Restored By Faith: The Pattern of Piney Series Book Four, page 1
By Katharine E. Hamilton
ISBN-13: 979-8-9887083-3-9
Restored By Faith
The Pattern of Piney Series
Book Four
Copyright © 2024 by Katharine E. Hamilton
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereinafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of Katharine E. Hamilton.
www.katharinehamilton.com
Cover Design by Kerry Prater.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
What is family?
“It’s us. All of us together.”
H.W. Pfeil – 4 years old
All Titles
By Katharine E. Hamilton
The Brothers of Hastings Ranch Series
Graham
Calvin
Philip
Lawrence
Hayes
Clint
Seth
Hastings Family Christmas
The Siblings O’Rifcan Series
Claron
Riley
Layla
Chloe
Murphy
Sidna
The Lighthearted Collection
Chicago’s Best
Montgomery House
Beautiful Fury
Blind Date
McCarthy Road
Heart’s Love
The Unfading Lands Series
The Unfading Lands
Darkness Divided
Redemption Rising
The Pattern of Piney Series
Hooked By Love
Stitched By Memory
Brushed By Hope
Restored By Faith
A Love For All Seasons Series
Summer’s Catch
Autumn’s Fall
Mary & Bright: A Sweet Christmas Romance
Captain Cornfield and Diamondy the Bad Guy Series
Great Diamond Heist, Book One
The Dino Egg Disaster, Book Two
The Deep Dive, Book Three
The Mythical Catastrophe, Book Four
The Adventurous Life of Laura Bell
Susie At Your Service
Sissy and Kat
Table of Contents
«CHAPTER ONE»
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
EPILOGUE
«CHAPTER ONE»
“Ms. Betty, I assure you it’s just a basic wheel alignment. We’ll get you in and out in about an hour. Why don’t you head on over to Meredith’s and chat with the salon ladies for a bit, and I will come and get you when we are finished?” Clare Tate accepted the keys from the older woman’s hand and smiled.
“Now, will you be workin’ on it, or will Theodore?”
“It’s just me today. Theo isn’t here today.”
“Oh, well, Theodore has always been the one to take care of my car for me.” Her eyes flashed to her ancient sedan and hesitantly back to Clare.
“Well, he taught me everything he knows, Ms. Betty. I can handle it. And if it makes you feel reassured, I can have Mike take a look at it before it leaves the bay.”
“Oh, no… I trust you, Clare.” She gave an affirmative nod as though she was just making up her mind to do so. “It’s just… I’ve never had a woman work on my vehicle. This is rather exciting, isn’t it? Changing times.”
Clare bit back a laugh at the absurdity, but she only nodded and politely pointed to the salon across the street. “Sure. Go ahead and enjoy yourself, Ms. Betty, and I will see you in a bit.”
“Yes ma’am.” Betty waved over her shoulder as she walked up the sidewalk to the stoplight and waited patiently at the crosswalk until the pedestrian light changed.
“They’ll trust you soon enough.” Mike, mechanic and loyal employee, leaned against the open bay door of the auto mechanic shop that belonged to Theodore Whitley, Clare’s stepfather and quite easily one of her most favorite human beings in the world.
“Yeah, eventually.” Clare shrugged.
“If they saw you strip a vehicle down to its bones and piece it back together faster than a pit crew, they’d feel fully confident in your abilities.”
“It’s not like I can do that out in the middle of town, Mike.” Clare walked over to Ms. Betty’s car and pulled it into the bay, Mike waving her forward until she parked and stepped out. “It’s a wheel alignment, not rocket science,” Clare continued.
“Hey, to some people it is like rocket science. Your own momma couldn’t come in here and do it. Jamie Wright couldn’t come in here and do it. Don’t count it out just because it seems easy to you. It’s still a skill, and not everyone has it.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Besides, you have a mind for cars that I’ve never seen. The way you help Mr. Charlie with all those old trucks and the way you take care of yours is impressive.”
Clare eyed him curiously. “You’re being awfully complimentary today, Mike. You’re making me suspicious.”
He laughed; his face, weathered though it was by too much sun, relaxed into a handsome smile. “Just trying to encourage you, kid.”
“I’m not a kid,” Clare retorted.
“You were when you first started working here.”
“And that was seven years ago.”
“You’re still under the age of twenty-five, therefore you are a kid to me.”
“That’s good to know. I sure hope everyone else in town doesn’t feel that way. Otherwise, it won’t be just Ms. Betty who’s hesitant to drop off her car with me.”
“Meh, you have Theo’s backing, and mine, and Billy Lou’s, and Charlie’s. You’ve got all of us in your corner. People will learn that you’re the next generation to run this place.”
Pride swelled in Clare’s heart at the thought. She’d worked hard the last several years to earn her ASE certification, and with Theo’s support and allowing her to work in his garage, she had more than enough hands-on experience to boot. Mike helped, too. All of the men at the auto shop helped train her into an engine wizard. And with Charlie’s help working on his street rods and vintage vehicles, Clare could just about take any vehicle on or off the market and make it run smoothly, efficiently, and reliably. She hadn’t envisioned ever becoming a mechanic. In fact, she wasn’t quite sure how she imagined her life outside of high school until she and her mom, Reesa, had moved to the town of Piney, Arkansas, when she was fifteen. She was able to finish out her high school years in the town, fall in love with the people, and realize that she finally had a place to call home. She could have gone off to college. In fact, her grandparents offered to cover the cost for her, but after immersing herself in the realm of vehicles with Theo and Charlie, Clare fell in love with them— giant puzzles of machinery, all different pieces, makes, models, and all put together in precise ways to move humans along in their busy lives. She loved it, and she loved working with Theo.
Theodore Whitley had come into her and her mom’s life at the most unsuspected time, but once he did, there was no letting him go. Her mom fell in love with the man rather quickly, and Theo, despite not being the kind of man to talk about his feelings, fell just as hard. They married during Clare’s senior year of high school, and what was once just Reesa and Clare became the three of them. Well, four of them, if you counted Theo’s dog, Trooper, whom Clare sort of just adopted away from Theo as soon as she laid eyes on the dog. It was a mutual love, though, and Theo didn’t mind too much. It was fun to see Theo and her mom fall in love. Her mom was the best person Clare knew. Reesa Tate had fought hard for the life she had and to see someone embrace the wonderful woman she was, not to mention the fact she had Clare, was sweet to behold. There’d been plenty of men to run away from the single mom and little girl, but not Theo. Never once had he wavered. He was there for them from day one and had never left them since. And though their life had changed and shifted a bit over the last seven years, Clare loved that she was just a short walk through the woods away from her mom, an easy drive down the road to Billy Lou and Charlie’s place, or a walk across the street from the auto garage to Jamie’s coffee shop. She had family here. Not the typical family, but family nonetheless, and she loved her life in Piney. Thanks to Billy Lou, she lived in the cabin she and her mother had first moved into when they arrived. Her mom moving into Theo’s house once they married had allowed Clare to call the cabin her own, and though it didn’t change too much from what it had been when Reesa still lived there, Clare liked having the place to herself. She and Trooper had a quiet spot. She had her own garden, also thanks to Theo’s help, and a vibrant interior thanks to her mom’s crocheting talents. And her own. She was crafty with a hook and yarn as well, and though she loved doing it, it wasn’t what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She wanted to work on cars. And as Theo’s protégé, Clare hoped to one day run the garage in his stead. One day. Not any time soon. In the meantime, she loved working with her stepdad and learning from him.
She glanced up as Mike walked toward her with invoice paperwork for Ms. Betty. “You got her done?”
“All done.” Clare slipped the keys off a peg board and grabbed the papers. “I’ll go take it to her and be back.”
“We have two oil changes lined up. I’m under one; the blue Chevy out front is next when you get back.”
“Sure thing.” Clare hopped into Ms. Betty’s car and backed it slowly out of the bay and turned towards the salon up the street. The drive took less than a minute, and she hopped out and walked inside the salon. Piney’s finest were seated throughout, sharing the town gossip, news, or conspiracies. The ‘hen house’, as Theo called it, was packed full of women from the ages of 45 to 85, excepting Mrs. Rosemarie Clemmons, who sat as the queen bee of the brood at 93 years old, her white curls beneath the salon chair hood, her monthly perm in full formation.
Meredith, the hairdresser, glanced up. “Mornin’ Clare.”
“Hey, Meredith.”
“That ponytail is looking pretty long. Let me know if you need a trim soon.”
Clare forced a polite smile. “Sure thing.” She avoided any further comments about her hair and walked Ms. Betty her keys and invoice. “Here you are, Ms. Betty. She’s ready for ya outside.”
“Oh, well thank you, Clare. Let me get my checkbook.” She reached for her little red purse and unzipped the front pocket. She eyed the invoice and then began filling out her check. Her once graceful hand shook slightly on the upswing of her ‘B’, but Clare appreciated her paying without complaint as to the charges, and that she didn’t question every detail about the job. Most people did when they knew Clare worked on their vehicle. As if all the tests she took in school weren’t enough, she had to constantly defend her work. It was part of it. As Mike pointed out, they’d eventually trust her, it would just take time. She made a mental note to ask Theo how people first treated him when he opened the garage. He’d never once complained of hardship, but she knew he had to have had some. Every business owner does. Clare began her walk back down the sidewalk towards the garage, waving at an incoming Jason Wright across the street as he pulled into his wife’s coffee shop. Wind teasing her face, Clare sighed in contentment as she swept her gaze over Jamie’s Java and the rest of the little downtown. This was home.
῀
“Should have known it would rain,” he mumbled as he exited off the highway at the sign pointed to Piney. Teddy Graham was not nearly as excited about his trip to see his parents as they were. Not that he didn’t love them— he did. Not that he didn’t want to see them, he did. He just didn’t want to hear the same spiel from his dad about ‘moving back home,’ ‘learning the ropes,’ and his personal favorite, ‘continuing the family legacy.’ He wasn’t ready to do that. He enjoyed living in Fayetteville. Yes, he’d earned his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Arkansas in Forestry and Agriculture Business to eventually come home and work for his dad, but right now, he loved living in the college town. He had a semi-decent paying job working for the university, he was able to still hang out with his friends, some of whom hadn’t graduated yet, and he wasn’t ready to give up the laidback life he’d been able to achieve there. Or ‘lazy life,’ as his dad would call it. He sometimes threw around the word privileged as well, and that really grated Teddy’s nerves. He wasn’t privileged. He had worked for his degree. Did his parents pay for him to go to school? Sure. But he also didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. They were insistent that he went to school, so for him to be so privileged, they hadn’t really given him much of an option but to be. He slowed, pulling his car into a spot next to Jason Wright’s work truck that hadn’t changed since he left Piney after graduation. Neither had the front of Jamie’s Java Café. He glanced at himself in the mirror for a moment, smoothed a hand over his hair, and then climbed out of his car and made his way to the familiar door and bell that jingled as he stepped inside to the heavenly smells of coffee. If he was to face his dad and the continual torrent of questions and comments about his life in Fayetteville, then he wanted a strong coffee first. He waited patiently as Jason flirted with Jamie and accepted the coffee she slid across the counter to him. Though they were married now, the two still flirted as if they were playing the dating game. Jamie’s eyes bounced up to his and then she squealed in happiness as she danced her familiar jig.
“Teddy Graham— my favorite cookie! Come here!” She hurried around her counter and swept him into a big hug. He laughed as he accepted, her enthusiasm forever contagious. He noticed her hug held an extra pudge to her stomach area, and as she set him to rights, she gently rubbed a hand over her swollen belly before brushing a hand over his shoulder as if dusting him off. “My, my, my, look at you. You’re so handsome and polished. Jason, look at this kiddo.”
Jason toasted towards him with his coffee. “Good to see ya, Teddy.”
“Mr. Wright.” He nodded in return.
Jamie squealed again in excitement as she bustled back to her spot and began making him the coffee he always ordered from her. She hadn’t forgotten his choice— a double espresso with a dash of cream and cinnamon.
“What brings you to town, Teddy?” Jamie asked, glancing up as she slipped the zarf on his coffee cup.
“Just visiting the parentals.”
“Fun!” Jamie slid his cup towards him and waved away his wallet. “On the house. Haven’t seen you in a while. How long has it been since you’ve been back?”
“I briefly came for Christmas, but only for the day.”
Her eyes dimmed a little, but she didn’t say anything about his lack of enthusiasm at returning to Piney.
“Well, I hope you’re in town for a few days. I know Reesa and Billy Lou will want to see you.”
She didn’t mention Clare, and he wondered if she was even still in Piney. Unlike most people their age, Clare did not have social media. And other than hearing from his parents that she had studied to become a mechanic, he didn’t keep tabs on her. He’d pretty much driven that friendship into the ground their sophomore year of high school. One of his biggest regrets was how he’d treated Clare, which therefore made her one of the last people he wanted to bump into. “I’m here for about a week or so, helping my dad with the timber business.”
“Oh, I bet he is thrilled for that.” She beamed proudly at him. “He was so excited to share about your graduating last fall. He even put it in the paper.”
Teddy felt his cheeks warm with embarrassment before he took a sip of his drink.
“We’re all proud of you.” She lightly slapped him with her hand towel before she swiped it over her counter.
“Looks like congratulations are in order for you, too.” He nodded towards her belly and she beamed.
“This ol’ thing?” She turned sideways and it was then he noticed how far her stomach protruded. “Why, I can’t believe you even noticed.” She giggled as she rubbed a tender hand over her stomach again. “I’m afraid it’s the only thing noticeable these days.”
“Must be close to time.” Teddy took a sip of his drink, the heat slightly burning his tongue.
“Oh, I still have a couple of months. This baby is just big. I didn’t realize Jason was a nine pounder when he was born, must have been those long legs.” She winked at her husband. “So this boy is sure to have the same, I guess.”
“A boy?” Teddy asked.
“Yep.” She smiled.
“Is Jarin excited? You guys still have Jarin, right? What is he, eight now?”
“He’s ten. And yes, he’s still with us.” She smiled happily at the sound of her stepson’s name. “He’s loving school. And he’s set on marrying Billy Lou when he’s older.”
“Aren’t we all?” Teddy admitted, which had Jamie and Jason nodding in agreement and laughing.
“Can’t say I blame him. He’s got good taste.” Jamie nodded towards the chairs. “Hang out a while. It’s good to see you. I’ve got to whip up some muffins and I’ll bring one over to you when they’re done.”
He wasn’t about to turn down a fresh muffin from Jamie, so he affirmed his decision to stay a bit longer by finding a back table with a chair. He pulled out his phone and began surfing his social media, updating his status, and checking in his location at Jamie’s Java Café complete with a brief snapshot of her logo-covered coffee cup. That’s when he saw her. Coming up the sidewalk was Clare Tate, dressed in grease-covered overalls, her hair tied back into a high, bouncy, yet slightly sloppy ponytail, a grease towel in her back pocket, her long legs eating up the path before her. She was stunning. She’d always been pretty, but observing Clare now, the Clare that walked with purpose and confidence, Teddy couldn’t peel his eyes away even if he wanted to.
