Chapter 3 Rose
The stars are slowly blinking into view as I pull into Kate’s driveway. Her house is quite a ways off the main highway, but she’s surrounded by trees. Kate had her daughter when we were in highschool and she’s a pre-teen now. With Kate being a single mom, we always do our girl nights here so she doesn’t have to get a sitter, or worry about Bryn being alone.
Slipping out of the car, I see that I’m the last to arrive. Chloe’s car is in front, of course. She’s always punctual. We graduated high school the same year, while Elle and Kate were a couple years behind us. The four of us reconnected when I was home on break from college one year and have been inseparable since. Elle was married and is now divorced, while Chloe is practically running her family’s B&B.
Ducking into the backseat to grab my bags, the crickets chirp in surprise and the smell of a bonfire lingers in the air. Despite the day feeling warmer, the air is crisp even this far off the lake.
“Oh, heyyyyy!” I hear from the house. I spin around and see Elle is standing, holding the door open for me. Through the opening I can see Kate sitting on the couch along with Chloe, cozy under blankets and pillows. They’ve already opened a bottle of wine and eagerly strain to get a look at the packages in my arms, hoping to see what I’ve brought.
“I hope there’s some more of those lavender scones in there!” calls Chloe. “They were a hit today at the inn. I had to hide one from the guests so I could have another.” She laughs, taking a long swig from her glass.
“There’s a couple in there,” I yell back. The white-washed steps to her porch creak as I tiptoe up them and into the house. I slip my shoes off, give everyone a quick hug, and slide in next to Elle, getting comfy in my favorite spot next to the fireplace. I would live next to a fire if I could. “I see you’ve started without me,” I say with mock annoyance. “Where’s my glass?”
I’m handed a glass of rich red wine and settle in as the others dig through my bags to get at the scones and other goodies. “Okay, catch me up.” I gesture, looking around from face to face. It’s clear they were already hashing something out and I’m eager to know what the latest gossip is. The wine is sweet, dark, and a perfect compliment to the chilly air mixed with the heat off the fireplace.
Elle starts with, “Well, Chloe was just telling us about a new brewery that’s opening up in town in the fall. They’ve already reached out to her to see if she’ll stock some of their beer in the inn’s restaurant. I’m annoyed, of course, because I just hate the idea of some big time city investor coming into our town and making money off of everything we’ve worked hard to create here. It isn’t fair, if you ask me.” Elle is fiercely protective of our town and knows how hard we’ve all worked to find success here. She’s an artist and has done very well, having shows all over the state, but she makes a point to always highlight Raspberry Falls and tries to bring more visitors in for our little town.
“Oh Elle, you have no idea who they are, maybe wait until you know what’s actually happening, or meet them? It’s a while off too, they could back out,” Chloe interjects, pulling her hair back into a bun—always the peacekeeper.
As the evening continues on, we talk about the cute receptionist that was recently hired at the salon Kate works at, the noisy guest staying at Chloe’s B&B, and Elle’s newest project she’s working on for an art installation in Duluth. I feel myself start to drift off when I hear the name “Wes Stevenson.”
I perk up. “What did you say?” I ask, suddenly not at all sleepy or tipsy.
“I said that Wes Stevenson just moved back. I saw him at the park the other day when I dropped some guests off. He’s a ranger there now.” Chloe looks at me expectantly. Well doesn’t she just have all the news? Why didn’t she start with that?
I narrow my eyes at her, but then blink and shake my head, why am I suddenly feeling so sassy and sensitive about this?
Wes and I dated when we were just starting high school. I was young and completely head over heels in love. But then we had a big fight and shortly after he abruptly moved away. I was heartbroken. I waited for the entire summer for a letter or a call from him, but never heard anything. I’d moved on with other guys since him, but none seemed to make me feel the way he did, or brought out the same Rose that I was with him. I’d blamed it on the hormones of being young—that I’d built it up in my head over the years—on first love. But even I can’t deny that my heart is starting to pound at the mere mention of Wes’ name. I grab a pillow for something to do with my hands and start to pick at the threads on the edges. “Did he say why he moved back?”
“I don’t know. Work maybe? He seemed happy and there was no ring on that finger.” Chloe wiggles her fingers in front of us.
The girls all laugh and I try to join in, but suddenly feel like I’m going to throw up.
“And damn, he was looking good.” She elbows me, then seeing the look on my face adds, “I’m just teasing. We know how hard it was for you when he moved away.”
Hard is an understatement. His leaving, coupled with my dad passing less than a year later, really did a number on me that took years of therapy to work through. Hell, I’m still working through my anxiety.
I never thought Wes Stevenson would be back in Raspberry Falls. Never dreamed it.
Now I know what Lucy was acting so weird about.
“Are you okay? Is it going to be weird to see him?” Kate gives my arm a quick rub, looking concerned. I catch her eye and have to look away. She’s got her doe eyes on and her soft frown is almost too much.
“I’m sure it will be fine. It will be awkward, but I’m sure I can get over it.” I plaster a smile on my face, but inside I’m having a complete and utter meltdown. Why is he here? And why do I care? Everything that happened between us was a long time ago, and we were so young.
I glance up and see Chloe and Kate continuing to look at me pointedly. When Wes unexpectedly left without so much as a goodbye or phone call, I struggled. And while we weren’t all close friends when it happened, they’ve heard the details and know it was a dark time for me.
“Honestly, maybe it will be good. We were close back then, maybe it will be nice to see him again,” I try to convince myself. Grabbing the bottle of wine, I pour myself a second glass and take a long sip that doesn’t go unnoticed. I ignore my sweaty palms and count myself through my breathing to steady myself.
“Well, let us know how you’re feeling. We can avoid him if needed. We know how hard it hit you when he left before, and then everything with your dad . . . First loves can be so tough, even by themselves.” All the girls nod in agreement. I look from face to face, thankful for how united we always are when it comes to us supporting one another.
“Don’t I know it,” Kate interjects. “When Bryn’s dad up and left I held out hope he’d come back, for years. And I think we were about the same age, right?”
“Yeah, I think so. But, let's talk about something else. Kate, tell me more about this cute new guy at work,” I defer. The girls continue talking, but my mind is stuck on Wes. I can be an adult about this.
It was just young love, right?
You can’t stay bothered and upset with someone over something they did when they were fifteen.
The girls each seemingly take turns glancing my way, like they don’t believe my nonchalant facade. I’m not sure I believe it myself.