Chapter One The Perfect Couple #2
"We got a shipment of fence posts in at six this morning so I’ve been unloading pallets since dawn. Figured I’d come in and make this deposit before I lose the energy to drive."
I laugh and start processing his deposit slip.
The Fredericksons are one of Sugar Ridge’s more established families.
They own farmland and rental properties and the ag supply store on Route 12.
Kyle’s parents are Richard and Nancy Frederickson, and from everything I’ve heard they’re good people.
Generous with the community, fair with their employees, and private about their money.
Kyle is the same way. He’s never once come in here acting like his family’s financial standing made him important.
He waits in line. He says please and thank you.
He asks about my weekend like he actually wants to know the answer.
"Big plans this week?" I ask while the receipt prints.
"Not really. Got a Rotary meeting Wednesday and I promised my mom I’d come for dinner Sunday. Other than that, just work." He pauses for a second. "What about you?"
"Same. Work and more work." I hand him his receipt and our fingers brush for just a moment. His hands are rough from work and warm. "Here you go."
"Thanks, Kaitlyn. I’ll see you around."
"See you, Kyle."
He walks out and I watch him go for exactly two seconds before I catch myself.
I look down at my keyboard and feel a small twist of guilt in my stomach.
Kyle Frederickson is a good man. Anyone with eyes can see that.
He’s polite and kind and easy to talk to and yes, he’s attractive.
I’ve noticed. I’m in a relationship but I’m not blind.
But noticing is all I’ve ever done and all I’ll ever do.
I have Travis. Travis is my future. I don’t need to be looking at anyone else and I won’t.
I straighten the papers on my counter and push the thought away.
Around eleven thirty, Kendra Jones pushes through the front doors with a canvas tote bag over one shoulder and a manila envelope in her hand.
My mood lifts immediately. Kendra is my best friend and has been since we were seven years old.
She teaches third grade at Sugar Ridge Elementary and every Friday she comes in to deposit the school’s fundraising money and activity funds.
But today is Monday, which means this is a social visit.
"Please tell me you haven’t eaten lunch yet," she says, leaning against my counter.
"I haven’t eaten lunch yet."
"Perfect. I have forty-five minutes before I have to be back for recess duty and I want a sandwich from Tina’s."
"Give me ten minutes to close out my morning transactions and I’m yours."
She steps back to wait in the lobby and pulls out her phone. That’s when Travis comes out of his office. He spots Kendra and changes direction, walking over to where she’s standing near the brochure rack.
"Hey, Kendra. How’s the school year going?"
"It’s going well, thanks. The kids are starting their science fair projects next week so it’s about to get chaotic."
"That sounds fun. My nephew did a volcano project last year. Baking soda everywhere." He laughs and Kendra smiles politely. "Well, tell those kids to keep up the good work."
"I will. Thanks, Travis."
He walks back toward his office and Kendra looks over at me with a neutral expression.
I don’t think anything of it. Travis is friendly with everyone.
That’s part of what makes him good at his job.
He remembers people’s names and asks about their lives and makes small talk that feels genuine even when it’s purely professional.
It’s one of the things I admired about him when we first started dating.
I finish my transactions and let Melissa know I’m taking my lunch.
Kendra and I walk the two blocks to Tina’s Coffee and Café.
Tina Lawson opened this place eight years ago and it’s become the unofficial gathering spot for half the town.
The sandwiches are good, the coffee is better, and Tina remembers everyone’s usual order.
"Turkey club?" Tina calls from behind the counter when she sees me.
"You know it."
"Chicken salad for me," Kendra says.
We grab a booth by the window and settle in. Kendra tells me about the chaos of her classroom, about the little boy who brought a live frog to show-and-tell and the girl who announced she wanted to be president and then asked Kendra how much it paid. I laugh so hard I almost choke on my iced tea.
"So how are things with Travis?" she asks between bites.
"Really good. We’re talking about maybe taking a weekend trip soon. Somewhere with a lake."
"That sounds nice. You deserve a vacation."
"It’s only been a year but sometimes it feels like we’ve been together forever. In a good way, I mean. Like it’s just easy."
Kendra nods and smiles. "I’m happy for you, Kait. Really."
We finish our lunch and walk back to the bank together.
She gives me a hug in the parking lot and drives off toward the school.
I watch her go and think about how lucky I am to have a friend like her.
Someone who shows up. Someone who tells the truth.
Someone who never makes me feel like I have to be anyone other than exactly who I am.
The afternoon passes without any surprises.
I help a steady stream of customers, process a few wire transfers, and spend twenty minutes helping an elderly man understand why his Social Security deposit was a day late.
Linda waves me down around three o’clock and I remember she wanted to talk to me earlier.
"Sorry, Linda. The morning got away from me."
"No worries at all. I just wanted to let you know that we’re looking at some staffing changes in the next few weeks. Nothing you need to worry about right now, but I may need your input on a few things. You’ve been here long enough that your perspective matters to me."
"Of course. Whatever you need."
She smiles and pats my arm. "You’re one of the good ones, Kaitlyn. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise."
I walk back to my station feeling a quiet sense of pride.
I’ve worked hard to be someone Linda can rely on.
I’ve never called in sick when I wasn’t actually sick.
I’ve never left early without finishing my work.
I’ve never once had a discrepancy in my drawer.
That might not sound impressive to most people but in banking it means everything.
Accuracy is trust and trust is the whole job.
Travis catches me in the break room at four thirty while I’m washing out my travel mug.
"Hey, you. Long day?"
"Not bad. Just the usual Monday crowd."
He steps closer and puts his hands on my waist. "I was thinking we could grab dinner tonight. That Italian place you like over on Birch Street."
"Carmine’s? I’d love that."
"Seven o’clock? I’ll pick you up."
"It’s a date."
He kisses my forehead and heads back to his office.
I stand there for a moment with the warm water running over my mug and I think about how many women would love to have what I have.
A stable job. A man who plans dates on a Monday.
A best friend who makes me laugh until I cry.
A sister who calls every Sunday to check in.
A life that feels solid and real and headed somewhere good.
I dry the mug and put it in my bag. I close out my drawer, log everything, and say goodnight to Melissa and Becky.
I wave to Ben through his office window and he gives me a thumbs-up because he’s on the phone.
I walk out through the employee entrance into the late afternoon and take a deep breath of small-town air.
It smells like cut grass and the faintest hint of rain.
This is my life. These are my people. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I drive home with the windows down and the radio playing something soft.
My apartment is a one-bedroom above the old hardware store on Main Street.
It’s nothing fancy but it’s clean and quiet and mine.
I have forty-five minutes to shower and change before Travis picks me up and I plan to use every single one of them.
As I unlock my front door and step inside, I feel settled. Content. Sure of myself in a way that only comes from knowing your life is exactly on track. I have a good job that I’m proud of. I have a boyfriend who respects me and chooses me every single day. I have a future that feels certain.
I have absolutely no idea how wrong I am.