Deserve A Chance

by Natalie Ann

  There went his appetite.

  “What did she want?”

  “She’s coming for Thanksgiving with Bri and Seth.”

  “Oh,” he said. “Did she ask about me?”

  “She did. Wanted to know if you’d be here since she knows you travel all the time.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “That I had no clue. We hadn’t discussed it yet.”

  “Thanks. She’s been calling me, but I haven’t gotten back to her.”

  “She said that, too,” his grandmother said, getting up and walking to the refrigerator. She came back with a beer for him. God, he loved this woman.

  “There’s no need to talk to her. I’m sure she wants what she always wants.”

  “You don’t know that for sure,” his grandmother said.

  “Really? Has she hit you up for money lately?”

  His grandmother only sighed in response.

  “Please tell me you aren’t sending her money.”

  “Zach. When the kids’ father left her a few years ago, she was struggling but managed to stay on her feet. Scott stopped sending child support when he lost his job and you know how expensive it is to raise a teenager.”

  He knew. He remembered all the things he wanted as a kid but went without. There was just no way his grandparents could afford it and he’d been so thankful to have a stable home that he never asked, fearful they’d work even harder to give it to him.

  “I send Bri and Seth money for all the holidays.” More money than he should for the seventeen- and fifteen-year-old siblings he barely knew.

  “And I know they appreciate it. They tell me all the time when we talk. They’re good kids.”

  “That’s great, considering their mother.”

  His grandmother sighed again. “I’m not going to argue with you on this. You’re right to feel the way you do. Just remember you were sixteen once. Could you have raised a child at that age?”

  “No. But she wasn’t alone. She had you guys. Thankfully I had you guys. She didn’t have to just let you do it all while she went about her life as if she didn’t have a big mistake sitting at home.”

  He almost never talked about this. And rarely did he lose his happy-go-lucky nature. This was the one subject sure to make him bitter, though.

  “Jody is not perfect by any means.”

  “I don’t want you to choose sides, Grandma. I know she’s your daughter and I’m sorry.”

  “First, there are no sides to be chosen. If there were, you know we’d be on your side every single time.”

  He didn’t doubt that. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

  “Don’t be. You’re entitled. Second, she’ll call again and ask about Thanksgiving. Can I say you’re going to be traveling?”

  “Yes. I won’t be here.”

  “I figured as much. Where are you going?”

  There were multiple sites he could go to and visit that week, but many would be closed for the holiday. No, there was only one other place he’d want to be if he wasn’t with his grandparents.

  “Lake Placid.”

  “So you’ll spend the holiday with family after all. Give Nick and Mallory my best.”

  “I will. I haven’t seen them since Caleb and Celeste’s wedding this summer. It’s time to go ruffle Caleb’s feathers some more.”

  “You’re never going to stop rubbing it in his face that you found him, are you?” his grandmother asked.

  “Nope. He was my toughest find and my proudest. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t ride his butt now and again for as much as he avoids everyone.”

  If he had his way, Caleb wouldn’t be his toughest find for long, though.

  ***

  Amber opened the back door to her parents’ house. Her mother was in the kitchen cooking. “Hi, Mom. Where’s Dad?”

  “On the couch. He says there isn’t anything wrong, but I don’t believe him.”

  Her parents were old enough to be her grandparents, having had her and her sister late in life. They never thought they’d be able to conceive and spent most of their life together taking in foster kids or helping kids in need.

  As a local minister, her father had no shortage of kids that needed some love. Her mother always had a lot of love to give. Too bad that love often came in the form of smothering and trying to mold Amber into the perfect little Christian girl. Rebellion was second nature to her when she came out of the womb kicking and screaming, it seemed.

  She walked into the living room and saw her father lying on the couch dozing. “Hey, Dad. Mom said you don’t feel well.”

  He blinked his eyes open and sat up. “Your mom shouldn’t have bothered you. There’s nothing wrong. I’m just run-down and achy.”

  “She said you’ve got a rash. Can I see it?”

  “Your mother talks too much,” her father said, sounding grouchier than normal. He must really be feeling bad to behave in a way she normally only saw when she was in trouble for acting out.

  “Just as well, let me see it.”

  Her father moved on the couch and lifted his shirt up slightly. It only took a second for Amber to know what she was looking at. “Dad, you’ve got shingles.”

  “What? No, that’s not possible.”

  “It is possible and it’s what you’ve got.” He had to be in a huge amount of pain that he was hiding from everyone.

  “They’ll go away on their own,” he said stubbornly.

  “No, they won’t. You need some steroids and antiviral meds at the very least.”

  “Can’t you just write them for me?” he asked and pulled his shirt back down.

  “No, I can’t. Not without getting in trouble. Do you want me to lose my license?”

  She hated that they never understood that. They always felt she could help anyone that came to them in need. Someone had a cold and they’d call her and ask if she could order antibiotics for them. It was an ongoing argument she had with them for years. Sure she’d like to be able to help those without insurance, but not at the risk of her own career.

  “I’ll be fine then,” he said again.

  “No, you won’t. I’m calling your primary care doctor now and letting him know what is going on. Sit tight,” she ordered him.

  She hung up the phone a few minutes later, glad that she was able to get through faster than a non-professional and talk with someone other than a secretary.

  “Dad, they said Mom can bring you over in thirty minutes. So get up and get changed,” she said firmly before he could argue. Her father always had a firm hand with the kids he raised, both foster and biological. It was probably why she turned out to be as stubborn as him when the time warranted it.

  “Fine. Anything to get you off my back.”

  “That’s the spirit,” she said, laughing and leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek. She knew it would annoy him that she could flip back and forth from being stern to loving.

  She may have butted heads with her parents as a kid, known as the minister’s wild child while growing up and embarrassing them more often than not. But under it all, they still loved each other in their own dysfunctional way.

  Walking back into the kitchen, she told her mother what was going on. “I’m going to work now. He’s probably going to be in pain for a while, but let me know how you make out. It’s just going to take time to go away.”

  “Am I going to get it?” her mother asked, worried.

  “You shouldn’t. It’s viral. But while you’re there, get the shingles vaccine like I’ve told you to for years, please.”

  “I will. I promise,” her mother said. “Thanks for stopping over.”

  “Anytime.”

  Amber was getting ready to leave when her mother stopped her. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “You haven’t been yourself for the last few weeks.”

  Amber looked at her mother closely. “How’s that?”

  “You’ve been a bit snippier than normal.”

>   “Because I didn’t let Dad slink out of seeing a doctor?” she asked, smiling.

  “No. He needed some tough love. But you just seem down lately.”

  “I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a long couple of weeks since I returned from Vegas.”

  Her mother shook her head. “Vegas. I hope you behaved like a proper young lady there.”

  Amber laughed this time. “Mom, have you ever known me to be a proper young lady?”

  Her mother snorted. “No. Not once. Still, I hope you didn’t do anything you shouldn’t have.”

  She shook her head. “What you think I shouldn’t do and what I think I shouldn’t do have never been the same. Relax, Mom. I went to Vegas for work and learned a ton.”

  Nothing that she cared to share with her overbearing strict parents.

  Two Peas in a Pod

  Monday morning, Zach rolled over in the comfortable bed located in a separate cabin at McGuire’s Bed and Breakfast, the small house where Celeste lived before she married Caleb Ryder. He could have stayed with Nick and Mallory for this week, but decided to not impinge on their alone time before the birth of their son.

  Then there was the offer from Nick’s grandmother, Trixie, but he decided against that, too. He felt guilty staying with Trixie when he wasn’t even going to be visiting with his own grandparents for the holiday.

  So instead he called Celeste and pleaded with her, knowing that she’d give in just for the sake of ruffling her husband Caleb’s feathers.

  It was no secret that Caleb didn’t like being in the same room with anyone who talked as much as Zach—or talked at all—but Zach didn’t care. He actually got enjoyment out of making Caleb sweat. It’d turned into a game of sorts between them, despite how much Caleb protested he was truly annoyed.

  After a quick shower and shave, Zach was going to make some coffee when he noticed the lights on at the main house and decided to head in that direction.

  “You’re up early,” Celeste said when he opened the back door. “Was there something you couldn’t find in the cabin?”

  “No, everything is perfect there. I appreciate you letting me stay on with such short notice.”

  “It’s just sitting empty right now, which I’m sure you knew. I haven’t decided what to do with it. Caleb is trying to talk me into hiring a manager for the B&B and giving them living quarters there, but I can’t seem to let go of the reins right now.”

  “I can understand that,” Zach said, hanging up his jacket. He didn’t even have a chance to walk to the coffee pot before Celeste had a cup poured and placed on the table off to the side of the kitchen.

  He picked it up and walked back to the island and sat down to watch her. “Would it bother you if I kept you company?”

  “Not at all. Please, make yourself at home.”

  That was what he loved about Celeste from the few times he’d met her. Such a nurturing soul, and so opposite her grouchy husband.

  “Where’s Caleb this morning?” Zach asked, his eyes laughing over the rim of his mug as he took a sip.

  “Hiding from you.”

  “Like a cat that skedaddles under the bed and won’t come out until everyone leaves?” he asked.

  “Pretty much. You know, you might be good for him for this week.”

  “I doubt he thinks that. I won’t be around much anyway, or I’ll stay out of the way if I am. I’ve got a ton of work to do, but really didn’t want to travel later in the week closer to the holiday.”

  “I’m sure Nick is thrilled you’re visiting. He talks about you all the time.”

  “Does he?” Zach asked, cheered instantly.

  Sure, he’d always thought of Nick as his brother, but it was nice to know it wasn’t one-sided. It was nice to be loved in life.

  “I know he loves living here, but I can tell he misses part of Richmond, too. It helps that he stays in such close contact with you and his father.”

  “And that Rene is here along with his grandmother,” Zach added.

  It was a knife to the heart when Nick decided to move. Like another person walking out on Zach, but he had to remind himself it wasn’t about him. It was about his best friend and the happiness he found with Mallory.

  “Family does tend to ground you,” Celeste said as she started to mix some batter in a bowl.

  Zach stopped himself from making a snide remark about family. Before he could ask another question, the back door opened and he prepared to start busting on Caleb. Instead he got a shock he wasn’t expecting at all.

  ***

  “Celeste,” Amber said the minute she opened the door. “Can I beg you for a box of—”

  “Amber,” Zach said, turning to look at her fully.

  Oh no. How did he find her? Really?

  She had to be dreaming. It had to be all those late nights the last few weeks she’d spent trying to find him.

  He was a figment of her imagination. He wasn’t really standing there staring at her, was he?

  “Zach,” she croaked out, wondering if she could just quickly disappear out the door.

  Instead she stood her ground and looked her fill. He was still as handsome as he was weeks ago. Dressed more casual now in designer jeans and a cotton shirt pushed up at the elbows, his eyes bright and clear, his smile wide. He had her cornered and he knew it.

  “You two know each other?” Celeste asked, breaking the silence.

  “We met in Vegas,” Zach answered, holding her stare. “Spent some time together there, didn’t we, Amber?”

  “Yes,” she agreed. “Wait, you two know each other?” she asked Celeste. Guests didn’t normally sit at Celeste’s island this early in the morning.

  “Yes. He works for Nick, Rene’s brother.”

  “What?” Amber asked, looking at Zach. It couldn’t be. No way. Of all the software companies in the world!

  “I told you my best friend’s sister is a PA.”

  “You never said her name. You never said your boss’s name.”

  “No, I didn’t. Neither did you,” he said. “Nor did you say goodbye.”

  “Maybe I should give you two some privacy,” Celeste said, grinning. Amber knew that look. She’d known Celeste her whole life and Celeste was all too aware of what was going on between her and Zach right at the moment.

  “Celeste,” Caleb said, walking in from another door then stopping. “Really, Zach? Am I going to have to deal with you when I want food from my wife?”

  “Caleb,” Celeste said. “Zach is a guest. Don’t be rude.”

  “Yeah, don’t be rude, Caleb,” Zach said.

  “He’s not a guest. He’s a nuisance,” Caleb said, looking at Celeste now.

  “Is that any way to talk to a coworker?” Zach asked, laughing at Caleb’s frown.

  Amber’s head was spinning. Now this really couldn’t be happening. Not only was he in Lake Placid, but he also had close ties to everyone around her. Really close ties.

  “You’re not a coworker. My contract with Nick says I don’t have to have any more than limited interaction with you.”

  “Oh, you love me, Caleb. You know you do,” Zach said, flashing the hundred-watt smile he’d sent her so much in Vegas. She caught the gasp from escaping, but barely, when she noticed Zach turned those deep brown eyes to her.

  “Yeah, I love you like I love unclogging one of the toilets here.”

  “Caleb,” Celeste said, coughing and then laughing. “That’s just horrible.”

  “He has it coming,” Caleb said.

  Amber was watching the show and trying to gather her wits. This was probably the most she’d ever seen Caleb talk, and the funny part was she could tell he wasn’t serious at all. It almost seemed like a big joke, sort of. She was trying to think of it like a magic show now, hoping the drape would be lifted and she’d disappear suddenly.

  “Maybe I’ll call a team meeting while I’m here working for the week,” Zach said.

  “Week,” Amber whispered.

  “Yes, I’m here
for a week,” Zach said, holding her stare now. So much for trying to disappear with no one noticing.

  “What are you trying to do, Celeste,” Caleb said, “set these two up? I’ll need earplugs if you do that.” He stopped and shuddered. “Just the thought of them in the same room talking nonstop is giving me nightmares.”

  “Hey,” Amber said, finally shaking herself out of it. “Why are you picking on me all of a sudden? I’ve been nothing but nice to you.”

  “Because you two are like two peas in a pod.”

  “We are, aren’t we?” Zach asked, winking at her.

  Yeah, her face just flushed. She knew it did.

  “I need to get to work,” Amber said, turning to leave.

  “Wait,” Celeste called out. “You wanted breakfast for the office, right?”

  She’d completely forgotten about that. “Don’t worry, I’ll stop and get donuts.”

  “You will do no such thing. I’ve got scones right here. Give me two minutes to package them up.”

  “I get one first,” Caleb said, reaching in and snatching one, then leaving out the door he came in.

  “Here you go,” Celeste said, handing them over. “And you have some explaining to do, missy.”

  “Another time,” Amber said, rushing out the door in a hurry.

  ***

  Zach watched Amber close the door behind her and realized the kitchen had suddenly gotten eerily quiet. Like walking in a cemetery at midnight on Halloween just waiting for a hand to reach up from the grave and wrap around your ankle.

  “What?” he said when he noticed Celeste staring at him.

  “Well, do you want to explain to me why one of my oldest friends was standing there speechless for so long?” She leaned her hip against the counter. “Because we know Caleb is right. She talks about as much as you do.”

  “Not much to say.”

  “I call bull hooey.”

  “Is that even a word?” he asked.

  “It is. So spill the beans while I cook breakfast.”

  “Do I get a scone first?” he asked sweetly.

  “Always the smooth one. Of course you do.” She grabbed one and placed it on a plate and put it in front of him. “There you go. Now talk.”