As soon as I’m in my car and my Bluetooth connects, I ask the AI to text Brett Larsen and wait for her to tell me to start speaking.
I’m so sorry, Brett. I’ve been with a client all morning. Can we reschedule?
The text sends as I speed down the road and as luck would have it, traffic is stopped. I don’t remember seeing any construction signs along the road when I came through so I can only assume the cowboys from the nearby ranch are moving their cattle. If I’ve caught the tail end of it, I honestly won’t mind. That means I’ll get to stare longingly at men on horseback, watching them wrangle the steer. If they just started though, I could be here for a bit.
Luckily, I have cell service and Brett texts me back. He tells me he’s tied up for the rest of the afternoon and suggests dinner. I look at my calendar and see that I have a PTA meeting tonight and a few showings the next couple of nights. I tell Brett that I’m not free and suggest lunch tomorrow. I don’t want to put this off any longer.
Busy until Friday. Dinner work?
Perfect. I think it would be great for Matty and Chase to spend some time together.
No children. Adults only.
Should I touch base with Annie?
No need. She has a book club thing that night.
Oh, book club. Maybe I should talk to her about joining. It would be nice to sit around with other women, discussing the merits of literature while drinking wine. Of course, I’m not up to date on the latest trends when it comes to reading. I still prefer a paperback over an eBook and will listen to audiobooks while I’m driving, but most of those are self-help narrations. How to Be a Better Parent. Single Parents Unite. Parenting with an Absent Partner. Come to think of it, maybe I should listen to a romance book or two because these parenting books aren’t helping at all.
Oh, okay. Where and what time?
Maria’s. Eight o’clock. I’ll make the reservation.
After the AI reads his reply, I grab my phone and look at the screen. Surely, I heard her wrong because why would he want to meet at the nicest, most expensive restaurant in town? Maybe the other coaches will be there. That would be ideal; then they could give me a list of Chase’s weaknesses and what I can do to help him.
See you there!
I feel good about this meeting and I’m confident that Chase will be on the right path to make the little league team. It doesn’t even have to be Brett’s team, although according to Chase that’s the best one. Any team would do for now. He needs the playing experience and the consistent practice. Before traffic starts moving again, I send a text to my mom, asking her if she can watch Chase for a bit. With dinner, the meeting shouldn’t take longer than an hour and a half, two, tops. We can talk before and while we’re eating to save time.
By the time I make it back to town, I’m starving, in need of coffee and know I should stop by my office to at least make an appearance. We’re not required to be there every day as we work solely off commission, but it’s nice to touch base with the in-office staff.
The bell on the door chimes as I push it open. My best work friend and office manager for the real estate company, Karter Watson, smiles when she sees me and comes around the oval shaped desk. She’s normally in her office so I’m surprised and elated to see her.
“Lunch, let’s go,” she says as she grabs my arm and takes me back outside. We walk a few doors down and enter Betty’s Bakery. Growing up here, Betty’s only served breakfast. About five years ago, her daughter took over and expanded to lunch, which has paid off in dividends for their business. They’re always busy and sometimes have a line out the door, especially when they start making and serving their pumpkin donuts.
“Why so eager?” I adjust my briefcase and purse as people push by to check in with the hostess or leave.
“Owen has been up my ass all morning,” she mutters under her breath.
“Why are you whispering?”
She looks around and before she can answer the hostess calls out her name. “Did you have a reservation?” I ask her.
“Yes, I was eating here no matter what after the shit show this morning.”
The hostess shows us to our table, sets the menus down and leaves us. I lean forward. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Phoebe had an affair. Owen found out last night.”
“What?” Phoebe and Owen were high school sweethearts, like most married couples in town. Affairs aren’t unheard of here, just not very common.
Karter nods. “Owen came storming in this morning, slamming things around, and you know how I feel about that stuff. So, I go in there, ask him what his problem is, and he looks at me. Bell, his eyes were menacing. I’ve never seen him look so angry before. He tells me that he caught Phoebe in action with Eddie Peterson.”
I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand. “No!” Eddie and Owen have been best friends since elementary school and inseparable.
“Yeah, can you believe that?”
“No, I can’t. Eddie? Really?”