It's a Fabulous Life, page 2
“Two more days,” she murmured to herself. Two days from now, she’d be on a bus heading down to Manhattan. A place where she could blend in and just be. Hell, she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone if she didn’t want to. A rare chance for anonymity.
She guided Lulu toward the shortcut behind Town Hall and the library. No more people-ing until they got to the park.
They cut through the newest subdivision in Lanford Falls. Giant blow-up snowmen and Santas waved in the chilly breeze in a couple of the front yards. This was such a festive area. One of the best civic projects she’d been involved in. Helping lower-income families achieve their dreams of home ownership had been so rewarding. Being roped into heading up the project was worth it every time she handed the keys to an excited family.
They genuinely wanted to live in Lanford Falls. A place with festivals and events all year ’round. Neighbors who would snow-blow your driveway just to be nice. Established artist colonies and a laid-back spirit. Over the years, more than one homebuyer had told her they’d felt welcomed the moment they set foot here. If a person didn’t mind giving up the amenities of a larger city, it was a very attractive option.
Lulu made a pathetic mewl that should never come out of a dog. She strained against the leash when she spotted the tall fence surrounding James George Park. Bailey jogged with her to the entrance, taking care not to spill her precious coffee.
She could barely unclip Lulu’s leash, she was dancing so hard. The second it was off, Lulu dashed to greet a familiar pack of canine pals. Bailey closed the gate and sighed. Now her monster would burn off some energy so she’d sleep on her dog bed at the office.
She shared a hello with a couple of fellow dog owners. Most people stood in groups and talked the whole time, but Bailey liked to watch the dogs. Lulu play-wrestled with a bouncy chocolate Lab. Ooh, her coat was gonna get nasty. Better take it off the next time she ran by.
The cold air prickled her lungs. She sipped her rapidly cooling coffee before setting it on a nearby picnic table. In a month, she’d start her annual online search for what it would take to get her real estate license in states that weren’t frozen for large chunks of the year. The ground inside the dog park was hard, and what little grass had been able to grow there had shriveled up weeks ago.
A big white boxer type of dog with tan spots galloped over to Lulu. She froze. The big dog froze. Then their butts wiggled in excitement. The big dog’s thin tail whipped. She bounded to the side, and Lulu followed.
They chased each other in circles, hopping and bopping and leaping. This was a new park pal. Maybe the couple who’d recently lost their sweet old pit bull had adopted a new furry friend.
Lulu raced over, grinning up at Bailey like Mommy! Mommy! I made a new friend! The unfamiliar dog came up to Bailey and sniffed her. “Hi, buddy,” she said.
The dog jumped and gave her a full body hug. Bailey grunted and tried to untangle the dog’s long legs from around her. It was more like prying off a friendly anaconda.
“Rosie, no!” someone called. “Get down! Bad Rosie!”
A petite woman with shoulder-length blonde hair under a cream-colored cap came running over. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “Rosie has the worst manners. We’ve been working on them, but …”
She snagged her dog’s pink collar. Gave Bailey an apologetic smile. Then she squinted. “Bailey?”
That adorable upturned nose. Those big brown eyes and creamy, ivory skin. “Maria?”
“Yeah. Hi.” A bright smile lit up her face.
Maria Hatcher.
Bailey’s heart whacked against her ribs. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I just moved back to town.” Maria released her dog so Rosie and Lulu could scamper off. Her mid-length green coat flapped in the breeze.
“I didn’t know you were moving back.” In Lanford Falls, people would have talked.
“I wasn’t planning on it happening so soon,” Maria said. “It all came about kind of fast. The perfect job opened up at the right time.”
“You moved back for a job,” Bailey said, nodding. That made sense.
“I did. I’m the new executive director at the library.”
Right. Maria had been at a library somewhere in New Hampshire since college. Not that Bailey had been keeping tabs on her or anything. “Good for you,” she said, then wanted to cringe.
Good for you? Really?
“I’m excited.” Maria’s big smile made her nose scrunch at the top. Which made Bailey’s heart thump even harder. “Okay, I’m thrilled. It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to work at the place that sparked my love of books.”
“That’s great. Getting to do your dream job.” Some people were lucky enough to have that opportunity.
“It is.”
“How’s Dan?” Bailey asked. “I haven’t talked to him in a while.”
Maria laughed. “You know my brother. Just as ridiculous as ever.”
“Tell him I say hi.”
“I will.”
Danny Hatcher had been one of Bailey’s high school besties, but that wasn’t the cause of her cardiac palpitations. It was other memories. Secret, private memories.
Maria squinted again, like she was trying to peer inside Bailey’s mind. “How’s the housing market? Are things going well?”
“I guess,” Bailey said. “You should’ve reached out before you moved. I could’ve helped you find a place.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Maria waved a mittened hand. “I’m renting a small house over on Sycamore.”
Bailey did a mental drive down Sycamore Street. What house was available for rent? “Not the old Grant house, at 320.”
“That’s the one.”
She tried not to wince. “That place is awful. I happen to know they’re renting it out because they don’t want to invest the money it would take to sell it.”
“It’s in perfectly good shape,” Maria said. “And I’ve always loved that house. It’s a cozy little cottage.”
It was a dump, but a fresh coat of paint could make most places look livable. “When you’re in the market for something more permanent, let me know. I’d be happy to show you a house that doesn’t look like it was built by hobbits.”
A peal of laughter rolled out of her throat. “You’re so funny. I almost forgot how hilarious you are.”
There was a time she’d thought Maria was funny. And sweet, and cute.
Something like a wistful pang resonated in Bailey’s stomach. That was before prom.
She glanced at Maria through her lashes. She was really beautiful now. Like a joyful Christmas elf, but without the pointy ears. Though maybe under her hat … Maybe that was why she liked that tiny hobbit hut.
Bailey checked on their dogs, still romping around the park with carefree abandon. “I’m sure your family’s glad to have you back.”
“My parents are ecstatic. I finally get to put down permanent roots here, with Rosie.” Maria smiled up at her, that bright, pretty smile. “It’s just me and Rosie.”
“That’s good,” Bailey said with a half smirk. “That house can’t fit more than one adult at a time.”
Maria laughed again, like the tinkling of bells. “Oh my gosh, stop! I love my little house.”
Their dogs ran close enough for Bailey to snag Lulu’s dust-and-drool-covered coat and pull it off. Rosie jumped to give her human a big, sloppy kiss.
“Yuck,” Maria moaned. “Your training is still packed in a box, I swear.”
“How old is she?” Bailey asked as the chocolate Lab came over to join the fun.
“She’s six, if you can believe it. I adopted her a few months ago. We’re still working on listening and not jumping.”
“She’s cute.”
“How old is … What’s your dog’s name?”
“Lulu,” Bailey said. “She’s a spunky eight years old. I’ve had her since she was maybe a year old.”
“Aww, that’s so great. I remember you always had rescue dogs when we were young.”
“My mom’s wild about dogs. She likes having granddogs now. Less work.”
“Granddogs!” Maria laughed and touched Bailey’s arm with her mittened hand. “My mom refuses to call Rosie her grand-anything. She thinks it’s strange.”
That checked out. Mrs. Hatcher was nice, but kind of a stick in the mud. “Maybe she’ll change her tune when she spends more time with Rosie,” Bailey said, though that was doubtful.
“Rosie forces her love on people,” Maria said. “She needs to behave better for my mom to love her the way I do.”
Bailey nodded and checked her phone for the time. She had to get to the office soon. Tie up loose ends before leaving town.
“Ooh, what time is it?” Maria asked.
“A quarter to nine.”
“I should get going. I have my first meeting with the library staff at ten.”
“Be sure to wash that doggie drool off.” Bailey mimed scrubbing her cheek.
“Oh no.” Maria’s big eyes rounded even larger. She tugged a mitten off and touched several spots on her cheek. “Do I have dirt on my face?”
“No. Sorry. I was kidding.”
Her concern melted into relief. “You.” She playfully slapped Bailey with the mitten. “I had a vision of walking into my new job with a dried strip of slime on my cheek.”
“You look fine,” Bailey assured her. “Very professional.”
“Why, thank you,” Maria said, and gave a quick curtsy.
She looked better than fine. Her excitement at starting her dream job radiated off her. She might’ve even been blushing, but it was probably windburn.
Maria called for Rosie. Then whistled and called the dog’s name again. Lulu trotted over, so Rosie followed. “My embarrassing monster,” Maria muttered.
“I call Lulu my little monster,” Bailey said.
“Lulu is an angel.” Maria bent down and made kissy-face with Lulu. “Yes, you are. Will you please teach Rosie some manners?”
Rosie buried her head in Maria’s coat, almost knocking her over. Bailey reached to steady her. Maria grasped her hands. She used Bailey’s leverage to pull herself up. Her bulky mittens flopped inside Bailey’s thin gloves.
“Thanks,” Maria said.
“No problem.”
“I’m so glad we ran into you.” She tilted her head. “Do you come here a lot?”
“We’re here most mornings.”
Her smile caused another pitter-patter in Bailey’s chest. “Then we’ll see each other a lot. Which is a good thing. Our dogs really seem to like each other.”
Lulu and Rosie plopped onto the ground, tongues lolling out of their mouths. “Lulu loves making new friends,” Bailey said.
“I noticed the park is named after your dad. That’s so nice.”
“It’s something he would’ve wanted for this town.” And her most favorite Beautification Committee project.
“It’s so much nicer than that old abandoned farm that was here forever.”
“Much better use of the land,” Bailey agreed.
“I’m not sure if we’ll make it tomorrow, but Wednesday? Maybe we could—”
“I’m going on vacation Wednesday.”
“Oh.” Maria’s sandy blonde eyebrows met in the middle. “When you get back, then? Though won’t you be busy with Winter Wonderfest?”
Joy pulled Bailey’s mouth into a wide grin. “Not this year. I’m not in charge.”
“But you’ll still be there, right?”
“Nope. I’m going to explore New York. Midtown, the Village, SoHo …” She gave a little shrug. “The festival will be the same as it always is.”
“Wow, I can’t believe …” Maria lightly shook her head. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
“I’m planning on it,” Bailey said.
“I’m so glad to be here for it this year. Winter Wonderfest is my favorite event. I came back to as many as I could over the years.”
She nodded in recognition. They’d run into each other a few times at past Wonderfests. But Bailey had been too busy. Always too busy to enjoy it.
“I have such fond memories from it,” Maria said. “A lot of really great memories.”
Her dark eyes sparkled with one in particular. The same one running through Bailey’s mind.
Their kiss at Mistletoe Grove.
Rosie sneezed loudly on Bailey’s boot and broke the mood. “You are a monster,” she laughed.
“Mommy’s little embarrassment,” Maria said. Then she smiled up at Bailey. “It really was nice seeing you. And meeting Lulu. I hope to run into you before you go out of town.”
“I’m sure you will.” Bailey gestured toward Main Street. “It’s Lanford Falls.”
Maria tilted her head again. “The library is practically across the street from your office …”
Not quite, but Bailey nodded again. “Stop in if you want to talk about better housing options.”
“Maybe I’ll come by to say hi to Lulu.” A teasing glint lit those hot chocolate brown eyes.
“That’s fine too.”
“Or maybe I’ll try to convince you to come back early from vacation. I heard the band playing the Winter Wonderfest concert is really good.”
“They are. I hired them,” Bailey said. “It was the last thing I did before turning things over.”
“Then I’m sure you—”
“I’m sure you don’t want to be late on your first day.”
“No.” Maria’s expressive face scrunched into … Frustration? Disappointment? She cleared her throat, then attached Rosie’s pink leash to its matching collar. “If I don’t get the chance to tell you before you leave, have a great time in the city.”
“Thanks,” Bailey said.
“See you when you get back?”
“Yeah. Sure.” Bailey waved as Maria tugged Rosie toward the exit. Lulu walked with them until two golden retrievers ran past. She abandoned her new friend in favor of the unleashed ones running free.
Bailey headed for the picnic table. A strong compulsion to turn pulled at her. She snuck a glance at Maria and couldn’t help smiling at the way she talked to Rosie like a mom explaining to her human kid playtime was over. Rosie hung on every word.
Maria Hatcher. She’d been an unexpected surprise on a wintry Monday morning. Seeing her again would be …
What would it be? Bailey rubbed at some tightness in her chest. There was history with Maria Hatcher she didn’t particularly want to revisit.
Plus, as much as this new job seemed like a great opportunity, Maria had been able to get out. Had made a life for herself someplace else. Why would anyone who voluntarily left Lanford Falls want to move back? They’d seen all the other possibilities out there.
Bailey sipped her now cold coffee. She’d see Maria again at the dog park. Around town. After Christmas, because she had more important things to do.
She was getting out.
CHAPTER TWO
That night, the multicolored lights on the Christmas tree bathed the living room of Bailey’s childhood home in a warm glow. She crossed her arms over her tailored royal blue blouse and admired her mother’s handiwork. Every decoration was perfectly placed, from the large burgundy bows fluttering down the windows to the evenly spaced stockings on the fireplace mantel. Even the snow falling gently outside seemed to be carefully coordinated.
“Mom, you outdid yourself this year,” she called.
From the kitchen, Mom said, “I took the time to do the tree lights the right way. It makes such a difference versus when I just throw them on.”
“I can see where Hannah got her penchant for interior design.”
As if on cue, her little sister came in with an after-dinner mug of tea. Hannah pretended to study the mantel. The red-and-white pattern on her mug almost matched the one on her thick cotton sweater. Hannah loved it when things matched.
“I would’ve put Lulu’s stocking in the middle,” she said. “But other than that, it’s exactly what I would have done.”
“Lulu’s already the center of attention,” Bailey said. “And wouldn’t your dogs be offended?”
“Nothing offends them.” Hannah laughed to herself. Her husband Reuben was at home in Syracuse with their two elderly Lab mixes. The three of them were probably enjoying a long winter’s nap on the couch.
Their mother joined them with her own mug of tea. She and Hannah looked so much alike: light brown hair, light brown eyes, a dimple peeking out of one cheek.
Bailey pushed her heavy dark hair behind her shoulders. Gazed at an old homemade paper ornament with a photo of her and Dad at Winter Wonderfest. She was Jim George’s kid, all right. In looks, in dry sense of humor, in career, in everything.
“Boy, am I pooped,” Mom said, sinking onto the couch. “Talk about power Christmas shopping.”
Hannah joined her with a groan. “We kept the Lanford Falls economy booming today.”
Lulu trotted out of the kitchen and plopped at her feet. She loved her Auntie Hannah and the steady supply of treats she usually had in her pockets.
“Thanks for making dinner,” Bailey said to her mother. “You didn’t have to.”
“It’s not often I have both my girls at home,” Mom said with a smile. “And you should have a home-cooked meal before you go off and eat out for a week.”
“It’s not a full week,” Bailey reminded her yet again. “I’ll be back nice and early on Christmas Eve to help you prepare a magnificent feast.”
Hannah shot her a wicked grin. “If you’re helping, the feast will not be magnificent.”
“Ha ha.” Bailey wandered over to one of the comfortable armchairs.
“I’m still in shock you’re deliberately missing the Wonderfest. But I get it. If you were here, someone would rope you into helping out.”
“Exactly.” Bailey pointed at her sister. “This is the only way to send the message loud and clear. It’s not my responsibility anymore.”
Mom cupped her mug in both hands. “You really did put in your time. Though without you, who knows what would’ve happened with the festival. If you hadn’t stepped up …”
“Someone else would have done it,” Hannah said.
