by Codi Gary
When Sarah started to stand, Anna Beth held up a hand. “You don’t have to do that. I got a room at The Peaks. I’ll only be here until the day after Christmas.”
“Staying at a hotel for three weeks will be awfully expensive.” Before she could say anything, her aunt continued, “People will think you’re flaunting your wealth, you know.”
Anna Beth knew people assumed she’d married Ian for his money. He’d been twenty-two when they’d met at UCLA, and he’d already sold three successful gaming apps for millions. The tabloids crucified her, calling her a gold digger. It stung that her flesh and blood believed the worst of her too.
Normally, Anna Beth would’ve snapped back to defend herself. But that wasn’t what Ian wanted. Being here was a way of honoring him and she loved him too much not to try. She pasted a painful smile on her lips, reminding herself of how happy it would’ve made Ian to see her with her aunt.
Even during this awkward exchange.
She could hear his voice even now, encouraging her. It’s a start, honey. It takes time to heal old wounds.
Ian the optimist.
“I’ve never really cared about what people thought of me, but I understand your concern.” Wanting to change the subject, she pointed towards the edge of the room. “By the way, when did you get the china hutch? It’s beautiful.”
Sarah glanced at the edge of the living room where a robin’s egg blue cabinet sat. “Three years. I needed a place to hold my special occasion dishes. I finally pulled them out of storage and decided to display them. It doesn’t make sense to own something so beautiful and hide it away.”
“Especially since I wasn’t here to destroy everything anymore.”
Anna Beth meant it as self-deprecating, but could tell by her aunt’s expression she hadn’t taken it that way.
“I know I wasn’t always the kindest to you. There are many things I wish I could take back. I suppose I have my own amends to make.”
What a painful exchange and Anna Beth had a feeling if she kept blathering on, everything she said would be misconstrued. Although it soothed Anna Beth that her aunt genuinely felt remorse for the lack of compassion she’d displayed while Anna Beth was growing up, Anna Beth hadn’t come here to make her aunt feel remorseful.
She was beyond ready to head to the hotel room and spend the rest of the evening with a bottle of wine, but that was no longer in the cards.
Sarah poured Anna Beth a cup of tea and held it out to her. “If you really want to begin anew, a good start would be to cancel that reservation and stay here. We are family; if you are staying in Snowy Springs, then you should be with me.”
What could Anna Beth say to that? If she argued, it would just cause more friction and be counterproductive.
She raised her teacup and held it up with a nod of her head. “You’re absolutely right. I’ll pick up my luggage and come back. I will probably need to find a quiet place to work, though.”
“Are you still writing for that television show?”
“No, I left when my contract came up.”
Sarah reached across the table and patted her hand sympathetically. “That show was a grotesque bit of fluffery. You’re better off.”
It was slightly condescending, but it seemed as though her aunt was trying. Though The Darcy’s writer’s room toxicity had left Anna Beth never wanting to work on another TV show, she’d learned a lot in the two years she’d written for it.
“Thanks. I wasn’t happy there, so it all worked out.”
“Are you writing for another show?” Sarah asked.
“Actually, I’m developing my own screenplay.”
“Good for you. What is it about?”
“It follows a blended family that falls apart when the matriarch dies and how they come back together.” Anna Beth took another sip of her tea, a sheepish smile on her lips. “A major departure from fart jokes and innuendos.”
Sarah retrieved her cup once more. “I’m proud of you. You deserve to work on your own ideas instead of someone else’s. Despite our struggles, I always knew you were smart and talented.”
Surprised, Anna Beth stuttered, “Th-thank you.”
“Although, it sounds awfully dark. I hope that the family at least gets a happy ending.”
Anna Beth blinked. “I’m not sure yet. Happy endings aren’t realistic.” She knew from experience, since Anna Beth lost the man she loved at twenty-five.
Her aunt clicked her tongue. “Yes, but people watch movies to be entertained, not depressed.”
Anna Beth bit the inside of her cheek. The screenplay wasn’t depressing. Emotional and ultimately uplifting, if not sprinkled with glitter and candy canes.
“I’m only a quarter of the way in, so we will see how it goes.”
“I am sure it will be wonderful and I don’t want to discourage you. I just thought I’d give you my opinion as a consumer.”
“I appreciated it,” Anna Beth lied.
“On a happier note,” Sarah said, while pouring herself some more tea, “you don’t have to worry about finding a quiet place to write. Between working at the police station part-time and helping at the community center, I’m hardly home. You’ll have the place to yourself.”
“What are you doing for the Snowy Springs PD?”
Her aunt’s face twitched, which was as close to she’d ever come to smiling. “I run the front office. After you left, I found myself at a loss, being here alone, and they needed someone to answer phones and do paperwork a few days a week. It’s a win-win.”
Anna Beth couldn’t believe it. Growing up, her aunt had enjoyed various clubs and charity work, but the majority of the time, she preferred to avoid the public.
Could someone really have such a major personality progression without aliens or robots being involved?
You’ve spent way too much time in Hollywood.
“That’s great. I’m happy for you.”
“Yes, I’ve even grown fond of that young man who used to sneak into your window at night when you thought I was asleep.”
Anna Beth choked on her tea. “Jared? Jared works at the police station?”
“He’s an officer now.” Anna Beth’s mouth dropped and her aunt shook her head. “Close your mouth, dear. I know it’s a surprise. I expected him to go the other way, but he’s really made something of himself. He bought a house off River Road a few months ago and has done a wonderful job renovating it, all on his own. You should see the before and after pictures. Extraordinary.”
Anna Beth’s mind raced. Jared was a police officer? He owned a house? Was he married? Kids? She didn’t dare ask. It would make her seem invested. She’d let Jared walk out of her life years ago. It didn’t make sense for her to care about his life now.
“Anna Beth?” Her aunt watched her curiously and she cleared her throat.
“I’m listening.”
“Have I said something to upset you?”
“No, I’m fine. I just…I guess I assumed Jared would have left town.”
Her aunt’s green eyes narrowed. “There is a lot Snowy Springs has to offer. It’s not glitzy and glamorous, but we have a community here that cares. For many, that’s enough.”
Anna Beth knew that. As far as small towns went, she could have done worse.
She’s spent her adolescence going with her aunt to various charity functions. She’d helped prepare holiday dinners for families who couldn’t afford them and wrapped toys for the Angel Tree project. Her aunt taught her to sew so she could assist the women’s auxiliary with repurposing donated clothes into stuffed animals. It’s how she met Jared in the first place. She’d been helping her aunt at a clothing swap when Jared came in with a woman and her four kids, wearing pants several inches too short for his gangly legs and a winter coat with a gaping hole in the side. His brown hair in desperate need of a cut, yet her eleven-year-old heart still skipped a beat the moment she saw him.
Before she could stop herself, she’d blurted, “I can sew that for you.”
He swung his angry brown eyes her way, piercing her with a scowl. “Who are you? The sewing fairy.”
As dreamy as his outside was, she hadn’t been a fan of his rudeness. “No, smart mouth, I’m just being nice to your ungrateful butt.”
“Ungrateful butt, huh? I’ve been called worse.” His twelve-year-old face split into a wide grin and he shrugged out of his coat. “How long will it take?”
Anna Beth took the jacket from him, examining the tear. “Give me fifteen minutes.”
She’d sat down with his coat in her lap and pulled a needle and thread from her craft bag. It hadn’t taken her long to stitch up the coat and when his family came back to make their exchanges, she’d handed him his jacket with a smile. He’d examined it in awe and to her surprise, he’d held out a tiny wooden bear to her.
“Payment for you fixing my coat. And my mom said you could come to our house for dinner. If you want.”
It was the first invitation she’d received since moving in with her aunt and she’d responded enthusiastically. “I’d love to.”
Sarah sighed loudly, jerking Anna Beth from her memories. “Anna Beth? You haven’t changed a bit. Your mind drifts faster than the snow.”
She shook her head with a laugh. “Sorry, I always have dozens of thoughts rolling around in here.” Anna Beth stood, smoothing down her gray cable knit sweater. “I should probably get going anyway. I don’t want Ernie at The Peaks to be upset with me for bogarting one of his rooms for too long.”
“Ernie Michaelson is a pussy cat,” her aunt said fondly. “I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.”
The familiar way Sarah spoke of the hotel owner gave her pause. “You know Ernie?”
Sarah’s cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red. “Of course, I know him. We went to high school together. We’ve lived in the same town for fifty years.” She stood abruptly and took Anna Beth’s tea cup from the coffee table. “Go, get your errands done, and I’ll make up your old room. No need to worry about a thing.”
“Sure, Sarah.” She watched her aunt bustle out of the room with the tea tray and she shook her head. The relaxed energy surrounding her aunt had to come from somewhere.
Maybe she’d started yoga?
Three
Jared sat in his cruiser off the Snowy Springs Highway, watching the snowflakes fall on his windshield. He hadn’t seen another car for over thirty minutes. Most likely because they were expecting eight inches of snow tonight. He’d hoped to get at least one speedster, but it seemed like a quiet one.
He wasn’t a fan of slow nights. They always took a turn in the worst way possible.
His radio crackled. “Officer Cross, this is dispatch, over.”
He pushed the button on his radio. “Hey Margo, it’s Cross. What do we have?”
“Mr. Salvatore just called. He caught a couple of shoplifters trying to make it out the door with a cart full of beer.”
Jared chuckled. “Typical Friday night shenanigans. Does he want me to come down there and scare the snot out of them?”
“Actually, he wanted to give you a heads up. One of the kids is Casey. Thought you’d want to handle it.”
Jared’s jaw hardened. “Thanks, Margo. I got it.”
“Ten-four.”
Jared released a heavy sigh as he twisted the key in the ignition. Over the years, his foster parents had taken in dozens of kids. Some, like him, aged out, but still considered the Jeffries' ranch house their home. Others had gone back to their biological parents or been removed from the Jeffries for various reasons. Casey Harlow was the Jeffries' last foster child. They’d had him for five years and, although he’d been a good kid for the most part, Casey’s attitude took a massive turn several months ago. This was the third time Jared had gotten a call to bail him out of a jam. The first time, he’d been caught smoking pot after school. The last time, he’d gone paintballing houses and cars around town. Now, stealing from the local grocery store? Jared tried to keep things under wraps for Karen, but maybe it was time to loop his mom in on everything.
In all honesty, he’d wanted to save her the headache as much as shelter Casey from the trouble. Social Services placed Jared with the Jeffries when he was eight years old and they’d been his only foster home. Most kids went through at least five of them, but Karen was an old hat with traumatized kids. Her husband, Mike, owned a trucking company and drove an eighteen-wheeler, so he wasn’t home much but when he was, he’d always been willing to toss a ball around or play video games. Other families would have called Mike the fun parent.
Jared didn’t remember much about his birth mother, and the memories he did have were better left alone.
Karen tried to be everything Jared needed after his mom left him at a neighbor's and never returned. He’d been a challenge at first, but Karen hadn’t given up on him or backed down. Even when the principal called her in because he’d gotten into another fight, she’d ask Jared what happened as though she might actually believe him when he told her the truth. Jared never started the fights, but he wasn’t afraid to finish them. It was comforting when most adults, upon hearing the words “foster kid” automatically thought you were the cause of trouble, to have someone give you the benefit of the doubt.
Of course, at twelve he’d gone through a rebellious stage. He never wanted a haircut. He loved this old coat he’d found at a yard sale that was two sizes too big and had a hole in the side. And he shot up several inches that winter, outgrowing all his new clothes by December.
If he hadn’t been such a pain in the ass during that winter, he’d have never met Anna Beth that day at the clothing exchange.
He’d never been friends with a girl before, besides his sisters, but Anna Beth’s sweet personality combined with her smart mouth drew him in. His behavior even improved once they started hanging out. Probably why Karen liked Anna Beth so much.
Karen and Mike offered to adopt him but, by the time they’d jumped through every hoop to make him legally available, he’d been fourteen. He’d convinced them that if he stayed in the system, they’d continue getting state money and he’d be able to take advantage of special grants and education programs. Besides, he hadn’t needed a piece of paper to know who his family was.
On his high school graduation night, Karen presented him with a savings account she’d been depositing the state checks into and letting the interest accrue to pay for his education. She taught him to budget while he was in college, then invest what money remained. While most adults his age were drowning in debt, he wasn’t, thanks to everything she taught him.
He owed Karen so much for being a selfless and amazing mother. She’d been dealing with a lot because of Mike’s prostate cancer scare this year and, although he was out of the woods now, they’d been through hell the last few months. Knocking some sense into his punk ass little brother seemed like the least he could do.
Jared parked right next to a cherry red classic Chrysler.
Son of a bitch.
Anna Beth. She was inside the market. What would he say? The likelihood of avoiding her in such a small space? Minuscule.
“Hi, A.B., how've you been? Sorry about being a douche on your wedding day and not talking to you for five years. Mint?”
God, he wasn’t ready for this.
Despite the thirty-degree weather outside, he wiped his sweaty palms on his pants before slipping on his winter gloves. He couldn’t avoid her forever, especially if she was back in town for good. He grabbed his jacket and climbed out, locking the car behind him. He shrugged into the black police coat as he crossed the parking lot and stepped through the electric doors of Snowy Springs Market and Deli. His gaze scanned the front lobby, but there was no Anna Beth.
Maybe he’d actually make it out of here without having to face her yet.
He caught sight of Henry Salvatore ringing up groceries for Tammy Cain. Tammy waved at him as he approached, her jingle bell necklace ringing when she moved. Tammy was what people called "extra." In her early forties
, she never passed up a piece of jewelry or an article of clothing if it sparkled. From the top of her glittery blonde mohawk to her silver snow boots, Tammy’s outfits were always eye-catching and it worked for her.
“Hey, Jared. Whatchu up to?”
Jared winked. “Got a complaint about someone being too fabulous and you’re my prime suspect.”
Tammy’s blue eyes twinkled and she held her wrists out to him. “Oh, does that mean you’re going to use the cuffs on me?”
“If you give me any trouble, you bet.”
In a southern accent, Tammy said, “I do declare, Officer Cross, you’ve made me blush.”
“Then my work here is done.”
“Not quite,” Henry said. He placed the last of Tammy’s items in the bag and tapped a few keys on the register. “Your total is forty-two dollars and fifty-three cents. If you can stop flirting with Officer Cross, that is.”
Tammy laughed. “Don’t be jealous, Henry. You’re still my favorite grocer.”
Henry took her money, fighting a grin. “Oh good. I was worried.”
“Unfortunately, neither of you can compare to the knight in shining armor I have waiting for me out in the car.” Tammy’s husband, Nick Cain was her polar opposite. A camo-wearing introvert who preferred hunting in the woods to hanging with people, while Tammy adored attention and beautiful things. Somehow, they made it work, which should be inspirational for anyone.
“Nick's a lucky guy,” Jared said.
“'Course he is.” She picked up her bag and hefted it onto one curvy hip. “You gentleman take care.”
“Have a good night, Tammy,” Henry called after her. When she was out of sight, the older man faced Jared with a frown. “I guess you want your brother?”
“I’ll take them all, if you need me to.”
Henry pulled his keys out of his pocket. “I’ve already called Devon and Finn’s parents. They should be here soon. I was going to call Karen, but I didn’t want to put any undue stress on her with everything else going on.”