According to the letter tucked away in her pocket, she needed to be here, in this place, at this point in time. There were several issues involving the estate her parents had left behind that needed to be dealt with in person. She’d already tried dealing with things long distance, ignoring the attorney’s unwelcome advice urging her to come back to town and take care of certain matters, and she’d intended to continue doing so for the rest of her life. She’d done what she could using the telephone and postal service, but the letters had continued to come. The latest letter had caused her to stop and reconsider her position about never returning in person, and here she was. She’d only read the first two sentences of that letter, before she realized a visit to Cathedral Hills was necessary if she ever wanted to make a new start somewhere else.
When Teresa had suggested she use this trip as a way to gain closure on her childhood, she’d decided to quit allowing her fear of the past to dictate her actions in the future. Now that she was here though, she felt less than prepared to deal with a past that had left so much hurt inside her soul.
God, give me strength! I can’t do this on my own! Jenna closed her eyes as she mentally uttered the prayer. She’d also begun rediscovering her faith through the help of several caring counselors and the workers at the rehab center she’d been a resident of these last months. She wasn’t all the way back yet, but at least she was talking to God once again. He wasn’t exactly shaking the rafters in answering her, but some part of her felt better knowing He at least heard her when she spoke to Him. That was a huge step of faith for her, and one it had taken her months to finally come to terms with once again.
Sighing, Jenna finished her trek across the street and then stopped outside the Diner’s announcement board. Posted there for the entire town to read were various posters announcing the upcoming town activities. The Diner had been a sort of meeting place and center of gossip when she’d been here before. If there were something happening in town, whether it be good or bad, the regular patrons of the Diner would not only know the details, but would have also made their positions known to anyone caring to listen. Political correctness wasn’t high on George Waldrop’s list of character traits. He was known for speaking his mind, no matter who might be listening. It was one of the things that set him apart from the other men in town.
She read with detached interest the myriad of activities scheduled in the upcoming weeks and months. A harvest party was set to commence next weekend at the high school gymnasium, and the last rodeo of the season was happening the weekend after that. Both events brought back both pleasant and sad memories. Is everything in this town going to be the same? How I wish I could just forget the bad and hold onto the good times.
Shaking her head at the fanciful thoughts, she pushed open the door of the Diner and couldn’t hold back her smile. She fondly remembered the many afternoons she had done the same thing, only in her memories, a pack of young school friends was right behind her, chattering on about this and that.
She stopped in the doorway and looked around. Nothing much had changed! There were still the large red and white tiles on the floor. A large jukebox sat in the far corner, surrounded by plastic plants and pictures of the famous people George Waldrop had met. The Waldrop family had owned and operated the Diner since its inception, and George and his late wife Pamela had been the perfect host and hostess for many afternoons of fun and friendship.
Their only child, Missy Waldrop, had been in the same grade as Jenna, and they had been close friends up until the time Jenna had left town. She hadn’t tried to contact you once! Forget those fun memories and focus on reality. Expecting things to be like they used to be will only result in more pain and disappointment! You’re done with that and ready to move on to happier times!
The grin fled Jenna’s face as she trudged her way down the aisle and took a seat in a vacant booth. There were only a few other patrons this time of morning, but she paid them no mind. She couldn’t take care of her business at the bank until it opened at 10 o’clock, and she definitely wasn’t interested in reminiscing about her life in this town. Not at all!
“Hey, you must be new around here. I’m Missy, what can I get for you?”
Jenna glanced up sharply upon hearing the waitress introduce herself and she found herself staring into the familiar face of a girl who had been her best friend, once upon a time. Jenna opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her momentarily. She tried again, but nothing would come out. The sting of unshed tears caused a slight moment of panic and Jenna was helpless to do anything about it. All she could do was stare at the beautiful woman Missy had become.
Missy was of average height, but her stunning auburn hair and vibrant green eyes gave her a beauty that was hard to beat. The smile she cast Jenna’s way was so familiar, and yet so foreign. Her eyes held true welcome, and Jenna had to tamp down on the emotions that surged to the forefront.
Inside, her brain was screaming at her to make Missy give an account for her abandonment. Why didn’t you try to contact me? I needed our friendship so much back then, and you weren’t there! No one was there!
Missy watched the young woman try to talk, and then made a tsking noise in her throat and hurried away to grab a glass of water. “Here hon. Try this.”
Jenna took the offered glass of water and took a swallow, “Thanks.” She closed her eyes briefly, forcibly closing the door on the accusations that wanted to spew forth. You can do this, Jenna! Be strong and remember your life is about the future. Not rehashing all the wrongs that were done to you in the past. The future is where you’re headed now!
“Don’t mention it,” Missy told her, eyeing the newcomer curiously and feeling a tug at her heartstrings as she watched the gorgeous young woman struggle for control once again. She seemed to be breathing all right so she must have just gotten something stuck in her throat for a second there. She smiled at her and gave her a slight nod. “All better now?”
All better? Unfortunately, a simple glass of water cannot erase everything that was wrong in her life. If only it could…. Jenna glanced up and then nodded, “Sure. Could I get a cup of hot chocolate and two eggs over easy?” Easy peasy! A glass of water, sign some papers, skedaddle right back out of town. I’ve got this!
“Sure.” Missy pulled an order book from her pocket and then asked, “Do you want some bacon or sausage with that?”
Jenna nodded, “Bacon’s fine. Oh, and a couple pieces of wheat toast?”
“No problem. I’ll give this order to my dad and be right back with your hot chocolate.”
Jenna watched her leave and wondered what Missy had been doing with her life these last few years. She’d never had any dreams of leaving Cathedral Hills after high school. The last time she’d been in this town, Missy had been dating Andrew Dawkins, a football player and one of the boys everyone had assumed would end up in the military right after high school.
Missy had often talked about taking over the Diner once her parents decided to retire, but her father was most definitely still involved. And his daughter was most definitely very pregnant! I wonder if she and Andrew ended up married?
Jenna smiled as she heard the familiar whistle of a large man coming through the kitchen service window. George was one of the happiest men she’d ever met, and he cooked everything up with a smile and a song. She listened closely, recognizing one of the hymns that had been often sung at the congregational church in the middle of town.
Her mind took a journey down memory lane, her heart following closely behind –
She and her friends had arrived at the Diner after school one December day, anxious to get started on the sugar cookies Mr. Waldrop had said they could make. He’d set out all of the ingredients and the recipe between the group of girls – Jenna, Missy, Michelle, Taylor, Stephanie and Brooke. Together, they’d managed to cover every surface in a fine dusting of flour.
When Mr. Waldrop had come in to check on them, rather than raging and getting mad, he’d simply picked up a
small handful of flour and dumped it on his own head, declaring a fine dusting of the white powder a requirement for joining the party.
Jenna and her friends had laughed and over the next several hours, the small group of girls and Missy’s dad had created a plethora of frosted sugar cookies. Jenna had carried home a huge plate of the sugary treats, and still counted that day as one of her fondest memories of the Christmas season!
“Here you go.” Missy sat a large mug of hot chocolate, complete with tiny marshmallows adorning the top, in front of Jenna and gave her a big smile.
Jenna shook her head, dispelling the memories that kept popping up and smiled at the waitress. “Thanks, Missy.”
Missy cocked her head to the side, “Do I know you?”
Jenna mentally kicked herself. Missy hadn’t used her name and wasn’t wearing a nametag. Way to fly under the radar, Jenna! “Uhmm…well…yeah. We used to know each other.” Jenna gave the woman a small smile, but before she could tell the waitress her own name, the woman squealed and jumped up and down in excitement.
“Jenna Baxter! I knew you looked familiar! You look great! We never thought you’d come back to town. Where have you been? Oh wait until I tell everyone you’re back!” Missy reached over and wrapped Jenna in a brief hug of happiness.
Jenna’s ears were still hurting from the loud squeal, but she asked, “We? Everyone?” She carefully extricated herself from the exuberant hug Missy had insisted on giving her and waited for her explanation.
“The girls and I. Michelle. Taylor. Stephanie. Brooke’s fallen off the radar, but I’m really hoping she’ll come home for the holidays this year. Her mom’s been sick and well… Just listen to me rambling on. The girls and I still get together at least once a week for coffee and to catch up with each other. Wait until they hear you’re back!”
“Well, I don’t know that I would say I’m back. I had to come back and sign some papers for the bank, and then I’m headed out again.”
“What?! Well…I mean…you just got into town….we have to get the girls together and catch up before you disappear on us again. We all…”
Jenna waved a hand to stop Missy’s statement, “Really, I don’t know if I’ll have much time for anything else but taking care of the paperwork while I’m here.”
Missy looked crestfallen and then put on a bright smile, “Don’t you worry about that. I’ll arrange everything for this evening. Oh, let me get your breakfast.”
Jenna watched as Missy practically skipped back towards the kitchen window. What have I gotten myself into?
“Here you go,” Missy sat down a plate, handed Jenna a napkin wrapped bundle of silverware, and then pulled ketchup, hot sauce, and a bottle of green chili salsa from the apron around her waist. “Dad says ‘Hi’,” Missy told her, indicating the large smiling man leaning out the kitchen window and waving wildly in Jenna’s direction.
“Hey there, Jenna!” The big bear of a man with the full beard and the longer greying hair, pulled back into a ponytail was grinning at her broadly and Jenna found she couldn’t help but respond back in kind.
“Hey, Mr. Waldrop. How are you?” Jenna waved at him and offered him a sincere smile; her first since entering the boundaries of the town. It’s nice to know that some things haven’t changed around here.
“Good, Jenna. It’s good to see you back home. You let me know if you need anything while you’re here.” George emphasized his statement with a wave of the spatula in his hand.
“Thanks, I will.” Jenna watched him duck back inside the kitchen and then smiled at Missy, “Your dad was always my favorite.”
“Mine too! Now, you enjoy your breakfast and then come back here around 7 o’clock tonight. Dad promised to make up a tray of his special nachos for us and I’ll make sure the backroom is cleared out and ready to go. I’ll get ahold of the girls and make sure they all know what time to show up as well.”
“Missy, you really don’t have to go to so much trouble.” Jenna tried to be firm as she shook her head, but Missy was already on a roll and wouldn’t be deterred.
“Nonsense. The prodigal friend has finally returned. We’re going to celebrate and I warn you now, we’re all going to be trying our hardest to get you to change your mind.”
Prodigal friend? Celebrate? Really? Jenna kept those questions to herself, fixating on the end of Missy’s statement. “Change my mind? About what?”
“Staying in Cathedral Hills! Things have never been the same with you gone.” Missy looked like she had tears starting in her eyes, but then she carefully pulled herself back together and gave Jenna a tremulous smile. “I really missed you. Please come and see the girls. We all missed you so much…”
Jenna looked at the young woman she had once called a friend, her emotions all over the place. Everything Missy was saying was the exact opposite of what she had believed these last several years. She was so lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t respond to Missy.
Missy took her silence as agreement and gave her another brief hug, “Great! See you this evening.”
Jenna watched her saunter off to help other patrons. Stay in Cathedral Hills? No! That can’t happen. There are too many bad memories here and I’ve worked too hard to get myself all together. I’m going to take care of business this morning and then I’ll head back to Ridgway. Even if I have to walk to get out of this town before tonight!
* * *
Chapter 2
Trey Cottrell watched his mother leave his office with a shake of his head. His parents, Terrence and Mary Cottrell, were the town’s spiritual leaders. His father pastored the small non-denominational church, while his mother made sure that the women of the community, both young and old, were being taken care of.
Currently, she was seeking donations for the women’s auxiliary fund. This year they were determined to see that every struggling family received the help they needed. The list of services she wanted to provide was staggering, and she not only wanted financial support, she expected Trey to head up the manual labor side of things. She already had a list of several households that were in desperate need of maintenance around their homes before winter set in.
Mary had already started recruiting the men from the congregation and she expected Trey to help organize them into work parties this coming weekend. The list of needs was long and varied, but Trey wasn’t worried; the men of his father’s congregation were a very talented group of individuals who were very generous with their abilities and resources. I love living in a small town!
Chuckling, he returned to his desk and the stack of paperwork sitting on the corner. Fifteen minutes later, he was interrupted by his secretary Mrs. Withers as she announced he had a young lady wanting to speak to him.
“Send her in,” Trey told the woman over the intercom, wondering why she hadn’t been more forthcoming with information about his new visitor.
When he saw the young woman who entered his office, he knew why Mrs. Withers had withheld more information. Jenna Baxter, in living color! She looks good, but nervous. Why?
“Jenna, welcome,” Trey told her, seeing the shock upon her face as she entered his office and hesitantly walked forward.
“You know who I am?” she asked, gingerly walking towards his desk and trying to ignore the fact that the man standing behind a large mahogany desk was gorgeous!
“Yes. Do you not know who I am?” Trey asked, his ego suffering slightly that she hadn’t immediately recognized him. He’d only been the young man who saved her life so many years before and gotten her away from the abusive, drunken man her father had become after his wife died.
Jenna looked over the gorgeous man standing in front of her and tried to place him in her mind. He looked familiar, and she felt she should know who he was, but the memory eluded her. She glanced at the nameplate sitting on the front of his desk and then covered her mouth on a gasp. Trey Cottrell, Branch President! Wonderful! The president of the bank wanting to foreclose on her parent’s estate was Trey Cottrell? Great! Th
e sarcasm lacing her mental conversation was almost too much to contain.
First I ran into Missy, and now Trey! I guess it was too much to expect to come back to such a small town and not run into people from the past. Take a breath and do what you came here to do.
“Uhm…I…I didn’t realize you…,” Jenna broke off, overwhelmed with so many emotions she couldn’t find words to express what she was feeling at the moment. Gratitude. Fear. Thankfulness. Worry. Anger. So many emotions surged through her. She felt her knees give out as he hurried around the desk and took her elbow, keeping her from collapsing on his very plush carpeting. “I’m alright…”
“Sure you are. Come sit down.” Trey kept hold of her arm as he led her over to the large leather couch. “Sit down.”
He waited until she complied and then hurried to his office door, “Mrs. Withers, could you bring some coffee in?” Glancing back at the young woman sitting on his couch, he turned back and added, “And see if you can find some chocolate around here someplace.”
“Chocolate, sir?” Mrs. Withers asked with a raised brow. It was universally known around the bank that Trey hated the stuff, yet here he was asking for it. When he nodded anxiously, she nodded back, “Alright, I’m sure I can find some in the break room. Shall I bring it in?”
“Yes. The faster the better.”
“Mr. Cottrell, is everything all right?” the secretary asked, trying to see behind him and into the office.
Trey glanced back at the young woman who was looking more and more distraught and shook his head, “I really don’t know. Bring that coffee in, okay?”
Trey turned back into his office and slowly approached the couch; seating himself on the opposite end and watching Jenna try to hold herself together. A memory of another time when she’d been trying to hold herself together flew through his brain and instead of seeing a well put together young woman, he saw a battered teenage girl trying valiantly not to give in to the terror of her circumstances.
A New Start Page 6