“But you gave your two-week notice. Do you think they’ll take you back?”
“I think so. They haven’t hired anyone yet. I think I want to stay; I like it in town.” She had missed it when she was gone.
Now being back was like being home, which was odd since she had wanted nothing more than to get out before the accident. After she longed to go back. Even if she had planned to move once, she was nearly married, so it hadn’t seemed real since she and Jason had dated long-distance for a long time. There had been so many things going through her head before the wedding, she hadn’t even had time to dwell on actually leaving Landstad.
“I’ve learned to love it there. Just a fun little town. I like the other staff and the students. Now I’ve known them for most of their school careers and can’t see myself walking away.” He leaned back in his chair and looked at the traffic driving past the restaurant.
“Do you still like teaching? Or should I ask, do you still think about quitting?” His parents’ words had bothered her. Sam had been a great teacher, even if she hadn’t been a great student. To realize he almost stopped because of her hurt.
“I like it. I love teaching new kids every year that history is fun and exciting. It was only that one time I thought about quitting.”
“You never taught me history that was exciting,” she complained.
“You never listened to me,” he informed her, and he was right.
“You’re not wrong on that. I was an awful student,” she admitted with a laugh.
“You just weren’t challenged. Too smart for your own good.” He laughed with her.
As they ate, they chatted about some of the kids she graduated with that they both knew and what they were up to. She was surprised that he kept in touch with so many of them and others he had taught over the years. In that way, he reminded her of her own father and the large circle of friends he has always had.
After lunch, the drive was easy and short. Too short. After a few minutes, the road signs actually said Birch Cove on them—seeing the numbers decrease at an alarming rate made her antsy—and soon enough, they were pulling into Birch Cove, the home of her mother. Nerves prevented her from speaking as soon as they hit city limits. All she could do was stare out the window at the town her mother grew up in and now lived.
Sam took her hand.
Pulling up in front of the building, Sam parked the car. She looked up at the big house that held her mother’s law office and was amazed at the size of the place. It was in perfect shape for a building of that age, and the lawn and garden were also lovely.
Sam opened the door for her to get out and held out his hand to help her. Placing her hand in his, he pulled her to her feet and into a full hug. “Relax, Beckett,” he whispered in her ear.
Nodding, she pulled out of his embrace, and he shut her door. Hand in hand, they walked to the front door together—they must look like a couple in love. Natalie hoped that they didn’t look like a man with a petrified woman at his side because that was how she felt.
Sam opened the heavy front door to reveal a room full of people. Immediately, she could feel it was a workplace. At the reception desk sat a large muscular man who had a welcoming smile on his face. Without the smile, he would be intimidating. “Welcome to Hart Law Firm How can I help you?”
“We’re here for the bed-and-breakfast. The website said to stop in here,” Sam said to the man.
“Yes, we’ve been expecting you. I’ll call Max to show you over there. You can just take a seat.”
They sat on the bench along the wall and looked over the house. Natalie saw that the woodwork was in perfect condition and the hardwood floors sparkled. She also noticed that there was not a redhead in the room. A brunette and a blonde, but no redhead, like her mom. Had she really thought she would see her right away? That she would she see her at all?
She noticed a man walking down the stairway holding the hand of a little girl, about eight or nine. The little girl looked a bit like the father—their coloring was the same, but not the features. Did the little girl look like what Natalie used to look like? She couldn’t always remember without a picture to remind her.
“Hello, Casey said you were here. I’m Max Valentine, and this is my daughter, Molly,” he introduced them. “Did you have a good drive?”
“Yes, the drive was great. I’m Sam Sullivan, and this is my wife, Beckett.” Sam took over the conversation since Natalie was unable to speak.
“Nice to meet you. Beckett, that’s an unusual name.” Max looked at her closely.
“Her dad was a big English history buff, Thomas Beckett and all,” Sam explained, showing off his knowledge of history.
“That’s interesting. So, let’s head across the road, and I’ll show you around.” Max ushered them from the law office.
“This is a gorgeous office,” Sam commented as they descended the steps of the porch.
Natalie was following and trying to take everything in.
“It is,” Max agreed. “I know my wife misses working here. She made it into what it is now.”
“Where is she?” Sam asked, keeping up the conversation, oddly knowing exactly what she wanted to ask but couldn’t.