by Rye Hart
When we pulled away, I smiled gratefully at them both and stood up. We walked around the rest of the house, and I showed them their rooms. Sarah’s mood instantly improved when she saw her brand-new bedroom set already assembled for her. Tommy was still looking around as if he thought the walls might tumble down around us, but I knew he would warm up soon enough.
“How does pizza sound?” I asked. “We can go into town and check it out, sound good?”
“Yeah!” Sarah said with glee. Tommy nodded, and we all headed back out to the car.
I hadn’t spent enough time in Telluride to know where everything was, but the town was so small that it didn’t matter. I drove into the main square and immediately found a pizza place. I parked out front and cut the engine. I helped Sarah out of the car, and she grabbed my hand as we walked inside.
The second we stepped through the door, the entire place fell silent. Pairs of eyes turned to face us, and I froze, unsure of what to do. Tommy took a step back, instinctively hiding himself behind me. Sarah just squeezed my hand tighter and looked up at me.
“Why are they staring at us?” she asked loudly.
Several people heard her and immediately looked away. A few people laughed and smiled.
“We’re new in town,” I said softly. “They’re just curious.”
“We’re not that interesting,” Tommy said.
“Let’s just eat,” I said, leading them to a corner booth.
We sat down and ordered dinner. The kids quickly forgot about the staring strangers when the pizza arrived, but I didn’t. Every time I looked around, someone was looking at our booth with interest. I nodded at a few of them and then took to ignoring them completely. I wasn’t the type to smile and make friendly chit chat. If that’s what they were waiting for, they’d be waiting a long damn time.
“You guys new in town?” the waitress asked when she brought us our check.
“Yes,” I said.
“Where are you from?” she asked, looking from me to the kids and back again.
“California,” Sarah said with a mouthful of pizza. “The southern part.”
The waitress laughed and smoothed Sarah’s hair down as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I cleared my throat and cut her a look but didn’t speak.
“Well, welcome to town,” she said with a bright smile. “We hope to see you guys in here again sometime.”
“We’ll be back,” Sarah said with confidence. “We love pizza, and my daddy can’t really cook. And since he’s single—”
“That’s enough, Sarah,” I said, shooting her a warning look.
She shrugged and took another bite of her pizza. “Well, you can’t.”
The waitress just laughed again and hurried away from the table. I watched her go, knowing she would share our entire exchange with anyone who would listen.
When the kids finished their food, I paid and we left. As we pulled back into our driveway, our next-door neighbor walked into our yard. She smiled and waved, hurrying toward the car.
“Good evening!” she said when I stepped out. “I was hoping I would get to meet you tonight!”
“Hi,” I said, not bothering to return the smile.
She smiled even brighter. “I live right next door. I’m Nina Johnston.”
I just stood and stared at her.
“I’m Sarah, and this is my brother, Tommy,” Sarah said. “That’s my dad. His name is Sean,” she hooked her thumb toward me.
I was going to have to have a talk with her about talking to strangers and telling everyone our business.
Mrs. Johnston turned to look at the kids and her smile widened. She leaned down to shake each of their hands and whispered to them that she always had cake at her house. They giggled when she winked and told them not to tell me even though I was standing right there.
I observed her easy interaction with them. She was older, probably in her sixties and looked to be starved for company. She didn’t mention her husband, but she wore a ring on her left ring finger, so I assumed she was widowed. That surprisingly softened me a bit toward her. Though I was not in the mood to make friends, I could at least relate to the loneliness that came with our ill-fated states.
“She seems nice,” Tommy said as we climbed the front steps a few minutes later.
“I like her!” Sarah said with an enthusiastic nod.
I nodded and closed the front door behind us.
So far. So good.
CHAPTER TWO - EMILY
“Why does it have to be so damn hard to get a loan in this town?” I’d spent the first half hour of dinner venting to my best friend. It wasn’t like me to whine and I hated being a dark cloud, but I couldn’t help it today.
“It could have something to do with the fact that we’ve got less people here than I can count with my right hand.” Janie said as she wiggled the fingers in her right hand. “Options are limited, Em’. You’ll have to find some creative ways to get that daycare up and running. I believe in you, babe. You’ll make it work.”
Since graduating with my degree in child development, I’d been working my tail off to qualify for a loan to start the child care facility of my dreams. I grew up caring for children and loved it, but I grew tired of the mundane learning programs which hardly met the minimum requirements to keep a facility licensed, and most importantly, lacked the curriculum to keep children challenged or even engaged. While other facilities in the country were kicking ass, my town did a horrible job of encouraging centers to follow the same lead.
I personally experienced a crap load of difficulty in school due to my own battle with dyslexia. It was the worst. I remember the shame I felt over the years, not to mention the huge blow to my confidence. I only learned later in life that the disorder had no connection to one’s intellect. While learning disorders are all unique, there are proven ways to help children gain the skills they need to deal with a disorder early on.
“The bank’s loan officer told me that I didn’t have any business credit, but he said that if I could get a cosigner that could work. The only problem is I have no damn clue who that could be. Besides, I’m so deep in college bills, the only thing I can really focus on is finding a stable job until I can come back up for air. Anyway, enough about my boring life, tell me more about your date from hell.”
“Well his favorite thing to talk about was his car,” Janie said, rolling her eyes. “His car, Emily. I couldn’t even pretend to be interested. After he exhausted his job, his car, his high school football record, and the fact that he won the third-grade spelling bee, he finally asked about me.”
“What did he ask?” I took a sip of my drink.
“I don’t even remember,” Janie said. “We were already pulling into my driveway by that point.”
“You’re kidding?”
“God, I wish I was.” Janie rolled her eyes again and grabbed her beer off the table. She took a long swig and then set it back down with a shake of her head. “This was the worst date ever, Em. I’m telling you. It was just awful.”
“God,” I said, sitting back and taking a sip of my drink. “Do you think all the good guys are taken?”
“It’s this damn town,” Janie said. “Everyone here has known everyone else since the womb. We can’t find any new meat, literally!”
I chuckled over her joke “I don’t think it needs to be new,” I said. “Just thoughtful. Sophisticated.”
“Do you really think we’re going to find anyone sophisticated in Telluride?” Janie asked.
“Probably not,” I admitted with a laugh. “I just wish something would change around here, you know?”
“Oh!” Janie said suddenly, her eyes alive with excitement. “That reminds me! You know Margie, right?”
“Margie Smith?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Janie nodded. “She works at the pizza place now, and she said a hot single dad came in on Thursday night.”
Janie’s eyes were wide, and she looked at me with expectation. I blinked. So f
ar, there wasn’t anything exciting about her news, but I waited for her to continue.
“Margie asked her dad, who works for the real estate office that sold him the house, to do a little digging around,” Janie said. “Apparently, the guy’s wife died a little bit ago, and he decided to move his kids here for a fresh start. They’re young. Like seven and four or something.”
I rolled my eyes. Margie’s dad was a worse gossip than the old ladies at the beauty shop.
“He moved here for a fresh start?” I asked. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I think she said her dad found out they’re from San Diego. Maybe he just wanted to live the small-town life for a while.”
“Well,” I said. “He’s probably sophisticated.”
Janie laughed and I joined in. After a long week, it was nice to sit and talk mindlessly with my best friend. I’d known Janie since the first grade, and we’d been inseparable ever since. She was the one thing that made life in Telluride slightly exciting.
“He is really hot, though,” Janie said wistfully.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“Margie snapped a picture on her phone.” Janie shrugged.
“Seriously?” I laughed. “She needs to leave that poor man alone, especially if his wife just died.”
“He didn’t notice,” Janie said, waving her hand. “It was fine. Besides, I’m telling you, he is insanely hot.”
“I’m sure he is.” I rolled my eyes, but my interest was piqued.
“One of us needs to get on that,” Janie said seriously. “I’ll flip you for it.”
“Oh my God,” I said. “You’re insane.”
“I’m serious, Emily.”
“I know.” I laughed. “That’s what makes you insane.”
“Come on,” Janie whined. “Please. Just play along.”
“Whatever,” I said. “You go for it.”
“Really?” She sat up in her chair, her eyes dancing with renewed excitement.
I laughed. “Really. Besides, what do you think the likelihood of either of us actually meeting him is?”
“In this town?” Janie asked. “One hundred percent.”
“Fine,” I said, knowing she was right. “Then we’ll meet him, but then what? He’s a single dad. He won’t be interested in either of us.”
“Why not?” Janie asked.
“We’re young,” I said firmly.
“Honey,” Janie said, her tone serious. “That will only make him want us more.”
She winked and took a drink of her beer. Everything Janie did was suggestive and leading. She was always trying to push me to experience new things and new people. Though her definition of ‘experience’ was slightly crazier than mine. Growing up sheltered, you either turned out crazy and rebellious, or shy and awkward. I was the latter. Janie was the former.
“Just keep your eye out,” Janie said. “If you see him, let me know.”
“I will.” I laughed and shook my head.
We spent the next hour chatting about the new man in town. Janie wondered aloud about his body. She felt sure he would be chiseled. I, on the other hand, contemplated all the reasons he would have for moving to our hole-in-the-wall town.
His wife dying was sad, but it didn’t exactly warrant uprooting his kids from their home.
“Look out,” Janie said suddenly diverting my attention, her eyes shifting to something behind me. “Tanner is on the move.”
“Dear God,” I groaned. “Not this again.”
“Hey, Emily,” Tanner said, stepping up beside our table.
“Hi.” I smiled and turned my attention back to Janie, hoping Tanner would get the hint. He never did.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, already pulling up a chair.
“Actually, tonight is kind of girls’ night,” I said, giving him a pointed look.
“That’s okay.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind a little girl talk.”
“God, get a clue,” Janie said under her breath.
I shot her a look, but it didn’t matter. Tanner was too busy staring at me to notice anything Janie said.
“How are you, Em’?” Tanner asked, his eyes boring into mine. “It’s been a while.”
That wasn’t true, but I didn’t have the energy to point it out. Every time Tanner saw me around town, he would accost me with his presence. Whether I was drinking at Sal’s with Janie or walking through the square, Tanner would just appear at my side. He’d been doing it since high school, and as much as I wanted to ignore him, he made that impossible.
“I’m fine,” I said with a sigh. “How are you?”
“I’d be a lot better if you would let me take you out,” he said, scooting his chair closer to me. “We’ve been playing this little game for years now, Em’. Don’t you think it’s time we do something about it?”
I looked at Janie who was openly glaring at Tanner. She glanced at me with wide eyes and then shook her head, silently telling me to get rid of him before she kicked his ass. If there was anyone who could get under Janie’s skin, it was Tanner Gregory.
“Listen,” I said softly. “Tanner, we’ve been friends for years, and you know I care about you.”
Tanner’s smile was wide and bright. He looked so hopeful that it almost made me lose my resolve. All I had to do was remember his annoying persistence, and my resolve came flooding back, stronger than ever.
“But,” I continued. “I just don’t see you that way. I’m sorry, Tanner.”
“Emily Ward,” he sighed. “What am I going to do with you?”
“You could accept her answer and move the hell on,” Janie said, louder this time.
Tanner glanced at her and then looked back at me. His eyes stared into mine, overwhelming me with their intensity. This was just one thing I hated about Tanner. He had a way of making me feel painted into a corner; like no matter what I did, he would find a way to get me.
“You know we’re perfect for each other,” he said softly. “Absolutely perfect.”
“Tanner,” I began but he cut me off with a look.
“Don’t worry,” he said, smiling slyly. “I can wait a little longer.”
With that, Tanner pushed away from the table and walked over to the bar. He leaned against it and flagged down the bartender. I shuddered and shook my head with disgust.
“You really need to put that asshole in his place,” Janie said darkly.
“He’s not an asshole,” I said. “He’s just—”
“Desperate? Creepy? One step away from becoming a serial killer?”
I laughed. “Stop it. Tanner is sweet in his own way. He just doesn’t know when to give up, that’s all.”
“It’s been a decade,” Janie said bluntly. “A full decade and he still won’t leave you alone. He’s basically your stalker, Emily.”
“He is not,” I said. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Whatever,” Janie said, holding her hands up. “But don’t come crying to me when he shows up in your bedroom later tonight.”
“Stop it,” I said again.
Janie just laughed and glanced behind her. Tanner was still standing at the bar. When she looked back at me, her eyes were dark with concern.
“You’re really worried about him, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Can you blame me?” Janie asked. “It’s enough already.”
“I know.” I sighed. “I wish he would give up too.”
“Maybe one day,” Janie said. “After he has you kidnapped in his basement for twenty years.”
“You’re not funny.” I glared at her.
“Oh, you know I’m not serious.” Janie rolled her eyes and leaned over the table. “I know Tanner’s harmless, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to punch him in the nuts every single day.”
“What if it were you he was hitting on?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
“Then I would punch him in the nuts.”
CHAPTER THREE- SEAN
Five days into our
new life in Colorado and I was already exhausted. Though I reminded myself that I had no time or desire to make friends here, my self-imposed isolation was beginning to close in around me. It was Monday morning, and I could barely get through breakfast without losing my mind. Tommy and Sarah were fighting at the table and neither would eat a bite of their food. With a sigh, I walked over to join them.
“Enough,” I said firmly while Sarah continued to yell in Tommy’s ear. “Eat. Now.”
“I’m not really hungry,” Tommy said.
“It’s pancakes,” I said. “It’s the one thing I can actually cook. Come on, eat. Would you?”
Tommy sighed and finally poured syrup over his pancakes. He dug in and ate slowly, quiet for the first time all morning. When I looked at Sarah though, she was glaring at her plate.
“Sarah,” I said softly. “Come on.”
“They smell like poop,” she said.
“They do not,” I said. “That’s not nice. Just eat.”
“No.” Sarah looked at me with the same challenging look I’d seen a hundred times since the move. She, more than her brother, hated leaving California. I knew it was the memories of Telissa she missed the most, but there wasn’t anything I could do about that. The more helpless I felt, the angrier I became.
“Fine,” I said. “Don’t eat. Starve.”
With that, I stood up and took her plate. I dumped her pancakes in the trashcan and put her plate in the sink. When I looked back at her, she was staring at me with her mouth wide open. I just stared back.
If she wanted to challenge me, that was fine. I could challenge her right back. After all, a five-year-old couldn’t throw anything at me that I couldn’t handle.
“He threw away my food!” she said to Tommy.
Tommy shrugged and took another bite of his pancakes. Sarah stared at him and waited for him to speak. When he didn’t, she huffed and stormed upstairs to her room. Tommy giggled and turned to face me.
“What are you going to do now?” he asked.
“Wait until lunch,” I said. “I bet you anything she’ll eat without a complaint.”
