CHAPTER Eighteen:

   Lauren kneeled in the garden, forgetting that doing so would leave dirty splotches on the knees of her jeans. She pulled a weed here and there, then stood with a grunt.

She picked two ripe corn cobs from their stalks, and sighed as an oversize zucchini caught her eye.

   There was way too much food for just Willow and her. On the plus side, they didn’t have to buy much. They were over the heads in produce, and unfortunately, there weren’t enough hours in the day to find time to sell it.

   Maybe when Mrs. Tilney got back, she would let her stock some in the store. Lauren grabbed the giant zucchini and snapped it from its vine.

   A loud crack sounded in the bushes. Lauren brandished the summer squash like a club, holding it over her shoulder and staring into the greenery. 

   Beware the fearsome zucchini warrior, whoever you are. She laughed at the absurdity of the thought, then hurried towards the house. The crashing had sounded like something big, but most likely it was just her overactive imagination.

   “Are you coming, Willow?” Lauren called through the door, then yawned.

   She was still tired from the night before, and she’d woken up early to make herself supper to take along. It was much more convenient to eat it as she went from the store to the farm. 

   While she waited, she loaded the vegetables into the truck and lifted Wes in.

   Willow came out the door and ran over to the truck, then held out her hands. Lauren lifted her into her seat, then got into the driver’s seat.

   The trees cast dappled light over their faces as they drove down the driveway and towards Aunt Betsy’s. 

   She was waiting on the porch when they drove up. Lauren hurried out and ushered Wes and Willow out of the truck. 

   Willow unsteadily carried a cucumber and the cobs of corn. Wes jumped at her feet, making the situation worse. He was growing fast.

   Lauren carried the rest of the produce. The zucchini and a few tomatoes. They made it to the safety of the porch without dropping anything, and Lauren deposited her load on the table.

   “Don’t worry about saving me supper!” She gave Aunt Betsy a quick hug then, jogged back towards the truck.

   As she drove, she thought about the sound she’d heard. Whatever it was, she hoped it wouldn’t bother Buttercup. Maybe it had been thunder, and she’d only mistaken it for a breaking branch? But the sky was clear. 

   It was hotter than ever, and the few days of rain hadn’t done much to help fight the dust. They really needed more. Everything was dry. A thin layer of dust covered the cars, the buildings and fences, and even Lauren when she was done working at the farm.

   All the hay at the surrounding farms had been brought in, so there was no danger of ruining their harvests.

   Lauren pulled up in front of the store and went through the routine of opening up.

The first customer burst through the door with a smile on her face.

   “Well, well,” Lauren grinned at Amanda as she tied an apron around her neck. “I was starting to wonder if you’d skipped town.”

   “Busy working is all.” Amanda skidded to a stop in front of the counter, then frowned. “There’s been a cougar sighting again. Near your place. Keep an eye out.”

   Maybe that’s what I heard this morning, Lauren thought. If it was, her zucchini wouldn’t have been much use as a weapon.

   “Any mail for me?” Amanda asked.

   Lauren hadn’t had time to sort through it yet. She looked through the envelopes and found one with Amanda’s name. It was from the university.

   She didn’t know whether to dread the contents or be excited. Maybe it had been mailed before Foster’s, and just come in late.

   Amanda ripped it open and pulled the letter out. Her eyes eagerly scanned the lines, but the hopeful expression soon fell. With every sentence she read, her smile drooped a little more. 

   “They declined my application.” Her face was a picture of misery. “Of course, I didn’t make it. Now everyone can say, ‘I told you so’.”

   “I’m so sorry,” Lauren grimaced. “What can I say? There must be something better in store?”

   “That’s just fine and dandy.” Amanda scowled and waved the letter in the air. “This was my one wish. My one opportunity. My only way out of this town.”

   A strand of hair fell in front of her eyes, but she didn’t bother to push it back. Her shoulders slumped in defeat.

   “Maybe it wouldn’t have been everything you thought.”

   “Maybe it would have! Can’t I have one dream? You just don’t understand.”

   She was right. Lauren liked the town. It was everything she knew, and all she wanted. The two had very different dreams.

   “You know how much work went into this, and now it has blown up in my face.” She grunted, then her voice dropped to a whisper. “Dad was right.”

   “What do you mean?”

   “He said this was my home, and to think I could become a teacher was foolishness. No one wants a small-town girl.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Now it’s apparent, I’m doomed to work on the ranch forever.”

   “That’s not true. You know it’s not.” Lauren was upset that someone had given her such notions in the first place.

   Amanda shrugged and walked out of the store. She had a long day of work ahead of her, but she didn’t care about it. After all, she had nothing to save for.

   The door jingled and Riley walked in. 

   “What’s up with her?” she asked, jutting her head towards the fading form.

   “She didn’t get into university.” 

   “I’m sorry for her,” Riley shook her head sympathetically. “She deserves better.”
Lauren nodded. Now if only everyone felt that way about her.

 

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   The Dunlaps lived in an old farmhouse. Tall and square. The picture of it faded from Lauren’s mind as she walked up to it.

   It had once had fresh white paint and vibrant flowers that grew in a border around it. Now weeds grew through cracks in the cement pathway. Where flowers should have grown, overgrown grass had taken over. 

   The stairs creaked as she climbed up them. She knocked and peered through the window. Amanda’s father must be around, his truck was parked in the driveway. 

   “Who’s there?” A voice called from inside.

   “Lauren!”

   The door swung open. Mr. Dunlap’s face was lined with wrinkles, and an indent crossed his forehead where his hat had recently sat. 

   “Amanda’s not here,” he said gruffly.

   “No matter,” Lauren was extra cheery. “I’m here to speak to you.”

   His face screwed up in confusion, then he shrugged and moved aside. Seed catalogues lined the kitchen table, where he offered her a seat. 

   “The university didn’t accept Amanda.” Lauren watched his face for a reaction. “She’s taking it very hard.”

   If there was a look of dismay in his eyes, it was gone before she could notice. “She was setting herself up for disappointment when she applied.” He sat down and clasped his hands together on the tabletop.

   “She is a kind and intelligent girl.” Lauren tried not to get upset. “She worked so hard for this. What she needs right now is encouragement. From you.”

   “What do you mean?” His red bushy eyebrows shot up.

   Lauren sighed. “Her mom works so much at the hospital, she’s hardly ever home. I understand that makes things harder on the ranch, but you both need to show Amanda that you care.”

   “If you think that you can march into my house, sit down and tell me how to raise my daughter, you’re wrong.” 

   Lauren held up her hands. “Look, all I’m asking is that you spend some time with her. Talk to her. Maybe take a weekend off and take her out of town for a while.”

   He shook his head in disbelief. “Can’t you see that we live on a ranch? The horses have to be fed. The hay put away. There’s work to be done.”

   Her lips pursed as she looked around the dusty room. “I know you have work. Amanda has been helping you with that for most of her life.” She let her frustration burst out in her words. “But you can’t forget your children!”
   “You don’t know my life, you don’t get to tell me what to do.” He pushed himself up angrily. “We are doing a fine job if I do say so myself. If your grandparents hadn’t spoiled you so much...”
   Lauren stood up too, her face turning red. “My grandparents were good people. And Amanda is my friend. I’m not going to watch her hopes be dashed, or be ignor-”
   “Get out.” He cut her off and pushed her towards the door. “Stay away from us, and stop feeding such foolish ideas into her head.”
   He opened the door and motioned her out. She stepped outside and glared at him. He slammed the door in her face and turned away. 

   Lauren felt sorry for Amanda. Mr. Dunlap put his farm before everyone, and Mrs. Dunlap was focused on nursing everyone but her own family. Where did that leave Amanda?

   She walked back to her truck and climbed in. This had already taken half an hour out of her evening work at Chuck’s farm.

   Amanda showed up just as she was about to leave. She stuck her head through the window of the truck. 

   “What are you doing here?”

   “Just stopped by to check in on you,” Lauren said. 

   “Hmm. I’m fine. Spent some time driving around and thinking about where I’m going next.”

   Lauren’s mouth opened in an o. “You’re leaving? Are you thinking about that job in Florida?”
   She shrugged and looked at her house. “What’s here for me? Mom and dad are so busy, I rarely see them.” She glanced at her feet. “It must feel horrible to lose the ones you love, Lauren. But I’m sure it’s worse to have ones alive who don’t care.”

   Lauren’s eyes watered at those hopeless words. “They do care, I’m sure of it. Besides, Matthew is still around.”

   She kicked at the dirt and shrugged, then walked toward the house without saying goodbye.

   “She needs hope, Lord.” Lauren prayed.

   Her face flushed as she thought about how much she complained about having no ‘real’ parents. No, she was lucky. 

   The road was empty except for a lone figure. Matthew walked along the dusty road. He waved when he saw her. 

   Lauren slowed her truck to a stop beside him. 

   “Hey, how are things at home?” she asked.

   He shrugged and avoided her gaze. He was only sixteen, and very shy. But not that shy.

   “Hang in there. And encourage your sister, will you?” 

   He nodded. “I will.”

   “Thank you!” Lauren waved goodbye before driving off.

 

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   Charlotte said goodbye to Lacey and Kevin, and turned out of their apartment’s parking lot onto a busy city street. She wondered if she’d ever see them again, and how she could ever repay them for all they’d done.

   Before she left, they’d given her a thousand dollars, to help towards the first rent payment. It was the first time in a long time that anyone had trusted her.

   They hadn’t asked if she was lying about her intentions, they hadn’t reminded her not to disappear, they hadn’t scolded her and told her not to use it for the wrong things. They just trusted her. And believed in her.

   Charlotte smiled. Something was changing in her, and people were beginning to notice. Things were going to turn out fine. She had hope now.

   The radio played the top hits of the season as she drove along, waiting for stoplights as she drove out of the city. Soon, she’d be home, she’d have a home. Soon, she’d be back with Willow!

   Finally, the last stoplight turned green and she was into the suburbs. The miles sped by, and she felt lighter the further she went.

   Travelling was a lot faster without Willow. She didn’t have to stop so often. Nonetheless, she couldn’t wait to see her again.

   The little girl had been thin and pale when she’d dropped her off. Tired, not having slept in a proper bed or had a home-cooked meal in a long time. Probably with all Lauren’s spoiling, she would be plumper, with rosy cheeks. 

   But what if she’s not? What if Lauren is angry? Charlotte shook her head, not allowing anything to put a damper on her mood.

   After several hours, she reached the outskirts of Redston. It was almost sunset. 

She fished around in her purse with her free hand and found the slip of paper where Lacey had written the address of the shop.

   The handwriting was hard to read, but she managed. After navigating through several cobblestone streets, and around a traffic circle with flowers in the middle, she pulled up in front of the empty shop.

   One thing Charlotte was good at was following directions. After years of travelling and moving from one city to another, she’d learned how to find places when she needed to.

   A man was waiting in the parking lot. He stepped out of his car as she pulled in, straightening his tie as he did so.

   “You must be Mrs. Quinley.” He had a deep voice and a strong handshake.

   “That is me.” She smiled.

   “Let me show you around.” He led her up to the door and unlocked it.

   They stepped inside. It was a large room, with white walls. Charlotte stroked her chin and studied it. She could paint the walls if she wanted something more artistic. There was enough room for at least three salon chairs, and it wouldn’t be hard to get some mirrors. 

   Crossing her arms, she moved to the back of the room. It was the perfect place to put some sinks and chairs. There was a glossy marbled counter by the window, and some shelves on the walls where she could highlight products to sell.

   The wood floor was beautiful, stained a warm caramel hue. All it needed was a good mopping. 

   “This is so perfect,” she whispered to herself, delighted. 

   “What was that Ma’am?” The real estate agent came up behind her.

   “Oh, nothing.” She spun on her heels. “So, when can I move in?” 

   He held up his hand and chuckled. “I’ll have to finalize some paperwork. You’ll have to give me at least a week.”

   She nodded, trying not to be impatient.

   “How much is the rent per month?” 

   “Twelve hundred.”

   “You’ve got yourself a deal.” She pulled the envelope of cash out of her purse. “Here’s a down payment right now.”

   He counted it and whistled. “Very good.”

   She smiled. 

   “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you. We’ll keep in touch. Soon enough, you’ll be in here on your feet trying to keep up with all the customers!”

   “Thank you, I hope so.” Charlotte followed him outside. 

   He gave her a few papers to sign, which she did. Then he got into his car and drove away. As soon as she was alone, Charlotte clapped her hands and laughed. 

   It was all almost too good to be true. Simon had said she would fail. Lauren seemed to think so too. How wrong they’d been. 

   Maybe this was God’s leading. Maybe he did care. It certainly didn’t seem like a coincidence that Lacey had come into her life again.

   Willow, dear Willow. She would have new clothes, she’d go to school! She’d have a big sister nearby – if she still wanted to be in her life.

   A tear of joy ran down Charlotte’s cheek. She wiped it away. 

   “I’ll be with you tomorrow,” she whispered to Willow, even though she couldn’t hear her. “I won’t ever have to leave you again.”