CHAPTER Seventeen:

   Lauren unwrapped the bandage from her wrist and moved her hand around, testing it. It was starting to feel better. She was pretty sure she could start working at the farm again.

   Riley came into the store and stocked up on groceries. Lauren rewrapped her wrist again and pinned it the bandage tight, then started putting the items through the till.

   “How’s Wes doing?” Riley asked. “And you?”

   “He’s doing great. Energetic as usual.” Lauren smiled. “And I am alive, and on the mend. That’s about all I can ask for right now.”

   The doorbell jingled, and the Howland siblings brushed past Riley. Foster’s platinum ponytail swung as she tossed her head. 

   “Any mail for me?” she asked, casting a cold look at Riley.

   Lauren pulled a letter out of the box behind her and marked it as delivered. It seemed no one was patient enough to wait for their mail to reach their own mailboxes.

   Foster grinned as she scanned the envelope. The address gave away the sender’s name. It was the university. She tore it open and unfolded the official-looking letter.

For some reason, Foster had decided her calling was teaching. A few months before, she’d applied to the teaching program. 

   Raymond peeked over her shoulder and read as she did. 

   “Congratulations, little sis.” He cast a glance at Lauren.

   “Ahh!” Foster squealed and jumped up and down. “I’m the last student to be accepted to the program! Mother will be so proud.”

   “That’s great news,” Lauren said, trying to manage a smile. She hoped to pacify them and have them go on their way as quickly as possible.

   Foster gasped, then stared at Lauren. She smoothed her hair back self-consciously, wondering if it was a mess. Or maybe a fly had landed on her nose.

   “Oh dear,” Foster said, a smile dancing around her lips. She stiffly turned to look back at Raymond. “Your friend applied too, didn’t she?”

   Lauren’s heart dropped. She didn’t want to hear them mock her. 

   “What’s her name? The gas station girl!” She napped her fingers. “Well, I hope she’s not missed out on this wonderful opportunity. You’ll give her my best wishes, won’t you?”

   The blonde straightened before marching out the door, her brother on her heels. Lauren knew that there was no letter waiting for Amanda. 

   “Don’t listen to them.” Riley picked up her bags. “They live to make people miserable. Don’t let them ruin your day.”

   “They’re really something elsge.” Lauren shook her head. “I hate how sophisticated and put together they always look too.”

   Riley snorted as she made her way to the door. “They’re just overcompensating for their ugly personalities.”

   The door clanged shut, and Lauren pressed a hand to her forehead. She was getting a headache, just thinking about how much Amanda was going to be disappointed. One last time, she rifled through the mail. There was no mistake, there was nothing for her friend.

   The door jingled open and a tourist entered the store.

   “Do you sell postcards?” A woman with a southern accent and bright yellow blouse smiled at her. 

   “Yes, we do. Right there.” Lauren pointed to the stand right next to her.

   “Oh, wonderful. I just have to show my daughter how much fun I’m having in retirement.” The woman paused. “Well, my husband’s retirement. But I think I deserve to have one too.”

   Lauren managed to smile as the lady rambled on as she shuffled through the cards. 

She stopped at a bright postcard, which pictured the town sign in autumn.

   “Ooh. How pretty.” She turned to the counter and set it down. “I’ll take this one!”

“That’ll be fifty cents.”
   She pulled her wallet out, then narrowed her eyes at Lauren. “Do you find that you have troubles in your life?”

   Lauren raised her eyebrows at the sudden change of tone. “Who doesn’t?”
   The lady handed over the change. “You need early retirement.” A giggle burst out of her and she was back to her sunshiney persona. 

   “If only that were possible.” Lauren couldn't help but smile.

   “Well, if you can’t have that. Get yourself a husband who can retire early.” She winked. “Or a puppy. Puppies just evaporate all your problems.”

   “The latter has not seemed to work so far.” Lauren ducked her head. 

   With a few more cheery comments and bright smiles, the lady was off again to go meet her husband at the fishing tackle store.

   Lauren wished puppies could fix all her problems. Amanda needed one too in that case. She thought back to Foster’s letter.

   Maybe the girl had made it all up to scare Lauren. It would have been characteristically cruel. Whatever the truth, Lauren hoped Foster had gotten in. At least then she’d be out of town, and not getting on her nerves. Even one Howland out of town would be an improvement.

   The chock chimed six o’clock and she jumped up to close the store. She needed to hurry so she could get to her evening job.

 

ef

 

   Work was busy, and Lauren was glad about it. With Chuck away at a farmer’s conference, tasks had added up. Which meant she could work as long as she wanted. 

   Lauren wasn’t working alone. She’d forgotten that Jared was at the farm. The two of them kept their distance throughout the evening. He seemed shy and gruff, as though he didn’t want much to do with her. It was fine by her, she’d rather get work done than stand around talking. 

   Once they finished, they walked back to their vehicles together. 

   “So...” Lauren watched him from the corner of her eyes. “How’d you end up here?”

   “Looking for a new beginning.” He shrugged. “Wipe my reputation clean, make old wrongs right.”

   He didn’t offer any more explanation as to what he meant by his reputation. She didn’t press for one. It was his business.

   “Chuck needed help anyways, so I was happy to offer my services.” He had a lopsided smile. “Always willing to give my cousin a hand.”

   “When will he be back?” Lauren asked.

   It was silly of her to worry; Chuck would never have left her alone with someone sketchy. But all the same, she wished he was around. 

   “Tomorrow, I think. Unless he decides to stay for good. You know, having too much fun talking tractors and whatnot.”

   Lauren laughed. “That sounds very dull, but knowing him... you never know.”

   She climbed into her truck and waved goodbye.

   It was dark by the time she arrived at Aunt Betsy’s. Willow was blowing bubbles on the porch, under the lamplight. Wes barked, chasing them around, and whining when they disappeared.

   The cat was perched on the railing, on the opposite side of the porch, watching the scene with narrowed eyes. They were far too loud for his liking.

   “Hi, Wren!” Willow called as she saw her sister arrive.

   “Hey!” She stretched and walked down the path towards her. “Did you have a good day? I hope you behaved yourself.”

   “She was a little angel,” Aunt Betsy stepped out from behind the screen door. “How was your day? I hope you didn’t over do it?”

   “Nah,” Lauren walked up the steps. “Just a little tired and sore.”

   “Any word from your mother?”

   Lauren shook her head. Charlotte had all but disappeared. Maybe she would come back for the girl one day, but the two weeks were quickly coming to an end.

   “That woman needs help,” Aunt Betsy led Lauren inside to the table and took her dinner out of the oven, where she’d been keeping it warm. 

   She needs more than help, she needs an honest talking to, Lauren mused as she ate.

   “Are you going to make your payment?” Aunt Betsy asked.

   “That’s the plan. It’ll be tight, but I’ve got some savings at home that I’ve been hiding from the Howlands.” Lauren shrugged and shook her head. “I’m worried about Willow though. She needs a mom and a dad.”

   Lauren thought her childhood had been fine without both, but her grandparents had filled that gap in her life. Aunt Betsy sat down across from her. 

   “She will be alright. I can tell she’s sad deep down. Willow knows more than we give her credit for.” Aunt Betsy sighed. “She was asking about her mom today.”

   “I know,” Lauren said between bites. “No one should have to go through this.”

She finished her plate in silence. Maybe she should put a stop to all this uncertainty. There was another option. No doubt even Charlotte would agree to adoption – she seemed to have no qualms about letting her children go.

   “Are you coming?” Willow opened the door and peeked her head in.

   “In a minute,” Lauren smiled and took her plate to the sink to wash it.”

   Aunt Betsy came up beside her. 

   “Where would I be without you?” Lauren said. “Thank you, for everything.” She hugged her.

   “We’d both be a heck of a lot lonelier.” Aunt Betsy said, squeezing her one last time before releasing her from her hold.

   Willow’s impatient hollers sounded from outside. Lauren sighed and hurried out onto the porch.

   “Alright! Everyone in the truck, we’re going home!” Lauren motioned at Willow.

   Westley stopped to sniff at the cat before following her. The cat wore a look of contempt and hissed. 

   Young woman, little girl and puppy piled into the truck and Lauren started the engine. Willow was pressed up to her, smelling of oatmeal cookies and fresh air. Lauren smelled of... well, hay and sweat. Not the most pleasant. 

   She looked forward to having a shower and going to bed. 

 

hg

 

   Charlotte found herself back in Lacey and Kevin’s living room the next day, planning. The three of them were making calls, trying to find a place for rent. 

   Kevin hung up the phone, exasperated.

   “No luck?” she asked.

   He shook his head. “It was already taken.”

   It was another dead end, and Charlotte was about ready to give up for good.

   “What about the place near Silver-Bell Creek?” Lacey asked. She looked at the map again. “Redston?”

   Charlotte tugged at her ear and shook her head. “I don’t know.” 

   She was beginning to have second thoughts about being so close to Lauren. Especially as the days dragged on, and she still hadn’t properly returned her phone calls. What if she didn’t want her to be so close?

   Charlotte had decided it was time to start thinking of her wishes too, at least once she picked up Willow.

   “Why don’t you go check it out?” Kevin asked. 

   They’d already found her some equipment to start with. Discounted from some of Lacey’s friends. 

   There were a few possible clients in the area that Lacey knew. 

   Taking a look does not mean I have to choose it, Charlotte reminded herself. She fidgeted in her seat. It was time to get back to Willow anyways. On the way back, she could stop in and scout out the area. 

   “All right.” Her lips turned up in a broad smile. “I’ll try it.”