CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Misty hung the clothes she’d been given in her closet at home or stowed them in her dresser drawers. She was trying to decide what to do for dinner when someone rang the doorbell.
Misty opened the door and found Hazel standing there. “You’re back!”
Hazel smiled at her and stared at Sugar, who’d dutifully barked and was already wiggling in anticipation of expected attention.
“You got a dog!” said Hazel. “She’s adorable!” She bent to stroke Sugar and murmured sweetly to her. “How did this happen?" she asked Misty.
“It’s a long story. Come in, and I’ll tell you. Do you have time for a glass of wine? I was trying to decide what to have for dinner, but your return calls for a celebration at Jake’s.”
“A glass of wine would be great. Dinner at Jake’s, too.”
Hazel followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. “So, what’s going on?” she asked.
“Let me pour the wine, and then I’ll give you all the awful details.”
Misty opened the bottle of wine, poured each of them a glass, and then took a seat at the table opposite Hazel. She told about JoEllen seeing a man named Vince and fleshed out the story from there.
“Oh, my God! No wonder you freaked out when you thought it was Vince Tucci. I’ve heard enough about him to be scared for you. And David Graham is a sweetheart. He has a big crush on you, you know.”
“David’s a sweet guy, and I’m very interested in him. But I can’t move forward until I feel more secure about myself and safe. He’s going to teach me some karate moves. I’ve promised to attend a class before I go to Jake’s. Want to come with me?”
“Sure, I’ll join you. It should be fun.”
“How was your trip home?” Misty asked her.
Hazel sighed and shook her head. “Let’s just say it’s best that I live far enough away from my parents that they aren’t dropping in on me very often.
They always thought I’d marry the son of their friends and live a life like theirs in the same town.
I told them I just couldn’t and wouldn’t do it, that I was beginning a whole new life here in New Hampshire for a very positive reason. ”
“And?”
“And they don’t understand. They think I’m selfish and mean for doing so,” said Hazel, looking unhappy.
“Well, it’s too late now. You’ve been hired to teach, and we want you here in Lilac Lake.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.” Hazel slung an arm around Misty’s shoulder. “Karate, huh?”
###
That evening, Misty and Hazel drove to a one-story red-brick building outside of town where Kung Fu Karate held their classes. David drove up in his truck and parked beside them.
He waved and stepped out of the truck wearing a typical white karate uniform with a black belt tied at his waist. His feet were in flip-flops.
Misty noticed a small bit of chest hair where the V-neckline of the wrap top exposed it and remembered seeing him in his swimming trunks. No doubt about it, David was a sexy, ripped guy.
“Glad to see to see you here,” David said. “You, too, Hazel.”
Hazel looked pleased. “Misty invited me along, and I was excited about the invitation. It’s smart for women to learn to defend themselves.”
“What you will see here tonight is more formal than what I’ll teach you, but I wanted you to see the real deal. It’s much more than performing physical moves.”
He led them inside where several teenagers were waiting. Instead of that age group's usual restlessness and hijinks, the kids stood quietly, waiting for their class to begin.
David greeted them with a little bow. “Good evening, class.”
The students bowed. “Good evening, Sensei.”
“Tonight, we have two special guests who will be observing. I thought I’d quickly review the elements of karate with you so that our guests understand what each of you might be doing.”
The teens lined up.
“How many elements of karate are there?” David asked them.
“Four,” said a girl, stepping forward. “Basic, Form, Study, and Sparring.” She bowed and stepped back in line.
“Correct,” said David. “Kihon is basic techniques, Kata is form or pattern, Bunkai is the study of techniques in Kata, and Kumite is free sparring. Tonight, we will be working on Kihon and Kata.” He turned to Misty and Hazel.
“Please have a seat and make yourselves comfortable watching. Karate basics include blocks, strikes, kicks, and different stances.”
Misty watched from her seat in a chair against the wall as the students moved their bodies, arms, and hands in similar poses together.
“It doesn’t look that dangerous,” whispered Hazel.
As if he’d heard, David said, “It’s essential to strengthen your body to do this Kata efficiently and well. When you put them together, it provides a great means of self-defense.”
Mesmerized, Misty watched David teach his class, admiring the control he had over his body. She realized the strength and discipline some of the moves took, especially when combining them.
“How is this going to help us?” Hazel asked Misty softly.
“I’m not sure. But David will show us,” Misty said.
After the class was over, David and the students placed their hands together and bowed. After a moment of silence, David said, “Namaste.”
The students broke into groups, and Misty and Hazel stood.
David came over to them. “What did you think?”
“It’s interesting to watch, but how will that help Hazel and me protect ourselves?” asked Misty.
David gave her a knowing look. “I’m going to show you a few moves that incorporate some, not all, of this.”
“Thanks. We’ll meet you at Jake’s. Okay?”
“Sounds good. I’ve got a change of clothes with me. I’ll see you there.”
As Misty and Hazel climbed into Misty’s car, Hazel let out a long sigh. “Talk about sexy. And yet he’s such a sweet guy. I swear if I didn’t think he was interested in you, I’d go after him for myself.”
Hearing Hazel talk about David that way, Misty felt a flash of jealousy. “I still have some things from my past to take care of before I’ll be ready for a deeper relationship with him.” Misty didn’t say the thought of being intimate with a man, being that vulnerable with him, scared her to death.
“I’m sorry. I understand,” said Hazel, giving her a sympathetic look. “Let’s have some fun at Jake’s. I’m ready for it.”
###
When they walked into Jake’s, Misty's spirits lifted. It was always satisfying to see these people who meant so much to her. Since coming back home, she felt as if this town was where she was supposed to be. She understood better that she was judged as the person she’d become, not the child of an addict.
Misty was amused when she saw Hazel’s eyes light up as she was introduced to Gage. Poppy came into Jake’s at the same time as David, and Misty and the others quickly made room for them at the table.
Crystal walked in with Emmett, and after being seated, she said casually. “I don’t know what anyone has planned for Labor Day this year, but Emmett and I are hosting a picnic on the Saturday before the Monday holiday for those who want to come.”
“That will be fantastic,” said Taylor. “What should I bring?”
“Just bring yourselves. I’ll have some food available, and I want to keep it simple. But thanks,” said Crystal.
Misty couldn’t look at her sister for fear of giving away the secret wedding. But she saw that beneath the blasé attitude Crystal was putting on, she was excited.
“Don’t you and Hazel start school tomorrow?” Crystal asked her, deftly changing the subject.
“Tomorrow, we have a teacher’s meeting for staff. We have a few days of meetings and time in our classrooms, and then school begins for the students for three days before the holiday,” said Misty.
“You’re both teachers?” Gage asked.
The conversation turned to upcoming schedules for everyone, and Misty recognized that her favorite summer season was ending, and life would change at least a little for most of them.
Melissa and Ross arrived.
“Sorry we’re late,” said Melissa, “but I’ve been talking to Nettie at the café, and I think Crystal and I can hold our first gourmet dinner there in early October.”
“Why so late?” asked Dani.
“It takes time to plan and organize,” said Melissa, looking flustered as she glanced at Crystal.
“We want it done right,” said Crystal, smiling at Melissa.
That’s when Misty realized that Melissa must be helping with food for the wedding. To change the topic, she said, “Hazel and I are taking karate self-defense lessons from David.”
“Oh,” said JoEllen, “I want them too.”
David shook his head. “Let me see how the private lessons go before I try to set up a class.”
“I’d be interested in having you do a class for my police officers,” said Nick.
“Okay. I was just trying to make Misty feel safer, but I’ll see about working on a class for others.”
“Any word on Misty’s ex?” Dani asked Nick.
Nick shook his head and turned to JoEllen. “You haven’t seen or talked to the man since you saw him?”
“No,” said JoEllen. “Why would you ask?”
Nick shrugged. “Just checking.”
“I didn’t know it would cause such a flap. I should’ve kept my mouth closed,” grumped JoEllen.
“No,” said Nick. “We all need to keep an eye out for any stranger. In Misty’s case, her ex is someone who could hurt her.”
A shiver, like a spider’s legs, crept across Misty’s shoulders. She straightened, brushing aside the feeling. She had to be strong and move ahead with her life. Her body had healed. Now, it was time for the rest of her to become healthy again.
After the gang began breaking up, David said, “I’ve arranged to use the building for your first lesson tomorrow at the same time as today. Can you make it?”
“Yes,” said Misty. “I have teacher’s training tomorrow, but that’s not scheduled for all day. I’ll let Hazel know.”
He tipped his head. “Okay, see you then.”
As they studied each other, Misty liked David’s attention and felt a pull of attraction to him. When she was stronger emotionally, she wanted to see where a relationship with him could go. Until then, she hoped he understood.
###
Misty walked to her front door, and as she took her time to unlock it, she heard Sugar barking on the other side.
When she opened the door, Sugar wiggled her tail so hard she fell on the floor.
Laughing, Misty bent down to help her and was rewarded with yips of welcome and kisses on the cheek.
“Okay, let’s see how you did,” said Misty, walking inside.
In the kitchen, where Sugar’s bed had been tucked into a corner, the bed now sat in a patch of light by the sliding door.
“Clever dog,” said Misty, opening the sliding door to let Sugar outside.
Misty watched the dog run across the lawn and then through the woods and sighed with gratitude. Sugar was a nice addition.
Her cell phone rang.
She checked the unknown Florida number, and a feeling of dread overcame her.
At the thought it might be Vince, nausea rolled over her in a giant wave.
Misty gripped the counter and held on. When she could lift her head, she drew a deep breath to calm herself.
She’d blocked Vince’s number and those of his friends and changed her cell phone number.
But in today’s world of computerized information, anyone had an excellent chance of being found.
The phone stopped ringing and then began again.
Hands trembling, she checked caller ID. Crystal.
“H-h-hello,” she answered, unable to control her shaking voice.
“Hi, Misty. What’s wrong?” asked Crystal.
“I just had an earlier phone call. I didn’t recognize the number, but it came from Florida, and I thought it might be Vince.”
“Oh, Misty. I don’t like the sound of that. What can I do to help?”
“I’ve got a dog, I’m taking self-defense lessons, I have pepper spray and a whistle. I don’t know what else I can do.”
“I have an idea. I’ll talk to you later.” Crystal hung up.
Misty plopped down in a kitchen chair and rubbed Sugar’s ears. Still unable to shake her bad feelings, Misty went to check the rest of the rooms inside the house.
A short while later, the doorbell rang.
She went to answer it and was surprised to see a workman there.
“You Misty Owen?” he asked.
“Yes, what can I help you with?” she asked, holding onto Sugar’s collar. Her friendly dog was growling.
He indicated the red truck behind him. “Sorry it’s so late. I was making another call in town and was asked to stop by. I’m Jim from AAA Security. I’m here to discuss a security system.”
“But I didn’t request one,” she said.
“No, but Dr. Emmett Chambers did,” explained the man. “May I come in and take a look around?” He handed her the order.
Misty checked the truck and the badge on the man’s work shirt and called Crystal.
“It’s true. We did order it for you,” said Crystal.
“Thanks,” said Misty. “I had to be sure.”
“As you should,” Crystal said. “Talk to you later.”
Knowing everything was okay, Misty allowed the workman to come inside and followed him as he went from room to room, making notes on a notepad he carried with him.
When he was through, he said, “It’s a pretty simple set-up. I’ll return tomorrow with everything I need, and we’ll get the job done.”
“I won’t be here, but I’ll find someone to let you in,” said Misty. “Probably my sister, Crystal Owen.”
The man bobbed his head. “That’s who called me.”
As soon as he left in his truck, Misty called her sister. “Thanks, Crystal, for arranging for me to have a security system. That’s such a generous gift.”
“Thank Emmett. He’s the one who insisted we do it,” said Crystal. “We’ll both feel better knowing it’s installed. And I’ve already set aside time to be at your house while the work is being done.”
Misty let out a sigh of gratitude. Her sister was once again taking care of her. And now, Emmett, too.