’m working for the Simmons couple. In Garden City. Mrs. Simmons will not quit coming onto me.” Nick described some of the awkward conversations he’d had with Mrs. Simmons in the past few weeks. “I’d decided to keep Kami around until I finished the job, and then I was getting rid of her. It was easy to say, ‘I’m an engaged man,’ to get her off my back.”
Ryan laughed. “Mrs. Simmons, huh? She’s always seemed a little too wild for her husband.”
“Oh, trust me. That’s very true.” Nick shook his head. “I guess I’ll just have to keep reminding her that she’s married and tell her I don’t believe in cheating.” Which was of course true. He just hadn’t wanted to have to go there with the sex-crazed woman.
“So, what’s lined up next?”
“I wasn’t lining up another job so I could help Kami pack when I kicked her out. I guess that plan is gone, and I need to find something. If you hear of anyone looking to have a remodel done, you just let me know. I’ll handle it.”
Ryan nodded. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. I always hear when someone wants something done. Well, usually I hear them complaining that they can’t do it themselves first, but you know I’ll turn them onto you as fast as I can.”
“I appreciate it.” Nick pulled into the parking lot of Max’s, and they both got out, stomping through the snow that was falling on them. “First food, then darts, and then pool. I’m going to kick your butt at all of it.”
Ryan laughed. “You’re rusty, old man. I’d be surprised if you could figure out which end of a pool stick to use to hit the ball.”
The tavern was more than fifty years old, but it had changed hands in recent years, and the outside had seen a fresh coat of paint. Inside, the barstools had been reupholstered with a green fabric, and the darts had been added. There were now televisions in every corner of the place, and there was always a sports game on. Not many women went there, because it wasn’t geared toward women. It certainly wasn’t a fancy nightclub. Instead it was a place for men to kick back together and enjoy their evenings after a hard day. Nick had done most of the work alongside their friend, Max. It had definitely been worth the effort, now that he could use it.
Nick was greeted by many old friends, most of whom had no idea he’d broken it off with Kami, and he had no desire to tell them any differently. They plopped down at the bar and ordered, each of them getting a soft drink. Ryan’s parents had been killed by a drunk driver in high school, and Ryan had moved in with Nick’s family. They’d both promised they would never drink, and to Nick’s knowledge, neither of them had ever broken the promise.
The tavern wasn’t a place where the tourists came, and that was nice for both men. They enjoyed their time together, playing games, eating, and hanging out with other locals.
Max came out from behind the bar and threw darts with them until the place got busy and he had to actually work. The three of them had gone to school together, and Nick considered Max one of his closest friends. Everyone in town was thankful for the money that the tourists brought to the economy, but they were glad to see them go.
When they switched to shooting pool, they started talking wagers.
“Loser has to finish packing up all those boxes.”
“Worse. Loser has to sleep with Kami!” Nick said, a grin on his face.
“Oh, that’s low. Good thing her brother’s not here.”
“Like her brother is ever in town. He moved to Logan to get rid of the small-town feel. So did her parents. I hope she stays there with them.” Nick really didn’t want to see Kami all over town. He didn’t want to have to deal with her anymore. Why should he? The engagement was broken, and he had washed his hands of her.
An old friend of Nick’s named Peter heard the way they were talking. “You broke things off with Kami?” he asked.
Nick nodded. “It was time.”
“I’m sure it was. Glad you got rid of her finally. The stories I hear about the men who came and went from your house . . . I swear the woman must’ve been paid for her favors.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” Nick wasn’t sure what kind of friend would keep something like that to himself.
“I didn’t think you’d believe me.”
“Well, I believe you today. I found her in bed with another man when I went home a little
early yesterday. I guess she’s been playing me for a fool for longer than I’d guessed.”
Peter shook his head. “Most men have a blind spot when it comes to girls like Kami. They have two sides, and only one of them is real. You never saw the real side of her.”
“I know.” Nick thought about what his friend had said as he played the next game, though, feeling as if he’d been played for a fool.
On the drive back to his cabin, Nick asked Ryan, “Did you know she was cheating on me?”
Ryan shook his head. “I heard rumors, but I didn’t put any stock in them. If I’d known, I’d have told you. I promise you that.”
“I know you would have. Thanks for getting me out of the house tonight. That was exactly what I needed. A ‘Kami is finally gone’ celebration. It was high time it happened.”
After he was alone, Nick packed up the rest of Kami’s things and piled the boxes neatly in front of the door. He’d carry them all out onto the front porch before work on Monday and pray for snow.
Seven
The party with Alyssa’s sisters went well on Saturday, and they came up with a good solid plan for what to do to keep their parents from selling. At first, it was mostly joking around.
Suggestions like one of them getting pregnant—even though unmarried—so their parents would have grandbabies to play with at the lake abounded. Lauren said she would blockade herself in the lake house and never leave. Kayla offered to make the house a construction zone, and Amanda said she could redecorate to make the house completely unappealing. They discussed the merits of each suggestion as if they were serious, until one of them couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It made for an uproarious time.
Finally, they decided to talk to their parents about putting the house on Airbnb so they would all still be able to use it when they wanted. They could hire someone to clean and maintain the lawn, but their parents wouldn’t be out money for it. Not that money was a huge issue for them. Even now that their father had retired from his TMJ practice, they didn’t have to pinch every penny. He’d worked too hard in his lifetime for that. Alyssa wasn’t sure the plan would work, but they’d had lots of snacks and enjoyed themselves anyway.
As soon as they were done talking about that, the sisters relaxed. Alyssa’s living room easily seated all five of them, and they had sausage rolls, chips and queso, and layered dip to occupy them. No one was complaining. Alyssa had enjoyed having someone to cook for. She didn’t like cooking as a daily thing, but cooking for one event was always fun for her.
As always, the discussion went to the sisters’ love lives.
Lauren looked at Alyssa first. “Are you still dating Tim?” She wrinkled her nose as she said Tim’s name.
Alyssa sighed. “For today I am. I’m not sure how much longer it’s going to last, to be honest with you. Things have been strange between us.” She hated to admit she was ready to throw in the towel, but it was all she’d thought of for more than a week.
Taylor and Amanda exchanged looks.
“Is that good or bad?” Taylor asked.
“I’m not sure. On one hand, if I’m going to move on, I want to do it soon. On the other, I’ve put seven years into the relationship. It’s time for him to fish or cut bait.” Alyssa popped a cake ball into her mouth. She’d hit a bakery the night before to buy them, knowing her sisters would enjoy them but loving the excuse to eat badly herself. By the end of the weekend, they’d be trying to find the blood in her sugar stream.
Amanda smiled. “I think it’s time to cut bait, whether it’s his choice or yours. You don’t need to be married to a man you’re going to have to support for the rest of your life, you know.”
“I do know.” Alyssa shook her head, realizing no one in her life thought much of Tim. “I’m trying to decide what to do, and I’m really torn at the moment. I’ll figure it out, though.”
“I’m just glad you’re finally considering ending it with him,” Kayla said. “You’re getting so thin. We’re all worried about the way he has you eating and exercising. It’s really good to see you eat people food instead of rabbit food today.”
Alyssa frowned, realizing her sisters had all been worried about the way she ate. “Wanna know a secret?” she asked, leaning toward Kayla, who was sitting beside her on the couch.
“Sure. What’s the secret?”
“I have emergency Junior Mints in my car. After a date, I usually scarf them down.”
All the sisters laughed except Lauren. “I hate that you have to eat in secret, Alyssa. It’s not healthy.”
Alyssa was starting to feel ganged up on, and she shrugged. “We should play a game. It’s been so long since we were all together for any period of time . . .” Hopefully her sisters would go for the idea, even though they’d know she was just trying to change the subject. They all loved playing games together.
“Do you still have Encore?” Amanda asked, naming a favorite game they all enjoyed. It had been out of print for years, and they all clung to their copy as best they could.
“I do! But I get to be on your team!” Alyssa knew that her sister had a memory for songs like no one else in the world, and she always wanted to be on her team when they played the singing game together.
The sisters quickly divided up into teams, and they played an entire game of Encore, which took them several hours. They ended up ordering a pizza and talking until after ten, when the sisters took turns leaving. There were hugs and promises to do it all again soon, but they all knew it wouldn’t happen. It was a rare thing for them all to take time out of their busy lives to get together, but they were always glad when they did.
Alyssa had told the others to leave the mess, and she spent the hour after her last sister left running around picking up their trash from the day. She loaded the dishwasher, pleased that her snacks had gone over so well. The entire day had felt so good to her. She’d been busy laughing with people she loved.
When her doorbell rang, she glanced at the clock with a frown. One of her sisters must have forgotten something, and it must have been something important or they wouldn’t have come back this late at night.
She opened the door wide without looking, surprised to see two police officers standing on her doorstep. Had they been so loud one of the neighbors called the police? She didn’t think they had, but they must have been. It was the only reason she could think of that the police would be there.
The taller—and older—officer removed his hat. “Miss Romriell?”
“Yes, I’m Alyssa Romriell. How can I help you?” Now she was nervous. Had one of her sisters been in an accident on their way home from her house? There’d been no alcohol involved, but they had all left late. “Are my sisters all right?”
“May we come in?” The older officer was obviously taking the lead in the discussion.
Alyssa opened the door a little wider, leading them into the living room. “It’s a bit of a mess. My sisters were here all day, and they just left. I’m cleaning up the last vestiges of the best sister party we’ve had in a very long time.” She smiled at them nervously, wondering why she was talking so much.
“Please have a seat, Miss Romriell.”
She knew it was bad, whatever they were there for. She sank onto the couch and watched as the two police officers sat in the overstuffed, flower-printed chairs perpendicular to the couch. “What is it?”
“I’m sorry to inform you that your parents were in a car accident a few hours ago. Your father died on impact. Your mother was rushed to the hospital, but she died shortly after the ambulance arrived. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
Alyssa shook her head. He had to be confused. “No, that can’t be. They were at the lake this weekend.”
“Yes, the accident happened in Garden City.”
“But my sisters and I figured out how to save the lake house. . . . We spent hours!”
The officer continued to watch her until it sank into her head. Her parents were just . . . gone. What did saving the lake h
ouse matter when her parents would never be in it with her again?
She let out a sob, stuffing her fist in her mouth to keep herself from wailing like a child. Gone. No more parents.
“I . . . what do I do?” She’d never dealt with this type of thing before, and she didn’t feel equipped to do it.
The kind officer handed her a card with a phone number on it. “Call this number, and someone will help guide you through the next steps. Do you know if your parents had a will?”
She nodded. “Yes, of course.”
“Contact the lawyer who represented them, and ask for a reading of the will. He’ll help you with the process.” It was advice that the man had obviously given many times.
The officer got to his feet, and the younger officer followed suit, speaking for the first time. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” The words were worthless. Everything was worthless now.
She saw the officers out and picked up her phone. It was late, but she needed to tell Tim first. He needed to be there for her. She tapped his number on the phone and closed her eyes.
He answered the phone, and she could hear loud music in the background. She wasn’t surprised he was at a party. It was Saturday night, after all.
“Hullo?”
“Tim, it’s Alyssa.”
“What are you doing calling me so late?” he asked. He sounded annoyed with her.
She frowned. “I just wanted you to know that my parents died in a car wreck.”
“Do your sisters know yet? I think you should be calling them, not me.” Tim sounded as if he was talking to a small child, questioning her decision to call him and not someone more appropriate.
“Sure. I’ll do that.” She hung up and called her sisters. She’d go in age order again, because she was on autopilot now. She had to tell everyone who loved Mom and Dad. Everyone who would grieve with her over the death of her parents. Tim hadn’t cared. Why should he? He obviously cared nothing for her any longer, if he ever had.
Changing Dreams (Bear Lake Dreamers Book 1) Page 4
