Chapter 2
Ari
I drive the loop around Main Street just to orient myself with the town again.
The Velvet Wick Candle Shop has a new sign.
Keller’s Bakehouse repainted the outside.
Berk’s Hardware is having an early Labor Day sale.
Even though I haven’t visited in four years, everything in town feels pretty much the same.
And if you have to leave Florida to live in Vermont, the fall season is definitely the time to do it.
Autumn Ridge is known for its fall festivities and stunning, colorful leaves.
Not surprising that I’m already seeing movement at Bugelbach’s Pumpkin Patch.
I round the corner, passing the white chapel, and head toward my parents’ house. The six-minute drive from the high school to home will definitely be an upgrade from my thirty-five-minute commute to the junior high I taught at in Florida. And it will be nice to teach some older grades and students.
See? I’m already thinking positively about this impromptu move home. Optimism for the win—or so I tell myself.
My parents’ blue house sits on the ridge of a rolling hill, perched as if it knows it holds all my happy childhood memories.
I take in the acres surrounding the home as my car creeps up the drive.
The garden with homegrown vegetables. The above-ground pool that hasn’t been used for years.
The sledding hill I broke my arm on in sixth grade.
The tree house in the maple tree. And in a small way, coming home doesn’t seem like such a setback after all.
There’s nowhere for me to park in the garage—Landrie’s car gets the coveted third spot. Not surprising, since she’s the favorite child and has never stopped living at home. So I pull up next to a white Explorer parked in the drive, not sure who’s here visiting my parents.
But as soon as I push open the front door, it’s obvious that my homecoming is overshadowed by something much more important.
I pause, seeing my little sister in her satin wedding dress with a draped bodice, off-the-shoulder straps, a slit A-line skirt, and pearl embellishments.
My mom sits on the couch, watching with the permanent smile she’s been wearing since my sister got engaged five months ago.
And next to Landrie, with her pincushion out, is Wade’s mom, Gina Stevenson.
“Oh. My. Gosh!” My hand covers my heart as my eyes meet my sister’s. “Lands, you look so beautiful!”
“You think?” Her wide smile beams back at me.
“How could I not think you look beautiful?”
Like, really. How could I not?
My baby sister was blessed with every good gene my parents had to offer.
And if there wasn’t a good gene being passed down, her DNA somehow created it for her.
Beautiful long blonde hair that doesn’t require highlights to stay light.
Green eyes—do you know the percentage of the population that has green eyes?
It’s low. Like two percent, but somehow Landrie managed it.
Tan, clear skin. Perky boobs that aren’t too big or too small.
Tiny waist. Long legs. You get the point. My sister is gorgeous.
Not surprising that she was Miss Burlington, Vermont, straight out of high school, because Autumn Ridge is too small for their own pageant.
There was a revolt later that year when she got runner-up for Miss Vermont.
The town passed around a petition that the pageant was rigged, for how could Landrie Langford, the darling of Autumn Ridge, come in second place?
It’s preposterous.
“You don’t think the slit is too high?” She kicks out one tanned leg.
I close the front door behind me. “I don’t, but Dad’s going to think so.”
“I can always adjust where the slit opens.” Gina moves the satin around so the slit isn’t so high on Landrie’s thigh. She tilts her head, examining it, causing her shoulder-length red hair to tilt too.
Landrie smirks. “I think Jaxon will prefer the slit stay where it’s at.”
Knowing Jaxon Walker as we do, we all nod in agreement.
Is it weird that Landrie is marrying one of my previous high school boyfriends?
No.
And yes.
Jaxon and I weren’t anything serious. We were friends long before we ever went to The Ridge to make out, but we did go there a few times in high school. So…that’s awkward.
I drop the laundry basket of clothes I’m holding; it hits the ground with a thud.
“Let me help you.” My mom finally jumps up.
“That’s okay. I can bring the rest of my stuff in later.”
Since there’s nothing for her to do, she opens her arms wide for a hug. “Glad you made it safe.”
It’s been a while since she and Dad visited me in Florida. And I’m surprised by how much her hug heals pieces of my broken heart, like a kid who fell off their bike and makes it all the way home to their mom before they start crying.
“I made you a sandwich. It’s waiting for you in the kitchen.” Her blonde hair wisps my face as we hug until she suddenly pulls back like she remembered something. “Oh, how did the job interview go?”
“Good.” My eyes shift to Gina Stevenson. “I didn’t know Wade was the principal at the high school now.”
“This is his first year. Marty retired over the summer.” She tugs the fabric at Landrie’s waist tighter and pins it. “A few people made a fuss that Wade was too young to be principal. It was a whole ordeal, but in the end, it’s better to have someone local than a newcomer taking the job.”
“It was an ordeal.” My mom nods in solidarity then shifts her gaze to me. “So, did you get the teaching position? I don’t see how you couldn’t. You’re so good at your job.”
“Thanks.” I smile at my mom’s compliment, even though she has no proof that I’m a good teacher other than her mother’s pride in me. “And yes, I did get the job, but I’m not really sure how. Wade didn’t even interview me.”
“You didn’t need to interview.” Gina smiles, reminding me of all the times we hung out at their house in junior high and high school. “As soon as Wade saw that you applied, the position was yours.”
“Not much interest in the job, huh?”
“No, there was a lot, but Wade wanted you.”
Wade wanted you.
I’m part thrilled and part terrified by how thrilled I am to hear that.
I throw my car keys and phone onto my pile of laundry then walk over to the couch, but I stop when my mom gasps.
“Talk about an inappropriate slit! Oh, Ari, what happened to your skirt?”
“Um.” I swing my backside away from everyone, forgetting that I flashed several teenagers waiting in the front office. “It ripped.”
“No wonder Wade gave you the job.” Landrie’s brows waggle up and down.
“His mom is right there.” I gesture to Gina as if Landrie needs a reminder.
Gina waves me away. “Oh, it’s fine. I know who my son is.
He’s the reason I have so many gray hairs.
” She doesn’t. Her signature red hair is still fully intact.
“I’ve given up hope that Wade will ever settle down, get married, and give me grandchildren.
That boy is cute, but he doesn’t know how to commit to someone. ”
Sounds like Wade is the same as he was back in high school.
“Don’t give up hope,” Landrie says. “All Wade needs is the right woman. Look at Jaxon and me. Nobody ever thought Jaxon Walker would settle down.”
Gina laughs. “Yes, those two boys have been breaking hearts since they were in kindergarten.”
“Wade’s a good boy. He’ll end up being just fine,” my mom offers. “And at least you have Ryan to give you grandchildren.”
“I didn’t know Ryan and Lily had kids,” I say as I drop to the couch.
“Mia. She’s almost four.” I can tell by Gina’s smile that Mia is her pride and joy. “And Lily’s pregnant with a baby boy due this spring.”
“I’m jealous.” My mom sighs as she sits down beside me.
“I’d give anything to be a grandma.” I recognize the disappointed tone in her voice.
I swear Barb Langford has been ready to be a grandma since the day I turned twenty-one.
She looks at my sister, and that ridiculous smile appears again.
“Now I actually have a chance with Landrie.”
Her words aren’t meant to be hurtful, but still, there’s a sting. I mean, my little sister is getting fitted for her wedding dress. I thought by now that would be me. And even though I know Andy wasn’t a good fit for me, the pang of wanting what Landrie has fills my entire chest.
I want the relationship. The engagement.
The dress. The marriage. The house. The weekly menu planning.
The folding laundry. The Friday night staying in.
I wanted all of that so much that I almost ignored every red flag and married Andy.
If he hadn’t called off our long engagement, I’d probably still be with him today, despite knowing he wasn’t right for me.
It’s not like being a wife and mother is my only dream. But at this point in my life, I’ve done a lot, and now I’m ready for a new dream. I just don’t have the relationship to match the dream.
My mom looks back at me with a mischievous gleam. “But just because Landrie is getting married, don’t think you’re off the hook. Finding you a husband is my top priority.”
“I thought this wedding was your top priority,” I say dryly.
“I can do both. I’ve been on a romance kick lately.”
My brows lift. “Really?”
“Oh, yes, she has,” Landrie answers for her, shaking her head at me as if we have a problem on our hands.
“Pfft.” My mom waves Landrie away. “She doesn’t like my new hobby, but let me tell you, Dad has no complaints.”
I laugh a little. “What’s your new hobby?”
“Romance books!” There’s an unhinged level of excitement in her voice. “I’ve been going to the library every week and getting a stack of books to read.”
“She has a book in her face so much you can hardly talk to her anymore,” Landrie adds.
My mom frowns back at her. “That’s not true.”
“I think that’s great,” Gina says. “I wish I had more time to read.”
“As an English teacher”—I lift my shoulders—“I’m never going to knock reading as a hobby.”
“Thank you.” Mom grins at me. “I knew you’d understand.”
“Yeah, but she’s obsessed with romance.” Landrie points at me. “You’ll see.”
“Speaking of romance and love…” Mom hops up from her spot on the couch and runs to the kitchen, talking louder as she disappears. “Let me get the Autumn Ridge community phone book out to see what eligible bachelors live in town that you can marry.”
“Mom!” My head falls back against the couch. “We are not going through the community phone book to find me a husband.”
“If not a husband, at least a date for the wedding!” she calls. “I don’t want you to feel sad that you don’t have someone with you at your little sister’s wedding.”
I wasn’t sad about it until now.
“Oh, they just printed a new phone book in January.” Gina smiles excitedly. “So it’s pretty up to date.”
It’s clear that the Autumn Ridge community phone book is their version of Tinder.
“Okay!” My mom shuffles back in the room, holding a stapled packet like it’s 1987. She takes her place back on the couch and flips the pages open.
“Starting strong in alphabetical order, how about Dominic Harper? He’s cute and single.”
“Dom?” My forehead crinkles.
“He’s also the town handyman,” Gina adds. “Think of all the odd jobs he could do around your house.”
“No.” I shake my head.
“Why not?” My mom’s lips move to a pout.
Well, for starters, he’s way too quiet and reserved for me. But really, Dom was Reese’s first love. Going after one of your best friend’s guys is not cool. Even if I were interested (which I’m not), Dom is off-limits.
“Because he’s too quiet,” I say, opting to keep Reese’s love life out of this.
“Quiet can be good. You need someone who’s quiet to balance your craziness.” I shoot my mom a withering stare that prompts her to move on. “Fine. Who else?” She sits up taller. “Archer Kade.”
I don’t recognize that name. “Who?”
“He owns the stables over at Horseshoe Holler.” My mom says it as if I should know.
“He’s ex rodeo!” Landrie chimes in, and honestly, I feel betrayed by her participation in this.
Gina peeks around Landrie’s leg. “Moved here five years ago. Handsome.”
“No. This is ridiculous! We’re not doing this.”
“If not Archer, then what about Noah Monroe? He’s a catch.”
“The mayor?!” I gape back at my mother.
“I’ve heard he’s dating again.”
“He’s, like, fifty!” I cover my face with my hands in absolute disbelief that one of the first conversations since moving home is about me finding a husband.
“I mean, I think he’s too old for you, but we’re also desperate, so I wasn’t going to rule him out.”
My hands drop, and I glare at my mom. “Gee, thanks.”
I’m twenty-seven. How are we desperate?
“Sorry.” Her eyes go sincere. “We’re not desperate. We’re just not ruling anything out.”
“Mom…”—Landrie shakes her head—“Mayor Monroe is Juliet’s dad. You can’t set Ari up with my friend’s father. That’s gross.”
“Fine, then. We’ll move on. There’s Wade.” My mom glances at Gina, who shrugs as if she knows her son is a lost cause when it comes to any type of serious relationship. I may not have lived here for nine years, but even I know that Wade isn’t a reliable suitor.
Mom sighs. “And then we’re down to the Ws. Bennett Walker.”
This makes Landrie perk up. “We could be sisters-in-law!”
“We don’t need to be sisters-in-law. We’re already sisters. And besides, isn’t Ben Walker already married to Maven Price?”
“That was years ago,” Landrie said. “They got a divorce. I think he still hankers for her, but you can change his mind.”
“No, thank you.”
Landrie shrugs. “His little brother, Luke Walker?”
“He’s younger than me. By years.”
“Fine.” My mom closes the packet like it’s hopeless. Like I’m hopeless. “We’ll have to look outside Autumn Ridge. Burlington, perhaps.”
This is a nightmare that isn’t going to go away. By tomorrow, my mom will have Burlington’s community phone directory. I can feel it.
“Okay”—Gina sits back—“what do you think of those adjustments? The dress is more fitted through the bodice now.”
“It’s perfect.” Landrie looks over everything. “Before, it wasn’t accentuating my waist as much as it could have, you know?”
And just like always, the attention moves back to my perfect sister.
But this time, I’m grateful for it.