Life After Wife : Small Town Romance (Balsam Ridge Book 1)

by Amber Kelly

  “Oh.”

  “So, hear this: You’re not numb, Taeli. You’re free, and it’s okay to let go. Just try not to drown in the river in the middle of the night while you do so.”

  “I can’t make any promises,” she teases.

  I pull up in front of her mother’s house, and she opens the door to get out. I put the truck in park and hop out to follow and make sure she gets in safely.

  She fumbles around with the potted plant under the bay window until she emerges with a key in hand.

  Then, she tries to get it into the lock. It takes a couple of goes before she is successful, but I don’t intervene. I just watch as she concentrates, curses, closes one eye, and repeats.

  Before she can pull the door all the way, it flings open, and Leona is standing there in her housecoat and slippers.

  “What in the world happened to you?” she asks Taeli as she takes her daughter in from top to toe.

  “I fell in the creek,” Taeli says as she pushes past her.

  Leona turns and watches her as she goes, and then she looks back at me.

  “Fell in the creek?” she asks.

  I shrug. “That’s where I found her and the girls,” I say.

  She bursts out into a fit of laughter.

  Once she has her wits about her, she says, “I guess they had a good time.”

  “Yeah, I believe they did,” I agree.

  “Good. She needed to blow off some steam before she combusted,” Leona muses.

  Taeli’s head pops back out of the door.

  “You want any coffee or tea?” she asks, and then she looks at her mother. “Do we have tea?”

  “Of course we have tea. This is the South.”

  Taeli’s expectant gaze returns to me. “We have tea,” she states.

  “I think I’d better head on back home. I’ve got to be on a work site early in the morning.”

  Her brow furrows. “Oh, right. It’s late. I’d better go to bed. Caleb will be up soon, and I have a job now,” she says and then just walks back inside.

  Leona laughs again. “Thank you for bringing her home, Graham.”

  “You’re welcome. I didn’t mind at all.”

  “I bet you didn’t,” she mutters under her breath.

  “What was that?” I ask.

  She waves me off. “Oh, nothing. You be safe and get on home, but you will be by tomorrow, won’t you?” she asks.

  “For what?”

  “I think I want to expand the front porch to the side of the house. I’ll need you to come and give me an estimate,” she says.

  “You just decided that this minute?”

  The woman can think of a million things she wants to do to this old house just to get me out here when all she truly has to do is ask.

  “I did.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be by tomorrow.”

  “Perfect. Good night, Graham.”

  “Good night, Leona.”

  She walks inside and shuts and locks the door behind her, and I get in my truck and head home.

  What a strange night.

  Taeli

  My head is pounding. I can’t believe I’m hungover. I haven’t had a hangover in a decade or longer. This is what I get for going out on a work night.

  I drag myself into the office and find Erin seated behind her desk, looking none the worse for wear.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” she chirps as I drop my purse on my desk.

  “How are you so chipper this morning? You drank more than I did last night,” I grumble.

  “Practice. That and the fact that Ted was so put out that I had to pull out the reserve sex last night to smooth things over. It was a workout, and I’m pretty sure I sweated out most of the beer.”

  Reserve sex?

  She reads my confused expression and explains, “You know, the sex you reserve for birthdays, anniversaries, and apologies.”

  I shake my head.

  “The kinky stuff. Haven’t you ever made an insane purchase, and instead of asking permission, you give him a blow job in the truck on the way home from his aunt Katherine’s after she notices you are wearing new diamond earrings and decided to compliment them in front of everyone?”

  “That’s extremely specific,” I point out, and she shrugs.

  “Anyway, I’ve been dying for you to arrive. Tell me everything about the drive home,” she says as she parks herself on the edge of my desk.

  “There’s nothing to tell. We just talked.”

  “About what?”

  “Life,” I admit.

  She frowns. “You were soaking wet and in one of the town’s hunkiest bachelor’s trucks, alone, and all you did was talk?”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

  She sighs. “It’s fine. I’m sure you’ll have another opportunity to ravage him,” she says before hopping down and walking back to her desk.

  “Who is ravaging who?” Sara-Beth asks as she makes her way in from the back of the office.

  “No one,” I answer before Erin can open her mouth.

  I give her a stern look from across the room. She knew Graham’s mother was back there.

  Sara-Beth looks between the two of us and grins.

  “You know, I was young once too,” she tells us.

  “I didn’t see your car outside,” I say.

  “Hilton dropped me off. He’s taking mine in for a tire rotation and oil change. He’ll be back soon to help us pull all the decorations out.”

  “Decorations?” I ask.

  “Yes. Independence Day is next week, and we have to get everything ready for the parade and fireworks.”

  It’s almost July? I can’t believe we’ve been here for three weeks already. Time flies.

  Corbin, Weston, Morris, and Graham all show up to help Hilton set up the Fourth of July decor. They wrap every tree with red, white, and blue lights, hang flags in front of every campsite, and line the fencing with Americana buntings.

  Once they finish here, they move on to help the town hang lighted stars from every lamppost in the valley and add festive adornment to the town hall and the fairgrounds.

  Sara-Beth and I take several trips to the rental cabins to add a little patriotic pizzazz to them as well.

  Balsam Ridge is proud of its country and its veterans. Independence Day is a big affair. The valley streets will be lined with tents, selling refreshments and sparklers, and everyone will set up their outdoor chairs to watch the massive fireworks display that is shot off from the festival grounds.

  There won’t be a single vacancy in town. The motels, campgrounds, and cabins are booked out for months ahead.

  I’m excited for Caleb to experience the festivities for the first time. I loved them when I was little.

  When we make it back to the office, I find my phone sitting on my desk, showing six missed calls. All from Damon.

  Great. I guess I can’t avoid him forever.

  I tell Erin I’ll be right back and excuse myself. I walk outside to return his calls.

  I dial his number, and he answers on the second ring. Which is unusual. Being a doctor, he’s not that easy to get ahold of. I talked to his voice mail more than I ever talked to him.

  “Taeli,” he answers.

  “Hello, Damon. I saw you called. I’m assuming it’s about the divorce filing.”

  “I got the papers. I haven’t signed them yet, but I received them.”

  I figured as much.

  “So, what do you need?” I ask.

  “The practice is closed next week, and I want to see if Caleb wants to join me in Cabo. I thought we could rent a yacht.”

  I snicker at his request. “You want to take Caleb to Mexico?”

  “Yes. Or you both could come if you’re uncomfortable with that.”

  Is he serious?

  “Yeah, no. I don’t think I want to be stuck on a boat with you and your pregnant girlfriend for a week.”

  “Ivy isn’t going.”

  “Why not?”
r />   “She’s too far along in her pregnancy. Her doctor advised against air travel, and I agree.”

  “So, you figured, Why not ask my ex-wife to come along instead? Rather than … I don’t know … stay in Chicago with the woman who’s about to have your baby!”

  “She’s not going to deliver next week.”

  “Oh, well, in that case …”

  “Taeli, I miss you, and I miss my son. Is that so hard to believe?”

  “Of course not, but I’m not flying off on vacation with you.”

  “Please,” he begs.

  “No, Damon. We’re getting divorced. That means no more holidays, no more vacations, and no more family dinners together. You have a new family now.”

  “I’m sorry,” he blurts out.

  “Sorry for what exactly?”

  “If I made you feel like you weren’t enough. It was me. I knew I wasn’t enough for you. You’re perfect. The perfect wife and the perfect mother, and I just wanted someone who needed me. Someone who looked at me and treated me like I was a prize.”

  “That’s the most deplorable excuse for cheating I’ve ever heard.”

  “It’s the truth.”

  “I hope you got your wish and Ivy treats you like a god,” I bite out.

  “I’m sure you do.”

  “I’m being honest, Damon. Because I hate to think that you tore our family apart for nothing.”

  “Taeli …” There is so much anguish in the way he says that one word.

  “Good-bye, Damon.”

  “What about Caleb?” he asks before I can click off the line.

  “I’ll talk to him tonight. If he wants to join you, I won’t stop him.”

  “Tell him I’ll FaceTime him tomorrow.”

  I end the call.

  What are you doing, Damon?

  He has a lot of nerve, trying to weasel his way back into my life. I guess his plaything is out of commission at the moment, so he figures I’ll jump at the chance to spend a week on a yacht with him.

  How pathetic does he think I am?

  Hilton’s truck pulls into the lot, and Graham and his brothers climb out.

  “You guys all done?” I ask.

  “Yep, we’re heading back to work. Pop was just dropping us back to our vehicles,” Weston answers.

  Graham breaks off from the group and walks over to me.

  “Is something wrong?” he asks, reading my thoughts.

  I wave the phone in the air. “Just dealing with a nuisance.”

  He nods.

  “What are your plans for the evening?” he asks.

  I shrug.

  “I don’t know, but whatever they are, they are going to include Caleb.”

  “Would the two of you want to go listen to some live music?” he asks.

  “I’m not taking my twelve-year-old into a bar.”

  “Of course not, I was talking about the band performing at the Blackbird Motel. They have a big cookout on the third Thursday of every month, and they showcase local artists and musicians. Garrett’s old bandmates are playing tonight. It’s completely kid-friendly.”

  “Oh, that sounds nice,” I say.

  “I can pick you guys up around six,” he offers.

  “Can Mom come too? I feel like I owe her after the last few nights. I don’t want to leave her to eat alone.”

  “Sure.”

  “Okay. We’ll see you at six.”

  “It’s a date.”

  Graham

  “So, you’ve got the hots for Leona’s daughter,” Corbin states. When I don’t respond, he continues, “Not that I blame you. She’s smoking. Mom told me about her no-good husband. What a dumbass he is. He had that at home, and he still went catting around? That assistant of his must have an enchanted—”

  “Don’t finish that sentence,” I bark.

  He throws his hands in the air. “Just sayin’.”

  I shake my head.

  “So, what’s your play?” he asks.

  “What do you mean, my play?”

  “She’s just here for the summer, right? You planning on having a sexy fling?”

  “I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

  He grins. “I like this. I haven’t seen you bent about a woman in ages. I bet Mom and Leona are stoked.”

  “There is nothing to be stoked about. We’re friends.”

  “If you say so, brother.”

  “You’re one to talk. I haven’t heard you mention Susanna in a while.”

  Susanna is his on-again, off-again girlfriend.

  He brings his hand up and rubs his forehead with his index finger and thumb. He’s stressed. It’s his tell.

  “We’re on a break right now,” he says.

  “Again?” I ask.

  “You know she’s crazy as hell.”

  Of course I do. The whole town knows that, but he loves her anyway.

  “Is there anything I can do?” I ask.

  “Don’t tell Mom and Pop. They’ll figure it out when I show up on the Fourth alone.”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “Thanks, bro, and, hey, keep me informed on your sexy fling.”

  I pull up to Valley Fire and Rescue and let him out.

  “See you at the picnic,” he calls before he enters the building.

  As soon as he disappears through the door, I grab my phone to text Langford.

  Heads up. Corbin and Susanna broke up again.

  I don’t even get out of the parking lot before my phone dings with his response.

  Fucking great. I’ll go by and check in on him tonight.

  We’re all used to dealing with the fallout when Susanna decides to take off, and it’s a pain in the ass, but all four of us are there to keep our brother from losing his shit.

  Taeli calls and tells me that she is taking a renter out to show them two of the properties and is running late. I offer to pick Caleb and Leona up, so she can meet us at the Blackbird when she’s done.

  She calls her mom and texts me that she and Caleb will be ready by six and that she will meet us as soon as she can.

  When I get to Leona’s, she wrangles Caleb into the truck, and the three of us head into town.

  Leona asks if we can stop at Market Square, so she can pick up an order from One with the Moon.

  While she is in the boutique, Caleb and I walk the square.

  We make our way into the Penny-Pinching Pack Rat. It’s a thrift shop, tucked between the more upscale shops.

  “Let’s pop in here. I want to introduce you to someone,” I tell him.

  The bell on the door chimes as we walk inside, and an older gentleman with a limp comes shuffling out of the back. His coveralls and wiry gray beard give off the impression that he could be found in the woods, checking on an old moonshine still.

  Zemry Wells. A war hero. A sourpuss and my pop’s closest friend. I adore him.

  “Who do you have here?” he asks when he catches sight of Caleb.

  “Hi, Zemry. This is Caleb, Leona’s grandson. Caleb, this is Zemry Wells,” I introduce.

  He looks at Caleb and grunts. “You like boiled peanuts, boy?”

  “What?” Caleb asks and looks up at me.

  “Did I stutter?” Zemry asks.

  “No, sir,” Caleb says.

  “Well, do you?”

  “I don’t know what that is,” Caleb admits.

  “It’s peanuts that are boiled. Pretty self-explanatory, don’t you think?”

  “I guess.”

  “Come on,” Zemry says and motions for Caleb to follow him deeper into the store.

  I nudge him forward, and Caleb apprehensively falls in step behind him.

  Zemry leads him over to two large steel pots resting over a coal stove. He opens the top of one of the pots, ladles a huge scoop of peanuts into a Styrofoam cup, and hands it to Caleb.

  “These are the regular boil since you’re a beginner, but I’m famous for my Cajun recipe,” he tells him before preparing a cup of the spicy version
for me.

  Caleb watches as I take one of the nuts and crack the shell. I suck the juice from the pod and then slurp the tender nuts into my mouth.

  I moan as the delicacy touches my tongue. Nothing reminds me of childhood like Zemry’s boiled peanuts.

  “Your turn,” Zemry says to Caleb.

  We watch as he mimics me. He wrinkles his nose as he chews and swallows.

  “Well?” Zemry asks.

  “It’s salty and slimy,” Caleb says.

  “That’s how it’s supposed to be,” Zemry assures him.

  Caleb tries another.

  “They’ll grow on you,” Zemry states.

  We kill time, meandering around the shop, looking at the old antiques. Caleb is fascinated by some of the Native American tools and old knives.

  “Here,” Zemry says as he hands Caleb a tarnished pocketknife with a carved ivory handle.

  “I don’t have any money,” Caleb tells him.

  “It’s a gift. You don’t pay for gifts.”

  “I’m not sure my mom will let me have it,” Caleb says as he looks up at me.

  “Every boy needs a pocketknife. If Taeli or Leona has a problem with it, you send them to me, and I’ll sort them,” Zemry says.

  “Thank you,” Caleb offers.

  Zemry just grunts and shuffles off. Caleb’s eyes follow him, and then his head snaps to me.

  “It’s him. Isn’t it?” he asks excitedly.

  “It’s who?”

  “The one old grump, like the sign says. Mom said I’d know when I saw him. It’s Zemry. He’s the town’s old grump!”

  I laugh. “Yep, it’s Zemry.”

  Leona finds us as we exit, and the three of us decide to leave the truck and walk three blocks to the Blackbird Motel. Caleb tells her about the pocketknife, and she makes him give it up until he asks his mother for permission to carry it.

  I expect the kid to pitch a fit, but he doesn’t. He just hands it over.

  “I didn’t think it was okay for me to keep it,” he tells her.

  “I can keep it safe until she decides it’s time for you to have it.”

  We find a crosswalk and make our way across the street. When we arrive, Taeli is already waiting for us at the entrance.

  “Mom, I met the grump!” Caleb tells her.