Secrets of Redemption Box Set

by Michele Pariza Wacek

  I took another look at the cat whose paw was straight up in the air. “I don’t think so,” I sighed. “I’m so sorry. I woke you for nothing.”

  Mia shrugged. “Better safe than sorry.” She yawned, her jaw cracking.

  “I hope you can get back to sleep,” I said.

  She shook her head. “I’m too awake now. I’ve got plenty to do for school, so it’s fine.”

  I headed to the kitchen. “Well, the least I can do is make tea. Or would you prefer coffee?”

  “I don’t care,” Mia said. “Whatever you want.”

  I dug out the coffee beans.

  Mia fetched her computer and set herself up at the table as I got us both a cup a coffee. I seated myself facing the window, so I could watch the grey dawn melt away as the sun peeked over the horizon.

  Next to me, Mia frowned in concentration and muttered to herself. I knew she was feeling both stressed and excited about the start of the school year. And it was exciting—finally, she was starting her journey toward her dream of being a lawyer.

  I thought about Chrissy soundly sleeping upstairs. She, too, had a full day ahead of her working part time as a line cook, seeing her therapist and doctor, and regaining her heath.

  And here I was … doing nothing but taking care of the house and garden.

  Sure, I had had a rough time since coming to Redemption. But, so had Chrissy, and yet she was able to hold down a job. And not just any job, but a job doing something she loved.

  What was my excuse?

  “I’ve got to get my act together,” I mused to myself.

  Mia peered at me over her computer screen. “Come again?”

  I hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “Just thinking,” I said. “Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “No biggie,” she said, picking up her coffee cup. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Just that ... it’s time,” I said. “I’ve puttered around here long enough. It’s time for me to get my head out of my ass and do something with my life.”

  Mia nodded, leaning back and sipping her coffee. “Sounds good to me. Do you know what you’re going to do?”

  I blew the air out of my cheeks. “I think I need to go for it,” I said. “See if I can start up my aunt’s healing business. Get back to painting and see if my art is any good.”

  “Makes sense to me.”

  I continued talking like she wasn’t there. “I could take an art class or two. That would be a good way to get back into it. And even if I’m not good enough to make any money at it, I could still pursue it as a hobby.”

  “Not to mention we’d both be students at the same time,” Mia said. “That would be fun!”

  “And, even if it turns out I can’t get the healing business up and going, at least I’ll know I tried. Which is more than I can say for anything else I’ve done in my life so far.” I pushed back from the chair and picked up my coffee. “Want a refill?” I asked Mia absently, my mind racing with possibilities.

  Mia handed me her cup, and I topped both of our coffees off before heading out of the kitchen.

  “Wait, where are you going?” Mia asked.

  “To The Studio,” I said over my shoulder, referring to the huge, open attic. “That’s where I’m setting up my office and my painting workspace. I’ve got a lot to do.”

  Chapter 4

  I got out of my car and paused for a moment. A part of me couldn’t quite believe where I was and what I was about to do.

  I was in the parking lot of A Good Yarn, which started out as a supply shop for knitters, but had since branched out. Now, it carried all sorts of arts and crafts supplies … and I was about to stock up.

  I was finally ready to invest in a fresh, new start for my art career, and I admit, I was practically giddy.

  I had spent the morning cleaning and organizing The Studio. I rearranged the space to create three workstations—one for art, one for preparing herbs, and another for doing paperwork. Not only that, but I was pleased to see that I had enough room for a loveseat and lamp, even … which I decided to turn into a little “thinking nook.”

  Of course, I was going to have to move everything that was already in there out—boxes and piles of newspapers and magazines and broken furniture. I wondered why Aunt Charlie had kept all of it, anyway.

  I was also going to have to find someone to help me drag the beautiful, antique maple writing desk that Aunt Charlie had used as a sewing table up from the family room. I always wondered why my aunt hadn’t used it in The Magic Room, where she had worked with her herbs, instead of having its beauty covered with stacks of random fabric in the family room, but that was my aunt. Eccentric. And a little strange.

  I started dragging Aunt Charlie’s business files up the stairs, but it was more exhausting than I had anticipated, especially since I hadn’t gotten much sleep. I decided to take a break and go shopping to fill my new space with art supplies, instead.

  I watched the people going in and out of the busy arts and crafts store--a couple of mothers trying to keep a gaggle of kids in line, a few college students dressed all in back and covered with tattoos and piercings—letting what I was about to do really sink in.

  I was going for my dreams.

  And it was about frickin’ time.

  I headed to the painting and drawing section and lost myself for at least an hour choosing all sorts of delightful tools like brushes, paints, paper, a sketch pad, colored pencils, and more. It was far more fun than I had anticipated.

  I carried my new supplies to a cashier, had a bit of a heart attack when everything was rung up (I had spent more than I had intended, but, on the other hand, you have to spend money to make money, right? And without art supplies, I wouldn’t be able to create anything at all), got everything bagged up, and was ready to go when I heard a voice behind me. “Becca, is that you?”

  I whirled around. Gwyn, Daniel’s ex-fiancée, was standing there staring at me. As usual, her white-blonde hair, cut in a chic asymmetrical style, was perfect, along with her makeup. She wore a pale-pink tunic with white shorts, and in her arms were several different-colored matte boards.

  “Hi Gwyn. How are you doing?” I asked, hugging my bags closer and simultaneously wishing I had taken a moment to do my hair and dash on a bit of makeup. Maybe I should have chosen a nicer shirt and shorts, too.

  She gave me a wan smile. “I’m okay. Busy. But then I don’t have to tell you about that.”

  I nodded, wondering what exactly she meant as I shifted the packages in my arms. Did she know I was starting a business? Well, two businesses, actually. How could she, though? Had Mia or Daphne told her?

  “So, is the house ready yet?” she asked. “Or do you still have more work to do?”

  Mia must have told her, I decided. It was the only thing that made any sense. “It’s getting there,” I said. “That’s why I’m here, actually.” I gestured with my head toward my purchases.

  She glanced inside my open bags and furrowed her brow. “Are you redecorating?”

  I let out a little laugh. “Not sure I’m ready for that yet. No, I’m stocking up.”

  Her expression became even more puzzled. “Stocking up?”

  Maybe Mia didn’t tell her about my art. She must have only told her about the healing side of the business. “The Studio,” I said. “I’m getting back into art.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh. Well, that’s good, I guess.”

  I cocked my head, trying not to let her obvious surprise deflate me. “I forget, you didn’t know me years ago.” I let out a self-conscious laugh. “My dream was to become an artist. I have no idea if I can make it or not, but I figured it’s time to try.”

  Gwyn looked a little embarrassed. “No, that’s not what I meant. I was just surprised because it just seems ... I don’t know … odd, to start now, while you’re right in the
middle of selling the house.”

  Now it was my turn to give her a confused look. “Selling the house? Where did you hear that?”

  A faint flush appeared across her cheekbones. “Ah, well,” she stammered, not meeting my eyes. “No one ... I mean ... I just assumed ...” she trailed off. “I mean, why would you stay?”

  “Um ... because this is my home now,” I said, as my stomach sunk to the ground. How many people shared her view? Was my business already doomed before it even got off the ground?

  “Oh, well, yeah, that makes sense,” she said, suddenly becoming very busy, looking everywhere but me. She pawed through her purse, pulling out a cell phone. “Oh, look at that. I have to go.” She put the brightly colored matte boards on top of a display of clearance items. “I’ll have to come back and get those. See you around.”

  Keeping her head down, she turned and hurried out the door, but not before I saw the sheen of tears glistening in her rapidly blinking eyes.

  Great. Now I felt like a jerk.

  Clearly, she still had feelings for Daniel. But that didn’t mean he returned those feelings, I told myself as I took a moment to make sure I had collected everything. What I was really doing was giving Gwyn time to leave without running into me again.

  Even if I were to move, it didn’t mean he would get back together with her.

  Right?

  Sighing to myself, I readjusted my hold on my purchases and headed out the door, hoping I had stalled long enough.

  I kept my eyes focused on my car as I walked across the parking lot, just in case Gwyn was still there. I didn’t want to accidentally catch her eye.

  But something dark and fluttering caught my eye from the side. A shadow vanished behind a dark-blue pickup truck.

  “Becca.”

  I ignored the voice from behind me and kept walking. After the encounter with Gwyn, I wasn’t up for a repeat confrontation. Plus, there was something about the shadow that bothered me.

  “Becca, wait.”

  I stared at the truck. Something about what was happening reminded me of what I had seen earlier that morning from my kitchen window. That shadow.

  But why? It couldn’t possibly be the same shadow, right? And where did it go? Should I walk over and check it out? No, it was probably nothing. I was just on edge after not getting enough sleep.

  I was almost at my car, which meant I needed my keys, so I started fumbling around, trying to pull them out without dropping my packages.

  “It’s not your fault,” the voice said, a little out of breath, to my back. I turned around.

  I didn’t recognize her. She was older than me, maybe early forties, although the exhaustion in her eyes might have made her look older than she actually was. Her black hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail, and she wore black-framed glasses. An infant strapped to her front sucked on his fist and stared at me with huge eyes, and a small, blonde child trailed at her feet. She had the tired, haggard appearance of an overwhelmed mom.

  I took one last quick peek at the truck before focusing my attention on her. “I’m sorry?”

  “What happened between Gwyn and Daniel,” she said. “It wasn’t your fault. Anyone with eyes could tell he wasn’t that into her. You probably did her a favor.”

  I gave her a tiny smile, wondering how much she had heard of our conversation. “Thanks.”

  She shrugged and smiled back. “It’s the truth.” She thrust her hand out. “I’m Jackie. You don’t know me, but I knew your aunt well. She helped me. A lot.”

  Ah, another one of Aunt Charlie’s tea customers. I shook her hand. “Becca. Well, you already know that.”

  “Yeah.” She glanced down to hush the child, a little girl in a dark-green dress covered with daisies, who had started pulling at her shorts. “Yes, we’re going back in. Mommy needs a few more minutes. Look,” she lifted her head to address me. “I wasn’t trying to overhear, but did you say you were staying in town?”

  I nodded. “That’s the plan right now.”

  “Oh, thank God,” she said, looking relieved. “I hope that means you’re starting up your aunt’s healing business.”

  I blinked. Was this a joke? It seemed too good to be true. “Well, uh, actually, yes. I was thinking about starting it up again.”

  “Really?” She clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s wonderful news.” Her smile was wide and delighted, and in that moment, the exhaustion melted off her, and I realized how pretty she was. “I can’t wait to share the news. Your aunt did a lot of good in this town. Here. Hold on a second.”

  The infant, picking up on her energy, started clapping his hands as she dug around in her massive purse. “Mommy needs one more second,” she said to the fidgety little girl, who was now twisting and twirling a green stone that hung around her neck. “Don’t break your necklace,” Jackie said absently, her attention on her purse.

  “Ah ha,” she said triumphantly, pulling out a stained envelope and a pen and writing something on the back of it. “Here,” she said, handing it to me. “My email. Would love to stay in touch. And, once you’re up and running, I would love more of the blend Charlie made for me.”

  I took the envelope, feeling a little like I was in a dream. “Of course. Here, if you give me a second, I can give you my email, too.”

  She waved her hand as she started backing away, the small child now officially whining. “Maggie, stop that. We’re going. No, that’s fine, just email me when you can with your contact info. I’ll talk to you later.” She turned to head into the store, speaking quietly to her daughter.

  I tucked the envelope into my pocket and excitedly went back to loading packages in my car. I couldn’t wait to tell someone. My first customer! But, wait, wasn’t I also forgetting something? What was I doing before Jackie appeared?

  Oh, that’s right. The truck!

  I whirled around, but the space was empty.

  How could that have happened?

  I frantically scanned the entire parking lot, but there were no pickup trucks anywhere.

  Where did it go? It couldn’t have just disappeared. I was sure I would have noticed if it had drove away.

  Wouldn’t I?

  ***

  I found Mia in the kitchen. She was standing by the counter, simultaneously chewing, scrolling through her phone, and muttering. A half-eaten sandwich and cup of coffee lay next to her on the counter.

  That part wasn’t surprising, but what caused me to do a double take was her outfit. She wore a simple black dress with a boat neckline and a single strand of pearls, instead of her typical waitress “uniform,” consisting of jeans and a plain white tee shirt. I tried to remember if I had ever seen Mia in a dress. She was even wearing lipstick, as evidenced by the red smear on her coffee cup.

  “I thought you were working the late shift?”

  She glanced up at me. “I am, after Jessica’s memorial. Did you forget? Is that why you aren’t ready?”

  Oh crap. I had forgotten. I went over to dump my purchases on the kitchen table. Time was up. I had to decide if I was going.

  Even though part of me shied away from any possibility of causing a scene, a bigger part of me realized Mia was right about hiding out. If I was going to make Redemption my home, it was time for me to become part of the community. I could stand in the back and make myself as inconspicuous as possible, but I needed to be there. “How much time do I have?”

  “Time enough for a sandwich if you want one,” Mia said, taking another bite. “There’s more chicken salad in the fridge. Oh my God, Chrissy is a genius in the kitchen. I don’t know how she does it.”

  I headed to the fridge to quickly assemble my own sandwich as Mia went back to frowning at her phone.

  “What’s up?”

  Mia glanced up. “What do you mean?”

  I nodded at her phone. “Any news?”
<
br />   “Oh, that.” She sighed. “Nothing really. I think you remember my friend Leslie, right? She’s having marital problems again.”

  “So, nothing new on Ellen or anything like that.”

  “Unfortunately, no. But it’s only been what? A little over 24 hours? When Ellen disappeared before, she was gone for almost a week. I don’t know if anyone is all that concerned right now. Well,” Mia amended. “Maybe her mother. But mothers are supposed to worry.”

  Despite having never liked Ellen (and trust me, the feeling was mutual), I was starting to get a bad feeling about her being missing. Something just didn’t seem right. On the other hand, what did I know? I barely knew the woman, and if people who had known her for years weren’t worried, why was I?

  Mia took a break from her phone to stretch and shift her legs. “So, you’re really doing it.”

  I glanced at her over the head of lettuce. “Doing what?”

  She nodded toward my new art supplies piled on the table, still wrapped in their bags. “Getting back into painting.”

  Getting back into painting. I let Mia’s words sink into me and roll around a bit, examining how they felt. Right now, what I mostly felt was a bundle of nerves. Was I good enough? Was this whole thing a waste of my time?

  But, underneath all of that, I felt the faint buzz of excitement. And hope.

  Maybe this is what I had been looking for all along.

  I turned back to Mia, who was watching me with a small smile and a drop of mayo on her chin. Her smile broadened. “Feels pretty good, doesn’t it?”

  I grinned. “Yeah, it does.”

  She held her hand up like she was giving me a high five. “About time, for both of us.”

  “That’s for sure.” I pulled the bread out of the toaster oven, trying not to burn the tips of my fingers. “Oh, I met someone today. Jackie. Do you know her?”

  “Jackie Campbell?”

  I scooped chicken salad onto the bread. “I’m not sure, actually. She had a baby and a little girl. Maggie, I think?”

  Mia nodded. “Yep, that’s Jackie. What did she want?”