10. Everly

Chapter 10

Everly

I slide a pan of pumpkin bread into the oven and turn on my favorite show to binge-watch, Gilmore Girls . I light the new apple cider and nutmeg candle that I saved from my birthday, glancing over when I hear a soft knock on the front door. I see Hayley bending down to pick something up from my front porch.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” I ask as I open and hold the door for her. She comes in carrying a bottle of tequila, a takeout box of something, and an envelope.

“Oh, much better.” She waves it off as if it was nothing that she called me in a pinch, begging me to fill in for her baking when she had a touch of the flu. The made-up flu, I think to myself.

“Thanks for filling in for me. I had to stop by to see what the soup of the day is and see if you have any extra.” She grins as she sets the items on my kitchen table.

“Of course, I always make extra. What’s all this?” I ask as I open the box and find it full of warm chicken nuggets.

“I don’t know. It was all on your porch,” she says as she kicks off her boots. “I thought you ordered something.”

I open the envelope and find a gift card to Cozy Creek Coffee House for an amount that makes my eyes widen as I mentally calculate all of the coffee I can buy with it. A note is included.

Everly,

I can’t provide all 827 chicken nuggets, a hug, or a nap. But here’s the rest. Enjoy!

Reed

I tuck the note in my back pocket before Hayley sees it. I’m not ready to answer questions about Reed quite yet. I haven’t figured out our friendship, but he is becoming a close friend, and I like chatting with him. I’m touched that he took the time to deliver these gifts. He paid attention to me and made me feel listened to and taken care of, two things I lack in life.

“It’s a gift card for coffee, a large box of chicken nuggets, and a bottle of tequila.” I pick up the bottle and turn it to show her. I haven’t drank tequila in years. I’m mostly a coffee and tea type of girl. But it excites me to have a secret friend to talk to and share day-to-day things.

“That’s top shelf. Good stuff,” Hayley muses. “Who gave you all this? ”

I shrug, trying to play it off.

“It’s so random,” she says, turning on the kettle to make herself tea.

I’ve been enjoying our secret friendship. I kind of don’t want to ruin what we have going on. It’s been fun, and I look forward to our emails. I found myself sad a few times when there wasn’t a return email.

“A very random assortment of gifts,” she says as she reaches into the box and takes a bite of a chicken nugget, covering her mouth as she chews. “They’re still warm, and they’re good.”

I reach in for one and take a bite. “These are good.”

“I’m not sure how you get signed up for random gift delivery, but I’d like to be added to the list for that service,” Hayley teases as she pulls out a chair and sits.

“It is nice,” I agree. “And today I have beef and barley soup. I have Italian meatball left, too.” I offer, trying to change the subject.

“I’ll take whatever. It all sounds so delicious. So I talked to Nash and got the green light on speed dating. I have it set up for Saturdays when we do karaoke. It’s going to be fun.”

“It’ll be good for the pub, but I wouldn't call that fun,” I decree as I stir the soup.

“You’re coming, right?” she asks as she cuts off the end of a loaf of bread, spreads butter on it, and looks up at me.

“Um, no, that sounds terrible, Hayley. I thought you were joking about me participating.” I wrinkle my nose and look at her like she’s nuts .

She pleads with me with her puppy eyes. “Noooooo, you need this as much as I do. I told you we’re not going to find nice guys delivered by DoorDash,” she reminds me, her voice laced with humor. “But apparently, you’re getting all kinds of random things delivered, so I mean, who knows at this point? Maybe as a society, we’re evolving to that level.”

“I definitely do not need to find a guy. I’m all set. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt,” I say as I pull down three bowls. “And that T-shirt can go in the trash,” I mutter.

“Hey, Willow tree, can I have a hug?” Hayley leans over and calls down the hall. “Also, your mom has chicken nuggets!”

“Hi,” Willow calls as she emerges carrying a toy horse whose mane she’s been trying to braid. I melt when I see she’s made homemade paper horseshoes and taped them to the horse’s feet. She wraps her arms around Hayley, laying her head on her chest.

“I love your kid,” Hayley mouths to me as she squeezes Willow back.

And my heart melts seeing them together. A pang also hits my heart, as we lost so many years of being away and not having Hayley and her parents in our lives when we lived in the city. And Nash. But I’m not going there right now. I’m still confused about our interaction the other day. It left me feeling like I’m second-guessing everything as far as Nash is concerned.

“I like your horse. You still going to do lessons out at the ranch with Pops?” Hayley asks her.

“Yes!” Willow exclaims as she looks over at me to confirm.

I smile and nod. “We need to talk to him and set it up. ”

“Nash is also good with lessons too, you know. And look, you can do horseshoes, too? No way! Nash would love this.” She smiles as she pulls out her phone, snaps a picture of her toy, and sends it to him.

I try not to feel jealous that she gets to casually text Nash whenever she wants. I wonder what he’d even say if I texted him. I don’t even have his number anymore. I picture Nash giving Willow lessons, and my heart can’t even take the vision of those two together. I wonder what he thinks of her paper horseshoes.

Willow grabs a chicken nugget and heads back to her room, happy to hear that the horse lessons are still a thing, regardless of who is giving them. I smile because I love seeing her happy and relaxed here. I look around at our home, and I’m proud of the life we’ve created. It’s peaceful, cozy, and it’s ours.

Hayley leans back in her chair and pleads, “Please do the speed dating with me. It’ll be fun.”

“It does not sound fun.” I pull out a chair and sit across from her, putting my chin on my hands as I stare at her.

“Okay, then at least consider doing it once with me and give me feedback on the experience to improve it for the next round.”

I guess that wouldn’t hurt. It does mean going there when Nash is possibly around. After that moment in the kitchen the other day, I was a mess. I mixed up the wrong batter for pumpkin bread, and I couldn’t get my head on straight after he touched me. I loved it when he held my arms. I’ve thought about it ever since. I rub my arms absentmindedly, where his touch felt like a surge through me that left me feeling short-circuited. But no way am I telling her this about her brother.

“I guess I could help you once. I’ll have to check with Anne Marie about watching Willow.”

“Mom would do it, too. She’d love having Willow out for a sleepover,” Hayley said, taking another chicken nugget.

“I don’t have a vehicle anymore,” I reminded her. “Anne Marie is just around the block.”

Hayley takes a deep breath and lets it out. “Asshole,” she mouths, referring to Richie taking the car back.

“So what’s the plan?” I give her a reluctant side-eye. She knows I’m going to support her, but I’m not excited about it.

“I’m so glad you asked,” she says, swinging her legs in and leaning toward me excitedly.

“This Saturday, along with the speed dating, we’re having a 2000s throwback theme night. We’ll have great music, good appetizers, dancing, and of course, karaoke. It’s going to be so much fun.”

I smile because she’s so enthusiastic, and I will admit that it maybe sounds just a little bit fun. I haven’t had a girls’ night out in years. That is sad to say, but it’s true. I guess one night out at Bookers couldn’t hurt. Hayley and I love karaoke and sang a ton for fun in high school and college.

“Let’s see what you have to wear,” Hayley says as she stands and heads toward my room.

“A sweater and jeans will be fine, I’m sure,” I call back to her. I don’t have the money for new clothes.

“What are you wearing?” I ask as I follow her into my room, and she opens my closet.

Hayley looks at the contents of my closet incredulously. “I’m getting a new outfit. I’m trying to figure out what you have that doesn’t scream old lady librarian.”

I groan. It’s like she can read my mind. I’m content to become an old lady librarian at this point. I’m already on my way to making that happen. I already have the job, cozy cottage, and tea brewing.

“But I am an old lady librarian,” I protest as she moves hangers to the left and frowns even more.

“No, you’re not. We’re dressing beautiful and sexy. I want you to feel confident.”

“I do feel confident in my sweaters and leggings,” I mutter.

“You have nothing. We’re going shopping,” she announces as she pulls out her phone and types something into it.

“I don’t have that in my budget right now,” I point out as I sit on my bed and look up at the ceiling in protest.

She looks up from her phone. “Mom’s finishing shopping at the general store and coming to watch Willow. We’re going out to get new outfits. And probably makeup. It’s on me.” She held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. Consider it a baking bonus. You have helped me so much, and it’s time for me to help you. Plus, you’re doing me a favor by helping with the speed dating. I owe you.”

“You do help me…” I say before she ignores me and heads back down the hall.

I shake my head and smile as I follow her, knowing I won’t win this one. I peek into Willow’s room, where she’s coloring. “Hey, Willow, let’s eat.”

We’re having soup, chicken nuggets, and some of my homemade sourdough bread when Anna comes in my back door and waves as she sets down a few bags of what looks like baked goods and a few containers of food. I love Anna. She is what I imagine my own mom would be like if she were still alive. I don’t have a lot of memories of her, but Anna tells me stories. She even keeps a notebook, and when she has a memory of my mom, she writes it down for me. I’ve read it a few times since I’ve been home, and I cherish every memory she saves for me.

“Hi, Anna, thanks for coming. You didn’t have to do this,” I say as I take her coat and give her a quick hug. Hayley rolls her eyes at me and smiles, mouthing at her mom, “Yes, you did.”

“I wanted to spend some time with this kiddo,” she says, plopping a kiss on Willow’s head as she slides into a chair next to her at the table.

“I have some soup on if you’re hungry.”

She smiles and nods. “It smells good in here. I think I will have some in a little bit. Glad you two girls are going out. What do you have planned?”

“Shopping for an outfit for speed dating, apparently,” I say dryly.

“Speed dating? Now that sounds like fun for you two.” She rubs her hands together with a grin.

“If you say so,” I say as I rinse the bowls and set them in the dishwasher. I turn, and Anna’s already chatting with Willow. Seeing them together makes me wonder what my mom would have been like with Willow. I look around my kitchen and feel her here. Even though I have very few memories of her, I miss her and wonder what she would have been like.

Hayley leans in and hugs her mom. “Thanks, Mom. We’ll be back late; we’re going to the city to shop.”

“The city?” I protest.

She waves her hand. “You know we won’t find what we need here. We’re on a mission. I have just the idea of what we need.”

Oh boy.

“Go, go, go,” Anna says as she pulls my plaid jacket and purse off the hook by the door and hands them to me, urging me along.

“Okay, thank you, I’ll check in…”

“Bye,” Hayley calls and waves, trying to get me to the door.

“Bye, sweetie,” I say, giving Willow a hug. “I won’t be long,” I call as Hayley steers me out the door before I can come up with another excuse.

After three hours of what Hayley calls power shopping and a few new outfits later, complete with shoes, makeup, and hair products despite my protesting, I will admit that I do feel pretty. And I haven’t felt this way in a long time. For the past several years, I’ve poured all my energy into school and taking care of Willow and Richie. I really put myself last. Survival mode was not fun and not a place that I want to live in again. Finding my way back to myself here in Cozy Creek has been liberating. I’ve been working hard to set up our home, which has been nice. I guess it’s my turn now. And Hayley and I have had the best time. This really was my Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman moment when I got to cut loose, and I felt like…well, me again. Everly. Not a mom, but me. I needed this. I had my makeup done and have a bag of new makeup in Hayley’s trunk. I paid close attention when she explained the makeup to me, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve curled my hair and not just thrown it up in a messy bun or ponytail, always trimming the ends and my bangs myself.

On the way back to Cozy Creek, I turn the radio down in the car. “Thanks, Hayles. I needed this.”

“I know you did. That was so much fun.” She gives me a wicked grin. “Hey, want to go steal your old car back?”

“No. Richie would probably call the cops on me, and I’ll go to jail.” I snort. “And he’d enjoy that too much.”

“What a dick.”

“If the name fits,” I mutter as my phone vibrates in my lap. I look at it and cringe. “Speak of the devil.”

“Answer it. Let’s hear what little dickie poo has to say.” She smirks with an evil playful look on her face.

Feeling a little snarky, I slide the answer button and put him on speaker. “Yes,” I say in my steady and what I like to call my professional librarian voice that I’ve perfected. Richie hates it when I don’t give in and argue back with him. Boundaries are his worst nightmare.

“’Bout time you answer. I’ve been calling and texting,” Richie huffs, and I hear commotion in the background around him like he’s out somewhere.

“What do you need, Richie?” I ask, remaining calm.

“You coming back?” he demands.

“Nope,” I say with a pop of the p at the end, hoping he gets my emphasis on the word.

“What are you going to do?” he berates in a condescending voice. “You can’t afford a vehicle on your measly little librarian paycheck. You’re barely making ends meet. I’m not even sure how you’re even making it. Unless you have some part-time escort job I’m not aware of. Where are you getting your money?”

I take a deep breath before I answer and remember to keep it professional. “My household budget is none of your concern. Is there anything else you need to talk to me about concerning our child?”

Hayley flips on her turn signal and stops at a light. Looking over at me, she shakes her head with disgust at the way Richie speaks to me.

“Give up, Everly. Come home where you belong. It stinks, and I need you to take care of whatever it is. I’m too busy to deal with this.” His voice is full of frustration.

Hayley and I lock our eyes, and I cover my mouth. Hayley can barely contain her laughter. Our eyes are wide, and we’re breathing heavily, trying not to laugh.

“Maybe you could hire a housekeeper to maintain your home,” I say nonchalantly.

“I hired someone. And they say they won’t come back until I figure out the odor,” he bites out. “This is your job, Everly. You need to come home.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. Maintaining a house that size is a lot of work, but you’ll need to figure it out. We’re divorced now,” I remind him evenly, proud of myself for keeping my cool.

“I know we’re divorced, Everly. You should never have left me. And you know it’s wrong. You need to be here where you belong. Come fix this.”

“I’m going to have to let you go, Richie. I hope you can resolve your odor issue,” I say, barely keeping it under control. “Bye now.”

I disconnect, and Hayley and I are hysterical with laughter. “Your odor issue,” she repeats and dissolves in another fit of laughter.

“Well deserved. When he finds out what it is, we’re screwed,” I say but still cackle.

“He can’t prove it was us.”

I sigh, and my shoulders sag. “When is he going to stop making Willow’s and my lives miserable?”

“He needs to back off and leave you alone. I should have Nash talk to him.”

“No, don’t do that,” I say quickly, but she’s already parking and getting out.

“Meanwhile, you’ll be a hot lady for speed dating, so whatever.” She grabs bags from the back, and we head up the stairs, still on our fun shopping high despite Richie trying to kill the mood.

She stops and looks down at them. “Are these new? ”

“Yeah, my old ones broke, and the property manager replaced them,” I say as I notice a metal box that looks like a toolbox tucked behind the stairs, and I remind myself to check it in the morning. The landlord probably left it here, and it’ll give me another reason to email and talk to Reed.

“They look nice. Good thing you have a good landlord. You really lucked out getting this place again. I wish you could have just bought it.”

“I’m just grateful we get to live here.” I have very few memories of my mom, but this was the house I lived in from birth up until I went to college. It’s the only place I feel like I can still feel and remember her. I can still picture her standing in front of the stove making dinner and coloring with me at the kitchen table just like I do with Willow now. My dad sold it and moved to Florida with his new wife and stepdaughters. I hear from him usually around Christmas when he sends a family Christmas card with their family smiling in the photo. And every time he does that, it practically guts me. He rarely calls and doesn’t ask about Willow, and he hasn’t been a participant in our lives. It was a painful time when he was moving and asked me to come and look at some of my mom’s old things before he donated them. He’d looked at me and said, “I have a chance to start over and have a real family. You get that, right? I need this, kiddo.” He’d thought I would be happy for him when he told me this, and that’s when I realized I wasn’t included in the equation at all.

And those words devastated me. Because I needed a family, too. I needed him, and he was never there for me. When I was growing up and he was home, he chose to spend that time at the pub and not with me. And now seeing him being a sober father to his new kids makes me feel like something was wrong with me. Why didn’t he want me? And he could have included me with his new family, but he doesn’t. I don’t know if that is his new wife’s doing or his, but it has been that way ever since. And that is that. I had the McCreedys. Until I didn’t. And now I have them back again. I’d do anything for any of them, apparently even speed dating.

I check my email even though it’s late. I should be going to sleep because my alarm will wake me up early. I have no new emails from him, but I decide to write to him anyway.

Reed,

Thank you for the gift card, tequila, and chicken nuggets. That was a nice surprise, and you didn’t have to do that. And a funny one. I will admit, I’m intrigued about you. Where could I find you if I wanted to repay the favor and drop off soup or bread since you’ve asked about them? If you’re not married or dating someone, I mean. I don’t want to bother you. I’m sorry if that’s too forward.

Thank you again,

Everly

Too much? Probably, but he sounds like a nice guy, and I like chatting with him. It’s easy and fun. Maybe speed dating would be like this, and I should put myself out there after all.

I drift off to sleep, and Nash fills my dreams as he often does.