Page 19 of Hidden Memories

Buzz.I slide my cell from my jeans and look at the screen. It’s not my father calling. It’s an unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Hi. Is this Kat Petras?”

“Speaking.”

“This is Julia Polakowski. I’m a friend of Santiago Mendez. He told me you’re looking for some work?”

My heart skips a beat. He actually decided to help me? I assumed he wouldn’t.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I own the tack and feed shop in Echo Valley, and I can use some help with odds and ends. Stacking shelves. Manning the shop. It’s only part-time and would involve manual labor.”

“I’m up for anything, Julia, as long as…” I bite my lip. Did Santi add I need to bring my kid? Surely that’s a dealbreaker for most people.

Julia finishes my thought. “Santi relayed the information about your son. Can I ask how old he is?”

“Ten. Theo is a very good boy…”

“Oh, I’m not bothered aboutgoodboys. None of them are when you scratch beneath the surface.”

She lets out a natural, sassy laugh that warms my chest and puts me at ease.

She continues, “I just wanted to know if we’re dealing with a baby or toddler because I’d need to give that extraconsideration safety wise. But ten? We can put him to work, too.”

I glance over at Theo who smooths his duvet, puts his hands on his hips, and stares at his work with satisfaction.

“We’re up for anything, Julia. Thank you. Echo Valley is just up the road from us, so that would be perfect. I’m homeschooling Theo until the new school year, so we’re pretty flexible.”

“Can you come by this afternoon? I have some deliveries. It would be a perfect time to have some extra hands. And I’ll need you to fill out some forms.”

I can’t believe my luck.

“Absolutely.”

Just then, Keeper rushes into the room and jumps on the bed. He’s not going to love being alone for hours in this new place.

“Uh… Julia?” I can’t believe I have to ask for a favor upon a favor. “Do you think I could bring my dog to work, too? He’s very well-behaved, but seeing as we just moved house he’s not exactly settled. I’m worried he might become destructive if he gets bored or thinks we’re not coming back. The furniture here isn’t mine, so…”

“Say no more. I wouldn’t have the pup distraught. Dogs are coming in and out of the shop all day anyway as you can imagine.”

This is all going too perfectly. Maybe I’m due some good karma. I’ll have to thank Santi for sending Julia to me, though the mere thought of seeing him again after all these years, and after all that heartache, sends my stomach on a roller-coaster ride. What will it be like to see him again?

It’s been a long time. So long that I’m sometimes embarrassed I stillcare.Because I do. I suppose it’s only natural. How could I ever stop wondering how someone whoseemed so in love with me, someone who I planned my life with, that I was prepared to quit college, hell, leave itallbehind for, never showed up?

I called Santi back then. Texted…why…

I can’t think like this. That was thirteen years ago, and the man has just decided to help me out. I need to look forward, not back.

Too bad I know from his massive online presence he’s still attractive. Maybe more so.

Ugh.

I write down the address to Heritage Tack and Feed Shop. I tell Theo about our new opportunity, and he’s excited by it. It’s not ideal to make him come to work with me every day, but maybe I can teach him math there at the register and make him read inventory lists for me or something. It’s only part-time. We’ll still have a lot of time in a day. And it’s only temporary.

I try to let some pride overtake my concerns. I’m thirty-one years old and embarking on my very first job. I’m doing it.

---