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“That was nice of you but not needed. I was coming to town anyway. Now that I’ve unpacked, I’m realizing I didn’t bring a few things.”
“Well, still. It was our fault for not catching it. I’ll be sure to give Tara your number.”
She shoved the card in her pocket and said goodbye, heading to the back again.
“You do realize she’s a huge fan, right?” Mark asked. “Not that she would abuse having your number—I didn’t mean that. It’s just, well… you’re the biggest celebrity she’s ever met.”
“That’s very flattering. I appreciate her keeping my living here private. A lot of fans would have tried to capitalize on that.”
“Not my Beth. She’s pure gold through and through. Tara’s a lot like her mother, but she also has quite a bit of spunk to her. Just for future knowledge.”
He winked, waving goodbye as I made my way out of the store. I couldn’t believe I’d given my number to Beth to give to Tara. The move was way bigger than a baby step. I didn’t have time to reconsider, though. It was done. The whole way home, I wondered what Tara would think. Would she call? Would she hope for something more than a brainstorming session? Or would it all just blow up in my face?
I’d only been home a few minutes when my phone rang. The sound had never struck so much fear and excitement as it did right now. I groaned when I realized it was Shelby. I’d told her I would check back in a couple of weeks, not a couple of days.
“Hey Shelby.”
“I know. I know. But my boss was bugging me. I wanted to make sure you didn’t secretly have something started, even a few chapters? Anything would buy me some more time.”
“I don’t have anything yet, but I do have an idea.”
“You do?”
There was a mix of happiness and shock in her voice. I couldn’t blame her. She’d probably never considered this day might actually happen.
“I do. But I won’t have anything ready for at least a month. Let him know I’m working with a collaborator as research.”
“I’m sorry? Did you say you were working with someone? Online, right?”
“No. They live here in town.”
It was rare that Shelby was speechless. I took pleasure in it, even though I was counting my chickens before they hatched. If everything went as planned, Malia would agree to talk with me. If not? Well, I’d disappointed Shelby before.
“That’s great, Landon. Really. It sounds like this move was a good choice.”
“So far. I’m taking it day by day, but I’ve been to town a few days and even ate lunch at a local diner.”
“I’m happy for you. It’s a step in the right direction. Keep up the good work.”
She sounded like my coach or my mom. I chuckled. I guess at different points and times, she’d been a bit of both. I knew I could never thank her for everything she’d done for me.
“Okay then, I’ll let you go. I’ll talk to you in a few weeks.”
Shelby hung up, no doubt crying happy tears. The thought made my situation real. If I didn’t want to break my promise, I needed to contact Malia. My laptop waited on the desk, ready to assist in my comeback. I turned it on, navigating to her page. I hadn’t looked at her postings in a while. Thankfully, it looked like she was still active. I drafted an email, sending it her way and saying a little prayer she would respond. I was sure I could get her information from the Foleys, but I was hoping to manage this one on my own.
Sitting back, I considered the project I wanted her help with. It was loosely based on my life and what happened after the accident. She’d once written a blog discussing how losing a limb had altered her life and how she’d worked through it. I wondered if our stories had similarities, and if so, maybe we could help each other out. Malia had overcome a tragedy, having come to terms with what she’d lost. I hoped she could give me some pointers on how to do the same.
I stood, needing a drink. Before I reached the refrigerator, I heard a notification on my laptop. Could she have answered already? It was a good sign if she did. Opening the email, I was happy to see she had. Not only that, she was inviting me to a bonfire that evening with friends. My heart sank, and I immediately drafted a reply that I had plans. I stopped, thinking before I hit Send. That’s exactly how the old Landon would have responded. I read through the email again and saw she’d mentioned I could bring a friend. My mind went to Tara. Maybe I could ask her? I didn’t have her number, though.
