Chapter 6

SIX

Stella

My eyes are heavy as I stare down at my phone at the balance on my bank account. I wish I could blame the low balance on my tired eyes, but that’s not the case. Unfortunately, the number is real, and it’s decreasing every day. I’ve only been spending money for diapers, wipes, and things Ada needs, the necessities. Even so, those things are expensive.

I sold everything I owned except for my car, my clothes, and all of Ada’s things before moving to Willow River. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get us here, and I’ve been using it to get by until I find a job. I didn’t expect it to take this long. I’m either not qualified because I have no education or because someone with more experience has been chosen over me. It’s not looking good, and I’m worried I might have to take my grandparents up on their offer to put me to work at the hardware store, even when I know they don’t need the help.

I hate feeling helpless and dependent on other people.

Like Maverick.

That money isn’t going to last forever. I really need to find a job soon. Babies are expensive, and I loathe the idea of having to take money or a job that’s not really there from my grandparents. I should be looking for a job right now, but Ada was up most of the night last night. She’s teething, and she’s miserable. We walked the floor for the majority of the night. The only way she was comfortable was if I was holding her. Even then, it was a struggle.

Hoping I can get in a quick fifteen-minute nap before she wakes up screaming in pain again, I lean my head back on the couch and close my eyes. I’m almost there, drifting off to sleep, when my phone rings. I jolt awake because I don’t get calls anymore. My friends, or who I thought were my friends, abandoned me when I got pregnant. Apparently, a single pregnant friend hinders their partying ability or something like that. My parents wrote me off, and lord knows Ada”s dad never calls to check on his daughter.

Glancing at the screen, I don’t recognize the number, and hope swells in my chest. Maybe it’s one of the many jobs I’ve applied for. I clear my throat and then answer. “Hello, this is Stella.” I hope I sound professional. If this is a prospective job, I need to impress from the start.

“Hey, Stella, this is Jordyn Kincaid.”

Kincaid.“Hi, Jordyn,” I answer politely.

“We met briefly when Mav brought you to the soft opening. There are a lot of us.” She chuckles. “I’m Ryder’s wife.”

I can hear the smile in her voice. “There were a lot of you.” I laugh nervously.

“You’ll learn all of our names in no time. Anyway, my husband mentioned that Mav said you were job hunting.”

“I am.” I’m not sure where this is going, but hope wells in my chest. Of course, Maverick would have to be involved with that hope. Seems that’s been a new common theme since the day he stopped to help me on the side of the road.

“Can you tell me a little about what you’re looking for?”

“Anything. I don’t have a lot of experience. I worked as a server during my first two years of college. I had to drop out of school when I found out I was pregnant with Ada. My parents… they didn’t support me keeping her.” I hate talking about my situation, especially with strangers, but if she’s a potential employer, I feel that being honest with her is the best policy.

“Oh, so customer service. That’s great. I’m looking for help at the boutique. Ry’s stressed out that I’m working too much. I don’t know if it would be full-time right away, but it would be part-time for sure until things pick up. Do you have time to come in so we can talk more?”

My shoulders relax, and relief washes over me with Jordyn’s easy acceptance of my past. The last thing I want to do is sit and discuss the people who were supposed to love me unconditionally but don’t. “I can, but my grandma had a doctor”s appointment, so I’d need it to be later so she can watch Ada. I promise I’ll have reliable childcare,” I rush to tell her.

“Oh, just bring her with you.” Her tone is nonchalant like it really isn’t a big deal that I bring my one-year-old daughter to a job interview.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” she replies without a second of hesitation. “It will be very informal. I just want to go over the job and show you what you’ll be doing. We can talk about working hours and all that.”

“Okay, well, Ada is napping.”

“I’ll be here all day. Just come over after she wakes up.”

I’m shocked. It’s as if the perfect scenario just landed in my lap. “Thank you so much, Jordyn.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you and Ada in a little while.”

The line goes dead before I can reply. Closing my eyes, I hug my phone to my chest. I’m smiling, and I’m sure if anyone were to see me right now, they’d think I just got a call that I won the lottery.

This feels like I’ve won the lottery, the job lottery.

Unlocking my phone, I pull up Maverick’s name. I know he was behind this. He had to be. I hate that he’s still giving, and I’m still taking. Maverick Kincaid has once again made a huge impact on my life. I don’t know how, but I will repay him. Before I can chicken out, I type out a text and hit send.

Me: I’m not sure why you were the one to find us that day on the side of the road, but I’m so thankful that it was you. You’ve done so much for Ada and me, and we’re nothing but strangers to you. Thank you for everything, Maverick. I’ll never forget your kindness.

Standing, I rush to my room. As quietly as I can, I pick out an outfit and straighten my hair. I add some mascara and call it good. I’m a mom, and I’m struggling every single day. I don’t want to hide that from Jordyn. She needs to know who she’s hiring. Chances are this is the best I’ll be able to do with a one-year-old underfoot, so I might as well be me. I just hope that’s enough.

My phone vibrates, the sound blaring in the silent room, and my belly flips at the possibility that it might be Maverick getting back to me. It’s completely ridiculous, and I internally scold myself as I rush for the phone that I left on the bed and check my message. I smile when I see his name.

Maverick: Strangers? Stel, we’ve shared two meals together. We’re friends.

He follows it up with a string of smiley face emojis.

Maverick: And not that I appreciate the thank-you, but you can stop sending them my way. I know you’re appreciative.

Maverick: How’s Ada? How are you?

His texts come in rapid fire. I’m holding my phone and can’t help but compare Maverick to literally every other man in my life, with the exception of my grandpa. He asked not just about me but my daughter. He knows she’s an extension of me, and while I’m certain Maverick isn’t interested in me, it’s hard for me not to crush on him just a little with how he includes my daughter. Oh, and that big ole heart of his that he so freely gives without expectations.

Me: Friends, I think I like the sound of that.

Me: Thank you.

I send a string of face with tongue emojis.

Me:We’re both doing well. And I have a job interview today, so you see, this thank-you is for a new, very nice and incredible thing you’ve done for me.

Instead of texting me back, my phone rings silently. His name flashes on the screen, and I debate not answering, but after everything he’s done for me, taking his call is the least I can do. I step out of my room so I won’t wake Ada, and I head toward the living room as I hit Accept.

“Hello.”

“What job interview?”

“Like you don’t know.”

“I don’t know.”

“Your sister-in-law Jordyn called me today, and she’s looking for help at her boutique.”

“You’d be perfect for that,” he says with conviction.

“You didn’t know she was going to call me?”

“No. I truly didn’t. I was at my parents’ place with all my brothers over the weekend, planning our annual camping trip. I mentioned to Ryder that you were looking when he said that Jordyn was doing too much. He’s worried about her since she’s pregnant.”

“That’s close enough,” I tell him.

He laughs. “Maybe, but I wasn’t sure if Ry was going to be able to convince Jordyn she needed help. She’s been through a lot, and she wants this boutique to succeed, and she’s beyond determined to make that happen.”

“She seems really nice. She even said I could bring Ada with me.”

“Told you, Stel, we love babies.”

“I’m starting to believe you,” I reply, and even I can hear the lightness of my tone. It’s the Maverick effect. He just has a way of making you feel calm and relaxed and believe that everything will work out.

“So you’re going today?” he asks.

“I am. Ada is sleeping. She said to just come over when she wakes up. I feel bad that I have to take her, but my grandma had a doctor”s appointment, and Grandpa is at the store.”

“It’s fine, trust me. Good luck. Not that you’ll need it. Jordyn is a sweetheart, and I have a feeling the two of you are going to hit it off.”

“Mav—” I start, and he stops me.

“Nope. No more thank-yous, Stel. Let me know how it goes.”

“I’m sure everyone in your family will know,” I say, only half joking. They seem to be a very tight-knit group. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It’s just not what I’m used to. It’s a little overwhelming, if I’m being honest.

“Oh, they will, but I want to hear it from you.”

“I can do that.” That’s a simple ask for all that he’s done.

“Talk to you soon,” he says. “We’ll go out for dinner one night this week to celebrate.”

I can’t hold back the laugh that sputters out. “You’re putting the cart before the horse, buddy.” I’m shaking my head, even though he can’t see me.

“I’m manifesting,” he replies with ease. “Besides, I know Jordyn, and I know you. It’s a perfect fit.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Be thinking about where you girls want to go to celebrate,” he says, ignoring me. “I need to get back to work. Kick ass, Stel.”

“Be safe.” The words are out before I can stop them. I’ve heard lots of stories about road construction crews and the dangers of the traffic, and even the equipment. I bite down on my cheek. I hope he doesn’t read too much into my request, and I hate that I let my cards show. Maverick isn’t a stranger. I’ve known him for a short amount of time, but dare I say that he’s my friend?

“Always, Stella.” His tone is serious. “I’ll see you soon.”

I don’t allow myself to obsess over every word of our conversation, and how lucky I am that he stopped to help me that day. Someone was watching over us, or maybe it’s just the universe’s way of telling me it’s time that I caught a small break with the shit life has thrown at me lately.

Two hours later, I’m pulling into the lot of Kincaid’s boutique. It took me longer than I thought. Ada woke up from her nap with a diaper explosion, screaming. Not that I blame her. If I had shit smeared up my back, I’d be screaming mad too. I had to give her a bath and change the sheets, tossing them all in the washer before we could leave.

The dark sky that’s been looming all afternoon opens up and unleashes huge drops of rain before I have a chance to get us both out of the car and into the building. “Really, universe?” I ask. “You couldn’t have given me five more minutes?”

I sit here for close to five minutes, and there’s not a break in the downpour. “Ada girl, looks like we’re going to have to get creative.” Pulling the keys from the ignition, I reach for my purse and phone that’s sitting in the cupholder, unbuckle my seat belt, and climb into the back seat.

Ada grins when she sees me, kicking her hands and feet. “We’ve got this, right?” I ask her. She babbles back, and I smile. This little girl is my entire heart. Unzipping the diaper bag, I shove my purse and phone inside and squeeze to get it zipped shut. The diaper bag is one of those backpack types that has a handle on top to carry it, or you can put it on your back. I’m thankful for that part right now. I slip it on my back and then work on getting Ada out of her seat. She’s on board for this, laughing and cooing. Hopefully, that good mood remains once we’re out in the pelting downpour of rain.

“Good thing Mommy likes to be prepared,” I tell my daughter. I have one of those roll up blankets that’s waterproof on the bottom, and soft on the top. I keep it in my car for days when we go to the park. It’s not an umbrella, but I actually think it might be better. I can hold it over both of us, and it will offer more protection than an umbrella, anyway.

I tap my pocket where my keys are, making sure that I have them. Adjusting the blanket, I prepare to thrust us out into this mess. “All right, let’s do this.” I keep a tight grip on Ada and push open the door. Rain hits the blanket, and Ada squirms. “Trust me, kid, I know how you feel.”

Slamming the car door shut, I take off running toward the front door. Flinging it open, I step inside the boutique. The wind slams the door behind me, causing Ada to cry out.

“Shh, it’s okay. It was the wind shutting the door.” I pull the soaked blanket off us and hold it out, but I”m not sure what to do with it.

“Goodness. Let me help you.” Jordyn comes rushing over and takes the blanket. She shakes it off and tosses it over a set of plastic chairs by the door. “Those are for the husbands.” She grins. “Mine likes to go where I go, but he hates shopping. I assumed there might be others, so I made a place for them to sit and wait,” she explains. She offers me her hand. “I’m Jordyn. Nice to meet you again. You too, Miss Ada,” she says, dropping my hand, taking my daughter’s, and wiggling it around, making her laugh and forget about the rain and the loud slam of the door as we walked inside.

“Thank you for letting me bring her. I know that’s not ideal for a job interview.”

Jordyn waves me off. “No worries. Family has to come first. Besides, you’re going to be my first and only employee. We have to stick together.” She offers me a kind smile, and I instantly feel more at ease.

“Wait. Going to be your only employee?” I ask.

She grins. “Yep. This is just a formality. I win in so many ways.” She holds up her hand to start counting. “One, I get an awesome employee. Two, my husband is happier. Three, I get to work fewer hours and not have all of this pressure on me. You’re welcome, by the way. Four, you get a job with an awesome boss and the perks of being able to bring your daughter to work with you. Five, and this is the best one. Maverick will be thrilled. He’s probably going to ask for a finder”s fee.” She cackles as if that’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard, which makes Ada do the same. “Come here, cutie.” She holds her hands out, and Ada leans into her. “Do you mind if I hold her? I guess I should have asked first.”

“Not at all.” I transfer my daughter into her arms and watch as she talks to her, carrying on a conversation just as I do. I have a very good feeling about Jordyn and this job.

Thank you, Maverick.

“Right, I guess we should talk about the job.” She pulls her attention from my daughter to me.

“Want me to take her?” I ask.

“Nah,” she says as the door to the boutique opens. We both turn to see a soggy Maverick walking in. “Maverick.” I’m not looking at Jordyn, but I don’t have to be to hear the grin in her voice.

“Ladies.” He shakes out his wet hair and moves toward us. When he reaches Jordyn, he holds his arms out for Ada, and she goes to him willingly. “Hey there, little lady.” He blows a loud raspberry on her cheek, making her laugh.

“What are you doing here?” Jordyn asks him.

“Got rained out and was driving by. I knew Stel was going to be here, and that she had to bring my friend here with her. I decided to stop and keep Ada occupied while you two talk shop.”

“Maverick.” I let his name hang in the air because “thank you” isn’t enough. I’ll never be able to say what his kindness has meant to me.

“I’ll take this.” He steps next to me and, with one hand, helps me remove the diaper bag. “We’re going to be in the break room.” With that, he walks away, my daughter in his arms, loving every second of his attention.

“You didn’t know he was coming?” Jordyn asks me.

“No. I texted him to say thank you for the lead on the job. He called me and told me to stop thanking him. He’s already done so much for me, and I mentioned that I had to bring her with me. I never dreamed he’d show up.”

“Work hard, love harder.” Jordyn grins.

“What’s that?”

She places her arm around my shoulders. “The Kincaid family motto.”

“Oh.” I let that sink in. “Makes a lot of sense.” I nod.

“Come on. I’ll tell you a story.” She pulls me to the register and proceeds to tell me her story and everything she and Ryder went through to be together. We go from her story to mine, where I tell her my past as well.

“You’re hired,” she says once we’re both finished expelling our pasts.

“I don’t even know what you need me for.” I smile.

“Running the register, which, if you were a server, you’ll be fine, stocking shelves, assisting customers. All easy stuff.”

“I’ll take it. I’ll be the best only employee you’ve ever had,” I say before we both fall into a fit of giggles.

“Hey, now, Ada and I want in on this party. Can you believe they didn’t invite us?” Maverick asks my daughter. She leans her head on his shoulder, and my heart melts.

“Girls only, little brother.”

I expect Maverick to get mad at the little brother comment even if it was said with affection, but he just smiles at her and bends to kiss her cheek. Ada takes that as an invitation to switch hands and reaches out for Jordyn.

“I can take her.”

“She’s perfectly fine.”

I stand here and watch as Jordyn and Maverick play peek-a-boo with my little girl, and relief washes over me. I have a job in a town full of amazing people. Something tells me that life is about to change for the better.