Unthankful (Love and Leftovers #3)

CHAPTER 1

ELIZA

My job is mind numbing on the best of days. Today? It’s even worse. Thanksgiving is coming up which means Falls Market has been bustling. Stocking shelves is more than enough work, but when more people walk down the aisles it means I find more things left in random places.

You have no idea how many times I’ve found grapes, ice cream, or even meat in the wrong place in the store. Whoever puts those items on some random shelf isn’t worried about the ice cream melting or something going bad. They also don’t care who has to clean up when those things happen.

But there are some good things about working in the market. I get to see so many people in my small town of Seneca Falls and I usually get the inside scoop on some good gossip. I don’t spread the gossip around, but I like knowing what is going on before everyone else.

The rumor mill in town works just fine without me getting involved. But having a front row seat to conversations people think are private? Yes, please.

“Eliza?” My name coming from behind me in the aisle where I’ve been stocking canned vegetables has me spinning around.

Mr. Brown, who teaches Senior English, is standing there with a harried look on his face and desperation in his eyes.

“Oh good,” he sighs, “I thought it was you. I could really use your help.”

“Hi, Mr. Brown,” I try to keep my voice upbeat even though my feet are screaming at me. “How can I help you?”

His shoulders sag as he thrusts his hand, which is clutching a piece of paper, toward me.

“I have a list,” there’s an edge of panic in his voice, “and I know if I don’t get everything on the list then my wife will not be happy with me.

I’d like to avoid being in the doghouse for Thanksgiving.

She won’t make pecan pie if I don’t get everything on the list, and pecan is my favorite. ”

I can’t help but giggle at my former teacher. He’s so earnest, it’s hilarious. It’s clear he has experience with being denied his favorite pie.

Honestly, I’d be disappointed if there wasn’t pecan pie at Thanksgiving as well.

“Pecan is my favorite too,” I admit. After gently taking the list out of his hand, I smooth out the paper and have to swallow down my laughter.

He’s gripped the pitiful thing within an inch of its life.

After glancing over the list, I reassure him, “Don’t worry, we’ll get everything in your cart and keep your wife happy. ”

The sigh he lets out is filled with relief. “This is why I miss you being in my class, Eliza. I knew I could count on you.”

After flashing him a big smile, warmth hitting me in the chest at his kind words, I start leading him around the store. After working here for the last few years, I know where everything is and could probably find everything with my eyes closed.

“How’s the school year going?” I find myself asking and then cringe internally.

Since I’ve graduated, I shouldn’t care how school is going. Right? It’s not like I don’t already know since my dad teaches math there. He’s always talking about Seneca Falls High School. Although, my dad mostly complains about how his students aren’t applying themselves.

“It’s good,” he answers. “Well,” he starts to backtrack slightly, “it’s exactly what you would expect. Kids are looking forward to the break. The teachers are too,” he adds on, his tone joking.

“I know my dad is,” I snort out a laugh with my words.

Mr. Brown smiles at me and nods sagely. I’m sure he’s heard my dad complain about something in the teacher’s lounge at least once.

He can be a grumpy man. Except when it comes to Mom.

They have the kind of love which somehow surpasses his grumpy nature, but it probably has more to do with my mom since being around her feels like sunshine.

Her personality and the brightness of her spirit helps to make the people she helps, as a nurse, feel comfortable. It’s also one of the things I love most about her. That along with how she has always made time for me, no matter what, are qualities I hope I have as well.

The way my father softens for Mom, and the way she always manages to gently call him on his crap makes me hope to find the same kind of love they have. I am a little bit behind them since they were high school sweethearts.

I had a sweetheart of my own, but we broke up when he went off to college.

I wasn’t too sad about it either, which says a lot about our relationship and the future we were never meant to have.

The person I end up with will be the kind of person to send me into an emotional spiral at just the thought of not being with them anymore.

I’m not sure I’ll meet that guy in Seneca Falls, but I’m not in a rush.

Just as we’re finishing up, which has Mr. Brown practically skipping through the store, he turns to me with a curious expression on his face. “I was surprised when you didn’t leave for college, Eliza. Why are you still here?”

Even though I don’t hear any judgement in his tone, shame hits me and my cheeks heat as I blush. For all intents and purposes, I should have headed right to college after finishing high school. My grades were strong, even though I wasn’t valedictorian.

“I thought about going to college and my parents encouraged me to go,” I start to explain.

“Whenever I thought about it, I couldn’t see myself on the campuses we went to visit, and I had no idea what I would study.

It felt like everyone else was so sure about their path, but I had no clue.

I decided taking a year to figure it out was the right thing for me. ”

Mr. Brown nods, the expression on his face thoughtful, “I can understand why it would feel intimidating. But you don’t have to know your major right away. You can explore a lot of areas of study your first year.”

I nod and force a smile onto my face. I’m aware of what I could have done. My parents, especially Dad, made it clear every time we talked about college last year. Then they realized I wasn’t going to change my mind about taking a year off before going to college.

It’s the entire reason it’s tense at home. My parents still think I should be off somewhere attending school. Actually, they wanted me to go to the University of Nevada, Reno Campus because it’s where they went to college together.

“I know,” I whisper, trying not to be defensive.

Mr. Brown doesn’t mean any harm. He was my teacher. Of course, he’s going to want to see me go on with my education. Of course, he wants to see me succeed.

But who decides what it means to succeed? What if I want something different from life? How can I find the right path for me if everyone wants to force me in a direction which might not be right for me?

It’s not easy because I know my parents, and Mr. Brown, just want what is best for me.

“I’ll probably go to college next year,” I assure him.

The smile and relief on his face makes me want to scream. But I can’t do that. The only thing I can do is smile, which is exactly what I do.

“It is a good thing you’re here, though,” Mr. Brown admits.

“I don’t think anyone else would have taken the time to help me get everything on my list. You have no idea how much this means to me.

You’ve saved my back,” his voice is filled with amusement.

When I give him a look of confusion, he chuckles and explains, “The couch is not comfortable at all.”

I giggle and nod before leaving him at the front of the store with a small wave. “If you’re sent back for anything else, I’ll be happy to help,” I assure him.

“Since I’m hoping I won’t have to come back again, I’ll wish you a Happy Thanksgiving now,” his voice is hopeful.

“Happy Thanksgiving.”

I go right back to what I was doing before Mr. Brown needed my help. Unfortunately, now all I can think about is how I only have a few hours left in my shift and the last thing I want to do is go home. My parents keep looking at me with expectations shining in their eyes.

They’re expecting me to figure out what my future looks like. They’re expecting me to pick a school. They’re expecting me to do something more than work at Falls Market. They’re expecting me to make more of my life than they did.

But they’ve been in love for more than 20 years and helped each other figure all those steps out. They looked at their future together and then made it happen.

I don’t have the same kind of backing, and I certainly don’t have a safety net.

Just as I shake my head to clear my thoughts, someone calls my name from behind me. As I’m turning, I almost fumble the can of green beans in my hands. The smile I put on my face is forced as hell, but it quickly turns into something genuine when I see my best friend, Arden.

“Hey,” I greet her, “what are you doing here?” As she rushes closer, I’m a little worried she’s going to bowl me over in the canned food aisle. “Woah,” I warn her and hold my hands up, “I’m not trying to get injured on the job.”

Arden giggles, her hands flapping around in excitement. “Sorry,” she breathes out, “but I had to come and tell you what I heard at work.”

Arden has been working at the Post Office since she graduated.

Much like me, she didn’t rush out of Seneca Falls to go to college.

Unlike me, her reasons have more to do with money than not knowing what she wants to do.

Arden wants to be a writer, but her single mom was already struggling enough without adding the cost of college to the mix.

Arden is saving up by working at the front desk of the post office.

Her job also means she gets the front row seat to a lot of town gossip.

She loves it because the drama fuels the stories she writes, the ones no one knows about but me.

I could do without knowing everything going on in Seneca Falls, especially since I get enough exposure at the market.

Still, sometimes the information she gives me is useful.

“You’ll never guess what I heard,” Arden gushes.

“Is it about Mr. Brown being worried about having to sleep on the couch if he messed up his wife’s Thanksgiving shopping list?”

Arden’s face twists up in pure confusion. Her words are slow, “Uh, no.”

With a wave of my hand, I dismiss the questions written all over her face. “Don’t mind me, I’m just dreading going home soon.”

Arden’s face drops with a look of understanding paired with a scowl. As my best friend, she prides herself on defending me. Even when it’s against my parents.

“You made the right choice for you,” her words are fierce.

The only thing I can do is nod while trying to swallow around the lump in my throat. I’m lucky to have Arden in my life.

“Anyway,” I hold the word out and then lean toward my best friend, “what did you hear?”

Arden’s features turn sad. “Mr. Watts,” she starts, “you know, the owner of Watts Ranch?” I nod, remembering the gruff and quiet man who rarely comes into the market.

“He had a heart attack.” Her face screws up into a grimace as she adds, “Apparently, it was really bad and he’s in the hospital right now. ”

“Oh no,” I gasp.

I might not know the man, but the thought of anyone in our community being sick in the hospital hits me right in the chest. No one wants to be ill, especially with how serious a heart attack can be.

Arden lowers her voice and leans even closer, “Not only that, but everyone is saying this means Kendrick will have to come back to town.”

My heart starts to pound in my chest. Kendrick Watts. He was a few years ahead of us in school, but his reputation was well known by everyone. He was the bad boy that girls like me have been warned about my entire life.

He might have been raised out on Watts Ranch, but very little about him screamed ranch life or cowboy. He wore a leather jacket, not denim. He rode a motorcycle instead of tooling around in a rusted-out truck. He also left Seneca Falls the day after he graduated.

I don’t think anyone has seen him since. I know I haven’t. I would remember if I did.

Kendrick always felt untouchable to someone like me. He was too dangerous, and I was too good.

So why does the thought of him make my stomach flip?

“You really think he’s coming back?” The question slips past my lips before I can stop it. I hope Arden can’t hear the little bit of anticipation wrapped up in the words, but from the twinkle of mischief in her eyes, she can.

“I don’t know,” she admits. “But if your dad had a heart attack, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course,” I defend myself even though it’s unnecessary.

“Well, of course you would,” Arden agrees. “You’re a good girl who cares about her family. Kendrick?” The way her face twists up tells me she really doesn’t know whether he will come back or not.

Maybe there was some kind of falling out and it’s why Kendrick got on his motorcycle and left town as quickly as he did. Around here, ranches are a part of your family’s legacy. They’re passed down, but Kendrick never seemed like the ranching kind of guy.

Still, I have to wonder if he will come roaring back into Seneca Falls much the same way he left. If he does, is my small town ready for it?

“I guess we’ll see,” I murmur and Arden nods in agreement.

Yeah, I guess we’ll see.