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It’s been a good day.
A little meeting with the principal helps me settle in. It turns out I’d met him at the town assembly without realizing it.
Scott Archer. Late fifties, balding, friendly eyes, and a fatherly smile.
He showered me with kind words and questions as we talked about lesson plans and told me I could come to him with any problems.
He left me feeling better after my first few surreal days in Redhaven. Just a nice slice of the ordinary to remind me why I came here in the first place and that I’m actually happy to be starting my first job as a teacher, mysterious dead girl aside.
So by the time I started cleaning my space, I was basically Snow White. Whistling while I work, giving the whole neglected old classroom a good spit and polish until it shines.
Leaving the windows open brings in a pleasant late summer breeze, already tinged with that hint of autumn crispness.
By afternoon, I have help.
Nora drops in and picks up a bottle of disinfecting wipes without even being asked. Next thing I know, we’re chatting away while we scrub.
I think I’ve made my first true friend in Redhaven.
Lucas doesn’t count.
The man bothers me, presses buttons I don’t want to admit I have, and I still can’t put my finger on why.
I don’t count Ulysses either. He may be friendly enough, but I don’t call someone who signs my paycheck and owns my house a friend.
Nora, though, she’s great company. After our cleaning jam, we stroll down the street to a cute little café with outdoor seating and one of the most amazing mocha latte milkshakes I’ve ever tasted. Something they proudly advertise as made with blonde roast beans from a shop I’ve never heard of called The Nest in Heart’s Edge, Montana.
Nora leans across the table, just as disheveled as I am, her eyes glittering over the rim of her massive mug.
“You didn’t hear it from me,” she says, “but little Carly Hansen’s dad likes to get handsy with anyone in a skirt ever since his divorce. So don’t go wearing anything above knee-length for a parent-teacher conference.”
“Oh.” My eyes widen. “I’m actually surprised the dress code isn’t pure Amish for a town like this.”
“Hey, we’re not that backward. A little rustic, sure, but we keep up with the times.” She laughs. “Besides. Lucia and Montero set the dress code. I think Montero might start whining if the skirts ever got too long.”
I stare at her for a second.
“Everything I hear about them makes them sound like something out of The Great Gatsby.” I shake my head. “Is every small town a scandal magnet? We’ve got old money with good intentions and bad habits, a grabby single dad, and—did you say it was Rachel Black’s mother who’s a kleptomaniac?”
“Rachel White. Rachel Black’s mother is the one who stabbed her hubby in the foot with a fork because he was staring at the neighbor girl in a bathing suit.” Nora giggles. “What’s hilarious is that their marriage has never been stronger since.”
I burst out laughing. “God, that’s funny. Every girl needs a man who’ll wise up after you stab him.”
True story, even if I mostly mean stabbing with my tongue.
I’m not violent. I swear.
“So, you’re saying there’s no one in the picture?” Nora leans across the table with an accusing smile. “No one you even have your eye on, girlie?”
“I’ve only been here for a few days and half of them have been spent worrying about a dead girl.” I offer a dry smile. “Dating isn’t exactly at the top of my list, Nora.”
“Oh, yeah. Of course. After something so crazy, I don’t blame you for not even thinking about the gorgeous men who’ve been hanging all over you since you showed up.” With that, leaving my mouth hanging open, Nora grins wickedly and pops out of her kitschy iron chair and pats my shoulder. “But I need to go let my own gorgeous boys hang all over me, actually. My husband never burps the twins right, so I should be getting home. Let’s do this again soon.”
“Okay.” I swallow a million protests building up in my throat and force a smile. For some reason, I’m not ready to be alone. “Will you be around the school tomorrow?”
“Every day until we start. There’s always so much to do. See you there?”
“Absolutely.”
I prop my chin on my knuckles and watch her walk away. I think I could like her a lot, and she’s definitely helping me feel more at ease.
Like Redhaven could become my new normal.
Like I could shake off all the initial horror and freakiness and eventually call this place home.
Eventually.
That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?
I linger at the café a little while longer, watching as the traffic clears out and the sunset fades into twilight.
