by Tina Scott
By Tina Scott
Table of Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Note from Author
Other Titles
Connect with Tina
About the Author
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright© 2018 by Tina Scott. All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior return permission of the publisher.
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Published by Foutz Fables & More 2018
To my mother, Mae, who was a voracious reader, and to David and Amy who taught me the wonders of Alaska.
One
The last four years of my life had come down to this: me, Marcia Williams, recently unengaged school teacher, parked in front of a shabby, white stucco building east of town called, Pat’s Pawn It All. I had been here for the better part of a half hour waiting for the nerve to go in. And, if my friend wasn’t moving back to Alaska, I might never have come. Selling the ring would make the breakup all too real, but I couldn’t let Traci fly off by herself never to see her again.
I heaved a ragged breath, and muttered, “I can do this.” After all, I had broken off my engagement to Brad three months ago, and that was three months too long to mourn the loss of that cheating scumbag. I checked in the rearview mirror for any telltale signs of tears and dabbed around my eyes, but still I sat.
The jerk had already texted me five times wanting the ring back. My phone chimed, and I looked down—six times. But he wasn’t getting the ring. “It’s mine,” I muttered. If it had been an heirloom, maybe, but it wasn’t. He’d won the stupid thing in a poker game.
The Jerk had bragged incessantly on its expense, but I hadn’t believed him. Who bet away expensive rings? I pulled it from my bag, admiring it for one last time. Eighteen small diamonds encircled the delicate platinum ring and complimented a very clear, very scrumptious one-carat diamond. I shook my head. It must be super expensive for him to keep texting me. And, the biggest insult was that never once had the cheater texted wanting me back!
Regardless of the ring’s origins, it was mine now. A gift. A token of a promised lifetime together that had lasted all of four years. I’d met Brad on my thirtieth birthday, and thought he was the one. He’d stave off the ticking of my biological clock. Well, the clock was broken now. No use in worrying about kids, a family, or loving someone in that comfortable space where no pretense existed. He had ruined it all. Not that it mattered, I didn’t need a man to complete me.
The tears welled in my eyes, and I knew this line of thinking would get me nowhere. I needed my wits about me in order to barter a good deal for the ring. I’d hold out for $500. That would at least pay my airfare. But, I couldn’t think about it or debate it any longer, or I’d be a mess of tears. No one gave good deals to weeping women.
“Rip it off like a band aid,” I said. Just like Brad had ripped apart my heart when I’d seen him. Caught him. At the restaurant. On our date. Making a date with the waitress! I let out a scream and punched the steering wheel. I guzzled a drink from my water bottle, slammed it back into the cupholder, and grabbed my bag. “Alaska here I come.” The car door slammed shut behind me, and I strode into the pawn shop.
While waiting for the pawn broker, I looked around the store. There was nothing elaborate like on that TV show, and most of it looked as though it had been there a while. The place could use a good dusting. My hopes sank as I viewed the assortment of engagement and wedding rings in the case. It was depressing, really, to be witness to all of the broken promises and failed dreams behind the glass. I started toward the door. “This was foolish,” I mumbled. Thinking I could get enough from the ring to help pay for a getaway with Traci? Ridiculous.
“Can I help you?” A fifty-ish man with a stomach that preceded him and a receding hairline, stood behind the counter near the door.
“What the heck,” I mumbled and pulled the ring from my bag. “What’ll you give me for this?”
“Are you pawning it or selling it outright?” The man took the ring and looked it over.
“I want to sell it.” If he only offered fifty bucks I would scream. I wouldn’t accept an offer so low. I couldn’t.
“I’ll need to examine it more closely.” He walked behind the counter and pulled out a cylindrical looking-glass thingy. I’d seen them on TV before. He put it to his eye and held the ring up.
He appeared to examine every diamond along the ring. I knew the game. The man was pretending to consider buying it while secretly coming up with a lame excuse why it wasn’t worth his time, and why he’d be doing me a favor to take it off my hands. That strategy wouldn’t work.
“This is a nice ring you’ve got here,” he said.
“Yes, it is.” What was his game? This was different than I’d imagined.
“I’m not a ring expert. Do you mind if I call in a buddy to examine it? Depending on what he says, then I’ll make a more educated offer.”
“That sounds fine.” So, he had a buddy in on the scam. I’d be ready. Tired of dealing with jerks and liars, my toe tapped against the concrete.
The man called someone, and after a short conversation and saying something about a Blue Nile, he hung up. “It’ll be about thirty minutes. Do you mind waiting?
Thirty minutes for fifty bucks? I couldn’t let it go for that and reached out to take the ring and leave, but as I opened my mouth to tell him so, my phone buzzed with another text from Brad. He didn’t want me back. The jerk wanted the ring. Did he have a new girlfriend already? The man had barely apologized. All he ever wanted was the ring. Not me. “I don’t mind waiting at all,” I said with a forced smile. “Do you mind if I take the ring and wait in my car?”
“We have comfortable seating right over here,” he said, pointing in the general direction. “There’s a snack bar and a soda machine.”
Did they make a habit of making customers wait? “It’s fine.” I shook my head. “I prefer to wait in my car.”
The man handed me the ring, and I went to my Camry, turned on the engine for the air conditioning and pulled out my phone. “I’ve had more than enough reminders of what I don’t mean to you, Brad Marnier.” On my contacts page, I went to settings and scrolled down to block his calls. “Ha!” Oh, but first, I had one last point of business. I opened his number to text. I’m sorry, but I lost my ring in a poker game. Quit bugging me.
That served him right, and I chuckled while blocking his number. I needed closure. That would happen easier without the constant drone of his texts. He wasn’t even man enough to call. Not that I would answer, but it would have been more manly of him.
Next, I found Traci John’s number and called her. “Hey, Traci.” My voice cracked with emotion, but I was proud of myself. I took a drink and then heaved another
cleansing breath. “Remember how you invited me to Alaska this summer?” My friend, an administrator for the City of Fresno, was moving back into one of her mom’s rentals to help grow her business. I could only deal with one loss at a time and refused to think of it as permanent.
“Are you coming?” Traci sounded hopeful.
“I’m at the pawn shop.”
“Good for you. It’s not like you’ll ever wear the ring again, and if you bought something with the money, you’d just remember Brad every time you looked at it.”
“I figure that I need a good vacation, and that cheating womanizer deserves to pay.” Plus, I couldn’t bear to have Traci just fly off to Alaska and never see her again.
“I know how you feel about your fourth graders, but I’d love for you to move with me. Just know you’re always welcome,” Traci said. “Shall we plan on getting some take-out to celebrate your liberation?”
I didn’t feel like celebrating. I felt like crawling into bed and sobbing away my weekend. “I don’t know. I have some papers that need grading.” The end of the school year was approaching fast.
“You know that’s just a lame excuse for whenever you don’t want to do something.”
“I know. But that just means I’ll be super ready for a vacation in July.”
“I’m holding you to it. We’ll go hiking, we’ll go see some glaciers up close—whatever you want to do, we’ll do it. Plus, there’s an old saying my mom always told me, that if you see a pod of humpback whales breaching the water, it’s good luck. And, July is a great time to see them.”
“We’ll have to spend a lot of time near the ocean then.”
“Absolutely,” Traci said.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” I responded. “And, I’m sorry you’re having to sell all of your things to move. I’d be happy to help you pack if you want to keep some of it.”
“It’s just easier to sell it all and buy more when I get there. That’s what I did when I moved here, so it’s not like any of it is sentimental.”
I didn’t understand how she could move from state to state so easily. I was born in California and had spent my whole life here. I couldn’t imagine moving away regardless that I’d be totally alone without Traci. “I’m going to have to let you go. They called in a special guy to look at the ring, and he just walked in the front door. I’d better get in there to see what they decide.” I hung up and went to see how nice of a vacation I’d get.
“Here she is right now,” the pawnbroker said when I entered.
“Let’s have a look at that ring.”
I pulled the ring from my bag and handed it to the man who held my vacation in his hands. “My boyfriend and I—” I stopped. I didn’t want them to think I was desperate to sell the ring. “Well, I’m getting a different one,” I lied.
“After looking at it, I can assure you it’s a Blue Nile,” the man told the pawnbroker. The two men talked together, and I braced myself for the bad news.
“I’ll pay you a thousand dollars,” the pawnbroker said.
“A thousand dollars? I scrunched my face into a scowl of disbelief. I must have heard wrong. “A thousand dollars for this ring? You’re kidding, right?” I looked him in the eye for confirmation.
“Eighteen hundred is the highest I can go.”
Stunned silent, I regarded the man again. Brad was right. This was a really expensive ring. “I’m not sure.” I chewed on a fingernail, considering. “I’ve got to make a call first.” I should ask someone, or maybe get another opinion on its worth.
“Two thousand dollars, but that’s my final offer.”
I nodded. “I accept.”
Two
The vacation rental where Traci would live had a rock fireplace, a covered patio, and large, insulated windows in the main rooms. It was a small two-bedroom home but had an excellent view of the bay with its higher elevation.
I stepped onto the front patio and inhaled the scent of pine. Excitement chilled me as a cool breeze tickled the hairs on my neck. Rubbing my arms, I smiled and thought again of the ring that had made this trip possible.
Brad, the dear, had called my school’s principal, telling her that I’d stolen the ring and he threatened to sue me. Colleen handled it tactfully, reminding him that an engagement ring was a gift and a promise. He’d broken his promise, but a gift was a gift, and no court would rule otherwise. After that, I was more than ready to forget that two-timing jerk. I just needed to convince myself that all guys weren’t like Brad.
Looking past my friend, I took in the view—the pine trees, the quaint town of Homer, and the ocean beyond, and sighed. “Alaska is way different than I imagined.” It was silly, I know, but I’d envisioned snow year-round, mukluks, and parkas. “Thanks for bringing me here.” I spread my arms out, exhilarated by the fresh Alaskan air. “I mean, this is like paradise. It’s so green.”
“I knew you’d like it, but you haven’t seen anything yet.”
“What do you mean? The drive here was fantastic.” We had taken the better part of a day to get from Anchorage to Homer because I kept begging her to pull over for sightseeing stops. “The mountain sheep on the cliff near Turnagain Arm—I’ve never seen live ones before—and a whole heard of them besides.” I got out my phone and showed her the pictures as though she hadn’t seen them.
“Yeah, that was pretty great.” Traci leaned against the porch railing. “I’ve only seen them a couple times myself.”
I moved to a patio chair and sat down. “I still feel that ache.” I pressed a hand against my heart wondering if the pain would ever completely leave. “But, being here has already helped. It’s so different, and there’s nothing to remind me of Brad.” If I could only learn to quit reminding myself.
Traci raised her eyebrows. “I’m sorry he hurt you, but you’d suspected his cheating ways long before the proof. It’s time to move on. Date a little. Date a lot.” Traci wiggled her eyebrows with a sly grin. “And, get over him already.”
“I know.” I pulled a brush from my bag and yanked it through my tangled hair. “But, who takes a girl to a restaurant and then lets her walk in alone while he stops and gets phone numbers on the sly? I should have realized he was hooking up with the waitresses after the first time. Silly me, I thought we were serious.” The fact that I hadn’t realized sooner, filled me with shame and distrust, and made it hard to move on.
I’d trusted Brad so completely. Given him my heart. Made plans for our future only to catch him flirting with a waitress and whispering in her ear. Apparently, he’d asked her out on numerous occasions. The sting of his lies, and knowing he’d been cheating from the beginning, had crushed my spirit. How could I ever trust again? I sighed. “I just don’t know how to move on.” I wiped a trace of moisture from my eye, embarrassed that thinking of Brad still brought me to tears after four months.
Traci pulled up a chair. “You know I’m jealous of your hair, right? How about I braid it and then we can go out for a walk?”
“I’d like that.” I didn’t really care what my hair looked like. It wasn’t as though I’d meet a guy in Alaska and fall madly in love, but it made Traci happy. “And, as I’ve told you before, you can have my hair if you’ll let me have yours.” Her sleek brown reminded me of dark chocolate. “Mine tangles every time I lay down. Guys see blonde hair and blue eyes and think I’m a dumb, party girl.”
“They wouldn’t if they knew you.” Traci ran her fingers through my hair, braiding like an expert. “There you go.” She sat in the chair across from me.
“Thank you. You’re my best friend ever and I’m going to miss you.” I cupped my face between my hands and peered at her realizing that this next two weeks was all we had left. “It was fate that brought us next door to each other.” I honestly felt that, and to have her move only months after the Brad Breakup left me feeling insecure.
Traci stood and extended a hand, but my phone chimed.
It had better not be Brad. I reached into my bag and looked at the num
ber. “It’s a government number.” That was odd. I answered, “Hello, this is Marcia Williams speaking.” And then I listened as the woman introduced herself and stated the reason for her call. A smile formed on my face. I wouldn’t be left adrift, after all. “I’m in Alaska right now,” I said. “Perhaps when I get home?—Oh, of course.”
After I hung up, I tried to keep from smiling but felt the effects of my conversation beaming across my face. “I’m being interviewed for a position with the State Board of Education.” I wanted to jump up and dance around but held my fingers to my mouth and looked at Traci.
“That is fantastic!” Traci leaned over and gave me a quick hug. “I mean, I was hoping to convince you to move here with me, but, whatever. How much does it pay?”
“It’s too early to discuss salary, but she did say that if I get the position, it will require that I move to Sacramento.”
“Oh, thank heaven! You’ll be out of that apartment and away from everything that reminds you of—” Traci shrugged a shoulder.
“They’re starting the interviews next week. Since I’m in Alaska, they’re going to give me a video interview. She’ll call back to set up a time.” I stood, suddenly feeling much better. “I’m ready for that walk you mentioned.” I led the way to the street and then waited for Traci.
Traci started down the two-lane road, and I marveled at the green. Each home was surrounded by trees and shrubbery. There was very little traffic and no smog at all. The sky was crisp and clear with a few cumulus clouds adding to the charm.
“I’m so happy for you, really,” Traci said. “What will your job entail?”
“I don’t know a lot, of course, but she did say that the position is new, and they’re wanting to implement strategic ideas at each grade level in order to increase the high school graduation rate. They called me because I’d been awarded Teacher of the Year.”
“You’ll be perfect. I mean, you’re an obvious choice.”
“Yeah, I hope so.” A worry niggled, but I was out of practice with my interviewing skills. The thought of interviewing via video conference made my stomach churn.