CHAPTER SIX
KENNEDY
“What's got you smiling?” Beth asks from my office doorway.
I knew I should have shut the door.
Flipping my phone over as if I'm not guilty of texting during work hours, I lie, “Nothing. Just a meme,” and cross my fingers under my desk.
Beth moved to town a month ago after her friend Caroline suggested she apply for a job at city hall. Apparently, Beth wanted a change—and most of her friends now live in Suitor's Crossing—so she took the plunge.
I admire her courage, and we hit it off immediately during a meeting to discuss Hearthstone Lodge hosting a city hall event.
“A meme?” Beth's forehead crinkles in doubt. “That's the same moony-eyed look Caroline gets whenever Snow is around.”
“I'm not moony-eyed, and our coffee date isn’t for another fifteen minutes. You’re early.” Diverting the conversation is always a good tactic, right?
“Good thing, too, or else you'd still be keeping secrets from me, so spill. What's going on? Did Chris finally start making an effort for you?”
All of my friends know about the Ghosting of Chris Dugan. He still hasn't acknowledged my letters, which honestly is a dick move—something I’ll never say to Sheree. She thinks the sun shines out of his ass, especially with the whole ‘military’ thing.
Frustration boils to the forefront again at the reminder of Chris's bad behavior, and I'll take anger over sadness any day. His rejection would have decimated me to tears a few months ago, but Wyatt’s correspondence eases the pain.
Because he actually replies, and not just in letters.
We’ve been texting since he sent his phone number—hence my smile earlier—and our conversations are easy. Comforting. Probably because he’s thousands of miles away and doesn’t have to deal with my brothers or my awkwardness up close and personal.
There’s a barrier between us. One that invites vulnerability rather than my usual shyness.
“It’s not Chris.” I close out the tabs on my desktop screen then stretch before grabbing my purse.
“Then who is it? One of Beckett’s hot firefighter friends? Or a business associate of Ezra’s?” Excitement magnifies in Beth’s pupils. “Oh, let it be that one! Talk about a taboo pairing. Your brother would freak.”
Beth hasn’t met all of my family yet, but she’s heard rumors about the Suitor’s Crossing bad boy, Beckett Caldwell, and knows Ezra mingles in an international crowd with his elite financial group.
“Nope.” We walk to the lodge’s exclusive coffee shop and order our drinks before meandering out to the brick patio that overlooks the mountains and forests surrounding a glittering lake. We usually mix up our meetings between Hearthstone’s coffee and Crossing’s Cups )
As far as code-breaking, it’s obvious I possess superior skills LOL. The acronym stands for The Duke Who Knew Too Much. It’s a historical romance novel by one of my favorite authors, Grace Callaway.
Speaking of favorite things…
Wow! What an impact that art teacher had on you; I’m sure your parents appreciated your interest in something outside of video games (my brothers were obsessed with our PlayStation growing up, though I was addicted to Crash Bandicoot, too).
I kind of wish I’d thought to explore other sections of the library. Finding an origami book was smart! Who knows what I could have learned if I’d ventured past the fiction section?
Also, thank you for supporting my sticker addiction. You’re right. It could be worse. (I’ll just keep my jars of hair trimmings a secret…)
In other news, the lodge’s van crapped out on me while hauling our set-up for Apple Fest, so I got to spend an afternoon in Dusty’s waiting room, which wasn’t so bad since their receptionist, Faith, had her baby with her. He’s so cute! And squishy.
And… you probably don’t care to hear about a stranger’s baby.
I’m going to take this as my cue to wrap up LOL.
Talk to you soon, and stay safe!
Kennedy
***
Kennedy,
Thanks for the brochure. Suitor’s Crossing looks as beautiful as I imagined.
I never knew my parents. I was dropped off at a firehouse at three days old, so my life revolved around the foster system. None of those families cared what I did—video games, origami, or staying out late at skate parks. But don’t feel too sorry for me, it wasn’t a terrible life, just an adventurous one.
When a friend of mine aged out at eighteen and then joined the military, it seemed natural to follow in his footsteps after high school graduation. There’s actually a lot of overlap between the army and foster care. Although I have more structure now, I still move around a lot and meet a ton of new people.
Some day, it might be nice to settle down and place roots in a place where they have time to grow…
Yours,
Wyatt
P.S. Here’s an origami swan. It mails well since it lays flat before the last step—inflation—which is where you blow into the hole at the bottom to fill out its body.
P.P.S. Yes, I realize how that sounds LOL.
P.P.P.S. Are three post-scripts a thing? I’m glad you were safe despite car trouble, and I’m happy to read/listen to whatever you want to tell me—babies included.
***
Kennedy: * sends a GIF of a penguin waving ‘Hello’* Our first text exchange. Hopefully, this is okay…
Wyatt: *a picture of ‘Hello’ written in the sand* More than okay! :) What's on your agenda today?
Kennedy: We ’ re hosting homecoming parties for the high school's 10th, 25th, and 50th reunions this weekend, so there's a lot of prep work being done. I'm also babysitting my niece's bunny. Look how cute he is! * picture of white bunny chewing a carrot*
Wyatt: You're adorable, and so is that bunny. What's his name?
Kennedy: Whiskers :D I've been thinking about getting a pet, but I'm not sure.
Wyatt: What's holding you back? I always wanted a dog… Thankfully, now I get to hang out with our K-9 companions when they're off duty. * picture of a Belgian Malinois* This is Rex.
Kennedy: * heart eyes emoji* I'm so jealous! Honestly, I psych myself out with how much responsibility it is. A lifetime commitment, you know? And generally, I don't shy away from responsibilities or commitments, but I worry about not being able to give a pet its best life. Maybe it's because I don't have a lot of experience. We didn't grow up with pets. Our parents always said five kids was enough.
Wyatt: Don't sell yourself short. You can conquer anything you put your mind to, including pet parenthood. I mean you're juggling three major parties this weekend like a pro, and this is just one of the many events you organize. You're a fucking rockstar, Kennedy.
Kennedy: ...
Kennedy: Thank you * blushing emoji *
Kennedy: Speaking of rockstars, or at least celebrities… Celebrity-adjacent? You'll never guess who just made reservations to stay at the lodge…