Chapter 2
Chapter Two
First day at a new school. How bad could it be?
“Here we are.” Tisha stopped outside the doorway of Sadie’s assigned classroom at Redemption Elementary.
“But, Mommy, I don’t want to go in there.” Sadie tightened her grip on Tisha’s hand. “I want to stay with you.”
Uh-oh. They’d had this talk twice already. Tisha gulped back a sigh and offered a bright smile. “I need to start my new job baking at Grandma and Grandpa’s café. Besides, you’re going to have so much fun that I bet the day will fly right by.”
Excited chatter filled the air as the other second graders filed in, hanging up their backpacks and coats, the sounds of zippers and laughter mingling together.
A woman in her late twenties greeted each child with a warm smile, her strawberry-blonde hair woven into a neat French braid tied off with a festive navy-blue bow.
She wore stylish jeans with flared bottoms and a bright yellow cardigan over a navy-and-white-striped T-shirt.
Even her leather clog-style shoes looked trendy.
Tisha knelt down to her daughter’s level and gently clasped Sadie’s shoulders with both hands. “Look at your teacher, Miss Johnson. Look how she did her hair. Maybe tomorrow I can French braid your hair like that. Oh, and she loves bows. You like bows, don’t you?”
Sadie’s brow furrowed, a hint of defiance in her large blue eyes.
It had been a struggle, but Tisha had convinced her to wear her hair in two adorable pigtails, though Sadie had shown little enthusiasm for the idea.
Thankfully, Tisha had won that skirmish and acquiesced on the outfit—Sadie’s white dress with purple polka dots and hot-pink leggings were a small victory in the battle of wills.
But the refusal to wear her snow boots had become a familiar refrain; instead, she insisted on her white sneakers that lit up with every step.
“Come on,” Tisha urged, planting a kiss on her forehead before pushing to her feet. “You’re going to have an awesome day, and I can’t wait to hear all about it when I pick you up in a few hours.”
Oof. That came out a smidge too enthusiastic. Maybe she needed to dial back the sales pitch. Just then, Miss Johnson appeared at the door, her smile radiating warmth. “Hi! You must be Sadie Binford. Welcome to my class. I’m Miss Johnson.”
“Hi,” Sadie whispered, then nibbled on her thumbnail and scooted closer to Tisha.
Miss Johnson motioned for Sadie to follow her as if she were offering a safe harbor. “Give your mom a hug or a high five and then come on in.”
Tisha hesitated. Really? They were going to part ways out here in the hallway?
Sadie looked up at her, her lower lip trembling, and Tisha’s chest tightened.
But maybe a quick getaway was exactly what they both needed.
She kissed her daughter one more time, the familiar scent of Sadie’s shampoo—sweet and fruity—lingering around her, and headed for the exit.
She’d pop into the office to make sure all the paperwork she’d just dropped off was in order, and then she’d be on her way.
A few minutes later, Tisha was back in the car, pulling out of the parking lot.
School buses rolled in, their bright lights flashing in the gray morning, while a long line of cars snaked through the lot.
Tom and Melinda had told her the bus stop was at the end of their street and she could arrange for Sadie to ride.
Or maybe she could find a way to get Sadie dropped off at the café.
That was a problem for another day. For now, she’d drop off and pick up.
At least until Sadie’s anxiety about going to a new school faded.
She reached for her insulated coffee mug and took a sip. Melinda had been so kind to buy her favorite brown-sugar oat-milk creamer and leave it in the cabin’s fridge. What a sweet surprise during a stressful morning.
Driving slowly through town, she eased past a small group of guys in winter parkas standing beside a utility truck.
They’d raised a basket overhead, where two men removed the last of the Christmas decorations from the lampposts.
It wouldn’t be long and they’d probably be back to install the Love Is in the Air decor for Redemption’s annual February festival.
She slowed at the main intersection, waiting for a woman walking her dog to cross the street.
The husky’s pink tongue lolled and its graceful bushy tail bounced as they kept up a brisk pace.
Turning right, Tisha pulled into the parking lot of the Homestead Café, a long-standing Redemption business that Chase’s parents had purchased a few years back when they’d moved from Anchorage.
The café’s four wide windows were trimmed in white, and an old-fashioned Open sign suction-cupped to the window closest to the front door invited customers to come in.
She turned off the engine and glanced around the parking lot.
Not crowded yet. Good. She needed a few moments to gather her thoughts.
Okay, God. Please help me get this right. Tisha grabbed her purse and coffee and headed toward the café’s entrance.
Melinda greeted her with a bright smile. “Good morning! How’d Sadie handle drop-off?”
Tisha winced. “Not great.”
“Oh dear.” Melinda gave her arm an empathetic pat. “It’s a big change, starting a new school. I’m sure it will get easier.”
“Hope so.” She followed Melinda past the counter with a register and a stack of menus, then stepped through the swinging doors to the kitchen.
The delicious aroma of bacon wafted through the air as she entered, and her stomach growled in response.
Yikes. She’d quickly eaten a slice of peanut-butter toast at the cabin early this morning. Must not have been enough.
“I’ll give you a quick tour. That’s Owen, our line cook,” Melinda said, nodding toward a gray-haired man wearing a stained apron layered over a T-shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers. He adjusted his hair covering and waved, then went back to turning the bacon on the grill.
“This will be for you.” Melinda motioned to a stainless-steel counter with an industrial-sized mixer at one end. “I’ve stocked the cupboard pretty well, but if you need anything, just make me a list and we’ll place an order.”
Tisha nodded, taking in the neatly labeled bins of flour and sugar on the shelves beneath the counter.
“No one expects you to bake a pie today, but whenever you’re ready, the kitchen is prepped for you.” Melinda smiled. “No pressure or anything.”
“Well, pies are kind of my thing, so as soon as I get settled, I’ll get to work.”
Just then, a young woman probably around thirty walked in, tying an apron around her waist. Her long sleek black hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail. Thick lashes framed her golden-brown eyes, and she flashed Tisha a wide smile.
“You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen,” Tisha blurted out, surprised by her own boldness.
“Well, you are my new favorite coworker. But don’t tell Owen.”
Her exaggerated whisper drew a laugh from Melinda. “This is Charlie. She works the day shift as a server. She’s also a lifelong Redemption resident, so if there’s anything you need to know, she’s probably your girl.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Charlie.” Tisha shook Charlie’s hand, then took the apron Melinda handed her. “I’m Tisha Binford.”
“Glad to have you on board,” Charlie said, tucking a pen and a small notepad into the pockets of her own apron.
“Charlie will show you the ropes. I’ve got a truck coming with the grocery delivery out back, so I’m going to run. So glad you’re here, honey.” Melinda pulled Tisha in for a side hug before hurrying away.
“All right, first thing you really need to know is today’s special.
” Charlie pointed to the dark chalkboard mounted on the wall beside Owen’s service window.
“This morning we’re going to be taking standard breakfast orders from our usual menu.
For lunch, our specials are two kinds of soup, broccoli cheddar and chicken noodle.
We often sell out of the sourdough bread bowls. ”
“Two kinds of soup, sourdough bread bowls are a winner, and—”
She trailed off as the door opened and a man stepped in—tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair, shorter on the sides and longer on top.
He chose a seat in the middle of the L-shaped counter, shrugging out of his puffy jacket to reveal a long-sleeve gray Henley.
Even though he was clean-shaven, he exuded a rugged appeal that was hard to ignore.
Charlie offered a curious smile as she nudged Tisha’s shoulder with hers. “He’s a handsome one, isn’t he?”
“He looks familiar,” Tisha whispered, checking her reflection in a small mirror on the wall. “Do you know him?”
“That’s Ethan McGuire. Moved back to town from Florida about a month ago. His family owns Redemption Resort.”
“McGuire?” Tisha’s breath hitched. “My late husband, Chase, was good friends with Luke.”
“Ah.” Charlie’s smile faded, and empathy filled her eyes. “Sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks. It’s been two years. I’m grateful to Tom and Melinda for making space for me here. It’s going to be the fresh start I desperately need.” She pressed her palm to her forehead. “Good grief, that was way too much info. Forgive me.”
“Not too much info at all. I have some deets to share with you. Compared to Luke, Ethan’s quite grumpy.
Maybe he’s still getting used to living here after being away so long.
Or maybe he’s struggling to adjust to our weather.
Anyway, he’s been in a few times, usually sits down, orders coffee, then stares at it.
Or reads something on his phone,” Charlie said.
“Why don’t you take his order? Should be an easy first one. ”
“Coffee? That’s not very exciting.”
“If you can persuade him to get anything else, I’ll be impressed. He’s kind of broody.”
“Huh. Well, I believe there’s a perfect flavor of pie for everyone.”
“Good luck with that.” Charlie arched a dark brow and handed Tisha a pad and paper.