Our Last Chance (Heart of Hope 1)

I stood up and went to the window looking out over the pine woods behind the administration offices. I couldn’t deny that Goldrush Lake was beautiful and serene, but I was conflicted about returning home.

I’d wanted to work for a large prestigious law firm in a big city ever since my mom took me to New York on my eighteenth birthday. I loved the vibe of the city. It’s fast pace. The diversity of everything from the people, the food, the cult

ural events, the history … everything.

From the minute I entered college and then law school, my plan had been to move to a big city. The only time I’d considered veering off the plan was when I was dating Nick and he encouraged me to return home with him. At the time we were a secret to our family, but he was adamant that everyone would support us. The romantic part of me wanted to believe in the fairy tale he was describing in which we’d come home, him to practice medicine and me law, while living together in a little cabin nestled in the woods.

Ultimately, I decided I couldn’t plan my life around a man, and so I’d accepted a job in Los Angeles, and Nick and I parted ways. To this day, my heart broke every time I thought of the night we broke up. Neither of us wanted to end things, and yet, we didn’t want to be together enough to change our career goals.

Now, after four years, I was back home. I hadn’t been here since my mother died eighteen months ago. I’d seen Nick then, but hadn’t talked to him. My brother Eli made sure Nick was kept away from all the events surrounding my mother’s memorial. When I left again, I didn’t think I’d return except at holidays if I could afford the time away.

Now I was home after Eli told me our father’s Parkinson’s disease was getting worse and he needed more help. I didn’t mind coming home for my father, but I wasn’t ready for such a drastic change in my lifestyle. As lovely as Goldrush Lake was, it was slow living. Yes, we had a few ethnic restaurants. Sure, there were events, such as live bands in the park during the summer or in the bars all-year. And there were tons of outdoor activities from skiing in the winter, to hiking and water sports in the summer. But our only museum showed only local history and art. There was no going to the beach in winter like I could in southern California, unless I wanted to freeze.

There was a knock on my door.

“Come in.”

Peggy Shoals poked her head in. “Hey, I heard you were back.”

I went to her and gave her a hug. Peggy had been a friend of my mother’s and a huge help when she’d died. In some ways, she was like a surrogate mother.

“Yes. For a while, anyway.”

“You can take the girl from the city, but not the city from the girl?” she said.

“Something like that.” I motioned for her to sit in one of the two chairs in front of my desk. I sat in the other.

“Maybe we can head to Reno sometime. It’s not L.A., but it has shopping, shows, and gambling.”

I laughed. Reno was in the next state, Nevada, but it was the closest big city to our little California mountain town. “That would be fun.”

“So how are you settling in?”

“Today’s just my first day,” I said.

“Not just here but at home?”

“Fine. It’s hard to see Dad looking frailer. He’s been rallying since Mom died, but I think he misses her.”

Peggy reached out and patted my hand. “They were a lovely couple. So tragic what happened to her, and a reminder to seize the day.”

I nodded. The only problem with living life to the fullest was that sometimes you had to make choices out of duty or obligation. Not that I saw my dad as a duty alone. I loved him and I wanted to be here for him. But I wouldn’t say I was living my best life right now.

“How’s Eli?” she asked. “Every time I see him, he seems a little stressed out.”

“He is. That’s why I’m here to help.”

“Have you caught up with all your old friends who unlike you, didn’t escape small town living?”

“No. I got into town yesterday. I haven’t even unpacked the condo I’ve rented.” I’d found the rental online, called the rental office and completed my transaction by phone. Yesterday I showed up with my small moving truck and moved my few pieces of furniture in along with my clothes. I didn’t have a big space in L.A., so I didn’t have a lot of stuff to move.

“Do you need help? I can come by after my shift tonight.”

“I don’t have much stuff, actually.”

“Have you seen Nick?”

My heart jumped in my chest at his name, which didn’t make sense. It must have been memory yarn in my nerves. “Briefly.”