Chapter 9 Sloane
CHAPTER NINE
Sloane
Thank goodness.
Driving away from the cabin is just what I need.
There is way too much tension there. Ezra with his sweet, but quiet nature. Creed and his seeming disdain for me. And Roman… well, I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do about Roman.
Thank goodness I have Ivy and Olivia in town. I could really use a friend or two right now.
Ivy and I really did have a great time in college, and from what I know, Olivia’s a genuine person. It’s been a while since I’ve had genuine people in my life.
As I turn the corner onto Main Street, Coyote Glen greets me with its usual charm—small town, cozy, and welcoming in its own way.
The Coyote Cup is just a few blocks down, tucked between the bookstore and the post office, the soft hum of conversation spilling from the windows as I pull into a spot.
The air’s crisp, and the scent of brewing coffee wafts in the wind, instantly easing some of the tension in my chest.
I cut the engine and grab my coat. The moment I step out of the car, a gust of wind whips through the streets, sending a chill straight to my bones.
At least there’s no snow yet. I’m not sure how I’d feel about having to face my past in this town with a foot of snow on the ground.
The door to the café swings open just as I’m approaching, and Ivy’s voice rings out, loud and unmistakable. “Sloane!”
I can’t help but smile. Ivy’s never been the quiet type, and I’ve missed her loud, boisterous energy.
Inside, the café is bustling. The warm glow of the hanging lights contrasts with the cold gray outside.
Ivy’s sitting at the back booth with her kids sprawled out around her. Mia, Max, and Lucy, the latter scribbling furiously in her notebook, her curls bouncing with each concentrated movement.
Penny is watching them like the sensible older sister I’m sure she’s going to grow up to be.
And, of course, Pickle is there too. The French bulldog is wedged between Mia and Max, giving them equal parts side eye and puppy kisses.
“Alright, alright, I see how it is,” I joke, slipping into the booth. “You all couldn’t wait for me to get here?”
Ivy grins and pats the seat next to her. “We were just getting the party started. You’ve been missed!”
“Missed by who?” Max calls out from under the table, his face a picture of feigned innocence as Pickle noses around his shoelaces.
“I was talking about me, you little brat,” Ivy teases, swatting at him.
Olivia’s at the counter, chatting with the barista. Her hand rests protectively over the little bump of her pregnancy, a warm glow on her face that’s hard to ignore.
The sight makes my chest tighten with a mix of happiness for her and a pang of longing I can’t quite shake.
She did tell me she was having a baby, but seeing her blooming like this makes my eyes fill up a little.
“Hey, Liv,” I say, standing to wave when she catches my eye.
Olivia’s smile brightens the entire room. She waddles over to the table with the grace of someone who’s gotten quite used to being pregnant. “Sloane! You made it. You okay?”
I nod, though the words feel hollow. “Yeah. I just needed to get away from… everything, you know?”
She gives me a sympathetic look, one that says more than any words could. “Yeah, I can imagine.”
I slide into the booth again, settling in and already feeling a bit lighter. Pickle hops up on the seat between us, his tongue lolling out in excitement, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I swear that dog has more personality than all of us combined,” I mutter, rubbing behind his ears.
“Might be true,” Ivy says, “but we love him anyway.”
I glance over at Olivia, my curiosity getting the better of me. “So, how are you doing? How’s the little one treating you?”
She places a hand over her bump, her smile warm. “Oh, you know. Kicking me like a soccer player, but it’s all worth it. How about you? How’s the new job going?”
I roll my eyes, not sure if I should say anything. “It’s… complicated. I’m not sure what to make of it yet. I swear, Ezra’s the only one who isn’t a walking headache.”
Olivia raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, Ezra is nice. I’ve met him a few times.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy. A bit of a tortured soul, though. He’s… well, he’s different. But Roman…”
I pause, feeling the words hang in the air. Roman.
Ivy leans forward, clearly sensing my hesitation. “What about him? You don’t seem too thrilled.”
I take a deep breath, trying to sort through everything that’s happened. “He’s just… complicated. We have history, but it’s been years since I last saw him. And then this whole retreat thing? It’s just brought up so much… stuff. I don’t know what to do with him.”
Ivy raises her brows, a knowing smile creeping across her face. “Stuff? Is that what we’re calling it?”
I can’t help but laugh, but the tension in my shoulders doesn’t leave. “It was just one night, years ago. I never thought I’d see him again. And Creed seems to dislike me a lot…”
Olivia’s face softens. “It sounds like you’re caught in a pretty tangled web. Maybe Creed needs a moment to adjust to you.”
“Ooh, who’s this?” I stare up at an older woman who’s leaning over our table, clearly not put off by the disorder of the kids. “I don’t know if I’ve met you before. I’m Dottie Hartwell.”
I’m a little confused, but I smile and shake her hand. “Sloane Katz.”
“You visiting or staying?”
Her questions seem a little invasive, but the way Ivy rolls her eyes and laughs lets me know she’s mostly harmless.
“I’m working for a band up at Meadow Creek Retreat.”
Dottie’s gaze sharpens, clearly intrigued. “A band? Oh, that band. The Wild Reverie crew, right?”
I’m caught off guard, feeling a heat rush to my cheeks. “Uh, yeah. That’s the one.”
Dottie leans in even closer, her hand on the back of the booth as if she’s about to sit down. “I have heard a lot of things about the lead singer…”
Ivy gives Dottie a pointed look. “Of course you have. You’re the gossip queen.”
Dottie smiles, a little too wide. “Oh, I’m just a good listener: small towns, small circles, and small secrets. Nothing gets past me. How are you finding him?”
I try to push down the knot in my stomach, hoping I don’t show just how uncomfortable I’m becoming. “I’m just trying to stay focused on work, honestly.”
“Of course, of course,” Dottie says, her smile still too knowing. “Well, I hope that goes well for you.”
As she leaves, I have a strange, unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’m already the subject of nasty rumors and gossip because of a mistake I made at work. The last thing I want is to be talked about here, too.
But surely, there’s nothing to say about me, right?
Right?
“So,” I say, trying to redirect my mind from potential gossip that hasn’t happened yet, “what’s the plan? I’m guessing you didn’t drag me here just for small-town gossip.”
Olivia flashes me a mischievous grin. “Oh, definitely not. We’re going for a walk. Let you see the town a little. Get a feel for it. You never got much time to explore the town when you were here before, did you?”
I nod, and we all stand, the cold air immediately greeting me as I step outside.
The brisk autumn wind tugs at my coat, but it’s a welcome relief after the stifling heat inside. Ivy leads the way, her pace light as she weaves between the quaint little shops that line Main Street.
Coyote Glen is a charming place, the kind you’d see in small-town movies, with cobblestone sidewalks and buildings that look like they’ve been there for centuries, though well-kept.
It’s picturesque, almost too perfect.
As we stroll, Ivy points out various landmarks.
“That’s Bill Granger’s shop,” she says, gesturing to a small, rustic store with a sign that reads Granger’s General Store. “Best place to get your essentials. And his ham rolls are to die for.”
“But if you want real sweet treats,” Olivia chimes in, gesturing to the stone building across the street. “Sweet Treats bakery is amazing.”
As we continue walking, I start to feel more at ease. There’s something soothing about the slow pace of life here, about the faces I see smiling and waving as we pass by.
It’s all so different from the rush and constant noise of city life. The people here aren’t in a hurry. They’re taking their time, enjoying the simple things. And I can’t help but appreciate that.
We turn a corner, and Ivy gestures ahead of us. “There’s the fire station. You want to meet my brother? And the rest of Olivia’s men?”
I smile. “I briefly saw them last time I was here, but I’d love to get to meet them properly. Karl and Leo, right?”
I see the way Olivia completely lights up as she nods, just being near them. She hasn’t even seen them yet, and it’s like she’s walking on air. For some reason, that makes my throat feel tight.
“Yeah. There’s Karl, leaning against the engine,” she laughs. “Always too cool for school.”
“Olivia!” He completely shifts as well, the moment he sees her. “Are you alright?” He rushes over to her, resting his hand on her pregnant belly. “You aren’t pushing it, are you?”
“I’m fine.” Olivia rolls her eyes. “I swear, you’d think I was on bedrest the way you’re acting.”
Karl frowns, his brow furrowed, not entirely convinced. “You’re sure? No cramps? No dizziness?”
“Really, Karl?” Olivia laughs, but it’s more affectionate than anything else. “I’m pregnant, not fragile. Leo, tell him I’m fine.”
Leo exits the fire station, rubbing his hands on a rag. “Karl, let up a bit, will you? Olivia will tell you if she needs anything. We’ve been through this.”
“Uncle Jesse!” Mia booms, silencing everyone. “It’s me.”
I watch as Jesse turns just in time to see the triplets barreling toward him at full speed. His face lights up like a Christmas tree, and he immediately drops the rag he was holding, bracing himself for impact.
“Whoa, whoa, slow down, you little tornadoes.” Jesse laughs, crouching down just as they crash into him. He catches them mid-air, swinging them around like they weigh nothing. “What’d I tell you about running without giving me a warning first, huh?”