Shadowed (The Shadow and Moon Series)
Page 14
When I arrived home, my dad was just getting out of his black Ford truck. He met me in the driveway and smiled. "How was school, Elle?" he asked.
"School was fine," I said as we walked toward the front porch.
"Your mom's already home. She said she spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Allan and they still have your job at the coffee shop if you want it," he said as we walked through the front door.
That was another thing I had hated about leaving: I didn't even get the chance to tell my bosses, the owners of the town's local coffee shop, that I wouldn't be able to work over the summer. They probably thought I was some teenage flake when in reality, I'd enjoyed my job but was kidnapped and whisked away by my own parents.
"Seriously?" I asked, raising my brows at him. "I just left without any explanation." There was more venom in my voice than I'd intended. My dad flinched at my words, and I instantly regretted my tone.
He lay his keys on the kitchen counter and tried to hide his discomfort. "Elle, your moms arranged everything. Just go down there and tell them you're ready to work. They'll understand. Dinner isn't for another hour, so you have time," he added, nodding to indicate I should go.
I threw my backpack down, forced a smile, and turned on my heels to go back out the door I'd just come in from.
I drove through our small town and quickly found the coffee shop nestled on the corner of Main Street and Vine. The large courthouse was across the street, and a small park with white benches and large oak trees sat to the right. I'd loved working at the coffee shop. Business was always just steady enough that you'd never get bored, but it was quiet and easy work, so, I was able to do homework and talk to friends when I wanted. Mr. and Mrs. Allan were really sweet, too. They'd been married for over fifty-years and had lived in Shady Oaks their entire lives.
After parking my Explorer on the street, I made my way inside the coffee shop's glass doors. A bell chimed, announcing my entrance.
Mrs. Allan smiled when she spotted me. Her white hair had been curled and fell neatly on her broad shoulders. Her pink cheeks were plump. I watched as she wiped her hands on an apron tied around her waist.
"Elle," she rang out as she rushed around the corner to hug me.
I took in her sweet aroma of coffee beans and vanilla as I hugged her back. Mrs. Allan was like the town grandma. Everyone loved her and treated her with the greatest respect.
"Hi, Mrs. Allan," I said after she'd let me go. "My mom said you wanted to talk to me," I said.
"Yes, she called after you left for West Virginia. I have to say, I hated to lose you this past summer, but I was so happy to hear you'd volunteered to take care of your sickly grandmother," she said with a soft smile.
I forced a smile and gritted my teeth. My mom had lied to Mrs. Allan! Of course, she had. I didn't understand why, but it wasn't the time to argue or get into my family drama.
"Yes, well, I really missed being here," I said honestly. "I'd love to work...if you have an opening."
"Of course. I'll add you to the schedule. Can you start next Monday?" she asked.
"Yes. I'll be here after practice," I said.
We talked for a few more minutes, and I gave her my school and cross-country schedule. After I'd left, I called Melanie to tell her about my job. I also texted Maddox, but he never responded.