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Chapter One
Leah
Oh,sweetDallastakeme home…Oh, sweet Dallas make me whole.I sang along to the song playing from the car’s radio and nodded my head in rhythm to the pianist’s beat, loving the sound. My love for country music raged more than it ever had, and I was upset with myself that I couldn’t recreate the magic I had once since I turned eighteen.
While humming to the bridge of the song, I stepped on the gas and hadn’t paid attention to the fact that I was now speeding well over 80 mph. As I gazed at the dashboard, I slowed down a bit when I realized I was exceeding the speed limit a bit.
Dallas was home to me, and even though I didn’t anticipate my return this fall, I was still glad to be home. I rolled down the window and let the cool breeze in the evening’s air ruffle my face, tossing my hair around the place.
Since I was moving home and starting new, I wanted a complete change, so I colored my once auburn brown hair to a lighter shade of blonde and cut it off right at my shoulders. My best friend Danielle was not aware I had done that yet. But I know she was sure to freak out once she saw me and my fresh look.
Anticipating the horrified look on her face brought a smile to my lips. I noticed the Lakewood sign and took the curve leading into town. Another few miles and I was sure I would see the cross dangling on the town’s cathedral high in the sky.
A tiny rumble replaced the knots I carried in the pit of my stomach all day. I wondered what living in Lakewood would be like now. It has been six years since I was last here, and much had changed. Heck, I was only eighteen then. Wow, how time flies.
I drove another few minutes before I entered Lakewood’s main street. In the heart of town was Belly Rows Pastries and the smile on my lips widened when I noticed nothing had changed by the looks of the building out front.
Its old rickety sign was still stuck by the curb, and a few cars parked out front with a few chairs on the patio. Growing up eating at Belly Row’s, my first job was waiting tables there. I wondered if the owner Cherry Godson, the lovely Black, lady that always offered me and Danielle cupcakes, was still alive.
Another minute and I approached Bedford Drive where Danielle’s family cottage lay. Since my parents passed away six years ago, and her father moved to the big city, the cottage has been empty. Danielle is letting me stay while I get my life back on track, and I don’t have to make any major life decisions right now while I’m here.
I finally reached Bedford Drive and spotted the small cottage from a distance. After dragging in a deep breath to fill my tight lungs, I slowed down and pulled to a halt right in front of the house.
This is it …a wave of nostalgia hit me as I sat inside the car and let my mind spiral free. The last time I was here, I was only eighteen years old, young, and wild. Now, I just needed to get through the coming days without losing my mind or worrying too much.
“This is the best thing to do, Leah,” I told myself, then got out of my rental and headed towards the house with my small duffel bag. Once I got to the porch, I heard the constant clang coming from inside.
My lips formed a thin line.No one should be in the house,I thought. Danielle said the cottage was empty and her dad was in Houston. The last thing I wanted to do right now was run into Tommy Thatcher. The man had never been a fan of mine. Even when Danny and I were in high school.
I tried the knob, and the door gave way with ease. This spiraled my worry, but I took a step into the house and called out anyway. “Hello? Anyone here?”
My call was met with a yelp. The shrieking sound came from the kitchen, and I made a mad dash toward it. I hadn’t made it to the doorway when Tommy Thatcher breezed out of the kitchen too.
“What in God’s—”
“Who are you?” His gruff question came at the same time my mouth slackened. Tommy stood in front of me and held a finger on his left hand tight. His ears and cheeks were red, and the crease line on his forehead showed either his confusion or irritation.
“Leah?” he suddenly called, and the lines eased. His eyes widened a bit, and he peered down at me. “That’s you, Leah Maureen, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I gasped. “Yes, it’s Leah.” I laughed nervously, then stopped and shook my head. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“What? This is my house,” he answered in a high-pitched tone.
He was still clutching his finger, so I asked. “You hurt yourself?”
He didn’t answer the question. Instead, his eyes searched mine, then his gaze trailed slowly down from my face to the full length of my body. I swallowed when he looked back at me again and scoffed. “Leah Maureen. What has it been … five years?”
“Six, actually.”
“You’ve changed,” he said. “What did you do to your hair?” He released his finger and reached out to touch my hair, but I dodged his touch, and stepped back from him.
“What are you doing here? Danielle said you lived and worked in Houston.”
“Danielle doesn’t know a thing,” he replied then turned away from me. “It’s good to see you back in town Leah. Didn’t think you girls would ever come around here.”
“I’m the only one here,” I replied, following him into the kitchen. “Danielle isn’t coming yet.”
“Ha!” he said dryly, and I saw him shake his head before he picked up his hammer and nail again. I looked around the kitchen and saw he was fixing the cabinet door. He must have hurt his finger while hammering, but he seemed fine.
