14. Zane

FOURTEEN

ZANE

A s soon as I see Caryn’s name on my screen, I pick up the call and head toward the door. “Caryn? Hi.” I keep myself turned toward the window, hoping for some privacy, but knowing it’ll be useless.

“Are you on your way home?”

I look up just as Evangeline leaves Alma’s and walks past me. She doesn’t even look back or linger. Shaking my head, I return my focus to Caryn knowing any friendship Eve and I might have started is likely in the tank now.

“Zane?”

“I’m here. Sorry.”

“Well?”

Well, what?

“Here, as in New York?”

“No, I’m in Deer Ridge. I said last night?—”

“And I said last night that you need to come back, Zane. Am I not making myself clear? ”

A truck drives by and honks. Not sure who they’re honking at, but I wave anyway because it’s the right thing to do here. My head leans back, taking in some of the sun peeking through the clouds. Living in the Northeast means you need to absorb the sun whenever you see it. Winter depression is a real thing.

I glance down the road and see my dad outside the store, talking to a customer. He’s the reason I’m staying. Without him even telling me what it means to have me here, I know he’s happy. I was wrong to ignore him in favor of Caryn and her family.

What a piece-of-crap son I am.

“I’m not coming back until after Christmas. I know you’re worried about the party scene, and you can tell your friends that I am visiting my father. If they don’t understand then maybe they shouldn’t be your friends.”

“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me, Zane. How could you?” Cue the crocodile tears. She hiccups and cries into the phone. I can wait her out or coddle her. Doing nothing is also an option and the one I take.

“Caryn, I’m not doing anything. We were supposed to be here all month.” I don’t acknowledge her crying or tell her everything will be okay. She’s turned on the waterworks because normally I’ll cave and give. It’s exactly what her parents have done her entire life.

She laughs, the tears suddenly gone. “I never had any intention of staying there all month, Zane. You knew this. Did you really think I’d skip the holiday season?”

Clearly, I did .

“Silly me.” I reply, my patience running thin.

Caryn covers the receiver so I can’t hear her or whoever she’s with right now. It’s a good thing she’s never learned how to use the mute button. She’d have me on it all the time.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll say that,” she says to the other person, then she uncovers the receiver and continues talking to me. “Listen, I have expectations and you’re not meeting them right now. So, either come home . . .” Caryn trails off, pausing for dramatic effect.

I crack a smile. Someone is feeding her things to say. She’s not coming up with this on her one. My guess is it’s Serena. “By all means. Please tell me what’s going to happen if I don’t come back?”

“It’ll be over.”

I let her words settle over me and wait for panic to set in. It doesn’t. “Okay. If that’s what you want,” I say, oddly calm about the situation.

“Wait. What?”

“No backpedaling now, Caryn. I will never accept an ultimatum. They’re childish and never work. I could easily say the same thing to you, get back here or else, but I don’t. So, there ya go. Instead of acting like an adult, you want to listen to Serena and act like a spoiled child.”

“Zane, I?—”

“Didn’t mean it? But you did. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have said it, and if you truly cared about me, you never would’ve left Deer Ridge and put in some effort here. So, goodbye Caryn. I agree, this is over.” I hang up, saving myself from surely what will be a temper tantrum. Undoubtedly, her father will call me later to lay down the law, and I wouldn’t be surprised if her mom calls to explain her daughter’s behavior.

What feels right though, is this relationship being over. Last night when Caryn didn’t show up to something that was very important to my dad, I knew things were about to change.

Who does something like that?

My phone starts vibrating and I know it’s from the texts and calls from Caryn. I’m already annoyed and shut my phone off. Right now, I have nothing to say. I start walking toward Evangeline’s, needing to apologize. I should’ve never answered my phone during our breakfast. It was rude and I’m tired of putting her feelings on the back burner. She deserves better.

I knock on the door which leads to her apartment, and not the one to her office, and wait. She doesn’t answer and I try again. When there is still no answer, I give up and walk to her office. The door is unlocked so I go in and am greeted with a smile from her assistant.

“Hi, is Evangeline in?”

“May I tell her who’s asking?”

This is one of those moments when I wish I could lie and make up some name. But something tells Eve’s assistant knows exactly who I am by the way she’s looking at me with a playful smirk. I suppose I could turn on the charm, lean on the top of the counter, and give her one of those smoldering gazes or bat my eyelashes.

“Are you flirting with Noelle?” Evangeline’s voice echoes through her office. Gone are the sweats she had on earlier, along with my sweatshirt. I’m rather sad that she took it off. She’s wearing jeans, her snow boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and a vest. Definitely not an outfit I’d see a New York City attorney wear, but here it makes sense. And I’m sure she will put some time in at the farm later.

“I’m not, but I was about to if it meant I could see you.”

“Well, I’m not here. I mean obviously, I am, but I’m leaving.” She walks toward me, giving me hope she’s going to stop and talk to me. But no, Eve continues to the door. “Call if you need me.”

“I would but I don’t have your number.”

“I was talking to Noelle,” she says as she walks out the door. I mouth a thank you to Noelle and run after Evangeline.

“By chance, do you know where my keys are?”

She raises her arm, and my keys fly toward my head. It’s a good thing I’m not any closer or they could’ve smacked me in the face. I follow her to the truck and stop the door from closing.

“Zane,” she says my name exasperatedly and presses her thumb to her temple. “I’m not in the mood to deal with you. Please go away.”

“I’m a crappy person, I know I am. I should’ve never taken the call during breakfast and I’m sorry.”

“Yep. Can I go now?” She keeps her eyes forward and after a beat, I take a step back and let go of the door.

“Of course. I’ll see you at the farm.”

This gets her to look at me. I smile and wink .

“Why are you going to the farm?”

“It’s simple. I promised you a day of work and honestly, I’m tired of breaking my promises. See ya in a bit, Evangeline.” I back away from her truck and jog across the street, hoping I remember where I parked last night.

My rental is there, complete with a wash me I’m dirty note written on the muddy back window. “Wise guy,” I mutter as I get behind the wheel and head toward the inn with the intent of checking out. I’d rather stay at my dad’s.

Leslie, the innkeeper, is sad to see me go. I’m sure it’s not me she will miss, but the month-long payment from Caryn’s dad. That’s right, he was footing the bill. Honestly, I’m not going to miss being a kept man. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Nothing like having money hung over your head on a daily basis.

This time when I get to the farm, I park in the driveway, where Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb’s cars are. Doing so saves a space in the parking lot for people coming to buy trees. I hop out, put some winter wear on, and grab my work gloves before hustling to the backyard.

There are fifteen or so people trying to buy a tree. Mr. Holcomb is helping one couple, while Eve is in the shack selling some other goods. I jump right in and start selling, remembering everything Benny Holcomb taught me when I was younger .

Benny catches my attention and gives me a nod of approval. I may not be on his best side, but I’m going to work my tail off to prove I’m the guy he remembers from years ago.

I help a young couple pick their first tree and guide the woman into the shack. “Eve, pre-cut fir,” I say loud enough for her to hear. If she’s shocked to see me, she doesn’t say anything. Five minutes later, I’m back in the shack dropping off some cash. I hand it to her, like I used to many years ago. Then I would’ve snuck a kiss. Now, I’m just thankful she hasn’t killed me yet.

Two hours later, Benny and I finally have a break, and I work on moving and straightening the remaining trees.

“Thanks for your help, Zane.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Holcomb. I mentioned to Evangeline yesterday that I would come and help. It’s the least I could do since she helps my dad.”

“She’s good like that,” Benny says. “Definitely one of a kind.”

“Yes, she is.”

“Does your fiancée know you’re over?”

I stop and take my gloves off, wiping the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. “She doesn’t care anymore.”

Mr. Holcomb’s eyes go wide.

“What did you say?” Evangeline asks.

I shrug. “She gave me an ultimatum and I called her out on it. Her response was to call things off. I think she expected me to beg her to change her mind, but I didn’t. No one has time for that sort of thing. ”

“Wow. Okay.” Eve heads to the house, leaving me with her dad.

He’s quiet for a moment and then looks at me. “I never thought I’d have to say this to you, especially since I’ve known you for most of your life. But if you pursue my daughter and hurt her again, I will end you. I won’t even question whether I’m right in doing so. If she even considers giving you another chance, don’t mess it up.”

I haven’t been single for four hours and hadn’t even thought about pursuing anything with Evangeline.

No, I suppose that’s a lie. Ever since I saw her standing in this very spot with the trees, I saw her back in my life. However, I would never have done anything to hurt Caryn. I already know how my actions can hurt someone, and it’s not a good feeling seeing the pain I’ve caused.

“Sir, I can assure you if Evangeline and I ever get to that point again, I won’t mess it up. Right now, I’ll be content if she wants to be my friend. She doesn’t trust me and for good reason. I think I need to work on that part first.”

“I hope you’re a patient man, Zane. If I remember correctly, she took one of the stuffed animals you gave her and performed surgery on it.”

“Really?” I’m not sure if I should be hurt or not.

Mr. Holcomb shrugs. “You definitely deserved it.”

I nod and hang my head. “Yeah, I did.”

A car pulls into the parking lot. I put my gloves on and tell Benny I’ll take care of them. While I get the netting ready, the family makes their way down the small incline.

“Welcome to Reindeer Ridge Farm. I’m Zane. Have a look around and let me know if you have any questions.” I squat so I’m eye level with the two kids. “If it’s okay with your parents, we have candy canes inside the shack there. Go ahead and help yourself.”

The kids ask their parents right away but are told to wait.

“Are we allowed to cut our own?”

I nod and pick up the chainsaw, telling them to follow me.

“Sure, am glad you’re back, Zane,” Mr. Holcomb says as I pass by him.

“Me too, sir.” Me too.”