FAITH
Chapter Two
I keep staring at the long line of numbers on the spreadsheet in front of me. The figures for Peppermint Lodge just don’t add up properly. Magnus is scrupulous about his accounts and so are his staff, so it must be my mistake.
I’ve been looking blankly at it for twenty minutes. This has got to stop. I stand up and walk over to the kitchen to get some coffee. The old machine doesn’t switch on at first, so I press the switch a couple of times before the light blinks on.
I gaze out of the window at the falling snow. Just a week ago that ancient guy Carl who sits in Friar’s bar predicted we’d have a late snowfall before Christmas. But everyone sort of ignores him, so I’m surprised he was proven right.
There’s a whooshing sound from the coffee maker and a crack as the glass carafe breaks. I scramble to unplug it as smoke starts billowing from the top of the reservoir.
Shit.
My Mom said she’d buy me a new one as a Christmas present, so I was hoping to get this one to last until Christmas day. Coffee is kind of an essential when you’re working with numbers all day long - well, it is for me anyway.
I grab my coat and head out to Dasher’s. It’s a short walk around to the square as I trudge through the snow.
I wonder if Alfie’s on duty today? I wasn’t expecting him to walk through the door looking like that.
He was always cute, even as a teenager, but he has transformed into a capable looking, stunningly handsome man.
In his uniform, striding through the living room, he looked like a movie star.
And now he’s back in Snowflake Falls and I keep hoping every damn minute that I’ll run into him.
But I need to remember my life is complicated. And why would Alfie have any interest in someone who he used to get math tutoring from and who lived next door to him ten years ago? I’m sure his life has moved on since then. Mine has too, but not in the same way.
I wave at Caitlin, who’s across the road packing some bags into the car. I do her accounts and we’ve bonded over our shared love of music. She’s a great singer, so I’ve accompanied her on the piano at events a few times.
Inside Dasher’s, I decide to have a coffee with the works; double shot, whipped cream, cinnamon syrup and sprinkles, topped with a miniature gingerbread man. It takes longer than usual to prepare, so I take a seat, staring idly out the window. It feels good not to be looking at a spreadsheet.
The door opens, bringing with it a blast of cold air, and Alfie walks in. He spots me instantly and walks over.
“Look, Faith. You need to stop following me around or I’m going to have to put something on your record.” His eyes are crinkled at the corners.
“Excuse me officer, I was just minding my own business here waiting for my cup of coffee. Anyway, it was you who came over to Taylor’s house and surprised me. Works both ways.” I stare up at him. His eyes look super blue in the daylight.
“You may have a point.” We both stare at each other a beat too long before Emily, the barista, shouts out my name. I stand up and walk to the counter to grab my cup. I’m sort of embarrassed at how over the top my order is, but I just grab the gingerbread man and start crunching.
Alfie nods at Emily. “I’ll have what she’s having.”
I laugh a little nervously, wishing I hadn’t gone for all the extras, but then remember he always had a sweet tooth at high school. “Busy day today?”
“For Snowflake, yes. We had an accident on the main road out of town but luckily nobody was hurt. There are a lot of people on the roads finishing their Christmas shopping and visiting relatives today. Also a lot of traffic up to the Lodge for the preparations for the Huckle party.”
“Oh yes, I’m looking forward to that. I’m playing piano to accompany Caitlin Parviem when she sings tomorrow.” I look behind me as the door opens and a queue starts to build up behind us.
“I might see you up there. I’m monitoring the traffic and I may stop by after my shift.
” He gazes at me and I blush involuntarily.
Why is he having this effect on me? I know him.
I mean, I used to know him. I try to think of playing Mario Kart with him all those years ago, but instead I keep getting distracted by his deep blue eyes and broad frame.
I lower my eyes and drum my fingers against my coffee cup. “Okay, see you tomorrow, maybe. Enjoy your Christmas surprise!”
Alfie looks quizzical. “My what?”
I point at my cup. “Your coffee. It’s called a Christmas surprise.”
He laughs. “Oh, that’s quite something. See you later, Faith.”
I clutch the coffee as I walk carefully back through the snowy streets. Running into Alfie like that, unexpectedly, has me thinking about what it would be like to run my hands over his broad chest and shoulders, to feel him sweeping me into his arms and kissing me, hard.
And then I shake my head. I’m having sexy cop fantasies about a guy I haven’t seen for ten years. Who knows nothing about my life.
My cell phone beeps.
Why aren’t you at home Faith? I’m outside with Troy.
Shit. Bobby’s early. And of course that means he’ll make it my fault. I quicken my pace, almost slipping on a patch of ice. So much for a relaxing walk and enjoying my coffee.
Bobby’s car is parked outside. As soon as Troy spots me he opens the door and runs out.
“Mommy! You’re not drinking coffee at home? Is that coffee or cocoa? Can I have some?” Troy gives me a big hug and I ruffle his soft hair.
“It’s coffee, sweetie. You run inside with your bag and I’ll make you some cocoa.”
Troy runs into the house and I shut the car door. Bobby rolls his window down.
“I told you I was dropping him off. Next time I’ll just leave Troy at the front of the house and drive off.” Bobby’s stare is meant to be intimidating, but I just find him exhausting.
“I’m not going to get into a discussion about it. He’s at his Grandma’s tomorrow.” I start walking away.
“And where the fuck are you?” Bobby spits each word out.
“Can you talk to me in a civil way, please? I’m out. Goodbye.” I walk back up towards the house. Bobby revs the engine and drives off too fast for the snowy conditions.
I take a deep breath, composing myself before I go back inside.
Bobby takes every opportunity to make my life difficult.
He hates the fact that I’m thriving without him.
I put up with his behavior for too long; he was my first ever boyfriend and he said his scarred face would make it impossible for him to find anyone else.
Even though his scars were barely noticeable, for some reason I felt guilty.
Then I fell pregnant and Troy was the result. I didn’t want him not to have a Dad in his life, so I put up with Bobby’s drinking and womanizing for far too long. But when he started taking drugs, I knew I couldn’t have him around Troy. So, three years ago, I got my own place.
The problem is that Bobby isn’t the most responsible or reliable Dad.
He swears he’s given up the drugs, but I don’t know if he’s telling the truth.
Plus, his resentment of me makes normal parenting impossible.
So I just grit my teeth and get on with it, not doing anything to complicate my life any further.
Except now Alfie’s here and he doesn’t even know I have a son. And there’s no way he’d want to get involved with someone in such a messed-up situation.
I need to stop fantasizing and start living in the real world.
And go finish that spreadsheet.