3. Chapter 3
Snow is coming down sideways outside my bedroom window. Winter in the city sucks. It’s freezing, and I’m tired of my face getting pelted with snow whenever I need to leave my apartment. Even if it’s not actively snowing, it’s blowing off the roofs.
I put on my puffy coat that goes down to my knees, and wrap my scarf around my neck and face. Preparing to head out to one of my classes.
Not only am I tired of the city, but I’m so done with this culinary school. Everyone there is so stuck up, and more my mom’s society circle than mine. I prefer the mom and pop hole-in-the-walls than the Michelin star restaurants my mother and step-father frequent. But no one wants to listen to what I want. It’s all about an image I’m expected to maintain, but never signed up for.
I want to move to Balsam Cliffs, Maine and run the bakery with my grandmother. Maybe even open a diner, one where people come to gather and gossip. I’d know everyone by first name, and I’d be friends with all of them. The complete antithesis of New York City, where everyone looks familiar but no one knows each other.
I used to visit my Grandmother every summer, until I told my mother I wanted to move there and live with Gran. She didn’t like that too much, and immediately stopped all my visits. Suddenly Gran was coming to New York for a week in the summer instead of me going to her for two months.
“Violet! Come have a blizzard party with us!” One of my roommates calls from the kitchen.
One more thing to add to the list of things I’m sick of, my roommates.
“I have class. Sorry.”
Not .
I am just about done bundling up when my phone rings from inside my pocket. I pull it out, fumbling with the phone, my gloves making it slippery and impossible to grip.
I swipe the screen and answer. “Mom, hi.”
Nothing good ever comes from an unexpected call with Linda Archibault.
“Oh darling, I’m so glad I caught you.”
“What’s going on, Mom? I’m about to head out to class.”
I pace at the entrance of my tiny apartment, the party in the kitchen drones on .
“Oh well I won’t keep you. I just wanted to let you know that Gran’s bakery flooded. Something about a pipe freezing.”
I stop pacing immediately, “What? The bakery flooded? Is it destroyed? How’s Gran?”
A million questions fly through my head.
“Darling, I have no idea. She had called to wish us a happy anniversary and when she walked in she told me that she had to go because the bakery was flooded.”
Right. This call wasn’t to tell me about Gran. It was a passive aggressive way to let me know she’s displeased that I didn’t call to wish her a happy anniversary. Still not happening. To say our relationship is strained is an understatement.
“Thanks. I gotta go. Talk later.”
I hang up before she can chide me for not saying anything about her.
Taking my gloves off and sitting on the couch I dial Gran’s number.
“Violet, hello dear,” she answers on the first ring, her soft voice filtering through the speaker.
“Gran! Are you okay? Is the bakery okay?” I spit out quickly.
“Oh no, dear. Everything is ruined. A pipe burst on either side of me. Everything is sopping wet from the ceilings down. I’ve called Hunter to come down and give me a look around for a quote. But we’ll be closed for quite some time, I’m afraid.”
“Hunter Keaton?” I remember playing with the Keatons when I was little. More Emma and Liam but the others were never far away.
“Yes, he opened a construction business when he got out of the military last year.” Hmm. That makes sense, I always thought he’d end up in the military or the police force .
“Well, I’m on my way to help too.”
“Oh no, please don’t change your schedule for me! You have school.”
“But I hate it, and I love you. So I’m coming. Be ready for me.”
“No. You go to school. You stay. Your mother will be so angry with me if you come here.” I can hear the worry lacing her voice.
“Gran. It’s not up for debate. I love you. You need help. I’ll see you after dinner tonight. Now I’m hanging up before you can yell at me any more.”
I wander into my bedroom, and place my phone on my desk. I have to pack, and email the school. Maybe I can finish virtually, the class is almost over. Not that I actually care. I’m only there because Linda is making me be there.
I fill my suitcases to the brim with all my important memories and favorite clothes. I have zero desire to come back here. Ever. Everything that’s left here the roommates can take or sell. I don’t give a shit. This is just the excuse I needed to get out of this life.
I pull my suitcases out into the living room and peek around the corner to see if anyone is paying attention to me. I sneak out the door and let out a sigh that I made it out of there without having to talk to any of my roommates.
I walk to the nearest train station and get on the one that will take me to the Upper West Side where my mother lives with her husband. I’ve never been more thankful that they went the traditional rich kid route and bought me a Land Rover for my twenty-first birthday. Because now I have a way to get to Gran without asking for Linda’s help .
I scan my key card to enter the underground garage under their penthouse. Tossing the suitcases in the trunk, and putting Gran’s address in my GPS before pulling out.
Another thing on my side is that no one seems to have alerted my mother in time for me to have to explain to her that I’m leaving to go help Gran, and hopefully never coming back.
Three turns, and I’m free of the hold this city has on me.
The snow made the drive take so much longer than it should have so I didn’t arrive at Gran's house until well after her bedtime.
I had to stop when I crossed the Maine border to let her know I was running behind, but of course she insisted on waiting up for me.
Now I’m snuggled on her couch by the fire with some hot chocolate.
She didn’t miss the amount of luggage I brought. And I can tell she’s biting her tongue until I bring it up.
“I know you want to ask, Gran.” I smile at her over the edge of my steaming mug.
“About the amount of luggage you seem to have brought with you?” She smirks.
“Yes. I did bring a lot.”
“And why might that be, dear? You know your mother has called me non-stop tonight since you wouldn’t answer your phone. ”
I sigh and snuggle deeper into the blanket on her couch, “I know. I’m sorry. I just couldn’t deal with her today. I hate New York City, Gran. I hate the school. I hate everything she makes me be, and holds money over my head. I’ve always just wanted to be here with you.”
She comes over to sit on the couch next to me, placing her arms around my shoulders and pulling me in close. “Well you are welcome to stay as long as you want, you know I love having you. But I do have one requirement: you need to call your mother and talk to her. Mainly because I don’t want to field any more calls from her,” she grimaces.
When my father just up and ran away, Linda remarried into the high society of New York, she changed into someone I don’t recognize anymore. Neither does Gran. The summer they got married was the summer I asked to live with Gran instead of her and Larry.
“I promise. I will call her first thing tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, what is going on with the bakery? Can we get in there to salvage anything?” I take the final sip of my hot chocolate and place the mug on the coffee table in front of me.
“Hunter will be there at ten to go over an estimate with me. And Mr. Darnell will be by at the same time for the insurance.”
She slaps my knee, “So this old bird is heading to bed. I’ve set up the guest room for you. You know where everything else is.”
She leans down and kisses my forehead.
“Love you, Gran.”
She shuffles off toward her bedroom and I’m not far behind her to head to my own, exhausted from the long drive.
I spent the night tossing and turning, not used to the quiet of a small town. So I’m up bright and early when I get yet another phone call.
I groan, sitting up in bed before I swipe to answer.
“Good morning, Mom.”
“Is it, Violet? Is it a good morning when your daughter steals your car and then ignores your phone calls for an entire day?” Oh, she’s pissed.
“I’m sorry, Mom. But I didn’t steal your car. It’s my car. Registered in my name and everything. I just chose to use it for once.”
She scoffs in response, “And just why did you drop out of school to go to Maine with your grandmother? And why on God’s green earth did I have to learn all of this information from our security team, and the Dean?”
“Because if you even listened to a quarter of what I say, you would know how much I hate that school, my roommates, and living in the city. But you don’t listen, so I guess it makes sense you’re shocked by my behavior.” I swing my legs over the bed deciding that I need coffee to have this conversation with her.
“And just what is your plan? You’re going to what? Give up everything to just live in the middle of nowhere?” She laughs at the idea.
“Yeah. That’s actually exactly what I’m planning.” I place the coffee pod in the machine and close it to brew a cup.
“Well. I hope you don’t expect one single penny from me and Larry. ”
Like that’s a threat, I’ve never expected it, it was forced on me. “Sure don’t. Listen, I have to go get ready so that I can help Gran at the bakery.”
“Violet, you can’t—”
“Bye Mom.” I end the call and lean against the counter.
Why is she so exhausting? She was never like this when Dad was around. Not that he was the pillar of perfect parenting as proven by the fact he’s now been missing in action for over ten years.
I am not going to let her ruin my first day back in Balsam Cliffs in over a decade. I turn to the fridge and grab the cream to add to my coffee. When it’s just the right light tan color I head out onto the porch and take in the open expanse ending at the ocean.
A deep breath fills my lungs with cold, salty air. A smile begins to play on my face. I’m finally back where I’ve always wanted to be, free from the reins of my mother and stepfather and the societal expectations I never asked to have put on me.
Gran pokes her head out the door, a bemused smile on her face.
“What in the world are you doing out here? Do you know it’s ten degrees out?”
“Enjoying the calm, and the openness. And appreciating that salt air hitting my face.” I smile broadly at her.
Happiness settling into my bones.
“Well you better get that booty back in here before you freeze. Plus it’s almost time to go meet Hunter. So put that coffee in a to-go cup.” She shuts the door leaving me outside alone again .
I take one last sip overlooking the quiet land before I head back inside to follow her commands.
The walk to the bakery is chilly, but nothing like walking in New York City. It feels different, less claustrophobic. Gran stops before we reach the door.
“Don’t freak out,” she warns.
I raise a brow before stepping through the door after her and my mouth drops. Everything is ruined like she said, and the heating system is off because it’s cold as ice in here. Literally. The walls look like a sheet of ice coats them
“Gran.” A simple statement that shows my dismay over the bakery.
“I know. It’s just awful isn’t it?”
As I walk around slowly taking in the damage, two very attractive men walk through the door. One must be Hunter, but I’m assuming the other isn’t Mr. Darnell since he’s in his late sixties.
“Liam! What a surprise to see you here this morning,” Gran exclaims, reaching to the man I now recognize.
Holy shit has time been good to Liam Keaton. He was the highlight of every Balsam Cliffs summer. His animal figurines were some of the first things I threw in my suitcase yesterday. I’ve kept every single one and remember our time together like it was just yesterday.
“Violet Turner is that you?” Hunter pegs me with a stare.
“Guilty.” I raise my hand in a weak wave.
That isn’t good enough for Hunter, he runs over and picks me up in a bear hug, swinging me in a circle making me laugh.
“It is good to see you, girl!” He places me back down on the floor .
“Hey, Violet.” Liam grunts out.
“Hi!” I run over and give him a hug like his brother did to me.
He barely wraps one arm around me and lightly taps me on the back. I frown at him and he squirms under my touch. Maybe he’s got a girlfriend. I’ll have to ask Gran to catch me up on the Keaton clan. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes and with a man that looks like that, damn. Maybe I would step on some toes for Liam Keaton.
It would be a damn shame if he has a girlfriend, because that crush from years ago could definitely come back rearing its head, even with the grumpy grunts he’s giving as responses. Actually, those might make him sexier. The whole grumpy lumberjack thing works for him.
I pull back and hold him by the shoulders with a big grin on my face, “It’s been so long! I’m so glad you’re still here. I can’t wait to catch up!”
He glares at me. “Yeah. Sure. I’m always here.”
He shakes out of my grasp and walks further into the bakery to where Hunter is.
They have a side conversation with Mr. Darnell who has come in to talk to them. There are a lot of photos being taken and a lot of notes being written, but not a lot of talking. It’s stressing me out.
Mr. Darnell is the first to leave the group and come over to talk to Gran and I.
“What’s the damage?” she asks.
“Well. It’s extensive. But the good thing is that the building owner’s insurance has coverage for all of it. You’ll just need to place a claim for your items. So if you could get a tally of the items that need replacing over to me we can get that process started. Hunter has already been hired by the owner so repairs should be started soon.”
“Oh wonderful news!” Gran claps her hands together and walks away with him to her office.
I wander over to Hunter and Liam. Hunter’s brows are furrowed as he looks at his notes.
“I just don’t know. My guys are stretched thin already since most of them take off in the winter to find more steady work down south. So the ones who stay are at max with the inn already.” He looks at me after clearly answering something Liam asked.
“I can help with whatever you need done. I’m not great at construction but I’m excellent at demo, and cleaning. Or being told what to do. I’m at your disposal for as long as you need me.” I look at him earnestly, wanting to help Gran in any way I can. If free labor gets us back in faster, I’m here for it.
“You’re staying?” Liam looks in my direction, trying to make sense of what he heard.
“Sure am, Lee.” I throw a wink in his direction and Hunter throws his head back laughing.
I know using the nickname he hated as kids will get under his skin. Just what I want to do. Just like old times.
Liam just stares at me as I retreat back to the office with Gran. His eyes rake over my body, whether it’s because he wants to murder me, or jump me I’m not sure yet. I’d prefer the latter though.
It’s good to be back in Balsam Cliffs.