I wasn’t expecting this conversation to go the way it had when he mentioned me stopping by during the Christmas Festival. I had been looking online for teaching jobs closer to home since the night Brittany and I broke up. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought it would lead me home.
“There are a few things I’ll need you to do before you can transfer roles and certifications here, but you have time. You enjoy the rest of your holiday here with your mom, and we’ll touch base again after your school year is up in Tennessee,” he said, shaking my hand again. “Merry Christmas, Caleb.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too.”
I couldn’t believe I was going to be Bill Palmer’s replacement as the Principal of Grace Valley School next year. It was a dream come true, and although I loved teaching Social Studies, I was excited for my new venture. I needed to tell my mom right away and walked directly from the school to her diner. I knew she was busy setting up for tomorrow morning’s opening since it was Christmas and the staff was off.
“Mom,” I called, racing through the front door.
“Caleb, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?” she asked, panic streaked across her face.
I took the silverware out of her hands and placed them on the table beside her. I held both of her hands in mine and the door opened behind us.
“Hey, hey, hey! Merry Christmas, Patterson familia!” Dooley’s voice rang through the diner. Did he do anything quietly?
“Hey there! Merry Christmas,” I said.
“Merry Christmas, boys,” my mom said, dropping my hands and motioning for Paul and Dooley to place the flowers by the bar. “Caleb was just about to tell me something.”
“I hope it’s good news,” Dooley said with a smile.
“I just had a meeting with Bill Palmer, and I’m gonna be the new Principal at the high school,” I blurted out. The speech I had intended on making was thrown out the window.
My mom’s jaw dropped and she jumped up and down like a kid. “You’re moving back?” she practically screamed.
“I’ll be back for good by the end of May, and I’ll start up at the school in September,” I told them.
“Congratulations!” Dooley and Paul said in unison, followed by laughter in unison, which then caused us all to laugh.
“Thanks, guys,” I said.
“What about your girl?” Dooley piped. Leave it to him to ask the question no one else wants to.
“Uh, we broke up at the festival. I’m surprised Mom didn’t fill you all in,” I said.
“Not my news to tell, Caleb,” she responded.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Son,” Paul said. “Sometimes things happen for a reason, though.”
“I know. I think I knew all along she wasn’t right for me, but it was seeing Leah again that solidified it for me. I knew we were over, and she was with that Josh guy, but it made me realize I didn’t feel the same way about Brittany as I had felt about Leah. It wasn’t fair to string her along,” I admitted.
“Honey, they’re just friends,” my mom said.
“You sure? Because they looked pretty serious at the festival, and I saw them kiss with my own eyes,” I countered.
“Trust me,” Dooley chimed in. “They’re over.”
“Caleb? Are you still in love with Leah?” Paul asked me.
“Yes, sir, I am.”
“Well, then you better go get her because her train’s about to leave,” he said.
I ran as fast as I could to the train station, but the doors of the train closed as soon as I got there. I ran my hands through my hair as the train started pulling away, and I saw her sit down in her seat. Just like that, she was gone.
I had lost her again.
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Acknowledgments
First and foremost, thank you to everyone who is reading this right now. Your support throughout this journey, and what’s to come, is incredible. It means more to me than I can ever put into words.
Dave. My ridiculously supportive husband who worked full-time remotely and still took care of our babies so that I could have blocks of time to write this book. You are my best friend, and I couldn’t do any of this without you. I love you.
Sabrina and Alexandria. My babies. My little muses. My favorite girls. This book is for you. You’ve taught me that I can do anything. Being your mommy lights up my world and my heart. I hope that I can make you both proud. I love you the most.
Mom and Dad. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough. Through all of the ups and downs, you have supported me, loved me and guided me. You’ve seen my path and the direction I needed to take long before I ever did. The proof is definitely in the pudding and I hope you like it! I love you.
Jenna. You’re my favorite sister. No matter how far our life journey takes us, we will always be there for one another. I love you
Nacolle. I don’t know where to start. My writing partner in crime. My late-night freak out texting companion. You want me to succeed more than anything and I’m not sure I deserve your friendship. But I will cherish it forever.
Sarah Sego. You are the single most positive person I know, and I owe so much of this to you. You’re next!
Melanie Cherniak. AKA Elsa Kurt. Thank you for answering every single one of my questions and then some. You believed in me from the very first word I typed, and I can’t wait for you to see the finished product!
Amanda Cuff. The world’s most amazing editor and proofreader! I am so glad that God brought you into my life! You have become such a wonderful friend and I can’t imagine this book life without you in it.
Ashley Munoz. Book formatter extraordinaire. You jumped into this project without any hesitation and I am forever grateful to you.
Matt. Thank you for the memories and for being a part of this. I wonder if that bench is still at our high school. Hopefully you will make an appearance in book two. I promise to get you some bagpipes for that one!
Rebecca Donovan. Thank you so much for your amazing writer’s seminar where I learned so much about where I needed this book to go. Your patience and understanding is unparalleled and I can’t wait to work with you again!
And last but certainly not least, The Hallmark Channel. Seriously, I wouldn’t have written this book if I wasn’t so head over heels in love with every single movie you’ve ever made. Feel free to turn this book into another one of your movies!
And to anyone I missed, thank you for everything! Writing this book has been nothing short of amazing and I owe it to each and every one of you.
About the Author
Bethany is an author, wife and mother to two little girls. When she isn’t writing or spending time with her family, you can find her whipping up something in the kitchen, enjoying a hot cup of coffee, or with her nose stuck in a book.
Find her on her website at
www.bethanysurreira.com
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