Loving Liam (Cloverleaf #1)

by Gloria Herrmann

  “Well, thank you again, Mom, for the card and lunch. I hope you enjoy your cruise and have a wonderful time,” Rachel said as the two women exited the restaurant.

  “Good luck with the packing.” With a wave, her mother headed for her parking spot, her heels clicking against the concrete quickly.

  Standing outside in the warm weather, Rachel absorbed the loud sounds of traffic. She wondered what her new home would sound like. Thinking about this huge move both excited and scared her.

  ***

  Rachel was taping up another box when her cell phone started to ring. She glanced down to see who was calling and noticed her brother’s number on the screen. “Hey, Ethan,” she answered quickly.

  “Hi, Rachel. Wanted to see what your plans were for Christmas.” Ethan’s voice sounded distant and echoed. He was probably stuck in traffic on his Bluetooth. Rachel pictured him sitting in his Jaguar, irritated at the lines of cars that were probably surrounding him.

  “No plans, just packing. I had lunch with Mom today.”

  “Oh, I bet that was fun.” He laughed. “I was thinking maybe we could have dinner or something so I could see you off before you leave. When exactly are you heading out again?”

  “I was thinking about leaving a day or so after the movers come to take all the stuff. I’m kind of anxious to get up there, and besides, I start the day after New Year’s, so the sooner, the better,” Rachel answered as she placed the box she had taped against the wall with the others.

  “Wow, not too much longer before you’re gone. Are you excited?” Ethan asked casually.

  “I’m excited and nervous and wondering if this is a huge mistake,” she confided. “Do you think it is?”

  “I think it’s great, so just go with it! It’s about time you do something crazy.”

  Rachel appreciated her brother’s support. After a little more chatter, they decided on a plan to have one last dinner before she left. She would miss Ethan but knew he was always a phone call away.

  Not even a minute after she hung up, her cell phone started ringing again.

  “Hello?” she answered.

  “Hey, Rachel, just wanted to see how the packing was going,” Chelsea said.

  “Eh, it’s about done. Why? Are you offering to come over to help?” Rachel teased.

  “I’m actually on my way over and wanted to make sure you were home first.”

  “Okay, great. Just buzz when you get here.” Rachel ended the call and scanned her living room.

  The only things in it now were a line of boxes along the wall, a small couch and loveseat, empty bookshelves, and her entertainment center in the corner. Everything looked so sterile now that her personality was tucked away into those brown cardboard boxes.

  Rachel had left the essentials to be packed last; her coffeepot and favorite mug were her most precious treasures. Though she figured Chelsea could help her pack some odds and ends, she was mainly looking forward to the unexpected visit with her best friend.

  When Rachel heard the door buzz, she hurried to it. When she opened it, she found Chelsea smiling her perfect smile and embracing an expensive bottle of wine. Rachel let her in and took the bottle.

  “You are awesome,” she exclaimed, looking it over. “I might have already packed away my wineglasses,” she added, doing a mental inventory of the contents left in her cupboards.

  “We don’t need glasses. This is a ‘drink out of the bottle’ kind of occasion,” Chelsea said, smiling as she rummaged through Rachel’s utensil drawer. “You didn’t pack this away yet, and that’s all that matters,” she said, holding up a wine opener.

  “I think I might have another mug I haven’t packed yet,” Rachel offered as she scanned the near-empty cupboards.

  “Nah, I’m good,” Chelsea replied and took the first swig out of the bottle.

  Rachel joined Chelsea, who was now sitting on a barstool at the breakfast counter. She grabbed the bottle, took in the pleasant aroma of the rich liquid, then took a hearty drink.

  “So I see the packing is really coming along,” Chelsea observed as Rachel handed the bottle back to her.

  “Yeah, I’m glad it’s almost done. I still can’t believe I’m leaving in just a couple days.” Rachel surveyed the room.

  Chelsea added, “I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas too. I’m so bummed you won’t be here for New Year’s. What about our tradition of watching the New Year’s Eve special on TV and drinking way too much champagne together?”

  A twinge of sadness crept into Rachel’s chest. She’d been so busy packing and making plans, she hadn’t really thought about the holidays too much. Or what she would be leaving behind.

  “Once I get settled, I want you to come and visit. I hear the summers are amazing up there.” Rachel reached out to her.

  “I’m just really going to miss you, Rachel. We have so much fun together. You are always giving me the best advice about everything. I’m so sad you’re moving away.” Chelsea sobbed, ruining her perfectly applied makeup.

  “I’m only a phone call away. Trust me, I’m going to make sure we keep in touch. I’ll miss you too, but now you have a new place to come and visit. Who knows? You might meet someone and even move up there. I will keep an eye out for some hot bachelors for you,” Rachel teased and Chelsea smiled.

  After tearfully discussing the move a little more, Chelsea headed home, leaving Rachel in the quiet space. The condo didn’t feel like home anymore. All the walls were stripped of the colorful art she had collected over the years at trendy galleries. It lacked the smell of home too, scented now with various disinfectants and cleaners instead of the floral and vanilla candles she burned regularly.

  Rachel now grasped the reality that this would no longer be her home in a couple of days, and a little jolt of panic intertwined with the eagerness which went through her.

  ***

  After waking up with a mild headache from a little too much wine the night before, Rachel padded to the kitchen in her bare feet to retrieve a much-needed cup of coffee. Her phone let out a loud chirp, echoing off the walls of the empty condo. Seeing her father’s number appear on the screen, Rachel picked up the call.

  “Hello?” she answered, still a bit groggy before sipping on her steaming-hot liquid lifeline.

  “Hello, sweetheart. I wanted to confirm our dinner date for tonight,” he said.

  “Hi, Dad. Yeah, we’re still on.” Rachel grimaced.

  Wrapped up in all the last-minute details of her relocation, she had forgotten about her dinner plans with her father, Robert Montgomery. Good thing he had called. She never would have heard the end of it otherwise.

  “Perfect. How about we meet up at that sushi place you like off the pier? Sound good?”

  Rachel’s stomach growled at the idea of food. She hadn’t eaten dinner last night, instead choosing wine as her main course.

  “Sounds great, Dad.”

  After setting up a time to meet and saying good-bye to him, Rachel added more coffee to her mug and settled in front of her laptop. She mapped out the route she was going to travel to Birch Valley and reserved a night’s stay at a hotel at the halfway point of her two-day journey. Satisfied that things were now in order, she nibbled on a high-fiber breakfast biscuit. Everything was set. The movers would be here in two days to load her boxes and furniture, and she’d leave the following morning. Rachel planned to stay her at Chelsea’s apartment for her final night in California, and she still intended to meet up with Ethan on Christmas to say her good-byes. Feeling perky from all the coffee, Rachel decided it was time to tackle the day.

  ***

  The sun was dangling low in the sky, and the early evening was warm with a light ocean breeze. Rachel arrived at the pier earlier than her father so she could watch the tide. Inhaling the salty air mingled with the pungent, raw smell of the sea, she made her way across the busy street.

  Christmas lights were festively strung around store windows and the weathered railing of the pier. Rachel a
ppreciated the holiday touches the shops had added to their displays. Christmastime felt odd to her this year, though, probably because she hadn’t decorated her condo and wasn’t going to attend any of the holiday parties she was usually invited to. Perhaps next year she’d come back to celebrate the holiday season with her friends, she thought as she continued to window-shop her way down the long pier.

  Once she reached the end, Rachel gazed at a couple of sailboats drifting on the horizon against a backdrop of purple and orange clouds as she took in in the sounds of the rhythmic waves pounding at the edge of the shore. Rachel was tempted to go down to the water and stick her feet in as she remembered all the times she had anchored herself in the wet sand, taunting the sea to drag her in. She was already missing the ocean.

  Sensing some time had passed, Rachel set off toward the only sushi place on the pier, a vibrant little restaurant with fresh seafood and an excellent atmosphere. Local bands would sometimes play there on the weekend. Tonight the restaurant was quiet because it was the middle of the week and tomorrow was Christmas Eve. As she made her way inside, her nose was ambushed with glorious smells. She looked around the room and quickly found her father, who was seated by himself at pub-style table and looking concerned. His flawless, tanned skin set off his equally flawless white teeth. His salt-and-pepper hair was precisely combed back and impeccable as usual. He was dressed in a light brown blazer and casual khaki pants.

  “Rachel, I was starting to get a little worried.” He stood and glanced at his expensive watch, then hugged her before they both climbed onto the stools.

  “Sorry, Dad, I lost track of time,” Rachel apologized as she grabbed the menu and started browsing.

  Looking over his menu, her father sighed and took a sip of his beer that had been served in an elegant and tall, frosted glass. “I’d like to know a little more about this so-called job offer.”

  Rachel leisurely sipped the water her father had taken the liberty of ordering her. So it begins, she thought. He sure didn’t waste any time. A “how are you?” would have been nice.

  “Well, where would you like me to start?” she asked.

  “You can start by telling me about why you even applied for this position. I’m sure you can imagine how incredibly surprised I am,” Robert said in a cool tone that matched his exterior.

  Rachel swallowed back the tightness forming in the back of her throat. “It’s an excellent move as far as my career goes. Besides, I think I’m up for the adventure.”

  Her father rolled his eyes. “Seriously, Rachel, you are hardly the adventurous type. That’s why this is all a bit concerning to us and frankly, quite ludicrous, really.”

  She took another drink of water in hopes of calming herself. Her parents had every right to think she had lost her mind. What they didn’t realize was how she felt and who she was. She wasn’t content with her life as it was, plain and simple. She was having a difficult enough time grasping the concept that she was moving two states away from everything she had ever known. Somehow knowing this move was the greatest risk she had ever taken felt good and right.

  Rachel let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Dad. To be honest, I didn’t think you or Mom would really care if I decided to take this job.”

  Her father closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. A waiter came up to their table, smiling wide with his pen and tablet open. Robert studied the young man, who started to shift nervously on his feet, then reached into the inside pocket of his blazer and pulled out his business card.

  “I can absolutely take care of that for you,” he said, handing it to him.

  A surprised and insulted look washed over the waiter’s face. Rachel felt confused and embarrassed as she tried and failed to see what her father was scrutinizing. The young man’s face looked fine.

  The waiter took their order quietly, avoiding eye contact with both of them, then scurried off without a word.

  “Dad, what was that about?” Rachel asked.

  Her father grabbed his beer and nonchalantly replied, “His nose.” After swallowing a gulp, he added, “Don’t tell me you didn’t notice it. How could one not notice?” A deep, arrogant laugh escaped him.

  Rachel felt terrible for their waiter as she recalled the times she’d been put under Robert Montgomery’s magnifying glass. Her early teenage years were by far the most difficult. She hadn’t quite reached puberty before her father suggested several procedures that would make her stunning. But unlike her mother and a lot of the people she knew, Rachel didn’t desire physical perfection. Of course she had certain features she would like more of or less of, but she didn’t want to do anything drastic, such as going under the knife to correct them. So she had taken an uncommon approach for Newport Beach by trying to exercise, eat right, and accept that she wasn’t perfect. Meanwhile, most of her friends, including Chelsea, weren’t opposed to going out for a Botox lunch date with their friends.

  “So getting back to our original conversation, tell me a little bit more about this place you are moving to. Is it near Seattle?” her father questioned.

  “Well, no, it’s on the other side of the state. According to the map I looked up online, it looks to be about an hour or so north of a city called Spokane,” Rachel said, trying to picture exactly where Birch Valley was.

  “I see. How did you hear about the job? What about interviewing for this position?”

  Rachel felt interrogated. “I heard about the position on an online job board for teachers and administrators. So I applied just to see if I could qualify for a principal position, after seeing that I met their requirements, and I was interviewed,” she stammered.

  “What about flying up to see the place? And how did they do your interview, over the phone?”

  “At first I was contacted on the phone, then I did a webcam interview.”

  Her father snorted as he laughed, then sarcastically added, “Webcam? So they have Internet in those parts? I figured since they were so far from the only city that really even matters in Washington, they wouldn’t be so hi-tech. I could understand if you were going to Seattle, but Birch Valley? Never even heard of it, and just seems a bit ridiculous.”

  Rachel swallowed against the lump forming again at the rear of her throat. Pushing her irritation aside, she answered, “Dad, I realize Birch Valley isn’t Newport or Seattle or some other giant, fancy city, but this place has offered me an excellent opportunity I may not have received here or in a larger city.”

  “Perhaps if you have to go to some small town in the middle of nowhere to be a principal, then you’re in the wrong line of work, Rachel,” her father retorted.

  Feeling the sting from her father’s words, Rachel was about to steer their conversation in another direction when their food arrived, brought by a different waiter. The server placed various dishes around their table and paused nervously, looking at Rachel’s father. “Excuse me, sir, my coworker informed me that you gave him your business card. I’m actually interested in having a couple things done. Would you mind if I got your card?”

  Robert Montgomery flashed his perfectly straight teeth as he fished another card out of his jacket pocket. “Absolutely.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. This was one of the reasons she wanted to get out of Newport Beach. She hoped the speck that was Birch Valley on the map wasn’t nearly as shallow.

  ***

  The condo was still dark when Rachel woke up the day following Christmas. The movers were scheduled to arrive today, and stress was starting to set in. She hurried to make coffee and cut up an overripe pear and banana for her breakfast. The morning sun was starting to streak the sky and light up her home. She ate quickly and downed her coffee before showering. Mentally going over everything as she dressed for the day, Rachel felt less tense and more confident, as though all her loose ends were being tied up.

  As she waited for the movers to arrive, Rachel found herself with nothing to do, so she fiddled with her cell phone and checked her email on her laptop. As she came across a mes
sage from Ethan wishing her good luck with her move today, she couldn’t help but smile. She and Ethan had spent a nontraditional holiday together over dinner and some drinks. Saying goodbye to him really hurt.

  Checking the time, Rachel realized the movers would be arriving fairly soon. She made sure the stack of boxes was secure, then kept peeking out her living room window to see if a large transport truck was in the parking area. Like a child waiting for Christmas morning to arrive, she felt anxious and excited. Rachel had gone to double-check all her rooms when she heard a loud knock at her door. She practically ran to see who it was and was pleased to find a gentleman in denim overalls standing on the other side, holding a clipboard.

  The movers wrapped the large furniture in heavy wool blankets to keep it from getting scratched or damaged, then made quick and easy work of carrying all her belongings to the truck, where they were stacked in neat rows and strapped down with bright orange and yellow nylon ties. One of the movers then latched the lock and got inside. Rachel watched as the truck left her standing alone in a parking lot filled with luxury sedans and high-priced SUVs.

  Wiping tears from her eyes, Rachel headed back inside her former home. It was so empty and large now. Realizing there was no point in staying any longer, she loaded her suitcases in her silver BMW convertible. After she buckled herself into the plush leather seat, she took another long look at the condo before pulling out of the complex.

  ***

  After getting gas and grabbing some food to go, Rachel raced to Chelsea’s apartment, where she planned to spend the remainder of the day and night before driving to Birch Valley. She pulled into an unoccupied spot on the palm-tree-lined street and set the car alarm. Balancing her purse, overnight bag, and a warm bag filled with the best burritos in town, she rang the doorbell.