Rachel was already turning onto her street. “It’s so wild, Chelsea. You wouldn’t believe how close I live to work. I literally called you as I was pulling out of the school, and I just got home.”
“Wow, that is crazy close. So why are you even driving? I would totally be walking or jogging home.”
“Well, I hope to do that when the weather warms up. It has been, like, in the thirties this week. Everyone is teasing me that this is actually warmer than usual for this time of year.” Rachel laughed, scared to think of how cold it could actually get.
“Wait, you said in the thirties. You mean like at night, right?” Chelsea asked, sounding confused.
“No, you heard me right. That is the daytime high. Crazy, huh?”
“Why are you even living there? Are you nuts?” Chelsea screamed. “I couldn’t imagine dealing with that kind of weather. No thanks, I will keep my lovely eighties we are rockin’ over here.”
“Don’t make me jealous. I’m trying desperately to adapt to this temperature. Actually, I’m going shopping in Spokane soon for some warmer clothes for work. I have worn pants every single day this week so far,” Rachel said as she headed into her house and immediately switched her heater on high. She shivered as Chelsea went on about some ideas for outfits Rachel could buy.
“Oh hey, I remembered why I called in the first place,” Rachel interrupted her. “I got invited to help with the retirement party for the man I’m replacing. I think it’s sort of awkward for me to be involved. What do you think?”
“Hmm, I don’t know. What are they wanting your help with?”
“Well, I don’t know exactly, but the secretary—Karen, the nice lady I was telling you about the other day—she’s the one who invited me. She asked me to meet her and her friends, as well as some of the other teachers at this diner here for dinner tonight.”
“Sounds okay to me. I don’t think you are stepping on anyone’s toes or anything. After all, she invited you, and obviously you won’t be trying to, like, host or run this party. I would tag along for dinner. At least it would get you out of the house.”
“See, that is kind of what I thought too. I figured if they want me to help decorate, I’m totally willing to, but I just felt weird.” Rachel kicked her shoes off as she headed to her bedroom to undress.
“Yeah, I think you’re fine. I wouldn’t worry too much about what people say. That’s not the Rachel I know.”
Rachel smiled. “Uh, yeah, right. I appreciate the vote of confidence, but it’s just so different here. I do feel like an outsider. These people all sort of grew up together and have this bond. I want to make friends here and get to know everyone.”
“You will make friends. Just got to give it a little more time. Hell, you have only been working for what, three days or something?” Chelsea said.
“You’re right. So I guess my next question is, what should I wear tonight?” Rachel asked, hopeful that Chelsea would steer her in the right direction.
“That I can help you with,” Chelsea sang out.
Rachel sent pictures of various outfit choices to Chelsea so she could decide what pieces worked well together. They went over nearly every article of clothing Rachel owned until they found the perfect cross between casual, yet pretty: a dark-wash pair of skinny jeans, her brown leather riding boots, and an oversized, apricot sweater with a shiny brown belt. The tone of the outfit brought out the bronze and pink tones of Rachel’s skin, and her short, blonde hair looked lighter against the apricot.
Pleased with the outcome, Rachel said her good-byes and promised to fill her friend in about how dinner went. She then dressed and stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. She added a little gloss to her already-pink lips, spritzed on a little floral body spray, and headed out to meet Karen.
Rachel felt nervous as she drove the several blocks to the diner. As she parked outside Herrick’s, she saw the place was packed with patrons, nameless faces sitting in booths by the large windows, which were only partly covered by small, checkered curtains. Rachel spotted Karen’s car driving in and waited patiently for her to get out so they could walk in together.
Karen greeted Rachel with a wide smile as she emerged from her car. “Wow, I love that color on you,” she said as she examined Rachel’s outfit.
“Oh, well, thank you,” Rachel replied, swinging her large designer bag over her shoulder and trailing behind Karen, who led the way.
A tiny bell on a dirty, weathered piece of yarn chimed as they entered. Rachel’s senses were instantly bombarded with the scents of the diner, and her stomach growled. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until a waitress carried past a burger that was practically toppling onto the heap of French fries next to it on the plate. Karen scurried toward a large booth in the corner, and Rachel recognized a few of the teachers from the school, but some of the faces were new to her.
Karen stood before the table and pulled Rachel close to her. “This is Rachel, everyone.”
A short, round woman with auburn curls smiled broadly. Her eyes were warm and kind. “Why hello, dear. So very nice to meet you. I’m Mary.” She stood carefully and extended her hand.
Rachel shook it. “Nice to meet you as well,” she said before sitting down next to Karen. The booth was rather large and could have easily seated more than the six or eight people gathered around it.
“Karen, do you know if more of the teachers are coming to help plan this shindig?” Mary asked politely.
“You know, I asked a couple more, but I figured this would pretty much be my dream team,” Karen replied, bringing a smile to Mary’s lightly wrinkled face.
A waitress came to their table and proceeded to take everyone’s order. She then left and returned shortly with water and promises that their meals would be ready soon.
Rachel sat quietly, taking inventory of the older women sitting at the table with her. They all looked as though they were in their sixties or so, about the same age as Karen, she figured. She was by far the youngest.
She listened as Mary and Karen chatted about people whose names she didn’t recognize. The others commented here and there but mainly participated in their own conversations. Rachel felt a little out of place as she sipped on her water, twirling the straw between two ice cubes.
“So, Rachel, my dear friend Karen here tells me you are going to be replacing Mr. Anderson,” Mary said, smiling directly at Rachel.
“Uh. Yes, that’s right. I started on Monday,” Rachel responded as the other women turned their attention to her. She instantly felt as though they had placed a spotlight on her.
Karen patted Rachel’s arm, as if sensing her nervousness. “I was quite shocked when Mr. Anderson brought her in and decided to drop this bomb on me. I had no clue he had decided to retire, let alone had hired a replacement,” Karen addressed the group. “But he did a fine job, and we’re all very thrilled to have Rachel with us now. The students seem to really like her too.”
“That’s wonderful,” Mary said, then turned to Rachel. “You know, my dear, all of my children attended that school. In fact, my son Liam is a teacher there.”
Rachel felt her stomach bottom out. “Oh wow, really? Liam’s a fantastic teacher, Mary. His students just love him.” She figured it was best not to mention how stubborn her son seemed to be.
“So where did you move here from?” another woman asked.
“I’m a California transplant.”
A few of the women sighed in longing, and one said she wished she lived somewhere nice and warm like California.
“Oh dear, it just dawned on me. My friend Janice—she works at the real estate office with Cheryl—mentioned a gal had moved into Bob Flannery’s old home, near the park,” Mary said, her eyes wide as she looked at Karen.
Rachel nodded in confirmation, and Mary went on to tell her stories about Liam mowing the lawn at what was now Rachel’s house. She also shared other tales about her children, which seemed to captivate the other ladies. No one seemed to not
ice when the waitress brought their dinners. Mary apologized for rambling, but Rachel loved the soft tones of her voice. There were moments when she could have sworn she’d caught bits of an Irish brogue.
Biting into a perfectly cooked, golden French fry, she listened as Karen and Mary continued to swap stories about the school and Mr. Anderson. During the course of the meal, they also planned the party, deciding to hold the event in the school cafeteria. Mary and some of the other women offered to cook, and Rachel and the two teachers said they would help with decorating. Karen felt satisfied with the arrangements and thanked everyone for their support.
Rachel would have never imagined feeling so comfortable around this group of women, especially in a diner that was clearly a throwback to the previous century. But its decorations were charming, the food was scrumptious, and Rachel was full and content as she replied to Mary’s questions. The older woman genuinely seemed to want to get to know her and make her feel included.
Karen and Mary were so much alike, both kind and warm, that Rachel could tell they had been good friends for a long time. Mary was such a lovely, down-to-earth person that Rachel found it hard to believe Liam was actually her son.
After they finished their dinners and had a cup of tea, Rachel was a little sad to say good-bye to the women. Mary, of course, demanded that she come by her house for a home-cooked meal, and Rachel accepted her offer. When she explained that her culinary skills were very limited, Mary insisted they turn dinner into a cooking lesson and seemed thrilled at the opportunity to teach her new friend some of her famous dishes. Rachel could honestly say she was looking forward to it.
Driving home, Rachel felt a sense of community that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Perhaps moving to Birch Valley was indeed the right call.
***
Liam
Liam lay in bed, staring up at his ceiling. He had just gotten off the phone with his mother, who had told him all about her lovely dinner with the new principal. Apparently, Rachel was going to be assisting Mary and a few other ladies with Mr. Anderson’s retirement party. Mary couldn’t seem to stop praising Rachel and saying what a wonderful girl she was. He rolled his eyes, annoyed that his mother didn’t see what a real pain Rachel really was. He decided he would do his best to keep out of her way and only hoped his mother would quit her meddling.
Chapter Ten
Rachel
The rest of the week scooted by without incident. Rachel noticed Liam was keeping his distance, which was fine by her. She was able to concentrate a whole lot better when he wasn’t around. Hearing him laugh at something that someone was telling him and seeing him smile at the students who raced around him was hard enough. Regardless of how much he seem to irritate her, he had an odd magnetism, and it kept drawing her in.
On Friday, she filled her favorite mug with the last remaining coffee in the pot, only to turn and find Liam standing nearby, mug in hand, looking irritated.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I can get another pot started,” she said as she held the empty coffeepot out.
“No, it’s fine,” Liam replied, but Rachel could tell it was anything but fine.
She set the empty pot down and slipped past him as she inhaled his masculine cologne—spices mixed with notes of pine.
Megan brushed past Rachel, giving her a sickly sweet smile as she reached out to Liam.
“Oh no, we’re out of coffee. I know how much you love that, Liam.” Megan pouted, her full lips curved downward.
“Yeah, it would seem so. Oh well,” Liam replied before refilling his water bottle instead.
“You want me to start another pot?” Megan said in a sugary voice as she batted her lashes.
Rachel mentally rolled her eyes as she escaped the room. That woman annoyed the crap out of her. The whole sweet-and-sexy bit was getting pretty old. Maybe Rachel should have Karen draw up a memo about implementing a new dress code policy, she thought and smiled to herself.
***
The day had ended, and as the last of the students went home for the weekend, Rachel wandered the halls, looking for any stragglers and securing the exits. Along the way, she strolled down a hallway that housed the third, fourth, and fifth grade classes. As she passed Liam’s classroom, she glanced through the half-open door and spotted him erasing the large green chalkboard with his shirt rolled up to his forearms. She peered in, watching him swirl the eraser as the chalk dust floated lightly around him like a mist. He seemed to be deep in thought as he scrubbed the board, and she was mesmerized by the strokes of his well-toned arms, his fixed gaze, and the shadow of stubble covering his strong jawline. Pulling herself away, she picked up her pace in hopes he wouldn’t catch her staring at him. Not looking where she was headed, she collided into someone.
“Oh God, I’m sorry,” Rachel stammered, turning to the person she’d just run into.
“That’s okay.” The high pitch of Megan’s voice seared Rachel’s ears.
Of course she would run into Megan of all people, Rachel thought as she tried to excuse herself.
Megan moved in front of Rachel, holding her hostage in conversation. “So how are you getting on here? Sure is a great school, isn’t it? Filled with all sorts of wonderful students and people.”
“Yes, everyone has been great,” Rachel answered, running her fingers nervously through her cropped hair. She had cut it short after a terrible breakup a couple of years ago and now felt very aware of the missing tresses while looking at Megan’s brown hair that cascaded in waves past her squared shoulders.
Megan placed a hand on her curvy hip and pointed to Liam’s classroom. “I’m so lucky to be on the same fourth grade team as Liam. The kids love him. He’s going to help me with some of that state testing curriculum you outlined for us.” Her voice continued to grate on Rachel’s nerves.
“Oh, that’s awesome. I’m glad to hear he’s going to start following the curriculum, especially as I know he wasn’t a big fan of some of the ideas I had.” Rachel was a little jealous that Liam was going to be spending his time with Megan, who, she imagined, had plans for him that did not include going over the new testing pamphlet Karen and Rachel had handed out the previous day.
“Yeah, I look forward to really going over the material with him.” Megan’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
I bet you are, Rachel almost said. Catching herself, she asked, “So will you be attending the retirement party this Saturday?”
“Of course. Mr. Anderson has been such a great principal here. We all just adore him, especially Liam,” Megan added, smoothing her taut skirt.
“Well, I look forward to seeing you there this weekend. I’ll be assisting Karen and Mary O’Brien at the party,” Rachel said, hoping Megan would pick up on the slight dig. She didn’t know why she felt the need to drag his mother into this little spat, if you could even call it that, but Rachel wasn’t stupid. She knew Megan’s intent was to get under her skin—to mark her territory, so to speak. Rachel mentally kicked herself for getting drawn into her scheme.
“I see. Well, that’s nice. When did you meet Mary? Isn’t she just the loveliest woman? So much like Liam, isn’t she?” Megan’s voice became pitchy.
“Yes, she’s great. She and I have some plans to get together soon.” Rachel didn’t elaborate. She just wanted to plant that little seed of worry in Megan’s mind.
Megan’s face contorted in confusion. “Oh, really? That’s thoughtful of her. She must have felt bad that you don’t really have any friends here,” she said sweetly as she stared directly into Rachel’s eyes.
Rachel’s jaw tightened. “Well, I better let you go. I need to lock up the exit down here.” She pointed to the end of the hallway. Megan’s last comment had stung a little, and she wanted to go lick her wounds.
***
Liam
Liam heard talking outside his door and realized he had forgotten to shut it after one of his students had returned to fetch their backpack. He finished wiping down the board, then rubbed his hands on the fro
nt of his jeans, leaving a trail of chalk dust on the denim. He grabbed his coat and backpack, turned off his light, and shut the door. As he locked up, Megan sprung out of what appeared to be nowhere.
“Hi, Liam, finally getting out of here?” she asked as she moved in uncomfortably close, making it hard for him to concentrate.
“Yeah, you too?” he replied. As he tried to put a little space between them, Megan inched closer, not allowing much air to pass between their two bodies.
“So what do you have planned tonight?” her voice turned breathy. They were almost touching now.
“Actually, I need to stop by my brothers’ shop before they close. Sorry.” Liam was thankful his brain had enough sense and blood flow to come up with an excuse.
“Well, if you want to maybe hang out later, give me a call.” Megan licked her already moist lips, adding to their sheen.
“Yeah, for sure. Thanks, though,” Liam said politely as he maneuvered away from her.
Liam practically jogged to his truck and was tempted to lock the door once he was inside the cab. Good grief, that woman came on strong. He turned the key in the ignition and drove over to the O’Brien Construction shop to see if his brothers were around.
As Liam pulled up to the large metal building, which was just off Main Street, he saw that the work truck was outside. He parked on the street and walked into the shop.
“Hey, guys?” he called.
The large shop was divided into several sections. The front had a counter and behind it a small desk their receptionist used during the day. There were two fairly small offices to the side of it, one for each of his brothers. The bigger of the two was Patrick’s office and used to be their father’s. A larger part of the shop housed some of their supplies and tools, and an additional but smaller garage outside stored more equipment.
Liam heard someone coming and smiled as Daniel entered from the shop, wiping his hands on a work towel. He had a smudge of dirt on his cheek.
Loving Liam (Cloverleaf #1) Page 11