“It was great! She showed me the ins and outs and the how tos.”
“That’s awesome. So I’m assuming you now know how to do the how tos.”
He was being cute and Amelia enjoyed it. “Of course.”
“Let me take you to supper?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
Zach’s face lit up as a smile appeared. “I’m suggesting.”
Amelia smiled and placed a finger to her lips. “Hmm. Let me think.”
“Oh, come on! You know you want to!” he said.
“Our first date?” Amelia watched him squirm as he waited impatiently for her to say yes.
“Say yes! Yes? Unless you think it’s too soon to go on a date?”
“Yes!” Amelia smiled.
“Yes, it’s too soon? Or yes, you’ll go on a date?” Zach asked with a smirk.
Amelia smiled and shook her head. “It’s a yes, I’ll go on a date with you. Let me get ready first! I have to change and put makeup on!” She ran to the stairs, and heard him holler to her, “You look fine just the way you are!”
Within a half hour, Amelia came downstairs. She had on a slim purple dress with a small slit on each side.
She walked to where Zach stood. His eyes looked at her from her head to her toes. He raised his eyebrows. “You look beautiful.” He held out his hand and she grabbed a hold of it and twirled herself. He reached for his car keys. “Shall we?”
He opened the door and held it as she walked through.
“You’re such a gentleman.” She stated as she smiled at him.
“I try.” He walked her to his car. A two door white Grand Prix was parked along the curb in front of her house. He opened the passenger door for her. She climbed in and sat in the seat. She looked at everything and he climbed in. “You have a sun roof? I’m jealous!”
Zach chuckled as he turned the key in the ignition. The car started and idled quietly.
“This is a nice car, Zach.” Amelia was impressed.
“Well, I’m glad you like it.”
Zach drove the car. He leaned back and relaxed as he held onto the steering wheel. He glanced at her and grinned.
“What?” Amelia asked nervously.
“I’m glad you didn’t say no. I’ve had this place reserved for a couple days now.”
Amelia looked at him. He smiled at her. “A couple days? I feel so spoiled. You keep bringing me flowers and now this?”
“Well, you wouldn’t come to me, so I had to come to you.”
He was being cute and charming again. Amelia smiled as she looked at him. He was everything she could ever want.
“What are you thinking over there?”
Amelia felt dazed. She kept smiling.
“That good of thoughts? Please, tell me.”
“Can’t. Top secret.”
Zach rolled his head. “Ah, okay. Fair enough.”
The car fell silent and she let her thoughts drift freely through her mind.
Soon they arrived at the movie theater.
“What movie are we going to watch?”
“Top secret. You’ll see.”
Amelia laughed. “I see two can play this game fairly well.”
Zach chuckled. He walked around the car and opened her door. He wrapped his arm through hers and guided her down the sidewalk. Once inside, she read the ticket. P.S. I Love You.
She had heard about this movie a few weeks ago. Her friend Alisa back at home had mentioned it to her. Amelia made a mental note to call Alisa later.
She looked over at Zach and said, “Isn’t it a bit early for you to say this to me? I agree it’s a clever way to tell me.” She nudged him playfully. She left him speechless. He had no comeback. He smirked and shook his head.
They sat by each other and watched the movie. Amelia could see Zach as he moved his hand closer and closer to hers. She reached over and grabbed his hand. She interlocked their fingers together. She was not sure if they were moving too fast or not fast enough. Time will tell. She was not even sure if she was ready for a relationship yet. Time will tell, she thought again.
As she watched the movie, she tried to hold back the tears. The tears escaped slowly. She tried to hide her tears as they fell. Zach noticed and handed her a tissue. He smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
When the movie ended, she held onto her tear-soaked tissue and stood up. He did not let go of her hand as they walked out to his car.
“Are you hungry?” he asked as he opened her door.
“Yes.”
“Okay, we’ll go eat.”
He had picked a nice restaurant that offered tables with umbrellas outside. It was a nice night out, so they both agreed to sit outside and watch the sun set as they ate.
Amelia looked off into the distance. “This is an amazing view. It’s gorgeous out here.”
Zach smiled. “I agree. It’s even better with you here.”
He’s a charmer. She wondered how rehearsed he was.
He stared at her. “I’m not just saying that, either. I’m being honest.”
Amelia held up her hands. “I believe you.”
Zach chuckled. “Okay.”
Zach took a drink of his wine and asked, “Are you in a relationship right now?”
Amelia shook her head no. “Are you?”
Zach put his napkin down after he wiped his mouth. “Nope.” He took a drink of his Pepsi and set the glass down. He glanced at Amelia. “To be honest, I just got out of a relationship not too long ago. I…”
Amelia interrupted him, “I heard.” Amelia did not want to talk about his past relationships.
He stopped talking. He tilted his head. “Who told you?” As soon as he asked, the answer came to him. “Bailey?”
Amelia nodded.
“Yep, she has probably heard all about it. I’m sure you have, too?”
Amelia shook her head. “Not all about it. Just the gist of it.” He furrowed his eyebrows. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Oh, no, you didn’t upset me. I’m not upset. The whole situation with the ex is frustrating.” He shook his head. “Anyways, I don’t want to burden what we have with my past.”
Burden what we have? Amelia thought. What do we have? He wants this to be serious? Am I ready for this? Amelia shook her thoughts away. Her chest tightened and her breathing quickened.
“The past haunts us all, doesn’t it?” Amelia let out a nervous chuckle.
Zach shrugged. “I could say no, but that’d be a lie.”
Amelia glanced over the balcony. The sun had set long ago and could no longer be seen. The moon was full and bright, and it perfectly lit the sky and balcony.
“This date was perfect.” Amelia stated.
Zach looked relieved to hear her say that.
Chapter Nine
Amelia arrived at work just before eight-thirty. She clocked in and met Anna at the deli counter.
“Good morning. Did you have a nice night?” Anna greeted Amelia.
Amelia thought she saw Anna smiling like she knew about her date last night. She shook the thought away while asking herself how Anna would know.
“Yes, I did. Did you?” Amelia held back the details of the date.
“Yes, I did. My loneliness gets the best of me sometimes, though. But that’s when I take advantage of it and read some old books I have laying around my house.”
The thought of Anna being lonely saddened Amelia. “Where’s your husband at night?”
Anna’s face twisted. “My husband, Larry, died last year.”
“I’m sorry. I had no idea.” Amelia felt a knot in her stomach.
“No worries, dear. How could you have possibly known?” Anna smiled. She continued on, and talked about her husband. “He died of lung cancer. Hell, he smoked like a chimney and I always told him they would catch up to him. He never listened. He was so stubborn.” She shook her head as she reached for the bologna to straighten it in the glass case. “But, none the less, he was the
love of my life. He gave me four beautiful children and a great married life.”
Anna paused, as though she replayed memories in her mind. Amelia waited patiently.
When Anna came back to reality, Amelia saw sadness in her eyes.
“I’m not going to get mopey. There’s no sense in that. I was blessed with all the years I had him in my life. I’m certain I’ll see him again.” She busied herself with stocking the meats. “So, with the meats, each kind gets its own placement in the case.” Anna pointed to the spots for each type of meat.
Amelia nodded and grabbed meat from the fridge. She showed Anna she understood by placing each type of meat in its spot.
“Very well. You’re a fast learner.”
“Do I need to stay at the meat counter all day?” Amelia asked.
“Yes. Trust me when I say it gets busy back here. I’ll have Courtney up at the checkout when she gets here.” Anna glanced at her watch. “Which should be within an hour or so. I asked her to come in and help. I’ll need to be back here with you.” Anna smiled. “The day chart I showed you yesterday is specific to how busy we are on those days. I planned it according to business.”
“Smart idea.”
“Before owning a grocery store, I never thought twice about what day of the week most people buy groceries or meat. But now I know that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the busiest days.”
Before lunch break, Amelia realized Anna was not joking. In just a few hours, there had been five hundred dollars in meat sales.
“You go ahead and go to lunch. I’ll restock.” Anna insisted.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a bit.”
Amelia quickly ate a sandwich from down the street. She walked back to Anna’s Deli when she finished her lunch.
When Anna saw Amelia walk to the meat counter, she looked at her watch. “Back already? You have another ten minutes.”
“I’m fine.” Amelia smiled. “Do you want me to take over so you can have your lunch break?”
Amelia was shocked when Anna shook her head. “Oh, heavens no. I eat a big breakfast every day before I come to work. But thanks anyway, dear.”
They helped ten more customers by the time Courtney showed up and clocked in. Amelia had wondered when she would show up. They had been running the checkout and the meat counter. Amelia kept her thoughts to herself.
“Courtney, dear, come back here. I want you to meet Amelia.”
Courtney walked to the meat counter. She was shorter than Amelia, but the same size if not a bit skinnier. She had blond hair and deep blue eyes. She was definitely pretty. She glanced at Amelia as she approached the counter and smiled. She held out her hand and as they shook hands, she said, “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Amelia wondered what she had heard. She also wondered if this girl was the same Courtney Bailey told her about. The same Courtney who Zach dated and just ended a relationship with. “Nice to meet you.” Amelia stated politely. She made a mental note to ask Bailey about this Courtney later.
“My last name is Drake. You may have seen Drake’s Automotive on your way into town. It’s on highway fifty-six. It’s my dad’s shop. If you ever need a mechanic, he’s the one to go to.”
“I think I may have seen it. I’ll keep that in mind if I ever need my car fixed. I’ll knock on wood that I won’t have to.” Amelia said nervously.
Courtney laughed. “I hear you there. Cars can be a pain. Well, I better get up front.”
She walked away from the meat counter.
“She hasn’t got a thing to worry about. Her parents are filthy rich and they buy her everything. She only works here for extra spending money. She drives a convertible Mustang, too. She got it as a graduation gift.”
Amelia did not know how to reply. She had no clue what to say. She found Anna’s rant to be full of honest opinion. Her rant was not spoken out of jealousy or envy, but that of truth. Anna did not seem to be one to gossip. She seemed to be one who spoke the truth and what she thought. Amelia respected Anna for it.
Anna noticed Amelia’s silence. “I’m not one to gossip. Maybe I shouldn’t have said any of that.”
“No, you’re fine. I was just thinking how much I respect you. I like that you tell it like it is.” Amelia nudged Anna lightly with her elbow.
Anna let out a loud, “Ha!” then said, “Back in my day, we had to work our asses off to get what we needed or wanted. Nowadays, kids get everything handed to them. Served on a silver platter. Not knowing what it’s like to work.” Anna tossed her arms up in the air. When she looked at Amelia, she spoke calmly, “No offense. I know you’re different from the rest.”
Amelia took it as a compliment and smiled. “None taken. And you’re right, I am different from the rest.”
“To tell you the truth, I knew that the day I met you. Your personality gives it away.”
Amelia smiled. “It’s how I was raised. My parents couldn’t afford much. Dad worked at the grain elevator when I was growing up. He still does. Mom worked some odd and end jobs until dad told her she could stay home. I began working at Susie’s when I turned eighteen. I saved my tips, but my checks went to my parents to help out. They didn’t ask me to, I just did it.”
“That’s how I was growing up, too. Except the only difference is that I had to go to school and then to work in the fields. I de-tassled corn and walked the bean fields. I started working when I turned fourteen,” Anna stated proudly. “There were a few times I made five dollars from babysitting the neighbor’s little girl.”
Amelia enjoyed hearing about Anna’s life growing up. It reminded her of her grandparents when they had shared their stories. She loved to hear the ‘back in my day’ speeches.
About thirty more customers came to the meat counter from lunch time until four. Amelia said goodbye to Anna and Courtney and clocked out. Today was a busy, but interesting day at work. She was ready to get home and relax. She needed to catch up with her old friend, Alisa, from Linford. She could not wait to talk to Bailey. She needed to catch her up with all of the latest events she had experienced and all of the information she had heard.
Amelia arrived home shortly after four. As she unlocked her front door, she heard Bailey holler at her from across the street. “Hey, Amelia!” Bailey waved.
Amelia waved back. “Hey, Bai! Give me a bit and I’ll come over!”
Bailey gave her the thumbs up. Amelia walked into the house. Her feet hurt and her legs ached. Anna had not lied about Wednesdays being the busiest. She took her shoes off and left them by the front door. She grabbed the cordless phone and sat down on the couch. She felt exhausted. She needed to cook supper. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a pan. She filled the pan with water and placed it on the stove top to boil. “Macaroni and cheese it’ll be,” she said to herself as she walked back to the couch and sat down.
She grabbed the phone and dialed Alisa’s number. After a few rings, Alisa answered, “Hello?”
“Hey, Lis.”
“Amelia?! How’s it going?”
“It’s going great! Sorry I haven’t called sooner! I’ve been busy.”
“No problem. Have you found a job? I know that was your main fear.”
“Yes I have! It’s amazing! Today was actually my second day. I work at the local grocery store. It’s owned by an older woman, Anna. I work at Anna’s Deli.” Amelia was excited to tell her friend every detail of Fairshore.
“That’s great! That’s exciting!” Alisa sounded excited. “Any new friends?”
“Yes, actually. I’ve met a few great people. One of my new friends is my neighbor, Bailey.”
“That’s cool.” Alisa said. Amelia could hear the hurt in her voice. Alisa was the type of friend who did not want to share. The ‘can’t have more than one friend’ type. Alisa had been Amelia’s best friend at one time. She still was, kind of. Amelia knew when she moved to Fairshore that the distance would likely cause an issue with their friendship.
“What’s new
with you? What have I missed?”
Alisa hesitated. “Not much, really. Around here it’s the same old stuff but different day. You know that, though.”
Amelia got a little irritated. She loved Alisa like a sister. It irritated her Alisa was being so negative. She would have guessed Alisa, out of all of her friends, would be happy for her. She was wrong. Amelia was not sure how she was going to handle the negativity. Especially now that she got the taste of positivity here in Fairshore. Every person Amelia had met here had been positive. Amelia was surrounded by positives. She was finally able to be herself and be happy. She had been longing for this opportunity forever.
“You’ll have to visit soon! If you want to?” Amelia could feel the hesitation.
“Sure,” Alisa said. “That’d be fun.”
Amelia knew Alisa did not like the idea of leaving Linford to visit.
“Do you have a piece of paper and pen? Here’s my phone number. 642-876-2024.” Amelia hoped Alisa wrote it down.
“Got it.”
“Okay, give me a call any time. I have to go make supper. My water is boiling. I’ll talk to you soon!”
“K. Bye.”
Amelia clicked the phone off and realized she may never hear from Alisa again. The thought of a lost friendship made her sad, but she told herself she would not dwell on it. “If she calls me, good. If she doesn’t, it’s her loss,” Amelia said to herself as she walked to the kitchen. The water boiled rapidly until she poured the macaroni into the pan. The bubbles settled to a minimal boil.
She waited for the noodles to soften. Once they were soft, she prepared the macaroni and cheese and ate.
She could not wait to go to Bailey’s. She anticipated telling Bailey everything. Plus, she wanted to ask Bailey about Courtney. She needed to know if Courtney Drake was the infamous Crazy Courtney.
She scarfed her food down and tossed the bowl into the sink. She slipped her shoes on and raced out the door. Bailey was on her front porch on the swing at her house. She patted her hand on the wooden seat in the open spot next to her. “Come have a seat with me,” she invited Amelia to sit beside her. “What’s new with you? You’ve been busy lately, huh?”
Second Chances (Fairshore Series Book 1) Page 6