Chapter Six
Tandy
The second my sock hits the floor, cold water soaks it.
“Wonderful,” I mutter to myself.
I must have spilled my water again. I’ve got to get a new bottle that doesn’t leak.
As I stand up, I rub my eyes, then squint at the floor.
A dim light shines its way through the window curtains, casting a glow across my house.
It’s not a tiny spill; it’s a puddle. In fact, the entire hardwood floor is covered in a thin layer of water.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I grumble, stepping through the water toward the bathroom.
My rug squelches under my feet, drenching the bottom of my pajama pants.
I stand in the doorway to the bathroom to see water flowing from under the cabinet sink.
I open the cabinet door, looking to see if there’s a way to stop it.
I try what I think is a shutoff valve, but it does nothing.
Panicked, I grab my phone and call Mr. Johnson.
The ringing tone pulses in my ear. “Come on!”
Throwing all the towels I have on the floor, I’m relieved when he finally answers and says he’ll be right over.
I’m sure it was only a few minutes, but it feels like hours before there’s a faint knock. I sprint to the door, almost slipping again.
“Oh dear!” Mrs. Johnson gasps. “I’ll get more towels.” She turns back toward their house.
“I’ll shut off the main water valve. Be back in a jiffy,” Mr. Johnson says before dashing off.
Alone again, I look around at my books and clothes scattered everywhere. I gather everything and pile it on my bed. This is a nightmare.
After the very exciting morning I’ve had (I say with heavy sarcasm), I’m beyond ready for my break.
Jane told me to take the day off, but I couldn’t fathom what I would even do.
I gathered all my important belongings and put them in Wanderer.
Mr. Johnson called the plumber who was there before I left for work.
There’s nothing else for me to do. And according to Mr. Johnson, whatever is damaged should be replaced through my renter’s insurance.
They made sure I got it when I moved in.
I make my third cup of coffee, because on a day like this, two isn’t enough.
Jane added a coffee station when she reopened the store, and all the customers are thrilled about it, especially the moms during story hour.
I settle into my favorite place in Timeless Tales, a cozy armchair by the front window, with my sketchbook in hand.
I’ve always found solace in drawing. I love reading, but words aren’t my strong suit.
I’ve filled my sketchbooks with my memories, pieces of me scattered across the pages.
When I turned twenty, I said goodbye to my mama, hopped in my faded green Volkswagen van, and set off all across the US.
My adventures are all in here—big cities, pine forests, clear blue lakes.
That’s actually how I stumbled upon Oakridge Hollow. I was traveling to New York City when Wanderer broke down on me. I got it towed into this small town, and it wasn’t a simple fix or a cheap one. So, I needed a job and a place to stay. That’s when I got wind of an opening at the bookstore.
Jane had just purchased it, and the other two employees, Erin and Dee, were on maternity leave or vacation, so she desperately needed help.
I snagged the job, one I’d enjoy and could save up and fix Wanderer.
I found a small back house that an elderly couple, the Johnsons, had available for cheap rent.
Jane and I are more than boss/employee; she’s become a friend, too. She’s always been kind and welcoming. In fact, everyone in this town is. So I stayed, even after Wanderer was fixed. It’s the longest I’ve stayed anywhere, actually.
After my dad left when I was a kid, Mama and I were always moving around. “It’s an adventure,” she would always say. So I guess it’s just a habit to always be on the move and never let anyone get too close.
Then I met Grayson. He’s the closest friend I’ve ever had in my whole life. He’s caring, a bit too serious sometimes, but he puts up with my free-spirited personality. It’s easy with him, effortless.
I wish I had taken a picture last night to have as a reference. Instead, I start sketching from my memory. The sunset, the trees, and Gray’s arm wrapped around me. The rough texture of the pencil against the paper soothes me. I get lost in the drawing and feel a smile forming on my lips.
“Amazing.” A familiar voice ripples through my concentration.
I jolt, slamming my sketchbook shut. Grayson. Of course, it’s him right now. Heat rushes up my neck, and I can feel my cheeks changing colors as I glance up at him. He’s leaning against the bookshelf, arms folded across his chest.
“Who says you can sneak up on a girl like that?” I point my pencil at him like a weapon.
His lips twitch into a smirk, and he slides his hands into his uniform pockets. “I didn’t sneak up on you—I just walked over here.”
“You should know better, Gray. How many things have I thrown at you?”
“I’ll remember to announce my presence next time,” he says, amusement coating his words.
I nod and inhale deeply. “Wait, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be saving the town, one traffic violation at a time?”
He smirks. “I’m on my lunch break and wanted to check on you.”
I furrow my brows. “Why would you need to check on me?”
“Well, one: you’re my best friend. So I can check on you anytime. And two: Mr. Johnson told me about the water leak.”
I sigh. “One: he didn’t need to tell you. And two: I’m fine. I can crash in Wanderer for a few days while it’s getting fixed.”
“We live in a small town, remember? It’s like a big family, news travels fast and they all care about you.”
“But no one needs to worry about me. I’ve been on my own for a long time.”
“Tandy,” he picks up my feet and sits on the footstool in front of me, “it’s okay to let people care for you. I care for you. Jane and the Brooks care for you. So does the whole town. We love you.”
I blink, staring at him. I’m not used to people caring about me, not like this. Especially not so openly and freely.
I swallow down the emotions. “Love me? I didn’t realize we were at that stage yet, Gray.” I wink, using sarcasm and jokes instead of facing my feelings; it’s really mature, I know.
A shadow of surprise washes over his face. He clears his throat and breaks eye contact. Did I manage to stump Officer Perfect? Well, it’s about time.
“I just meant…you know…” He stumbles over his words. It’s adorable and so very uncharacteristic of him. “That you’re loved in the community. You’ve made a home here.”
“I reckon the town loves you, too. But, really, I’m fine.” I wave him off.
His warm eyes hold mine, the stubborn set of his jaw telling me he’s not convinced.
“Gray, it’s just a small house problem. I can handle it.”
“Of course you can handle it…But you don’t have to. Not alone.” He sets his hand on mine, sending a tingle up my arm. “You can stay with Gramps and me while it gets fixed.”
My eyes widen. “I can’t impose on you guys like that.” I shake my head vigorously. “No way.”
“It’s not an imposition if we offer. I already asked him, and he said absolutely.”
“Gray, I…” I’m completely lost for words.
“Let me help, Tandy.”
I can hear the sincerity in his voice, which reflects in his eyes. Grayson isn’t just saying this to make me feel better or take me on as a charity case. He really does care for me. And that truly scares me.