Page 20 of Crossroads

“I moved to town and was searching for a job. I have all of the qualifications for what I’m doing, but I didn’t realize I’d be working with two different families.”

I shook my head. “Honestly, that sounds like so much work. I’m in awe of you.”

The other woman smiled. “Yes, but I love the kids. And four of them are older.”

“She works with Thatcher and Kellan’s families. All six kids,” Teagan explained.

“Oh. I met Kellan.” I winced as everybody gave me a look. “I don’t know if you guys know the story of why I’m here, but I had a slight concussion, so it was nice of Kellan to stop by and make sure I was okay.”

“I didn’t know it was that bad,” Felicity whispered.

I reached out and squeezed her knee. “I’m fine now. I promise. Kellan was great. And I think I met Thatcher the last time I was here. He’s the fire captain, right?”

“Yes,” Tess said softly. “Both guys work far too many hours, and then they spend all of their free time with their kids. I kick them out of their homes every once in a while so that they can go to Summit Grill with the guys. But that’s about it.”

“That’s amazing. I don’t know if I could work with that many kids.”

“As I’m their high school English teacher, you sort of get used to them. And all of their kids are pretty much well-behaved. Most of the time,” Elizabeth said with a wink.

I took a sip of my water. “Now you’re very intimidating. I was always good at English, because I loved reading and always wanted to do my best, but I spent most of my time writing lyrics, where they wanted full poetry.”

“Lyrics are poetry. And I’m sorry your teachers never saw that.”

Oh, I liked this woman. “It’s okay. I still got my A. Even having to read books by old white men that made me want to scream.”

“Now that is all the school board.” Elizabeth shook her head. “Don’t even get me started. I’ve had a long day.”

“Welcome to Altitude Diner, girls. Does everybody know what they want to order?” An older woman with a bright smile and even brighter red hair asked, and I sank back into the booth, feeling oddly comfortable. I didn’t always in places I didn’t know, which was hard since I was touring often, but this was nice. It felt almost normal.

I ordered my iced tea and cheeseburger with onion rings, while each of the girls ordered their usuals, it seemed. I learned about what was going on in town, the new bakery opening, and the fact that two of their friends, Promise and Keely, owned and worked at the bed and breakfast, so they hadn’t been able to join. And Bronwyn had just bought the bakery from another woman named Fiona, who had a whole story of her own that made me cringe and laugh at the same time.

There were weddings coming up with a few townspeople, a huge scandal when it came to the deputy mayor and his ex-wife, and the upcoming Summerfest that was interrupting a farmer’s market, and it was creating quite a stir.

I just sank back and listened as they talked about their small town life, which was anything but small. It was a life. It was a living. And when certain issues popped up, hints of a past that I didn’t understand, I nearly opened my mouth to ask. Like, why was Elizabeth so weary when it came to coming to the brewery, or even out with Teagan? There was a story there, and I didn’t understand it.

Then there was Tess, who paid half attention to us, the other half to her daughter, who was the sweetest girl in the world. Today was her day off, as both of the families she worked for relied on other people, but I could see that she had to be exhausted. I didn’t know how she did it.

As we all finished our food, and the food coma was well on its way, we gathered our things and headed out, as we each had work to do. There was another lyric playing in my head, and I wanted to finish it. Or at least try to grasp it this time.

“It was so nice having you, and for however long you’re here, I’d love to do it again,” Tess said, and Felicity nodded.

“Yes. Anytime. We’ll make sure that you get out of that cabin.”

“It’s a nice cabin,” I teased.

“You’re staying with that murderer?” a deep voice asked, and I turned, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

“Excuse me?”

A man with dark brown hair heavily styled with gel leaned toward us. He looked like any normal businessman and gave me the creeps even without speaking. “He murdered them. Killed them. Just like he killed the old man. You’d better watch that, little girl. He’s going to be after you next.”

“Fuck you, Nathan.” Teagan pushed her way in front of me and went toe to toe with the man. She had to be at least six inches shorter, but you couldn’t really tell with the fire blazing off her. “You come near me, my family, my friends again, and you’re not going to be afraid of that Ashford anymore. You’re going to be afraid of me.”

“Bitch.”

“Go away, Nathan,” Elizabeth snarled. “Spewing lies doesn’t do anyone any good.”

“Fuck you all. Just because Bodhi’s fucking you guys doesn’t mean you have to stand up for him. He’s probably fucking that bitch. Because she’s new.”