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CHAPTER1
ALICE
“Are you sure you want to move out?” My sister, Elle, exchanged a look with her husband, who was manning the pancakes on the griddle.
A cartoon played in the living room where her daughter, my niece Amelia, watched TV.
“I think it’s time.” Three years ago, I’d moved here to escape my life in California. Elle and her husband, Gray, had needed help with Amelia, and I’d needed the distraction.
Elle poured coffee into a mug and slid it across the counter to me. “You don’t have to do this. You’re welcome to stay.”
Elle and Gray had been understanding, especially after the mistakes I’d made in the past. But I couldn’t stay in their home rent-free any longer. I wasn’t moving forward or dealing with my past.
“Amelia is getting older. She’s starting preschool full time. You won’t need my help as much.” And if I stayed here, I wouldn’t move on with my life. I’d continue using Amelia as my excuse for pressing the pause button on my life.
It was past time that I figured out where I wanted to go next. Whether that was staying in Telluride, where I felt needed, or moving home to California to chase an empty dream.
There was no question that Amelia loved me unconditionally. She didn’t know about my past or how I’d hurt her mother and father. For her, life was simple. But I knew better. I had a long way to go before I was worthy of anything as amazing as Amelia for myself.
“I don't want you to think that you have to move out. You’ll always be welcome here,” Elle said, her voice wavering.
After everything we’d been through, I was happy that she’d seemingly forgiven me for my screwups.
Tears stung my eyes as I stood, rounded the counter, and hugged her. “I know. It’s just something I need to do.”
“What are your plans?” Elle asked when I pulled back.
“To start looking for a job and a place to live.” It was scary to contemplate when I’d never lived independently. I’d lived off my parents’ wealth and then my sister’s charity. I’d never applied for a job or searched for an apartment.
In high school, my sister was offered a spot on a reality show in high school, and it changed my perspective. I thought life was full of amazing opportunities like that. If I could just catch the eye of the right person, I’d get my big break. But that never happened. Instead, I attracted the wrong sort of attention.
“We’re going to miss having you here,” Gray said to me, his expression genuine. He was a good guy.
I grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll visit often.”
Elle sat next to me as Gray handed her a plate of pancakes. “Amelia will demand it. What kind of job are you looking for?”
That was the issue. I wasn’t qualified for anything. I had a high school education and watched my niece for three years. I couldn’t even say it was a nanny job. I hadn’t interviewed and been hired for the position; I’d just sort of fell into it. “I guess I’ll look for another babysitting job.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Elle asked as she carefully cut her pancakes and then placed some on the smaller plate between us where Amelia would sit.
Gray slid a plate across the counter toward me. “Thank you,” I said to him, before addressing Elle. “I’m not qualified for anything else.”
Gray braced his hands on the counter between us. “What about doing something with your art?”
My heart thudded painfully in my chest at the thought of that. Other than spending time with Amelia, it was my favorite thing to do. “That’s just a hobby.”
Elle shook her head. “You’re talented.”
“It’s something I do for fun.” It cleared my mind and let me forget about everything else.
Elle sighed. “I might have something for you.”
I ate a bite of my blueberry pancake.
“One of my clients, Sam Fletcher, came in yesterday saying he’s having trouble finding someone to watch his daughter. I think she’s three or four. Anyway, he runs a contracting business with his brothers. He needs someone who can be at his house early and stay late.”
I was afraid to get my hopes up. “You think he’d hire me?”
