CHAPTER Sixteen:

   Lauren sat on the porch in the cool morning air and set down her diary. She’d found a use for it at last. Documenting her time with Willow.

   Westley barked and demanded her attention. Lauren shook her head at him. He stood right at the edge of the garden, wanting to get in. Boundaries were a hard thing for him to learn, but he would have to. After all, he couldn’t be left to dig up all the plants.

   Inside the fence, Buttercup was standing in the middle of the pathway. She did not approve of this change. Her pale feathers were fluffed up and she glared at Westley.

A truck rumbled up the driveway.

   “Come, Wes!” Lauren called, and he obeyed, bounding onto the porch. Lauren picked him up and held him until the truck came to a stop.

   The door swung open and Amanda stepped out. Her red hair was tumbling down from its up-do. That was the first sign something was wrong. Her hair was unruly.

   “What happened?” Lauren put Wes down and stepped toward her.

   She ran up the stairs. “Everything is wrong.” Tears streaked her face as she ran into Lauren’s arms.

   She whimpered and clung tight. Lauren’s brows knit together. This was a territory she wasn’t entirely comfortable in. Comforting people was not her forte. Offering them practical advice was much easier. 

   “Oh, Lauren,” Amanda sniffed between her words, “Last night Raymond took me to the city.”

   “Did he hurt you?” Lauren asked softly.

   “Only my future, and my pride.” Amanda sat up straight and wiped her eyes. She walked across the porch and sat down in the rocking chair.

   “He dared me.” She took a deep breath. “And I thought, it was just a stupid prank. What harm could come of it, you know?”

   Lauren grimaced. “What did you do?”

   “There was this elderly man.” Amanda wrung her hands. “Oh, I’m so ashamed.” She didn’t want to go on.

   “We are friends. You can tell me anything.”

   “We were going to this high-scale restaurant, and he was ahead of us on the sidewalk, walking so slowly.” Amanda sighed. “When we finally got to the doors, Raymond dared me to tell the hostess at the restaurant that we were hares coming up just behind the tortoise.”

   Lauren winced. Why would Raymond do such a thing? How could Amanda be so trusting and foolish?

   “The man overhead, of course. He turned around and told me how extremely rude I was.” She held up a hand. “And I deserved it, I know.”

   “That’s very unfortunate. But I’m sure you’ve learned your lesson.” Lauren unconsciously rubbed at her wrist, which was wrapped in an elastic bandage. Amanda’s consequences would be far less drastic than her own.

   “Yeah, but get this. Raymond apologized, profusely and told him both our names. And he was the university dean!”

   Westley overcame his shyness and gently nudged her legs, as if sensing her distress.

   “Oh no. Well, it can’t be the first time someone played a trick on him. You made a mistake, and I’m sure he’ll realize it.” 

   “Why did this have to happen to me?” Amanda groaned.

   “There’s a plan in all of this. Things will work out in the end.” Lauren reached out and patted her friend’s arm.

   “Do you really think so?” Her pale face held a hopeful expression.

   Westley whined at her feet. She picked him up and set him on her lap. He was growing fast, soon he wouldn’t fit.

   “Mom told me about an opportunity to tutor down in Florida. She’s got some friends there.” She smoothed Westley’s ears. “They pay well, it’s only temporary though.”

   Lauren’s eyes widened in surprise. That was a long trip. But far away was what Amanda had wanted. 

   “Really? Well, you’d get to see new places, and be with children. Just like you’ve always dreamed.”

   “I know.” But she shook her head. “It would interfere with my studies. I can’t accept, not right now.”

   Lauren frowned. Her friend had a whole life ahead of her – opportunities and dreams yet to be fulfilled. She had worked so hard in school, on the ranch, and through the summer. She could use a change of pace and a change of surroundings.

   “You should consider it. Pray about it.”

   Amanda slowly got up and stretched. It was time for her to get to work. “Thank you for listening to me.”
   “That’s what friends are for.”

   She walked down the steps, then paused and turned back. “I’m sorry for not trusting me. From now on, you remind me to stop being a rotten friend.”

   Lauren chuckled and waved goodbye. She watched her friend leave. 

   It was clear that Raymond was not holding up his side of the truce. Lauren could only hope that Amanda was wiser now.

 

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   There was no use working at Chuck’s, at least for a few days. Lauren closed the store and biked home. It was an easy ride, and the sky was overclouded instead of bright and sunny. She was glad for it, it kept the temperature down. 

   She stopped at Aunt Betsy’s and picked up Willow and Westley, then they headed home. They were going out for dinner. 

   The Stevens had invited the two of them over for dinner. They lived all alone, in a nice country home out of town. It had been Lauren’s pleasure to accept, she needed something to get her mind off her looming problems.

   By the time the two girls were ready, it had begun to drizzle outside. Willow spun in circles in the living room, dancing to the soft tune on the record player.

   Lauren straightened her skirt and smoothed a strand of hair back into the low bun at the nape of her neck.

   “Come on, Willow. Let’s go.”

   Willow grabbed the tin of homemade cookies from the counter. Lauren had made snicker-doodles the night before. They headed for the door.

   A truck pulled up in the driveway and Grand waved at them from the window.

   “What are you doing here?” Lauren had already grabbed the keys for her truck. “I was going to drive over.”

   “Was passing by, and thought I might as well save you the trouble. It seemed like a waste of gas two take both vehicles when we could just carpool.” Grant climbed out and opened the passenger door.

   Lauren shook her head at him. She knew it was very unlikely that he’d actually been passing by. He just wanted to save her gas money, and she appreciated it.

   “Come on Wes!” She took Willow’s hand and led them towards the car. 

   Grant grabbed the car seat from her truck and fitted it in the back of his. Lauren lifted Willow in and did up the seatbelt. She was finally starting to get the hang of it. Wes climbed in next to the little girl.

   Then they were on their way. Westley barked as they drove down the road, watching out the window as the scenery passed. Willow rubbed his silky head. They got along so well together. The two had become almost inseparable. 

   “I don’t know if it was a good idea to bring the puppy,” Lauren said. 

   Grant had pleaded for her to do so, and he’d promised his parents wouldn’t mind. But she was worried that between the puppy and the child, she’d have her hands full. 

   “You worry too much,” Grant said.

   They pulled up in front of the house. It had two storeys, and the siding on the outside was beautiful honey-coloured wood. There was a stone pathway leading up to the door. 

Lauren climbed out of the truck and got Willow out.

   “You should’ve brought an umbrella,” Grant said. 

   The rain had grown steadier. He was always prepared. He pulled a black umbrella out from the door and held it above the two girls’ heads. Then he opened the gate in front of them.

   Willow found the narrow circle restricting and left it behind as she dashed towards the door. It was a good thing she was wearing her rubber boots. She splashed in puddles along the way.

   Grant handed Lauren the umbrella and dashed after her, or more specifically, Westley. He scooped him up in his arms and flipped him over, tickling at his stomach. The puppy wiggled and yipped at him.

   “If Wes ever disappears,” Grant set him down and tossed a stick across the yard, “don’t come looking at the station. You most definitely won’t find him there. It is no admission of guilt to say I won’t help you look for the kidnapper.”

   Wes bounded after the flying object. Lauren laughed and joined Willow on the doorstep. They were under the shade of the porch now, so she closed the umbrella and shook the raindrops off it. The door swung open, revealing Grant’s waiting parents.

   “Lauren!” Mrs. Stevens swept her into a bear hug. “It’s been too long. How are you doing?”
   “I’m doing well.” Lauren smiled at her as she pulled back and studied her face.

After the Quinleys had passed away, she’d been there with food and even stayed for a few nights. Lauren could never forget her kindness.

   “Hello,” her husband held out his hand, seriousness, as always, governing his expression.

   Grey had almost won over his whole head of hair, but he still held a striking resemblance to his son. They were alike in many ways, except that the younger Stevens had inherited his mother’s sense of humour. Retirement was on Mr. Stevens’ horizon, but they all knew he couldn’t bear abandoning the station.

   “You must be Willow,” Mrs. Stevens crouched down and grinned at her.

   “Hi.” Willow beamed back.

   “And you,” Mrs. Stevens straightened and narrowed her eyes at Grant. “I’ve never seen you before. You look like a real rapscallion.”

   “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am,” he tipped an invisible hat at her, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

   “Look at that unruly mop you have on your head.” She ruffled his hair then laughed and led the group inside.

   They left their rubber boots by the door, then went into a warmly lit dining room. A bouquet picked from the garden out front made a pretty centrepiece.After everyone found their places, they said grace.

 

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   “So, how are things going with Amanda?” Mrs. Stevens set down her fork and dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “She is applying for university? I see her at the gas station, but you’re much better friends than we are.”

   “Yes. She’s doing alright.” Lauren paused. “Busy, as usual.”

   She avoided the gazes around the table. Mr. Stevens broke the silence to ask for his third slice of apple pie.

   Amanda’s troubles had been weighing on Lauren’s mind all day. At work she’d been thinking about them, and even when she was supposed to be enjoying herself, she couldn’t help but think of her. Amanda’s troubles weren’t her secrets to tell.

   “Please excuse me,” Lauren pushed back her chair and set her napkin on the table. “I’m going to go check on Wes, he’s been alone out there for a while now.”

   Air, I need air, Lauren thought as she headed towards the door. Willow had fallen asleep fifteen minutes before, and Grant had moved her to the couch. Lauren peeked at her before slipping outside.

   The rain had subsided, and the clouds were blown away by a brisk breeze. The stars had come out to dance with each other in the clear night sky.

   Lauren sat down on the bottom step and stared up at the golden sparkles. Wes bounded over to her and pushed his head into her lap. He was damp from the rain, but she didn’t mind. She scratched him between his ears. 

   “Everything will be alright.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 

   As much as she wanted to be, she knew she wasn’t capable enough to take on the burdens of everyone in Silver-Bell Creek. Only God could do that. She already had enough trouble trying to keep ahead of her own problems. 

   The door clicked open. 

   “Hey,” Grant said softly.

   “Hey.” She looked back at him, then up at the sky again.

   He sat down on the step beside her, and Westley abandoned her to go over to him.

   “So. He’s all right?” 

   “What?” Lauren raised her eyebrows. He motioned to the dog. “Oh, right. Yes.”

   That had been the reason she’d excused herself, though it wasn’t the real one, and both of them knew it. 

   The two of them sat in silence, listening to the crickets and croaks of frogs.

   Then the door opened again, and Mrs. Stevens stepped out. She turned the porch light on. Lauren let out a little woosh of breath. So much for being alone.

   Mrs. Stevens rested a hand on Grant’s shoulder, and he stood and let her take his place. She motioned him inside. 

   “What’s wrong, dear?” She asked gently.

   Lauren wrinkled her nose. “Just have a lot on my mind.”
   Mrs. Stevens nodded. “We’re all here for you, always.” She wrapped an arm around the younger woman.

   “Thank you.” Lauren leaned her head on her shoulder.

 

 

 

 

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   Lacey’s living room was growing more chaotic by the minute. Moving boxes were pushed out of the way, and the coffee table was pulled closer to the couch. 

She stretched out a paper across it. It was a map, dotted with little red stars someone had doodled on it. 

   Charlotte sat forward and studied it. There was writing around the edge. It quickly became clear that it was a chart of shops for rent.

   Lacey handed her a tablet and scrolled through pictures of them. It was all rather unbelievable to Charlotte. 

   “Do you really think I could do something like this?” She ran her fingers through her hair.

   “Yes.” Lacey beamed. “I’ve got experience, and I’m willing to refer my clients. If you end up somewhere close by.”

   “Starting my own business, my own hair salon wouldn’t be easy.”

   “I know that. But you have experience.”

   Kevin had dealt with the more practical side of things. He was typing away at his laptop. The armchair he sat in was swamped in stacks of books they had yet to pack away. 

   “You just need some licenses and a venue. Which wouldn’t be so hard to find.”

   They looked over the map again. Charlotte didn’t even know where to start. Where would she want to live?

   Silver-Bell Creek? Maybe. But she wasn’t quite ready for that, and there wouldn’t be many customers in such a small town.

   “I’d need equipment too... There’s a lot that would need to be set in place before I could open.” She tapped a finger on her chin.

   “We could figure something out.” Lacey pursed her brow. “But just think. Willow will be in school soon. She could hang around with you at work until then. Maybe you could have a little play corner for the children of clients too.”

   Charlotte bobbed her head as she considered it.

   “Plus, you could live whenever you want. The options are endless.” She motioned to the map. “You’d be your own boss.”

   A smile slowly began to break across Charlotte’s face. It was a good idea. If she could make it work.

   “It sounds too good to be true,” she said.

   Lacey stood and moved next to her husband. They exchanged a glance, then he nodded. 

   “We have some ideas already.” She returned to the tablet and moved to another picture. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve called up this designer friend of ours, and she made a mock sign and logo for you. Just so you could get a picture in your head.”

   A graphic popped up on the screen. A swirly burgundy red font. ‘Charlotte’s Hair Studio’, with an accenting silhouette of a woman with flowing hair beside it.

   “It’s far better than anything I could have come up with.” Charlotte felt the idea starting to come to life in her mind.